Three Things To Keep In Mind

1. The Lowest Price Isn’t Always The Best Price

Of course, you don’t want to spend more money than you have to, however, the lowest price isn’t always the best price. You may be wondering why?

1. The cheaper the contractor, the more likely they are to cut corners which may wind up costing you more in the long run.
2. Cheaper contractors often can’t afford to make the repairs due to their mistakes and thus, you’ll wind up paying more.
3. Cheap contractors often can’t afford to hire the best technicians as they’re not able to offer top pay or a great benefits package that includes both insurance, vacation, and sick pay.

Thus, the lowest prices aren’t always in your best interest.

2. Check Their Track Record

Of course, all companies have to start somewhere, yet, in the heating and air conditioning field, newer companies often fail. Therefore, you’ll want to find one that has been in business for quite some time and has developed a great rapport with the community. Consumers that have purchased extended warranties from companies that close their doors will wind up losing their hard-earned money. An ideal indicator that a company will be in business long enough to honour the warranty, is one that has been in business for at least 7 years and has survived many ups and downs. This type of company is far more likely to be stable and have the required experience to survive an economic crisis and to stand by their work. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that the number of years that a company has been in business is not always the years of experience that their technicians have in the field. This number may be entirely different. There is a huge difference in the way a business is run, and the way that the technicians work on your heating or air conditioning. Don’t hesitate to check with the Better Business Bureau and learn the truth about a company that you’re considering doing business with. If the advertising claims and the information with the Better Business Burea don’t add up, stay away.

3. If It Sounds Too Good To Be True…

A lot of Ottawa companies offer sales now and again, however, those that advertise really cheap service calls or “free services with repairs” are frequently the ones that you need to beware of. The pricing is designed to lure you in, then, they hook you with some really high repair costs. Additionally, you’ll need to be mindful of telemarketers who try to convince you to take them up on such unbelievable offers.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid falling prey to such companies. You’ll regret it. You want a company that is upfront and honest about the cost of repairs and the fees.

Top 13 Things to Keep in Mind When Selecting an Ottawa HVAC Company

1. Who referred you to the company?

if it was a friend or a neighbour, that is good, it’s a sign of quality work or your friends and neighbors wouldn’t have suggested them. You’ll want a heating and air conditioning repair company that has positive reviews that are verifiable.

2. Does the company’s fleet reassure you?

If the contractors are using beat up, unmarked vehicles that are dirty, you’ll find that they typically treat your home in the same fashion. They may also be on the verge of bankruptcy or unable to fulfill any warranty requirements.

3. Do they have a physical address?

A lot of Ottawa heating company’s start out operating out of a home office. However, fly-by-night companies or moonlighters won’t have a physical address because they already know that they’re not going to be around for very long. Instead, they use their cell phones and other means. Take a look at their website and see if the physical address is listed.

4. Are the employee’s neat and clean? Are they professional?

Do they wear uniforms? Companies that require uniforms and have specific grooming standards tend to be far more professional than those that don’t. Fly-by-night companies are far more likely to show up in dirty tee shirts and jeans.

5. Are the employee’s really employees? Or, are they subcontractors?

This is a vital component. Subcontractors are paid by commission, regardless of whether it’s an electrical contractor, a mechanic for your car, or a plumber you’ll want someone who takes pride in their work. Not someone who works on the ethic that the more they sell the more that they are going to make. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with repairs that are legitimate, however, this is frequently a way that contractors get more money from you by finding “false repairs” that “need” to be made. Typically, companies that use subcontractors are the companies that wind up under investigation.

6. Are they employing TSSA certified technicians?

Just as the automotive industry has an CSE program, TSSA is the governing authority when it comes to licensing and certification for heating contractors.

7. What brands of equipment do they carry?

The better the equipment brand, the more likely the company is to hire certified technicians and to sell and install their own equipment brands.

8. Will they guarantee the work before they start?

Better contractors tend to utilize flat-rate pricing. This ensures that the pricing is fair to you, the consumer. It guarantees that everyone is paying the same dollar amount for the same types of repairs. There’s no requirement to watch the clock as the price is the same even if a technician works slower than another technician. This avoids the time and materials pricing means.

9. Do they offer warranties?

The better the contractor the better the warranties they will offer.

10. Are they licensed?

Never allow a contractor to do such work if they’re not licensed. Provincial law requires that license numbers be shown on all of their solicitations, this includes websites. If there isn’t a license number, be mindful of this before you consider hiring them.

11. Are they fully insured?

Employees that are injured on your property can hold you liable for their medical costs if the contractor isn’t insured. A reputable contractor will provide copies of the liability and the worker’s comp insurance (WSIB) upon request. Always ask for this documentation.

12. Is the company in your own community?

Companies that are a part of your own community have a far higher stake in their reputation than those that aren’t involved in the community. If there are issues, they will put forth a higher effort to resolve them if they are already involved in the community.

13. Is the company a part of a professional community?

Companies that are a part of a professional community such as a trade association or an alliance, are more committed to their craft. They have higher quality and a higher level of professionalism.