The time has arrived to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is really heating up here in Oxford. Your AC will need to be prepped for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a smart idea to have an AC repair professional identified and suitably vetted before your AC has any troubles surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be nice if you could just choose the first number out of the phone book and have confidence that they’ll do an acceptable job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate circumstances. We don’t want to leave you sweating a crooked repairman or the heat so the team at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc has some warning signs to look out for that let you know you may be dealing with an unreliable company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Ahead of Starting Work
A trustworthy company will provide you with an estimate before beginning any work. Any company demanding payment prior to starting work should set off the alarm bells. Another demand of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to annoyances down the road having your problem fixed properly or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Before Inspection
A technician may have an educated guess of what is going wrong with your air conditioner over a phone call, but they won’t be able to truly diagnose it until they have actually inspected your system. Find a company that will provide you with an estimate only after an inspection.
3) Refuses to Put it in Writing
If you’ve seen even 5 minutes of a court show on TV, you know it doesn’t count unless it’s in writing. This is non-negotiable. If a company isn’t willing to put the work and charges into writing, don’t have confidence in them to finish the work. By getting a signed contract preceding the work you’re making certain that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unexpected costs following the completion of your repair.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but most do. You can look up online and see if licenses are required where you live. If you are living in a state that requires licensing, by choosing a licensed company, you’re protecting yourself from a company that uses unqualified workers. And any grievances or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you encounter a company that is operating without a license, there’s usually a reason for that and you’ll want keep clear.
These warning signs will hopefully help guide you along as you’re looking for a credible AC repair technician in the Oxford area. The pros at Franklin's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc are ready to get the work done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 662-281-1231 to set up an appointment up with us anytime.