Our society is price driven. We are always looking to get something for as next to nothing as possible. Especially with the economy as it is today it is very tempting to save that extra dollar.
Being in the HVAC field just over fifteen years I have seen what the lowest bid will get you. Many when taking bids on their heating and cooling equipment installed or replaced look at only the bottom line.
When consumers only price shop, they are setting themselves up for costly expenses in the long run. Improper installations can cost you on your utility bill, short term life of your equipment; meaning buying a new system before you should have to, this is spending your money twice to save a couple of hundred dollars up front.
It is wise to get multiple bids when having home repairs made such as the installation of heating and cooling systems. But do not just price shop, the price alone does not tell you everything.
When I was in HVAC sales I always stressed to my potential client the importance of knowing what all the bottom line entailed. I also advised them to check up on any references they could before making any decisions.
One issue that gripes me about my chosen field is that even though there are better HVAC codes than there were 10-20 years ago, these codes do nothing toward the quality of workmanship.
Codes in general are the minimal standard required by law. Just because your contractor can meet code and pass inspection does not guarantee you a true professional job; air blowing out your vents does not mean that you got your monies worth.
There are companies in my local area that have their jobs pass mechanical inspections every week but the work they do is so sloppy and unprofessional that I would not let then put their work in a dog house. Most home owners are not aware of what to look for in quality in this field. Most home owners do not look into the attics or crawl spaces to see the work that has been done.
What can you do as a home owner to protect your self from being robbed of your hard earned money?
- Take multiple bids for the work to be done
- Ask for references
- Check all references
- If possible ask to see previous work to compare quality of workmanship between companies
- A written contract on promised work is a must
- This is the information age. You are about to spend a lot of money. Get educated as much as possible about the project you are hiring out.
You get what you pay for. There are reasons why one company can low ball a price and why other will not lower their standards. Ask yourself why the price is lower than the rest before you settle. Could it be that one company has lower overhead and can offer legitimate lower prices or what corners will they cut to get your business?
