Buying a new HVAC unit, making repairs to a unit, or replacing an existing system with an energy efficient model is an investment any time of the year. To ensure your dollars are well-spent, verifying the credentials of the HVAC contractor prior to working on your project is the smart thing to do.
When it comes to hiring an HVAC contractor, these three requirements – licensed, bonded and insured – are necessary. Without these assurances, you take the chance of paying for services that aren’t up to par which could cost more money in the long run.
Before moving forward with any HVAC work in your home, you’ll need to interview potential contractors. During the interview, ask the necessary questions that will help you make an informed decision. Follow up with state, city or county agencies to validate that credential information provided by a contractor is current and applicable to your location.
Licensed – when a contractor is granted a license for a specific trade, it implies the person has the necessary hands-on experience. A license is also approved upon completing and passing a written test for the particular trade. Continuing education courses specific to the trade may also be required in order for license renewal.
Bonded – a bonded contractor is an insured contractor. A surety bond is a guarantee that covers customers should the contractor not complete the job agreed upon. It also covers payments should the contractor fail to pay for the cost of materials and supplies, required permits and payment to subcontractors. The surety bond also covers a homeowner from negligence due to oversights by the contractor.
Insured – two types of insurance cover contractors; liability and worker’s compensation. Liability insurance covers damage to the property or injuries resulting from work completed by the contractor. Worker’s compensation provides payment for medical services and wages for injuries sustained by workers on the project.
For information about our services, contact our experts at Aladdin Heating & Cooling at our Warren, Orion or Novi office. For more than 65 years, our company has provided quality service by trained technicians to metro Detroit and surrounding areas.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Warren, Michigan about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock