Commercial HVAC & Plumbing FAQs
6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Plumbing Company to Clean Your Drains
by: Ruth King, Nationally Recognized Plumbing and HVAC Industry Consultant
Having worked with many plumbing and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) companies for over 28 years, I have seen the good companies who take care of their customers and the ones who don't. The questions I get asked all the time by company owners and home owners include: Where do I go to find a reputable plumbing company? How do I know that the prices I am being quoted will be the price that I actually pay? How can I find a company I can trust?
The answers to these questions, as they relate to drain cleaning, are below. I hope these answer help you find a reputable plumbing company.
How is the drain cleaned?
Most companies use a device called a Hydrojet. There are many different types of Hydrojets. Some have lower pressure (PSI) around 2,000 PSI. Higher quality Hydrojets have higher pressure capability, at 4,000 PSI.
Lower quality Hydrojets do not have a camera as part of their service. As a result, they charge extra to put a camera into the drain so a technician can see the problem.
Higher quality Hydrojets usually include a camera as part of the drain repair.
Why is a camera necessary when clearing a drain?
With a camera you know immediately what the problem is and how to address it. If there are roots, bellies in the line (i.e. drooping instead of straight lines), or broken spots causing the issue, you will immediately know what caused the stoppage and can take steps to prevent it in the future.
Some companies charge an additional fee to use the camera when cleaning drains. Companies with the higher quality Hydrojets usually do not.
How well is the drain line cleaned?
Lower PSI Hydrojets generally do not totally clean a drain line. Pressures of 4,000 PSI are generally needed to make sure the drain line is clear. If there are roots, the 4,000 PSI hydroject can cut out the roots.
Is the repair covered by a warranty?
Most stopped drains are caused by roots, feminine products, and grease. Make sure the repair warranties grease in drain lines. No one can warranty roots and feminine products. Grease cleanings should be under warranty for a period of 90 days.
Why is a low cost telephone quote generally not the best way to go?
All companies in a geographic area have about the same labor and truck costs. If a company "low balls" a price to get in the door, they will probably add on extras such as the camera or not warrantying the repair so that if it happens again the next day, you have the same cost again. Generally with these add-ons, these companies will have the same charges as initially seemingly higher priced companies.
What type of response time can I expect?
Reputable companies have 24 hour on-call service so that even if you have a problem at 3 AM it can be resolved quickly. If you call during the day before 2 PM, you should have the problem resolved that day without overtime charges.
Ruth King is a nationally recognized HVAC and plumbing consultant with over 28 years helping contractors grow profitably. You can reach her at ruthking@hvacchannel.tv.
10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Heating and Air Conditioning Company
by: Ruth King, Nationally Recognized HVAC Industry Consultant
On the hottest or coldest day of the year your air conditioning or heating system quits. Or, you sense that something just isn’t right with your air conditioning or heating system. You’ve got to find a reputable company. But, who can you trust?
Having worked with many heating and air conditioning (HVAC) companies for over 28 years, I have seen the good companies who take care of their customers and the ones who don't.
The questions I get asked all the time by company owners and home owners include: Where do I go to find a reputable HVAC company? How do I know that the prices I am being quoted will be the price that I actually pay? How can I find a company I can trust?
The answers to these questions are below. I hope these answer help you find a reputable HVAC company.
1. Where do I find a company I can trust?
The first place to start is with friends and family. Ask them who they have used in the past for their heating and air conditioning needs. Were they happy? Did they feel that they were charged a fair price? Would they use that company again?
You also might see HVAC trucks in your neighborhood. Ask your neighbor about her experience.
Look at the trucks. Were they clean? Were they dented with a stick on label with the company's name? And, in many states, the contractor license number is required on the truck. Is it there?
2. If I have to do a web search, what should I look for?
Start with "heating/cooling/air conditioning service or HVAC service, NAME OF TOWN you live in". If you live in a larger city such as New York or Atlanta, narrow the geography down to the county or even the subdivision. For example, "heating service Norcross, Georgia or "air conditioning service Norcross Georgia" or "cooling service Norcross, Georgia." (Norcross is a suburb of Atlanta)
A company's website can tell you a lot about that company. Is there a physical address? Are there pictures of employees? Are there testimonials from satisfied customers?
Of course, an unsatisfied customer would never give a positive testimonial. However, you can might know someone who gave a testimonial and call that person.
Also check to see the company's rating with The Better Business Bureau.
Then, once you find a company that you are interested in, search on that company's name. You should find the good and the bad about that company. And, you might have to search page 2, 3, or deeper into the web search.
3. What does the person sound like who answers the telephone?
Is the person friendly? Does he or she take the time to listen to you? If not, then you might be dealing with the wrong company.
4. What type of warranties are offered on repairs and system replacements?
Most reputable companies warranty their repairs and replacements for a year or longer. The only exception to this is generally leak searches and leak repair. If there is refrigerant leaking out of your system, it probably should be replaced. HVAC systems are closed systems that should not leak. In my experience, once a leak is fixed on an older system, another one will usually pop up in a different location because the system has operated past its useful life.
5. Why is a low cost telephone quote generally not the best way to go?
All companies in a geographic area have about the same labor and truck costs. If a company "low balls" a price to get in the door, they will probably add on extras and find repairs that may not be needed to bring the price up to what they should be charging in the first place.
Generally with these add-ons, these companies will have the same charges as initially seemingly higher priced companies.
You get what you pay for. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I've know many people to call a company for a $29 special only to spend hundreds of dollars which may or may not have been warranted.
If a technician tells you that your compressor is grounded or that your heat exchanger has a hold in it, you might want to get a second opinion. Most reputable companies will be happy to give a second opinion.
6. What type of response time can I expect?
Reputable companies have 24 hour on-call service so that even if you have a problem at 3 AM it can be resolved quickly. If you call during the day before a certain time, you might get the problem resolved that day without overtime charges.
7. What about maintenance agreements? Are they worth it?
Yes - As long as the company you choose performs the HVAC systems manufacturer recommended maintenance procedures. They will save you money on your utility bills and increase the life of your HVAC system. You might get other benefits such as no overtime charges or priority service.
The company you choose should give you a written condition report showing what was done during the maintenance.
It has been my experience that customers who have properly executed maintenance plans on their HVAC systems spend less on repairs and have longer lasting systems because the equipment is operating in the best possible condition for its age.
8. Is the company licensed an insured?
Most states require contractors to be licensed to take care of your heating and air conditioning needs. In addition, the company should carry workman's compensation insurance and general liability insurance to cover any unlikely issues where a technician damaged your home or got hurt.
9. Are the technicians NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified?
NATE certification requires passing a rigorous test and continuous training. NATE certification means that you know your technician is competent.
10. What should you expect when a company representative arrives at your office?
Professionalism. The service technician or office comfort specialist should arrive on time, should look professional, and be courteous.
If a technician is coming to repair your system, you should expect a complete diagnostic, or check up, of your system.
You should expect the professionals who come to your office to ask about problems you are experiencing with your equipment.
You should expect a clear, written presentation of the solutions. Our job is to educate you so that you can make informed decisions.
You should expect to hear about the products that can help you save money, be more comfortable in your office, and extend the life of your heating and air conditioning system.
Hopefully these questions and answers will help you find the right contractor who can help you stay comfortable in your office for years to come.
Ruth King is a nationally recognized HVAC and plumbing consultant with over 28 years helping contractors grow profitably. You can reach her at ruthking@hvacchannel.tv.
