The time has arrived to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is really heating up here in Rapid City. Your AC will need to be ready for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a wise idea to have an AC repair professional chosen and properly vetted before your AC has any problems surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be ideal 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 predicament. We don’t want to leave you sweating a sketchy repairman or the heat so the team at Street Heating and Cooling has some warning signs to look out for that let you know you may be dealing with an untrustworthy company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Before Starting Work
A trustworthy company will provide you with an estimate before beginning any work. Any company requesting 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 problems down the road having your problem fixed correctly or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Prior to Inspection
A technician may have an educated guess of what is going wrong with your air conditioner just by talking with you, but they won’t be able to truly diagnose it until they have actually inspected your system. Look for a company that will provide you with an estimate only after conducting an inspection.
3) Refuses to Put it in Writing
If you’ve seen 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 job and charges into writing, don’t have faith in them to finish the work. By getting a signed contract preceding the work you’re ensuring that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unexpected costs after work has been completed.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but most do. You can find out 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 shielding yourself from a company that uses unqualified workers. And any problems or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you find a company that is operating without a license, there’s almost certainly 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 trusted AC repair technician in the Rapid City area. The pros at Street Heating and Cooling are ready to get the job done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 605-206-3915 to arrange an appointment up with us anytime.