Temperatures continue to rise in Ballwin and St. Charles, which means one thing – your AC is about to go in to full blown summer mode and run quite a bit more. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead and have an AC repair technician identified if your air conditioner decides it’s worked long enough and breaks down.
Of course it’s not as easy as selecting a name and number out of a phone book like it used to be, and there are a sufficient number of companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your hardship. That’s why Air Alliance Team has put together a list of things to search for in an AC repair technician.
So how will you know if you’re dealing with a less than reputable AC repair technician?
1) Full payment – in cash prior to beginning the work
It might be hard to believe that there are contractors out there like this, but they are out there. Not only does this put you at risk of not having your AC repair completed, it can easily lead to sloppy work and a bunch of frustration if you have any trouble after the work is completed. Plain and simple, most reputable contractors will provide an estimate and will not make you pay before the work begins.
2) Offers a specific AC repair cost without inspecting the system
If a contractor hasn’t come by and inspected your air conditioner to get the full picture of what is the issue with your system, how can you be 100 percent sure that they fixed the problem? Find someone who is willing to give you an honest estimate after they come and inspect your air conditioner to completely recognize what the problem is. It can help you save money and time.
3) Won’t put it in writing
Never, ever settle on this one. If you can’t get a contractor to put their work and charges in writing, you might as well be handing over a signed, blank check. With any AC repair, you could run in to things here or there that also need to be taken care of, but they can be added to the agreed upon contract afterwards.
Having a signed contract from the beginning means you are on the same page with your contractor when it comes to what is being completed, what is being changed, timeline for completion, and cost involved.
4) They aren’t licensed in your state
Of course, not all states require licensure for HVAC contractors, but a lot do. Do a quick search online to find out if your state requires a license so you know what you’re asking for when finding a contractor. The benefit to living in a state that requires a license is that it guards you from using a contractor with less than qualified workers, and in the chance you run in to a problem, you have the ability to report any issues with the work you received.
Usually when you encounter a contractor working without a license in a state that requires it, you’re more than likely dealing with someone you shouldn’t be. There’s most likely a reason they don’t have a license and it’s easy to figure they’re up to no good.
Sure, these four tips may not prevent every encounter with an undesirable contractor, but they can help you identify who to trust and who not to trust in the Ballwin and St. Charles area. Fortunately for you, you can always trust the experienced pros at Air Alliance Team to get the job done correctly the first time. Give them a call at 636-206-4250.