In this article…
- What To Beware Of In A Low-Quality HVAC Company: 8 Things
- Avoiding Red Flags And Finding The Right HVAC Company For You
- Looking For A Trustworthy HVAC Company In San Antonio?
Whether you need a full HVAC system replacement, minor repair, or a routine tune-up, finding the right company to hire is critical.
When you work with any home service company, you invite them into your home. You trust them with your home. The last thing you want is to get ripped off by a faulty company that just wanted your money.
To find the best HVAC company for you, you need to know what qualities to look for in a trustworthy company and also what red flags to watch out for and avoid.
Wright AC Services has been an expert and trusted San Antonio HVAC company since 1979, leading with education and helping guide homeowners to the best solution for them.
No matter the service you need, we’re here to provide you with all the information you need to make a well-educated decision, whether you work with us or not.
Because we’ve been around for so long, we’ve unfortunately helped many homeowners fix the mistakes of a previous company that either didn’t know what they were doing or wanted to cut corners to save money, and we’re here to help you avoid this experience.
This article will outline the top eight red flags to look out for in an HVAC company, like not being licensed and insured, having poor reviews, and more.
After reading, you’ll know exactly what to watch out for to avoid choosing the wrong company to work with and also know what qualities to look for in a trustworthy one.
What To Beware Of In A Low-Quality HVAC Company: 8 Things
The number one fear of many homeowners when embarking on a home improvement journey is making the wrong choice.
We’re all afraid of choosing the wrong products, choosing the wrong contractor or company, and wasting hundreds and thousands of dollars. The best way to avoid this is knowing what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make the best decision.
With that said, let’s look at the top eight red flags to watch out for in an HVAC company.
1. They have poor reviews (or no reviews)
The first red flag to look out for when researching different HVAC companies in your area is if they have poor reviews. It’s also a red flag if they have little to no reviews online, also.
Reviews are important to look at and read because you hear feedback from real customers who have worked with this company. If the majority of their reviews are 1-2 stars with negative commentary, what does this say about how the company does business?
It’s also important to note if a company has little to no reviews. This can indicate that they are a newer company that has not yet built a reputation, and it’s probably best to work with a more established company for guaranteed satisfaction.
Finding a company with hundreds of raving reviews across multiple platforms will give you peace of mind and ensure a positive experience for your project.
2. The technicians are not certified or insured
Hiring a certified HVAC technician who is also insured is one of the first things you want to check off the list when in need of any HVAC repair.
To become a certified HVAC technician, many individuals start by working under a veteran technician while also attending school for at least two years before receiving their certification.
Think about it. Would you rather hire someone with no credible certification and only trust their word or a certified technician with years of experience working in the field?
It’s also essential the technicians and company are insured to back their work and protect your home if anything happens to go wrong.
By confirming both of these things, you protect yourself from getting scammed by an inexperienced, non-certified technician.
3. They do not arrive in a branded truck and uniform
Another red flag to watch out for when having a company out to your home for an estimate or diagnosis is if they do not arrive in a branded vehicle and uniform.
The way a company presents itself online and in person reflects on how they do business.
Do they look professional or sloppy? Is it apparent they pride themselves in how they present themselves? Are the technicians dirty and smelly?
You want to work with a company that cares about how they look for their clients. Otherwise, you question how much they care about your home and their work.
4. They aren’t mindful or respectful of your time
A high-quality HVAC company will take the time to listen to your needs, provide a proper solution, and respect the amount of time you have given them.
With a low-quality HVAC company, they typically want to get in and get out so they can just get to the next call. On the flip side, they may also disrespect your time by taking too long to get the job done if they are on an hourly rate.
When a company doesn’t care about your time, they don’t really care about you.
No matter if you’re getting an estimate for a repair or getting a repair on your HVAC unit, you want to work with a company that respects your time, doesn’t waste your time, and gets the job done right in a timely manner.
5. They aren’t mindful or respectful of your home
Inviting a stranger to enter your home, even when you are hiring them for a service, can be stressful. You want to trust that they will only interact with your HVAC unit and the necessary parts and no other part of your home.
A high-quality HVAC company will wear shoe covers when entering your home, leave the work area clean, and won’t leave anything behind.
A company that doesn’t care about you won’t care about tracking dirt into your home, leaving dirt and dust around your unit, or respecting the items in your home. This is a huge red flag.
Trust your instincts when first interacting with an HVAC company and follow your gut. If the company is not respecting you, your home, and your time, look for a better company.
6. They ask for a payment upfront without any official contract
Perhaps one of the biggest red flags to look out for when choosing an HVAC company is if they ask for a payment, whether partial or in full, without any official contract. This tactic is also popular for door-to-door businesses to use just to get your money.
When a company tries to get your money as soon as possible without presenting an official document and proving their work, they most likely just want to take your money and run. Many of these companies do not even exist or only make their money by ripping homeowners off.
Before giving any company a form of payment, you want to receive a robust contract that outlines the scope of work of the project, the necessary materials and labor involved, and the total cost and warranty.
If an HVAC company writes down an offer or your proposed project on a piece of paper, this is a major red flag.
7. They offer you a too-good-to-be-true estimate
To expand on the above red flag, watch out for an HVAC company that presents you with an offer that seems too good to be true.
For example, the average cost of a full HVAC system replacement ranges from $5,900 – $20,000, including labor. Wouldn’t a $5,000 system replacement sound too good to be true?
Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a fairytale. Cost and quality go hand-in-hand for products, labor, and installation, and when it comes to your home, the last thing you want is to get ripped off and scammed out of thousands of dollars.
If a company presents an offer that seems too good, it’s best to get a second opinion and avoid wasting your time and money on a shady company.
Read more about sneaky tactics HVAC companies use to rip you off with too-good-to-be-true offers.
8. They are just trying to get your money
Building on the previous red flag, the final red flag to watch out for in an HVAC company is identifying if they are just trying to get your money.
If an HVAC company is pressuring you into buying the same day, using sneaky tactics to make your offer seem too good to be true, or getting straight to the cost without listening to your needs, trust your gut feeling and run.
A company like this does not care about the quality of their work or how they do business. They just want to take your money and underdeliver to save costs on their end.
Avoid falling into the trap of a too-good-to-be-true offer from low-quality HVAC companies and remember to take your time in making a decision. The right company will not pressure you into any sale.
Avoiding Red Flags And Finding The Right HVAC Company For You
Now that you know the top eight red flags to watch out for in a low-quality HVAC company, you have the right education to avoid being taken advantage of and potentially ripped off by a faulty company.
When it comes to finding the right company for you, trusting your instincts and first impressions is best.
While looking out for poor reviews, uncertified technicians, and a presentable, branded, technician, remember to account for how they treat you and make you feel.
Do they rush through the analysis? Do they listen to your problems and needs? Are they presenting shady offers just to get your money?
These questions and many others are crucial to consider when choosing the right HVAC company, whether you need a full system replacement, minor repair, or a simple tune-up.
Knowing what red flags to identify is only one part of the knowledge you need to make the right decision for your HVAC system. You also must know what great qualities to look for in a trustworthy company to ensure you make the right decision.
Looking For A Trustworthy HVAC Company In San Antonio?
Wright AC Services has been a long-standing, reputable HVAC company in San Antonio since 1979.
With decades of experience in the area and a team filled with skilled technicians, we treat people Wright by educating them from start to finish and providing them with the best solution, whether that includes working with us or not.
No matter the service you need, we’re here to make things Wright.
Schedule your appointment with us today to receive exceptional service and maintain your comfort!
