Air conditioning can at times be a complicated business, and its success is often contingent on having the right plan. That is to say, a well-informed, effective strategy that is appropriate for the specific job that needs doing. But how do you, as a customer, know which air conditioning company can develop and execute a plan that is best suited toward your needs?

Going with an air conditioning company that is incompetent, inexperienced, or ill-suited to your particular needs can result in a variety of problematic outcomes. These include: shortened equipment life, system breakdowns, inefficient or dangerous operation, abnormally high energy bills, and even building code infractions.

That’s why today, our team of HVAC experts here at MFM have broken down everything you need to consider when choosing the right air conditioning contractor for your needs.

The Right Contractor for the Right Property

While checking the quotes of various HVAC contractors might seem the obvious place to start, there is a step you should take before this – and that’s compiling a list of which contractors to check. Air conditioning companies vary in terms of what services they provide. Some, for example, only service residential buildings – whose needs are entirely different to that of a commercial property.

Be sure to check exactly what a given contractor can provide, and whether this matches your situation. Check also what they can provide post-installation – do they offer support with breakdowns and other issues for a period of time?

Service Hours

A contractor’s service hours should be an important factor when deciding whether or not to use them. Some maintenance services only operate during regular 9-5 business hours, or they might charge you extra for work outside these periods. Others might not work during holidays. Of course, these conditions aren’t optimal if you’re experiencing an emergency. A good contractor will offer a 24-hour service – and this is something you should check for or enquire about when making your decision.

Guarantees

What guarantees or warranties accompany the service provided, if any? This is another important question you should ask in your search for a contractor. With air conditioning, there is always the potential for something to go wrong, and a good maintenance contractor won’t hold you responsible for this. If they offer guarantees or warranties on their service, it shows that they are confident in what they do and that their customers rarely experience accidents. If they were incompetent, then it wouldn’t be profitable for them to offer such guarantees.

Cost Isn’t Everything

While you shouldn’t have to pay an inordinate amount for quality air conditioning, you should also be wary of service rates that are too low. If they appear too good to be true, then they most likely are. Cheap rates are often an indicator of substandard quality and will see you paying more money in the long run. Too frequently, customers look only at the upfront cost rather than considering the time and money they save with a high-quality service. Therefore, your best course of action is to check a variety of contractors and find a reasonable price. Look for an air conditioning company that offers free estimates.

Written Quotes Serve You Better Than Verbal Ones

Just as opting for the lowest quote can end up costing you more in the long term, you should also pay attention to how the contractor delivers you your quote.

As a general rule, you should be wary of any contractor that offers you a quote over the phone. Air conditioning units vary from model to model, and unless the contractor can observe your set up in person, it will be difficult for them to give you an effective quote. That’s why a good contractor will give you a written proposal with their offer, so that both parties can refer back to the document throughout the duration of the project. With a written quote, there is no ambiguity – which saves you headaches going forward. This formal document will typically have a list of all the jobs that need to be done, all of the equipment required to complete them, and what all of this is worth in terms of pricing. As a customer you should expect from your contractor a thorough calculation based off of an on-site evaluation.

Industry-Leading Commercial Air Conditioning with MFM

Here at MFM, we pride ourselves on the quality of our HVAC work – in terms of both the efficacy of the maintenance we carry out and the well-being of our clients. For three decades, we have led the South West in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing services, catering to a wide range of properties. These include schools, offices, industrial sites, hotels, retail buildings, government buildings, leisure complexes and other commercial venues.

Customer satisfaction has long been one of our core values. When it comes to commercial air conditioning, we offer a 24/7 service, 365 days a year, so that our clients are not left without assistance in the event of an emergency.

For more information on our industry-leading HVAC services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly staff today.

See more: How to Select an Air Conditioning System for Your Building

See more: Building Maintenance Services Checklist