Sure, there are tons of heating and air conditioning repair guys in the Fairfax area, but how do you know which to hire? They may say they’re licensed, but do they keep up with the latest industry trends and advances? Do they do quality work? And most importantly, do you trust them enough to let them into your home?

A little common sense goes a long way when choosing an HVAC installer.

Don’t trust anyone who doesn’t come to your house to look at the project before giving you an estimate. Even if yours is a fairly routine repair or installation, there may be unexpected complications that cause the final price to be much higher than anticipated. You should not have to pay for any home visits or estimates that may be performed.

Be sure to get a written, itemized estimate.

You should know exactly what you’re paying for and how much it should cost. To take it a step further, shop around. Get written estimates from several companies – otherwise, how will you know if a price is too high? If the estimates you receive are wildly different, don’t be shy about asking why the price is so high (or low!). A company may have missed something in the estimate that would cause the final price to be just as high as its competitor.

One of the best ways to find a reliable HVAC installer is to ask friends and family.

They can tell you who you should hire or, even better, they can tell you who to avoid – both are equally valuable! Word-of-mouth is the best way to get honest reviews. That’s why websites such as Angie’s List are gaining in popularity. People who have had particularly good or bad experiences are usually more than willing to tell others about them.

If you can’t find a recommendation and are going straight out of the phone book, be sure to vet the company carefully. Find out how long the company has been operating in the city under the same name and whether or not it has operated under any aliases or other corporate names.

A company with a physical address is preferable – don’t trust a guy who only gives you a cell phone number.

If reviews are available on a website, read all of them. Companies often list reviews from best to worst, knowing that prospective clients may only read a few before making a decision. If possible, check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if a company has received any complaints.

If you follow these rules, you should be able to easily find an HVAC installer that’s not shady – of course, if you’re reading this blog, you’ve already found the best Fairfax heating and air conditioning installer, anyway!

F.H. Furr proudly serves Fairfax, Alexandria, and the surrounding area. Call us at 703-690-0449 to learn more about what we can do for your home!