Key Takeaways
- Look for HVAC contractors with NATE certifications and manufacturer training for your specific HVAC brand.
- Cheaper bids are red flags, especially if the quote omits key details, such as warranty information, an estimated final price, and labor costs.
- Always double-check the HVAC technician’s state licensing and insurance information before signing a contract.
If you’re looking to hire a reputable HVAC professional, take your time and don’t make a snap decision to hire the cheapest or most available technician. Remember, your HVAC system is responsible for your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and air quality — you don’t want to risk pricey energy bills, hot and cold temperatures, or future breakdowns due to poor repair work.
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find reputable HVAC contractors in your area, whether it comes from friends, neighbors, your local home improvement store, or online sources such as Facebook groups and Nextdoor.
You’ll want to vet contractors by asking questions, speaking with references, and comparing several bids to avoid shady practices or low-quality work. Keep reading to learn how to vet a HVAC contractor’s license, insurance, experience, and how to avoid red flag providers that’ll leave your HVAC system and wallet in worse shape.
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This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
What To Look for in a Qualified HVAC Contractor
Don’t just search for “HVAC contractor near me” and choose the first provider. We recommend using these criteria and qualifications to narrow down the top reputable contractors in your area.
State Licensing and Certifications
Most states require HVAC technicians to be licensed, so start by looking up your state’s requirements. Some states require a certain number of educational hours or proof of apprenticeship.
If your state doesn’t have statewide HVAC licensing requirements, look up county or city licensing requirements.
“First and foremost, homeowners should make sure their HVAC contractor holds a valid state license and EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants,” said Geno Caccia, CEO of Caccia Plumbing in San Mateo, California. “It’s important to check to ensure they have liability insurance and are bonded. I always recommend looking for contractors with manufacturer training or NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification — it shows commitment to professional standards,” Caccia added.
Insurance and Bonding
Always speak with companies and contractors you’re considering about their insurance. Look for companies with both workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. These insurance coverage plans protect you if a worker has an accident at your home.
Bonding is something else to watch out for. A company with ample bonding indicates that the provider has set aside funds to cover claims against it. Depending on your state, this may be a legal requirement to protect homeowners against accidental damage to the home during an HVAC service.
Experience
Ask the contractor about their experience. While working with a newer contractor is not always a red flag, a more complex project may be better for an experienced contractor. Steer clear of “pop-up” businesses that don’t have a consistent physical address, long work history, or any negative reviews. These companies may “pop up” one day, ask for an upfront payment, then leave before you know what hit you.
On top of this, ask if the contractor has experience with the specific HVAC brand of equipment you need help with. Some companies have brand affiliations and will only service certain equipment.
References and Online Reviews
Speaking with previous customers and reading online reviews provides you with valuable insights that you can’t gain without working with the technician first. A reputable company will have a portfolio of references that vouch for its high-quality work and services. If a provider is unwilling to provide a reference, this is a significant red flag.
Check the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and reviews on other consumer sites. Remember that unhappy customers tend to be a vocal majority, so pay more attention to recurring themes in negative reviews.
Transparent Quotes and Contracts
An HVAC quote and contract should provide detailed information, such as the system’s brand and model numbers, labor costs, additional fees, and the labor warranty. If a company provides you with a confusing contract or a quote that doesn’t include a detailed breakdown of the services, costs, guarantees, and warranty, ask further questions or consider a different provider. We recommend getting the estimated final price and installation timeline in your contract for reference, too.
Red Flags To Watch Out For
While it’s tempting to sign with the first HVAC contractor you come across or the one offering the lowest bid, be cautious of potential red flags. The following red flags indicate that you should steer clear, as the company may be trying to pull a fast one on you:
- Answers vaguely about licensing or insurance
- Won’t provide references
- Pressures you to sign a contract quickly
- Shows frustration if you mention wanting to get a second opinion
- Only offers a verbal quote without documentation
- Doesn’t have a physical address, phone number, or business website
- Offers a red flag quote (suspiciously low or wildly high)
- Requires full payment upfront
- Provides a quote that’s missing key details like labor warranty information or model numbers
Where To Find HVAC Contractors
Finding the best local HVAC contractors can be as simple as asking neighbors or friends for recommendations. Online platforms, such as Facebook and Nextdoor, are also great places to ask for referrals. We also recommend checking with your local home improvement or HVAC supply stores for referrals, as employees at these stores have likely heard about the best (and worst) contractors in the area.
