When you hire a professional contractor for an A/C installation in your Seacoast home, you want the process goes smoothly and successfully from beginning to end so you can enjoy the cool comfort of your home quickly and for years to come.
How do you make sure that process goes smoothly? Like anything, it takes a plan and some investment of time and money; try to save too much of either and you run the risk of paying for avoidable repairs, worthless warranties and other problems down the road.
Here are six tips that will help you have a smooth service experience and an expert installation process when it comes time to upgrade to a new home cooling system.
Get a written estimate – Insist on getting a comprehensive, detailed, and above all written estimate on your air conditioner system installation. The no-obligation estimate should be free and should be based on observations after a visit to your home; “straight out of the box” solutions do not work for an HVAC system, since every home is unique. Be sure your estimate includes any special considerations for modifications required in your home, along with a schedule, cost breakouts for equipment and labor, and warranties (see #4 below).
Accept no substitutes – Whenever possible, hire an A/C installation contractor that uses its own employees rather than subcontractors. Although subcontractors can do good work, a company with its own team of dedicated, experienced, drug-tested and background checked professionals has made the investment needed to ensure your job is done right.
Make sure your contractors are licensed and insured – If you take your chances with an unlicensed contractor, you risk getting less-than-professional service that will often end up costing you far more money and comfort in the long run. Always ask your contractor for their license number and proof of insurance – especially liability insurance.
Get a written warranty – Warranties protect you and the contractor, but not all warranties are created equal. Many warranties expire too quickly to be of use, especially if you do your A/C installation in the offseason. Look for companies that offer warranty coverage of at least a year on your installation.
Pull the proper permits – An A/C contractor is required to obtain a city permit for any substantial work on your HVAC system; this notifies the city and alerts local residents that your property is undergoing service. Some contractors ignore this permitting process, leading to costly legal issues later. Be sure all relevant permits are pulled for any work done on your property.
Get a walkthrough on installation day – The A/C installation process lays the foundation for the future use and performance of your home cooling system. If that process is compromised, it will cost you dollars and comfort down the line. Ask questions on installation day, and be sure to have your contractor walk you through any decisions they have to make when assessing how best to install your equipment.
The bottom line: Take the time to find the right team to help you select and install your air conditioner – it will help you avoid difficulties down the road and guarantee that your home cooling system lives a long, healthy, and productive life.
Ready for an A/C upgrade? Contact us today to learn more about our expert installation services – or to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a cooling system for your Southern Maine or New Hampshire home.
