How to Know You’re Working With a Quality Commercial HVAC Company
While there are plenty of commercial HVAC companies to choose from in the Delaware and Pennsylvania area, not all offer the same level of expertise, reliability, and customer service. To find an HVAC service provider you can depend on year-round, there are a few key criteria you’ll want to look for.
Positive Reviews
Third-party review services can help you find commercial HVAC companies you might like to work with.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a free service that assigns businesses a letter grade from A+ to F based on comments they receive about that business. An HVAC service company that’s BBB accredited has met standards for good legal standing, ethics, and customer service.
Angie’s List is a review site that helps HVAC companies and people in need of HVAC services find each other. It requires an annual subscription fee, so if a company is a member, you can rest assured they plan to be around for a while. On the site, you can browse comments from customers to get an idea of what it’s like doing business with each company.
Proper Documentation
To sort the true professionals from the untrained handymen, choose a company that hires licensed, bonded, and insured technicians.
Licensing – In nearly all localities, HVAC technicians must be licensed in order to work legally. Depending on the location, the license may be issued by the state, county or city. To find the licensing requirements for your area, check the Contractor’s License Reference Site.
Bonding – Before being issued a license, a technician must obtain surety bonding. A surety bond protects the customer from financial loss due to unethical dealings or a general failure to fulfill the contract. If something goes wrong, you can file a claim against the technician and receive compensation from the surety bond company.
Worker’s compensation insurance – This insurance covers the costs incurred if a worker is injured while performing their job on your property. If your HVAC service company doesn’t have this, you could be liable for the technician’s medical expenses.
Experience and Specialization
Look for a company that’s been providing commercial HVAC maintenance and repair services for at least five years. If you need a specific job done, such as heat pump repair or duct cleaning, choose a company with experience in that specific area. If you’re planning to have a new furnace, air conditioner or other system installed, look for a company that’s certified as a dealer for your system’s manufacturer, such as Carrier, Lennox or Rheem.
Additional Certifications and Memberships
Companies and technicians who obtain optional certifications and join trade associations have proven they’re willing to go the extra mile to provide quality care for your system along with attentive customer service. Certifications and memberships to look for include:
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) – This independent, non-profit national organization offers rigorous training programs and certification in specialties such as commercial refrigeration, air conditioning, and gas heating. The program is voluntary, meaning NATE-certified technicians have shown dedication to improving their skills.
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) – A trade association with nearly 21,000 members, this organization aims to help its members develop their skills, and provide services safely and ethically while also improving their communities.
Once you’ve found a commercial HVAC company you’d like to work with, ask for at least three references from previous commercial customers. Contact these references to ask if the work was done on time and on budget, and to their satisfaction.
