Follow these tips, and you’ll avoid getting ripped off when you need your furnace repaired:
- Research the Company
- Don’t Get Rushed into Anything
- Get a Written Estimate
- Ask the Right Questions
Home heating is a big decision when it comes to any home, especially in an area like Rochester, NY. Once winter sets in, you don’t want to be left without heating if your system breaks down. But, scammers know this. And, they’ll take advantage of it.
The sad truth is, not every HVAC tech is honest and professional. Just like having an auto mechanic you trust, you want to have an HVAC company that you feel that same level of trust with. So, as the cold weather rolls in, we want you to feel comfortable all season — whether your HVAC equipment is working or has to be repaired or replaced.
Why HVAC Scams Are Tricky
Before we get into how to avoid these scams, we want to talk about why people do this. Unfortunately, it’s easy to say you have a problem that could be real — but tricky to verify. For instance, there’s a cracked heat exchanger. This is a real problem that can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home. But, you can’t see the damage until someone takes apart your system. Until then, even reputable companies rely on readings and measurements to tell when something’s wrong.
Or, you’ll get a call from a random company saying it’s time for your annual maintenance. Then, when they get there, they find all sorts of problems.
Yes, tune-ups and maintenance are essential — but from a company you know and trust, not from someone cold-calling you. So, keep this in mind as you read on.
Research the Company
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that fly-by-night scammers and other bad actors still get around when everyone has so much information at their fingertips.
It’s important to use those tools to research any company you’re planning on hiring.
Before calling an HVAC company or letting them work on your home, check them out online.Do they have solid reviews? Or, can you find them at all? If you’re finding negative reviews and bad ratings, skip over them. And, no news isn’t good news: Any company worth its salt has a digital footprint.
If there’s no sign of them on the internet, they’re probably not a real business. Speaking of signs, check out their work trucks. They should have their name and contact information on them in permanent decals — no stick-on or magnetic signs. Bad ratings or no trace of a physical location are red flags. Pass them over.
Don’t Get Rushed into Anything
High-pressure sales tactics are never a good sign. And, they especially have no place in the HVAC world. When you’re dealing with expensive, important equipment, you want to make sure you have the time to make a well-informed decision.
That’s why you know something’s up if a tech is pushing you to make a decision. Sure, there’s a chance they just have poor people skills. But, it’s more likely they’re trying to get your money before you realize what’s happening.
So, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions — or to take your time. And if that means getting a second opinion, any reputable company won’t mind. They’ll understand, and they’ll want you to feel confident working with them.
Get a Written Estimate
Next, make sure you get everything in writing before the work begins. This way, there’s no “confusion” later on about what you paid them to do, and what might be an additional charge or service.
This way, you also have a record of anything they replaced and the work they did. It’s important if you need to dispute anything later. Speaking of parts, don’t trust the tech who offers to install a used part he has in the truck. Sure, it sounds like a good idea to get a discounted piece. But, odds are, they’re pawning off something that’s already broken or at least word down — and pocketing a few bucks for it.
Meanwhile, you’ll end up calling someone out again soon when you’re having the same problem. Finally, the written estimate comes in handy if you get a second opinion. There, you can compare the two line-by-line to spot differences between the bids.
Ask the Right Questions
You don’t need to be an HVAC expert yourself to avoid getting ripped off. But, a little homework goes a long way.
Before you commit to anything, make sure you understand precisely what the contractor’s going to do, and why. This is also an example of why you shouldn’t trust someone trying to rush into the job. Scammers intimidate and overwhelm people with a lot of vague information. They succeed when you give up trying to understand it all and sign on the dotted line. However, a reputable tech will go through everything the job entails and answer all your questions.
And, your questions should include a few stock queries. Ask for them to show you any damaged parts once they’ve started the job. And, ask for references. Once again, a good contractor will have no problem providing these. If you’re looking for a reputable HVAC contractor in the Rochester, NY, area, call or email us at Airquip. We’ve been in business for nearly 30 years with plenty of online reviews and success stories.