Also called ‘bonded’, a properly insured contractor or company will be able to pay for any damage they incur to your home in the installation process if something should go wrong. Simply put, working with an uninsured/unbonded air conditioning company is like playing scratch lotto, but in negative numbers — it’s likely nothing will go wrong, but if it does, you’re suddenly out four or five digits and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Certification simply means that they’ve proven that they know what they’re doing. Many contractors, especially the less expensive ones, know the basic process, but they might not know the specific details associated with your make and model — they’re not certified. Working with a certified AC installer makes it a lot less likely that you’ll need that bond/insurance we just discussed.
“A while” might seem a bit vague, but it’s a mostly subjective question. There is no hard-and-fast rule that says ‘every HVAC contractor that’s been in business for four years is a good one’ — but by and large, crappy contractors don’t stay in the business for long. Look for someone who’s been around for a while and you’re much more likely to find excellent (and prompt) customer service.
Much like the length of time question above, this can tell you a lot about the installer’s business sense. An installer that is busy is generally an installer that is doing well, which often means they’re getting referrals. That in turn means people are happy with their work, which means you’re likely to be happy as well.
Some companies outsource their work when they get busy to questionable subcontractors who may or may not have the qualifications to install your air conditioner. Make sure you’re dealing with one that uses only in-house HVAC technicians.
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