When a HVAC emergency pops up most people respond by calling the first professional they can find to get it fixed. That is why all too often they end up with problems due to subpar work and end up opening themselves up t security risks. It’s best, of course, to have a trusted company in mind who provides emergency services but not everyone thinks ahead. Here are a few tips on doing quick research should you find yourself with emergency needs but aren’t sure who to call:
Before you call, look them up. If your heat is out in the middle of the night you don’t want to spend hours researching but you can get a quick gauge with a few online searches. Check out social media and review sites. Taking a quick look at a company’s Twitter and Facebook pages will give you an idea of their knowledge. Looking at other people’s company reviews will give you an idea of their level of service. This should only a take a few minutes and is time well spent.
When you speak to any professional you should get a quote – never hire anyone without an idea of the cost – then take it a step further and ask that it be guaranteed. This means the company agrees that the quote becomes the final bill or is at least very close. A service professional should have no problem identifying issues from the start so they should know how much the repairs will cost before they get started. There are occasional exceptions but they are rare.
Get a specific time from them. This means know when to expect them as close to the minute as possible. It’s the middle of the night you want to know when the repairperson will arrive for two reasons: so you are ready when they arrive and so you know who is ringing your doorbell. The following two points play into this as well – if someone shows up at your door in the middle of the night you need to be sure you know who it is before letting them into your home. If the company can’t give you a specific time it might be better to call someone else.
Home security is paramount so as mentioned above, you want to know exactly who you are letting in. HVAC service professionals should wear some type of uniform even for emergency repairs. When anyone comes knocking at your door it’s important to see him or her before opening it. If your specialist shows up at 2am without a uniform, unless you personally know them, you can’t be 100% sure they are safe to let in.
The same goes for the company transport. Any firm that does not have its own van or truck complete with its logo should give you pause, especially during emergency situations. Those who are bit unsure whether they should ask about official transports since it’s something that people don’t usually do should not feel awkward about it. Knowing what to expect is important to ensure the safety of your home and family.