Is Your HVAC Company Being Honest? Watch For These Red Flags

It’s crucial that homeowners and small-business owners feel confident that their HVAC company is being honest. Having trust in your HVAC contractor means feeling assured that any visit or interaction has the customer’s best interests in mind. Here are some red flags to watch for when you call or engage with an HVAC company.

1 – No licensing or insurance. Every reputable HVAC and/or electrical contractor in the state must be licensed (and maintain those licenses) and must carry proper insurance to protect both the company and the customer. These requirements also signal the company is complying with state regulations. If something goes wrong with the installation or service, you’ll want that proof of liability insurance, which protects you against poor workmanship, system damage, and technician injury on your premises. This information should be available on the HVAC company’s website, on all invoices, and other documents.

2 – High-pressure sales methods. Don’t invest in a new HVAC system until you feel you’ve had ample time to ask all the questions, read all the material, and evaluate your options before making a decision. If a salesperson is pressuring you, that may cause you to choose a system or equipment that’s wrong for your space, out of your budget, or of subpar quality. At Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, we listen to your concerns, answer all your questions, and believe you should take your time before deciding on how to proceed with your HVAC installation or upgrade.

3 – Poor estimate and contract practices. Be suspicious of estimates that seem too low compared to the average in your market or estimates that are not complete. A suspiciously low estimate is NOT the best deal! Always get a detailed written estimate (not verbal) of the work to be done, equipment and materials to be used, and how much it will all cost. The estimate or contract (depending on the job) should have everything spelled out, including warranty and guarantee information (more on that below). Watch for hidden fees that are not documented, and vague communication about what’s being sold. Be sure you understand the value you will get for the money you spend.

4 – No written guarantee or warranty. A sign of trustworthiness is when the HVAC company provides written guarantees and warranties for services rendered and equipment installed. Every new HVAC system comes with a manufacturer’s warranty and the contractor should offer a guarantee on the labor. These protect you from system problems and give you peace of mind knowing the contractor and manufacturer stand behind the equipment and workmanship.

5 – Lack of communication. The last thing you need is to have your HVAC contractor ghost you or force you to make multiple calls to reach the office staff. Our customer-first approach means that you’ll reach our helpful sales or service team, get reminders about service appointments (including the name of the technician assigned to your maintenance call), and receive a follow-up call to make sure everything went smoothly. You can also use our contact form that is prominently displayed on the bloomfieldcooling.com homepage as well as the Contact page at any time, and someone from our office will respond.

6 – No options/recommendations offered. In all our years of performing HVAC installations, maintenance and repairs, we know that quite often, there is often not just one way or one product to do the job. Does your HVAC company inform you of all the available heating and cooling options to help in the decision-making process? This is especially important for repairs. Ask the technician for pictures that show you the existing or potential problems with your system to help you make a well-informed decision on how to proceed.

7 – Performing unnecessary repairs, lack of proper inspections. Be sure the technician has conducted a thorough inspection of your HVAC system before recommending new (and costly) replacement parts. No diagnosis? Don’t move forward with the repair…and avoid being bilked out of money for unnecessary repairs and problems that may be exaggerated or not even real. A well-trained technician will thoroughly inspect your system to properly assess the problem, and recommend the appropriate parts or next steps.

8 – No reviews, bad reviews, poor reputation. Service companies rely on positive customer reviews and references to help tell their service story. As you check out HVAC companies, look for strong reviews and testimonials on the company website and under the company’s Google business listing, as well as what people share on social media. Ask for references from recent customers—if the company is respected and proud of its work, getting those references should not be a problem. Check the Better Business Bureau for the company’s rating as well as any complaints that were submitted about poor service, substandard workmanship, or dishonest business practices.

At Bloomfield Cooling, Heating & Electric, we pride ourselves on our high level of customer service. From providing our North Jersey HVAC customers with all the information they need to make smart decisions about their heating, cooling, or electrical needs to keeping up with all necessary technician training and industry designations, our customers know we have their best interests at the heart of everything we do.