Looking for a new HVAC company can be difficult. There are so many out there all with the same promises and claims. Knowing how to spot the reliable companies from the unreliable companies will make a huge difference.    While many homeowners check for years of service or customer testimonies, those aren’t the only markers of a company’s trustworthiness and quality. You should be looking for things like reviews, credentials and home evaluations to determine whether or not you should hire a company.   For reliable service that checks all of the boxes, contact Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating at (469) 240-5618.    Continue reading for information on how to choose the right HVAC company. 

Know What You Need

Before you even begin to call companies asking for estimates, you should think about what you need first. Write down the answers to these questions:  

1. What service do you require (repair, maintenance, replacement, etc.)?
2. If you need a repair, what is the issue? (making a strange noise, leaking, smells weird, etc.)
3. What is the brand and model of your cooling and heating system?
4. Where are your cooling and heating systems located?
5. What is the maintenance and repair history of your system?

  You may also want to consider what kind of services you may need in the future. For example, it may be important to you that the company offers 24/7 emergency services. Make sure you write down these kinds of additional services you are interested in.   Writing down these answers and communicating them to the technician will help you to quickly determine if they know what they are doing. Once you have all of these answers, you can start calling companies and communicating your exact cooling or heating repair needs. 

Look at Reviews

Reading reviews is one of the best ways that you can gauge the quality and service of an HVAC company. Be sure to avoid reviews and testimonies listed on the website itself. Instead, check websites like Yelp or Google for honest reviews.   The best place to look for information on a company is the Better Business Bureau (BBB). When you look at a company’s profile on BBB, you will notice three things: BBB rating and accreditation, customer reviews and customer complaints. First, you should look at the BBB rating. Companies with a B rating or higher are often excellent. You should also check to make sure that it is a BBB accredited business.   Next, you should look at customer reviews. The reviews on BBB may be more objective and honest than the ones you may find on Google or Yelp. Be sure to read both five star and one star reviews. In most cases, you can easily pick out the customers who are making objective observations from those taking their anger out on the business.   Last, take a look at the customer complaints. The Better Business Bureau does not only act as a review and rating platform, they also help customers to file official complaints against businesses. All of the complaints are public, which helps you to see what customers complain about the most.   Doing all of this can help you narrow down your choices quite a bit. 

Check Credentials

When it comes to searching for an HVAC company, credentials are very important. You should make sure that the company you are researching has the proper licensing and insurance. In the state of Texas, HVAC technicians must have a contractors license specifically in heating and cooling. Not all companies may list this information on their website, so be sure to call and ask.   Companies should also have insurance credentials. This is to protect both the company and yourself. For example, if a technician happens to get hurt on the job or damages your property the insurance can help to cover those costs. This saves you time and money, so be sure to verify that the company you are researching has proper insurance. 

Home Evaluation

When you call an HVAC company for an estimate, they should offer to complete a home evaluation first. If they don’t offer to do this, ask them if they can complete one. If they respond by saying that they don’t need to complete a home evaluation or inspection then you should find a different contractor.   The purpose of a home evaluation is to get all of the information on your system that they need. If you receive an estimate without an evaluation, you may end up paying much more than you originally expected. 

Get Estimates and a Written Proposal

Once you have received a home evaluation you can start getting estimates. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest offer, it’s typically best to go for one that is somewhere in the middle. The middling offer tends to be the most honest offer. You can also ask if the company has any coupons or promos going on at the moment to help you save money.    When you are satisfied with the estimate, be sure to ask for a written proposal. The proposal should have a cost breakdown so you know exactly what you are paying for. You should thoroughly read through the proposal to make sure that you understand the service you are paying for. When all are in agreement, both you and the company should sign it. 

HVAC Repair Grand Prairie, TX

For high quality and reliable HVAC Grand Prairie, TX service, you need Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and 5 stars from customers, you can trust that our team is here for you.    Our certified and licensed technicians can provide you with all kinds of services including emergency, repairs, maintenance and installation. No matter what kind of issue you may be having with your heating and cooling system, you can count on Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating.   To schedule an appointment today, give us a call at (469) 240-5618 or contact us online.