How to Choose a Heating and Cooling Contractor
When your furnace needs a tune-up, or your A/C needs to be replaced, you likely turn to Google to search a local HVAC company for help. However, there are many contractors to choose from.
In this article, we review some of the key steps for successfully choosing an HVAC contractor to handle an installation/replacement, repair, maintenance, or emergency service.
6 Tips for Successfully Choosing an HVAC Contractor
1. Note Any License or Insurance Requirements in Your State
To start, we recommend that you first research license and insurance requirements for HVAC companies in your state. Also, prior to calling the company, you will need to know the model of your HVAC system, plus its maintenance history.
Having this information available will help protentional HVAC contractors better understand your home or business’ heating needs.
2. Get References & Referrals
When narrowing down companies, we suggest asking them for customer references to call. You should inquire about the installation process or service they received, the quality of communication, whether the job was completed on time, and whether the work stayed within budget.
In addition, you should also ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for referrals on their recommendations for the best HVAC companies in your local area.
Related: 10 Things to Check Before Calling an HVAC Technician
3. Look for Licensing & Certifications

You want your A/C, furnace, or heat distribution system to be in the right hands. Pay attention to each company’s licensing and certifications to back up the products they install and the validity of the services they provide.
At Modern Sheet Metal, we are NATE-certified (North American Technician Excellence) Carrier technicians, which means our staff must meet rigorous qualifications and go through extensive training, and pass detailed examinations to assess each technician’s knowledge and skills in the industry.
4. Check for Experience & Level of Expertise
The HVAC company you ultimately choose should demonstrate their level of expertise by years of experience serving the local community, good reviews online on Google, Facebook, Yelp, Angi, and BBB, and overall good word of mouth. Their reviews should demonstrate proven skills in A/C and furnace installations, replacements, repairs, and maintenance services. Watch for what people say about their speed of service, level of communication, and willingness to answer questions and concerns.
At Modern Sheet Metal, we were founded in 1963, and have been in the business for more than six decades serving customers throughout Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Darboy, Kimberly, Greenville, and the Fox Cities.
5. Expect a Detailed HVAC Assessment
A trustworthy HVAC contractor will be willing to offer you a detailed evaluation of your home or business’ HVAC needs. They will offer to take measurements and perform calculations to ensure they install the properly-sized systems for your indoor space.
Other factors a good company will take into account include their estimates on insulation, ductwork, and overall energy efficiency. They will walk you through all your options and will answer any questions you may have about the process.
6. Get a Written, Itemized Estimate
Lastly, whenever you are comparing different companies’ estimates, you should compare cost, energy efficiency, and their warranties. A detailed estimate should include a complete breakdown of the cost of the equipment and work planned to be done. This includes the removal of the old unit, installation of the new system, time for cleanup, and final testing.
You should compare the pricing, warranties, and services included on each estimate you receive from each company.
Related: Heating & Cooling Guide: What to Know About HVAC Systems

Contact Us for Carrier-Certified Heating & Cooling Services!
Move forward with confidence knowing your HVAC quote was accurate! With more than six decades of HVAC experience, you can rely on our Carrier-certified team to provide professional heating and cooling, furnace, A/C, indoor air quality, radiant floor heating, geothermal heating, emergency services, and even radon testing services to ensure the most comfortable air solutions possible.

At Modern Sheet Metal, our Carrier-certified team handles furnace installations and replacements, A/C maintenance and troubleshooting, programmable thermostat installations, heat pumps, filtration, and more.
Need a FREE estimate or 2nd opinion? We’ve got you covered! Just give our team a call at (920) 733-4713 or email us at web@modernhvac.com to schedule a service.
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- HVAC Maintenance Tips for Pet Owners
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