The Best Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Commercial HVAC Contractor

The delicate and complex nature of commercial HVAC systems requires that their servicing and continued maintenance are handled with expertise and experience. Considering this, choosing the right commercial HVAC contractor for your system will go a long way to determine its efficiency and longevity. In this article, we highlight the best questions to ask before hiring a HVAC contractor. This information is presented by our own team which is made up of commercial hvac contractors in Houston.

In your search for the right contractor, asking the right questions will help you narrow down your search and make the hiring process less stressful.

7 Questions to Ask a Commercial HVAC Contractor

How long have you been in the field?

Experience is a very important factor to consider when hiring any contractor; a commercial HVAC contractor is no exception. The longer the contractor has been operating in the field, the more likely that they’ve handled many projects, technologies, and designs. So, it is better to be direct with the question of how long they have been in the business. 

Are they licensed?

One of the things expected of a commercial HVAC contractor to have is a relevant license. In whatever state you live in, there’s likely to be a body that issues licenses to contractors. There are states that require that the license should be visibly displayed on the company’s trucks and literature. Some other states even require that every HVAC contractor has to go through some training to get certified, after which they are given a license.

Having the required licenses is often proof that the company knows what they are doing. So, make sure you ask them to provide proof that they are licensed.

Are they insured?

The commercial HVAC contractor that you are planning to hire should either be bonded or bondable. This means that they must at least have a company that can give a financial guarantee on projects of high value. Of course, your prospective contractor is making some payments to this surety company.

You want to also confirm that the HVAC contractor should have all the necessary forms of insurance for contractors. This will give you some protection and ensure that you are not held liable for any accident that may happen while the contractor is executing your project.

Do they charge for equipment surveys and estimates?

Not all commercial HVAC projects are the same. The requirements at your site may vary, thereby influencing many different factors including the cost of repairing or replacing the equipment. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when an experienced company’s costing is based on factors such as difficulty in access and other unexpected issues.

Some commercial HVAC contractors may charge for site inspection, the estimate, and when required, the design and engineering. While nothing is wrong with these practices, it is always good to ask up front to avoid surprises. This will help you to know what to expect and to compare prices with other companies' estimates.

What payment plans do they offer?

Commercial HVAC contractors offer different payment plans and options. The larger ones may offer you from 30 to 45-day payment plans, while the smaller contractors will require you to make an upfront deposit, and then pay the balance on completion.

Asking your contractor about the payment cycle they offer will save you unnecessary headaches down the line. If there is a credit check process that you have to go through, that can be handled before the completion of the project.

Which brands do they work with?

Some commercial HVAC contractors only work with certain brands as not all contractors will supply and install all types of equipment. Because of this, they may not be able to manage your warranty because they don’t have the OEM certifications. So, if you have preferred brands, you need to ask the contractor whether they are able to commission your new equipment and install the necessary ancillary building controls.

Whether or not you have a preferred brand, finding out this information about your prospective HVAC contractor will give you a rough idea of what quality of installation to expect from them and how experienced their service technicians are.

Do they offer emergency services?

HVAC systems can sometimes just stop working when not expected, and when this happens, the discomfort that comes to everyone in the building can be unbearable. So, you want to confirm that your contractor can show up in short notice and get things fixed. You should also in ask the contractor about their workload and how soon they will be available when urgent needs arise.

Conclusion

With the right questions asked, you are on the right track to hiring the best commercial HVAC contractor for your business space. Before committing to any contractor, you also want to read what customers have to say about their service. A very helpful online resource to read reviews about the contractor is the Better Business Bureau.