Whether it’s time for routine maintenance or you need to replace your whole system, asking your contractor the right questions can set your HVAC project on the right course. You are entitled to understand the process from start to finish. You should absolutely be clued in on what you’re paying for. We recommend asking your contractor several questions to get to know their level of expertise, their communication style, and their availability. This will ensure that everyone involved is on the same page when it’s time to start your project. 

Here are some questions you might want to ask your HVAC contractor: 

How Do You Communicate With Customers? 

Your HVAC contractor should act as your partner during your project. Any fruitful partnership requires good communication skills. It’s vital that you feel like there’s an adequate line of dialogue between you and your contractor. Ask them about the particular ways they like to communicate. Does it match up with your preferred style? Don’t be afraid to schedule a preliminary meeting with your potential HVAC contractor to get a feel on how they communicate. 

Is Your Team Certified and Trained? 

Another important question to ask before you settle on a contractor is whether or not the team you’ll be working with is certified and properly trained. You don’t want to leave something as important as your HVAC system in inexperienced hands. While not all regions require HVAC contractors to be licensed or certified, it’s an added guarantee that your project will go off without any major issues. 

What Will My Project Schedule Look Like? 

Your project schedule should include detailed information about the various deadlines associated with your particular project. Your contractor should be able to provide a detailed roadmap to follow during the process. We recommend asking about the dates when they plan to work in your home as well as any product delivery dates if applicable. It’s a good sign if your contractor can give realistic estimates. An experienced and reliable contractor will be able to give you a clear picture of what to expect spare any potential bumps along the road.

What Are the Potential Issues That May Come Up? 

There’s always a chance that your contractor will encounter an unexpected roadblock or two during a project. Fortunately, a true expert will know how to anticipate and deal with any issues that crop up. Talk with your HVAC company about their concerns. What are some things that might potentially go wrong? Ask them about how they plan on dealing with a worst-case scenario. Their answer will give you a hint on their level of professionalism and competence. If they are up to the task, they will already be preparing for these problems early on and will help ensure your project’s success from day one. 

Do You Have a Maintenance Program? 

An HVAC system is a complex piece of machinery that features an array of interconnected components. If one of these pieces wears down, the whole system is in jeopardy. While some issues will be obvious, others may go unnoticed for years to come. By the time a homeowner finds it, the damage is already done. 

Maintenance programs help to keep an HVAC system at peak performance for the duration of its lifetime. Your contractor will come out once or twice a year to assure everything is in working order. They will service any components that are damaged and give you a general idea of what shape your system is in. A high-quality HVAC company should be able to offer a program like this to you. 

Find Your Trusted HVAC Contractor

WM Buffington Company has helped countless homeowners with their HVAC and plumbing woes over the decades. Our experience and our focus on superior customer service mean our projects run smoothly every time. We make every effort to ensure that our customers are well-informed and that they have all the knowledge they need to make good decisions. If you’re in the Central Pennsylvania area, contact us today for more information!