Get ready to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is certainly heating up here in Erie. Your AC will need to be prepped for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to have an AC repair professional identified and suitably vetted before your AC has any problems surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be ideal if you could just select the first number out of the phone book and trust that they’ll do an acceptable job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate predicament. We don’t want to leave you sweating a sketchy repairman or the heat so the team at Patterson & Stirling Inc has some warning signs to watch out for that let you know you may be dealing with an untrustworthy company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Prior to Starting Work
A reputable company will provide you with an estimate prior to beginning any work. Any company requesting payment prior to starting work should be called into question. Another request of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to problems down the road having your problem fixed properly or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Before Inspection
A technician may have an idea of what is going wrong with your air conditioner simply by speaking with you, but they won’t know for sure until they have actually inspected your system. Find a company that will provide you with an estimate only following an inspection.
3) Refuses to Put it in Writing
If you’ve watched even 5 minutes of a court show on TV, you know you have to get it in writing. This is non-negotiable. If a company isn’t willing to put the work and charges into writing, don’t have faith in them to finish the work. By getting a signed contract before work begins you’re making certain that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unexpected costs after your repair is completed.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but a great number of them do. You can look up online and see if licenses are required in your state. If you are living in a state that requires licensing, by choosing a licensed company, you’re shielding yourself from a company that uses unqualified workers. And any problems or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you encounter a company that is operating without a license, there’s most likely a reason for that and you’ll want to stay away.
These warning signs will hopefully help guide you along as you’re looking for a credible AC repair technician in the Erie area. The pros at Patterson & Stirling Inc are ready to get the job done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 814-308-0416 to arrange an appointment up with us anytime.