7 Tips on Choosing an AC Repair Service in Austin
Has your air conditioner hit a snag? Are you looking for a professional to repair it for you, or wondering how to find the right one?
You're in the right place. Choosing the right AC repair service doesn't have to be a guessing game.
Below, we're going to provide you with seven tips, helping you to choose the right AC repair service in Austin.
1. Look for a Service With Experience
First and foremost, you want to find a service with a good amount of AC repair experience. Generally speaking, the more experience an AC company has, the greater service it will provide.
This isn't to say that new companies can't provide good service. It's just that working with such a company is risky. After all, if it has no history, it has nothing for you to judge.
We recommend choosing a company with a minimum of two years of experience. Typically speaking, if a company is still going strong after this length of time, it is providing a suitable level of service.
2. Look for a Service With a Good Reputation
Experience alone isn't enough to fully assess the quality of an AC service. Another thing you're going to want to consider is the company's reputation.
Generally speaking, if a company has a good reputation, it's because it's provided good service on a consistent basis. On the other hand, if it has a bad reputation, it's because it's come up short on several occasions.
Now that we've covered that, you might be wondering: how can you fairly assess a company's reputation? Your first option is to ask people you know. Someone might have worked with the company in the past and could have insider information pertaining to the level of service that the company provides.
Another option is to use online review sites like Facebook, Google, and Yelp. These are loaded with reviews from past customers and should paint a decent picture as to what you can expect from a specific company. Keep an eye out for star ratings and try to stick with companies with overall star ratings of at least four.
3. Make Sure the Service Is Insured
Insurance is another thing you're going to want to look out for. After all, this company is going to be working in your home. If it were to cause damage to your home, a lack of insurance could leave you liable for the damages.
The same goes for if one of the company's employees gets injured on your property. You could be held liable for the injuries.
As such, there are two types of insurance that you need to look out for. These include general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Make sure to see proof of both before signing any contracts.
If a company doesn't have these insurances, you need to avoid it. It doesn't matter how low the price is—it's just not worth it.
4. Make Sure the Service Is Certified
In Texas, HVAC companies must be certified with the state. This certification indicates that a company has both the skill and knowledge needed to facilitate HVAC installations and repairs. It is required by law.
As such, when looking for an air conditioning company, you need to keep an eye out for this certification. If the company has it, it's legitimate and worth more of your time. If a company doesn't have it, you should avoid it at all costs.
To determine whether a specific company has this certification, make use of the Texas license lookup tool. Enter the company's name and see what pops up. If the company has the certification, you will see it.
5. Inquire About Repair Practices
Another important thing to do is to inquire about the company's repair practices. This way, you can determine if a company provides professional-grade service or not.
There are companies out there that will patch up a problem instead of fixing it properly, leaving their customers with even more work (and expenses) in the future. You want to avoid these companies at all costs.
Now, you may not know a lot about the intricacies of HVAC repair, but you have basic common sense. So, you should be able to determine whether a company's repair practices sound shady.
6. Ask About Warranties
When you pay for AC repair, you expect to receive an adequate repair. You don't expect the same problem to crop up within a matter of weeks.
Unfortunately, even the best AC services make mistakes. As such, poor repairs are always a possibility.
For this reason, when searching for an AC company, you need to ask about warranties. Most AC companies will provide warranties for the work that they do, covering any mistakes that they might make. You're advised to choose a company that provides such a warranty.
7. Make Sure the Price Is Right
When it comes to cost, different repair services aren't necessarily created equal. Though most will charge similar rates, there are some whose rates will be much cheaper or much more expensive than the others. For this reason, when looking for such a company, you need to inquire about the cost of repairs.
Any reputable air conditioning company will provide you with a cost estimate of the work that you need to be completed. If a specific company doesn't provide you with such an estimate, you should avoid that company entirely.
Note that it's best to stay away from companies that charge exceedingly low rates. If a company is charging prices that are much lower than its competitors, there's probably a bad reason for it (i.e., lack of experience, lack of technical skill, etc.).
Your best bet is to find a reasonably priced company. This way, you'll receive sufficient service without breaking the bank.
Looking for a Reputable AC Repair Service in Austin?
And there they are, seven tips for finding an AC repair service in Austin. Are you looking for a reputable service right now? We here at Aire Serv of Northwest Hills are the people to see.
We've repaired countless ACs throughout the Austin area. Regardless of the issue that you're facing, our team can help you.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!