What to Look for in an AC Repair Technician

July 08, 2015

Temperatures continue to rise in Siloam Springs, which means one thing – your AC is about to go in to full blown summer mode and run quite a bit more. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead and have an AC repair technician identified if your air conditioner decides it’s worked too much and breaks down.

Of course it’s not as simple as choosing a name and number out of a phone book like it used to be, and there are an abundance of companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your difficulty. That’s why Siloam Springs Heating & AC has put together a list of things to look for in an AC repair technician.

So how might you know if you’re dealing with a shady AC repair technician?

1) Full payment – in cash prior to beginning the work

It can be hard to believe that there are contractors out there like this, but they are around. Not only does this put you in danger of not having your AC repair completed, it can easily lead to sloppy work and a bunch of frustration if you have any trouble after the work is completed. Plain and simple, most reputable contractors will offer an estimate and will not make you pay before the work begins.

2) Offers a specific AC repair cost without inspecting the system

If a contractor hasn’t come out and checked your air conditioner to get the big picture of what is wrong with your system, how can you be 100 percent sure that they took care of the problem? Choose someone who is willing to offer you an honest estimate after they come and inspect your air conditioner to wholly recognize what the problem is. It can help you save money and time.

3) Won’t put it in writing

Never, ever settle on this one. If you can’t get a contractor to put their work and charges in writing, you might as well be handing over a signed, blank check. With any AC repair, you may run in to things here or there that also need to be handled, but they can be added to the agreed upon contract afterwards.

Having a signed contract from the get-go means you are on the same page with your contractor when it comes to what is being worked on, what is being changed, timeline for completion, and cost involved.

4) They aren’t licensed in your state

Of course, not all states require licensure for HVAC contractors, but many do. Do a quick search online to find out if your state requires a license so you know what you’re asking for when searching for a contractor. The benefit to living in a state that requires a license is that it guards you from using a contractor with less than qualified workers, and in the occasion you run in to a problem, you have the ability to report any issues with the work you received.

Typically when you encounter a contractor working without a license in a state that requires it, you’re more than likely dealing with someone you shouldn’t be. There’s most likely a reason they don’t have a license and it’s easy to figure they’re up to no good.

Sure, these four tips may not stop every encounter with an undesirable contractor, but they can help you identify who to trust and who not to trust in the Siloam Springs area. Fortunately for you, you can always trust the experienced experts at Siloam Springs Heating & AC to get the job done correctly the first time. Give them a call at 479-308-8176.