How to Find a Quality Commercial HVAC Company

Finding a quality HVAC company or contractor can be a difficult task. A lot of contracting business comes from referrals, but it’s often hard to find a good referral. This is when people turn to the web to start their search for a good commercial HVAC company. Only in the heating and air conditioning field of contracting, even the web might not always offer much in the way of reviews or referrals. So how do you decipher which companies may be good or bad? Well here are some tips to help you in your search!

10 Tips to Finding a Quality HVAC Contractor

So you’re relying on word of mouth and the web to help you select your next commercial HVAC contractor or a company to install your next commercial kitchen, but you still don’t know how to cut through all of the rubbish. Well here are 10 tips to help you in your search!

1. Don’t assume all contractors are the same

If contractors are one thing, it’s that they we are all NOT the same. Years of experience, specializations, certifications, training and mentoring play huge roles in how on HVAC contractor might perform over another. Look at years of experience and check out what other people have to say about their business. Ask questions about previous experiences when searching for the best HVAC contractor in your area.

2. Ask for referrals

If anyone has been in the business long enough and is worth hiring, then they will definitely be able to share some referral clients from previous jobs. See what previous clients have to say about their business and don’t always go by what online review sources have to say. While online reviews can help, they should definitely NOT be taken as the be-all-end-all when it comes to contracting.

3. Don’t focus only on initial costs

Don’t get wrapped up in pricing and what the costs of labor or materials will cost. If you’re dead set on certain materials, furnaces, AC units, kitchen units, etc. then your contractor may be able to shop around and find some cost savings. Talk it over with the companies you are interviewing and see what they have to say.

4. Don’t assume the lowest price company is the one you need

The saying “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to contractors. That’s not to say that the highest or lowest bid won’t do the best job, but prices will not always dictate quality in this field. It’s best to walk through all of these tips and find the best contractor that suits your needs based on many tiers of the litmus test.

5. Don’t put up with high pressure sales pitches or people

High pressure sales are terrible when you want to purchase your next vehicle, and even worse when it comes to HVAC services. Contractors who try to push you into signing a contract based on high pressure sales tactics are generally doing so because their work sucks. This business is about building relationships with clients and customers so that a contracting business can become reputable and stick around for many, many years!

6. Choose a contractor who asks a lot of questions

Contractors should be asking a lot of questions about your individual needs. Talking a look at the plans and premises are key components that will factor into the bid and end materials needed. Your potential contractor should be asking a ton of questions while walking the premises or looking over the building plans with you. If they are mute, cut ties and thank the contractor for his time!

7. Choose a contractor who explains all of your options and costs

Every client will have options when it comes to their needs. Options are generally based on price of goods and cost of labor. Contractors should be able to work with your individual needs while staying within budget. However, if you know your budget shouldn’t be able to get the job done, be weary of the contractor who tells you it’s “no problem, we can do it!”

8. Don’t assume a “name brand” dealer is the best choice

Often times contractors represent certain brands or push clients only to select a given brand. This is often due to certifications and there is generally a sense of being comfortable and knowing that we can get the job done with “x” brand the best. However, if a contractor is only pushing one brand without giving options there is a good chance the contractor may get “kick backs” with a given brand. They could also not how to install or work with other brands. This may be a red flag and cause for concern.

9. Don’t evaluate your options when tired or distracted

When you’ve had a chance to evaluate and interview a few different contractors, get a good nights sleep before making a decision. It’s best to approach any decision with a sound mind and sound body. Have a conversation with your business partner or spouse and list the pros and cons of each contractor before making a final decision. Don’t make a decision in haste because you feel a deadline is approaching or you’ve been pressured into making one.

10. Trust your gut

In the end, you should always trust your gut and instincts, while making an educated and informed decision. This doesn’t mean you should “wing it,” it simply means after you’ve evaluated your options you should ask yourself, “what does my gut say about this company?”

I hope this helps you in your next search for a commercial HVAC contractor!

– Cheers!