Spending time researching HVAC contractors saves you a headache down the line. Start by reading online reviews for local HVAC contractors and checking to see if the company is accredited by the BBB and what its rating is.
Look for companies accredited by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and certified by the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) organization. These accreditations and certifications provide further reassurance that you’re working with a contractor who’ll adhere to high installation standards to optimize your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
Questions To Ask Before You Hire
Before hiring an HVAC contractor, consider asking the following questions to rule out any shady practices or a lack of experience with the type of project they’ll be tackling:
- How long have you been in business?
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured in this state? (Ask for licensing numbers to verify.)
- Can you provide references from your most recent jobs?
- Do you offer ENERGY STAR-qualified products?
- What HVAC brands do you install or service most often?
- Do you guarantee your work?
- What’s your warranty for labor and equipment?
- What’s your process for permitting and inspections?
- Do you offer financing options or special offers? (Ask about potential tax credit savings, too.)
How To Compare Multiple Bids
We recommend getting at least three bids for installation or HVAC repairs, so you can compare pricing, the scope of work, and what guarantees come with the HVAC installation.
- Compare factory warranties, extended service plans, and guarantees. These protect you should your HVAC fail after the service. A company that offers these but charges slightly more is often the better choice, as it provides peace of mind through these guarantees.
- Look at the scope of work, not just cost. What does the bid include? Ask whether quotes include permits, disposal of old equipment, and warranty details.
- Does the bid discuss how this repair or installation will improve indoor air quality or your home’s energy efficiency?
- Remember, a cheaper bid isn’t necessarily a better bid. An inefficient HVAC system or poor-quality repair will ultimately cost you more in the long run, through higher energy bills and future repairs.
FAQs About Vetting HVAC Contractors
What license should an HVAC contractor have?
HVAC contractor licenses vary from state to state. Ask an HVAC contractor for proof of licensing and insurance, and check that it matches the requirements on your state’s Department of Commerce website. Some states don’t have statewide licensing requirements, so you should check your county or city’s legislation instead if this is the case where you live.
We recommend looking for an HVAC contractor that has NATE certification, which ensures they’ve completed industry-standard certification testing and courses.
What does it mean to be a NATE-certified HVAC technician?
A NATE-certified HVAC technician has passed rigorous, industry-recognized testing from North American Technician Excellence — the top certification organization in the field. This means they’ve proven their ability to install, service, and repair modern HVAC systems correctly and efficiently.
Hiring a NATE-certified pro gives you peace of mind that the work is done right the first time, minimizing callbacks and system issues. These technicians are trained to improve system performance, boost energy efficiency, and ensure your HVAC setup runs safely and reliably. For homeowners, it’s a smart way to protect your investment and keep your home comfortable year-round.
How much insurance should they carry?
An HVAC technician should carry between $300,000 and $1 million per occurrence. Workers’ compensation insurance will vary, but many providers recommend at least $100,000 to $1 million per employee and occurrence.
Is it worth getting multiple quotes for a small repair?
Yes, it’s worth getting multiple quotes for a small HVAC repair, as you’ll avoid overpaying or getting scammed with a “too good to be true” quote. We recommend gathering at least three HVAC quotes so you have an idea of market value and know what is an unusually low or high quote for the needed repair. Speaking with multiple contractors also allows you to better understand what your HVAC system needs for improved efficiency.
How do I know if a quote is too good to be true?
A quote is too good to be true when it’s much cheaper than the market average, which you can find with a little online research or by comparing the quote to others you’ve received. If the quote is much lower than other providers, the contractor is likely cutting corners with labor, warranty, and product quality.
