Whether you need help to fix a broken freezer or need a professional to manage heating and cooling installation, almost every homeowner will eventually have a reason to contact an HVAC contractor. HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration,” and qualified HVAC professionals are experts in many of the systems that keep your home comfortable throughout the year. Whether you’re going with an HVAC company or an independent contractor, knowing what qualifications to look for and what questions to ask can help you save time, money and stress during the process.
Featured Partners
1
Angi
Task Type
HVAC
Estimation Fee
None, Free Estimates
Response Time
Excellent
HVAC Contractor Qualifications
General Contractor vs. HVAC Contractor
If you are building or doing an extensive remodeling project for your home, you have likely been referred to a general contractor who can oversee the various aspects of the plans. In many cases, general contractors have certain areas of expertise and do hands-on work. They also know when to delegate tasks to specialized professionals.
For large-scale projects with multiple HVAC elements, an HVAC contractor works much in this same way. However, the term HVAC contractor is also used to distinguish it from an HVAC technician. The difference here is that an HVAC contractor works for themselves, whereas an HVAC technician works under a contractor. For bigger projects, it’s best to go straight to the top and contact the contractor; for one-off repairs, a technician will probably be the one to make the house call.
Credentials
The licensing requirements for HVAC professionals vary by state, which is why it can help to consider nationally standardized certifications. Many HVAC professionals gain their knowledge through school programs, which may offer certificate degrees with nine months of training.
Building on that, some HVAC professionals pursue apprenticeships, which can take years of supervised, on-site work to complete. Getting an apprenticeship can be very competitive; HVAC professionals who complete an apprenticeship are better poised to work as HVAC contractors.
In addition to completing a degree through a technical school or an apprenticeship, HVAC professionals may also pursue these certifications:
- North American Trade Excellence (NATE) certification
- HVAC Excellence Certification
- HVAC Quality Installation Standard
- EPA 606 Certification
Services an HVAC Contractor Offers
HVAC contractors are experts at not only dealing with HVAC equipment, but also at understanding the often complex HVAC systems at work in a building. This includes designing the system, planning the wiring, installing heating and cooling systems, adhering to code regulations and much more. On a smaller project level, HVAC professionals also offer these services:
- Heating: Heating system installation, repairs, tune-ups and cleaning
- Ventilation: Helping improve the air quality in a home
- Air conditioning: Air conditioning system installation, repairs, tune-ups and cleaning
- Refrigeration: Refrigerator and/or freezer repairs
How to Hire an HVAC Contractor
Proactively connecting with a skilled HVAC contractor is a wise idea for any homeowner because this can save you the stress of not knowing who to call when there is a problem. Start your search for an HVAC contractor by researching national and local companies, reading online reviews and asking for recommendations.
While doing your search, take into account that HVAC systems vary from home to home. If your home has a boiler system, for example, look specifically for HVAC contractors who are experienced with boiler systems. Once you have a refined field of candidates, set up a time to talk when you can ask questions about their qualifications, experience, availability and more.
Questions to Ask an HVAC Contractor
- What is your training and experience?
- What are your HVAC certifications?
- If you manage a team, what standards are the HVAC technicians held to?
- How do you determine and charge rates—fixed or hourly?
- Could you provide references?
- Are you experienced with this type of HVAC system?
- What are your payment terms?
- How do you determine a project estimate?
- How are changes to the estimate handled?
“Correct” responses here vary, but you’re ultimately looking for an HVAC contractor with at least a few years of experience, all the necessary certifications, with a rate that you’re comfortable with, who can provide references and proof that they have worked on similar HVAC systems. This person should also not request cash upfront and should provide full transparency into the estimate-to-payment journey.
Choosing the Right HVAC Contractor
The stakes of choosing the right HVAC contractor depend on the scale of your project. Finding someone to fix a broken icemaker is one thing, but hiring an HVAC contractor to design and install a complete system is on another level. In either scenario, you want to be confident that you are making the right choice—but the HVAC professional fixing an icemaker may not need quite the same level of experience as the professional handling a household system. As you search for an HVAC contractor, keep this in mind:
- Check the reviews for an HVAC contractor on multiple platforms and contact references.
- Perform a search for the person or company on the Better Business Bureau website.
- Contact multiple HVAC contractors to ask about experience, availability and rates.
- Ask about experience with your type of job, including their knowledge of the specific equipment and/or brands.
- Before hiring, get an estimate in writing and understand how changes to the estimate are managed.
Do HVAC contractors give free estimates?
It is the industry standard for HVAC contractors to offer free estimates. For smaller jobs or repairs, the HVAC contractor may be available to provide an estimate over the phone before an in-home consultation. This is especially helpful in cases where there is an urgent repair and you need to hire an HVAC contractor quickly—such as if the heat goes out in the winter.
For larger projects where you have more flexibility with time, narrow down the field of HVAC contractor candidates and then ask the select few to meet in person. Along with a free estimate, the HVAC contractor may also be able to offer some different options within the budget. For example, if you are installing a new A/C system, the estimate will vary based on the efficiency of the equipment you select. A good HVAC contractor should be patient and willing to explain these options to you.
How much do HVAC contractors charge per hour?
Many HVAC contractors charge an hourly rate, but that can be slightly deceiving if there are additional costs for parts and equipment. The national hourly average for an HVAC contractor is $75 to $150. That rate represents the minimum you should expect to spend for a house call—even if the repair takes less than 60 minutes. The average actual cost for HVAC repair is $150 to $450. These costs, of course, are on top of the cost of a new HVAC system (if you’re in need of one).
Are HVAC contractors available after hours?
Because keeping the heating and cooling systems in a home functional is a matter of safety in some situations, many HVAC contractors and companies are open 24/7. However, you should expect to pay double or triple the standard hourly rate for emergency and after-hours service calls.
