There’s no question that heating is an important thing this time of year. If your building’s boiler system goes down or you have decided that it’s time for a replacement to get a boiler system that is more energy-efficient and fits your heating requirements, you will need an HVAC contractor who can install the system correctly. Hiring someone who is not qualified or familiar with your system could lead to disastrous results. But what should you consider when hiring a contractor? Here are several things to keep in mind on your search:

1. Start Researching Now

An informed customer is a good customer and one who will be able to find a contractor who can meet his or her needs. Before you get on the phone or complete a Google search for contractors in your area, know exactly what you need. Look up the license, bonding, and insurance requirements for your state, and review the type of system you have. If you have a maintenance history, this will be good to keep handy as well.

2. Find Out Whether or Not Potential Contractors Have the Necessary Experience

A competent contractor should have experience with a variety of boilers in different HVAC systems. Be sure to describe your system and ask whether or not the contractor has worked with it before. He or she should also have the required licensing for your state and knowledge of any new regulations and processes.

3. Ask for Referrals

Any good contractor will be able to provide many referrals to highlight their level of work. Before you agree to work with a specific contractor, be sure to get several referrals and contact those referrals to get a better idea from others who have worked with your contractor.

4. Ask for References

In addition to colleagues, managers, and those who know the contractor, be sure to get a few names and numbers of clients who have hired the contractor. Ask them questions about the level of work, whether or not everything promised was done, and if he or she would hire the contractor again.

5. Get a Written Estimate

You don’t want to be surprised later on. A contractor should be able to analyze your system, point out everything that he or she plans to do, and write down an estimate that will reflect the time and equipment necessary to complete the job. It probably should be free of charge too as this is typically the standard.

And remember that you don’t need to sit in the cold as you wait for your system to be updated. Carrier boilers come in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet the needs of a diverse group of clients. We have provided Carrier boiler rentals for commercial building applications, industrial applications, emergency scenarios, and more so we know how to get the job done quickly and correctly. As you conduct your search for a boiler contractor to install your new system, be sure to choose Carrier boilers as a stopgap in the meantime.