Choosing your Nashville HVAC Specialist Wisely

Aside from purchasing your home, replacing the heating and air conditioning system is one of the largest purchases you will undertake as a homeowner. There may be a few Nashville HVAC contractors whose names are at the top of your mind. Before committing your time and money, do a little background work to make sure you are choosing wisely!

In order to protect yourself from scam artists or shoddy workmanship check to see if the companies are licensed, bonded and insured. Shortcuts around any of the 3 could have large implications on your project. A licensed contractor has shown adequate work history and/or trade knowledge for licensure. You may check the status of a contractor’s license at your state or local licensing board (an online tool may be available). A license is normally required to apply for permit for an HVAC project. A bond protects you by hiring another company if your contractor fails to complete the project. Your local permitting office should have a copy of a contractor’s bond. Nashville HVAC Contractors should carry a general liability policy to protect your property from any damage they may cause. If the contractor is bigger than a ‘one-man shop’, they should carry Workers Compensation insurance. This protects you if a worker gets hurt on your property or project.

Confirming license, bond, and insurance is only half of the story. How have these companies treated other people? You can get a good sense through online reviews and references. Google, Angie’s List, and many other websites host reviews from past clients. Beware companies can post false reviews to inflate their rankings. It would be wise to check sources like the Better Business Bureau. The BBB’s website should show each company’s ranking by letter value, with an A+ ranking as the highest.

Of the top 3 choices, contact the companies and request that they give you a free, written estimate.  Try to get ‘apples to apples’ comparison quotes. Between the quotes match the unit size in tons, the energy efficiency, and the warranties. You may want to consider the first available installation dates if it weighs on your decision.

After you have chosen a company to install your new Nashville HVAC system and the work is complete make sure that you have your system maintenance done twice a year.  This is very important for the warranty validation of your new system. Yearly maintenance will help keep your system running as efficient as possible!