Don’t Get Scammed by AC Contractors in Houston – Choose Air Bourne!
Running your air conditioning system is crucial in Houston homes, and failure of the unit during a heat wave can lead to rash decisions. Most homeowners aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of air conditioner units, so they trust the contractor’s expertise. Although you hope that the contractor is honest, it’s unfortunate that many aren’t. Some will try to scam you into believing you need extensive repairs or expensive part replacements which will result in you paying much more than necessary for repairs. However, you can avoid scams in the Houston area by following these tips:
Do Your Research
Before you call the first air conditioning service contractor that shows up in your Google search, read their reviews and ratings. Previous customers provide a wealth of information, and if they have been scammed or had an unfortunate experience, you will be able to read about it online. Many people write reviews when their experiences are either very good or very bad – no in between. So, make sure the good reviews outweigh the bad. Check multiple review sources before deciding on which contractor to call, such as the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s List.
Beware of Upfront Payment
It is normal for a contractor to ask for a deposit for larger AC repairs, but they should never ask for the total cost upfront. If a contractor tells you they need payment in full before they do the work, say “no” and call someone else.
Get it in Writing
Before the company begins any work on your unit, get your AC maintenance contract in writing. Having the details in writing protects you from being told one thing, and having a very different end result. Ask your contractor to put the following in writing:
- Start and finish date.
- Itemized expenses including time and labor
- Detailed list of all materials
Ask for the Broken Parts
Many homeowners never ask for the broken parts after repairs are completed which opens the door for scammers to take advantage. Scamming companies will find that a repair is simple but tell you that an expensive part is broken, and then never replace it. A reliable and trustworthy air conditioning contractor will have no problem handing over the broken parts, while a scammer will not have the parts to give to you.
Don’t get scammed! Call Air Bourne Air today for reliable and trustworthy air conditioning service.