Get ready to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is absolutely heating up here in Portland. Your AC is going to be in for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a wise idea to have an AC repair professional selected and thoroughly 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 a good job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate situation. We don’t want to leave you sweating a crooked repairman or the heat so the team at Three Rivers Heating & Cooling has some red flags to watch out for that let you know you may be dealing with an unreliable company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Prior to Starting Work
A reputable company will provide you with an estimate before beginning any work. Any company asking for payment prior to starting work should be called into question. Another demand of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to annoyances down the road having your problem fixed correctly or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Prior to Inspection
A technician may have an inkling 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. Choose 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 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 accomplish 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 surprise costs following the completion of your repair.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but the majority do. You can find out online and see if licenses are required in your state. If you are located in a state that requires licensing, by choosing a licensed company, you’re protecting yourself from a company that uses untrained 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 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 dependable AC repair technician in the Portland area. The pros at Three Rivers Heating & Cooling are ready to get the job done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 503-213-4433 to arrange an appointment up with us anytime.