15 Questions To Ask A Chicago Heating and Cooling Contractor
Knowledge That Helps
Become an informed consumer. You have to know what to watch out for, and
what questions to ask.
Many of these questions are also recommended by consumer protection groups
such as the Better Business Bureau, electrical and gas utilities, trade
associations and consumer or home improvement magazines. A good heating and
cooling contractor in Chicago will have no problem answering these
questions to your satisfaction.
1. Do you have a permanent place of business, and
what is the address?
Many authorities recommend that you automatically reject any Chicago
contractor or handyman working out of their home. Heating and air
conditioning is without a doubt the most complex home service trade. You
cannot risk having an amateur work on your equipment. For your family’s
safety, choose a contractor that has some substance.
2. Is your company registered or licensed by the
state or city to do heating and air conditioning work?
Licensing is required in many jurisdictions. For your protection,
automatically reject any company that can’t present it’s license
certificate.
3. Does your company carry both general liability
and workers compensation insurance, and can you produce current
certificates?
Immediately reject any contractor who can't. Without proper insurance, all
their liability lands on your shoulders.
4. How long have you been in business, under the
same name?
While there are some good, experienced technicians out there who may have
recently started their own company, it’s generally safer for you to choose a
contractor that has been in operation at least five years.
5. Are your technicians certified by the EPA to
handle Freon refrigerant gas?
Federal law prohibits non-certified operators. Automatically reject anyone
who is not certified.
7. Do your service technicians have digital carbon
monoxide analyzers?
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas sometimes
produced by malfunctioning heating equipment. Automatically reject any
company which doesn’t have the appropriate test equipment to diagnose this
serious problem.
8. Does your company own an Infiltrometer blower
door test instrument and an air flow capture hood?
These are essential computerized instruments for diagnosing uneven
temperature, unhealthy air and high utility bill problems.
A leading edge company will own
them and have received advanced training on how to Use them. Even if you
don’t want one of these advanced tests at this time, authorities state that
owning the equipment is an indication of a good company.
9. Can you perform a computerized equipment sizing
and selection calculation?
This analysis is an essential step when installing new heating and cooling
equipment to ensure it is the right size for your home. Consumer protection
groups and the equipment manufacturers state that having the computer
software and knowing how to use it are indications of a good company.
10. Can you provide names of satisfied customers in
my neighborhood?
A good company in Chicago will be organized enough to readily find this
information, and have no problem providing you with names of happy
customers.
11. Do your service technicians wear uniforms and
ID badges?
This provides some evidence of stability, and a measure of security for you.
12. Can your company arrange financing?
Even if you don’t happen to need assistance in spreading out the cost of
repairs or new equipment, the ability to arrange it for you is a sign of a
more stable, customer-oriented business. Look for a Chicago heating and air
conditioning company that accepts all major credit cards, and is able to
help you arrange an easy payment plan for larger repairs or replacements.
13. What is your guarantee on service repairs? How
long is it, and does it cover both parts AND labor?
Most companies limit their service labor warranty to only 30 days. Look for
a one year warranty on both parts and labor. Ask about longer extended
warranties on replacement equipment.
14. Do you have a refund policy if I am not
satisfied? What is it?
Unfortunately, few heating and air companies will provide a refund if you
aren’t happy. Look for a Chicago company that has a clear policy on this,
that wants to do whatever is reasonable to satisfy you, and if they can’t,
will refund your money.
15. Do you have any unresolved complaints with the
Better Business Bureau?
While its almost impossible to keep everyone happy, a good contractor won’t
let disputes linger. Just to be on the safe side, call the BBB and double
check whatever the contractor told you. Note, however, that a clean BBB
report does not all by itself mean that a company is a reputable firm.
Picking a heating and cooling
contractor should not be a random choice. It’s important to do your
research. Use this list of questions to help identify the right company for
you.
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