Sooner or later, all North Carolina homeowners need to hire an HVAC contractor. Whether it’s to make a repair, replace a system, or get an estimate, you rely on the expertise (and honesty) of your contractor. HVAC contractors help ensure your comfort all year long – from the cool North Carolina winters to our hot summers. As such, the last thing you want to do is put your trust (and dollars) in the hands of an inexperienced or untrustworthy person. If you choose the wrong contractor, you could end up paying far too much for your HVAC system, or having to hire someone new to do the job right. Neither of those sound ideal. That’s why it’s important for you to know what questions to ask, and what information to gather, before you decide on a contractor. Here are a few things you should find out before you hire your HVAC contractor:

Their Experience As An HVAC Contractor
Experience doesn’t necessarily mean expertise, but it’s a good start. If your contractor has been in the business for a long time, it’s a pretty good indicator that he or she is good at what they do. Make sure to ask your potential contractors about their work history. How many jobs have they performed? What types of installs are they experienced with? Don’t just rely on a company’s website for information – go right to the source.

Their Equipment
A good way to ensure your HVAC contractor in Raleigh or the Outer Banks is a true professional is by looking at the type of equipment they use. Your contractor should have a professional van stocked with a wide variety of tools and parts to help them address any issues that may arise during a site visit. This van should also have their logo or company name prominently displayed on it. If it doesn’t, then there’s a good chance you’re dealing with an amateur.

Learn About Their Guarantees And Warranties
The HVAC world is extremely competitive. This competition is a very good thing for you, the consumer. In an effort to stand out from the rest of the pack, most contractors and HVAC companies throughout North Carolina offer warranties and guarantees for their work. We recommend you make a list of each contractor’s offering, and then compare and contrast them to see which ones match your needs.

Turn To Past Customers
In the end, one of the best ways to determine if an HVAC contractor is worth doing business with is to talk to past customers and read online reviews. First, when interviewing your prospects, ask them to provide you with a few past customers who’d be willing to share their experiences working with the contractor. Ask these customers about the integrity of the contractor; their attention to detail; their respect of the customer’s home. Find out if the job was completed on time, within budget. You also want to turn to online reviews, which can be found on sites like Yelp, Home Advisor, Facebook and right on Google itself. While most companies will endure a negative review here and there (it’s the nature of business) you’ll want to steer clear of those companies and contractors that seem to accumulate many bad ratings.

Choose Your North Carolina HVAC Contractor Wisely!
Repairing or replacing your AC or heating system is a significant investment. It’s worth taking the time in researching the right North Carolina HVAC contractor for your needs. Remember, you may be turning to this contractor or company for many years to come as you have your HVAC system inspected, monitored, and repaired.