August Articles

August 2005 Articles

These are condensed versions of the Radio Program

08/03/05

As you’ve been told a thousand times, the only silly questions are the ones you don’t ask. Today we address a question that a lot of people have, but only a few will ask. Here it is: How do you go about buying a home comfort system? No one really wants to have to spend the money to buy a new comfort system for his or her home. It ranks with items like cars, education, and braces as the major expenses in life other than the very home we live in. There are two types of system purchases one can make. A Replacement system is what we generally call a “change-out”. A home that already has a system usually only requires replacement of the actual equipment. If it’s a split-system, we replace both the indoor and outdoor portions. If it is a packaged system, we replace that. Many times we may have to make repairs to the duct system as we replace a lot of old air conditioners and/or furnaces. The connections can be rusted and falling apart and very often the insulation needs upgrading. The other type of system is referred to as New. When installing a new system, we have to start from scratch. We have to install all the ductwork, open new vents (ceiling or floor), build a return duct system, install thermostats and controls, and much more. At Quality Service, Inc., we won’t just quote you some price off the top of our heads. An accurate price cannot be related to the consumer without the necessary knowledge of your needs, wants, and desires. We go out of our way to be sure your new system fits your needs AND your budget! If any contractor is willing to simply quote you a price over the phone to replace your 3-ton unit with another 3-ton unit, he is not very concerned with your particular comfort needs.

08/10/05

We have a different “Ask Mike” for you today. Over time and with a lot of research and experience we have developed a pamphlet for you called, “How to Choose The Right Contractor”. It’s full of very helpful information on ways to find the right company to do your job. This week and next we’ll look at some of these things to consider when making your choice. If you’d like a copy, it’s free! Just contact us with your name and address and we’ll send you one. A good contractor will help you select the right equipment for your needs. He’ll show you options and customize the job just for you. Here are some things to think about: Longevity and reputation of the company is an important consideration. How long has this company been in business? We’re not discussing how long the main guy has been doing this. He could have put 20 businesses under in his 20 years in the industry. You need to know about THIS Company as it is now. In our industry, the average company lasts 3 to 5 years. That’s because people work for a HVAC contractor for a while and decide they can run their own business. More often than not, they can’t. Reputation is important, too. Don’t be afraid to ask for references from people they’ve worked for. Also, ask your friends, neighbors and relatives. Some of them probably dealt or know someone who dealt with this company. We’ll have more tips next week in “Ask Mike”!

08/18/05

You could call this “Mike Asks” this week!

Last week we covered some of the information that can be found in our helpful pamphlet called “How to choose the right contractor”. We’ll start today with more things to consider when making your choice. Professionalism is a key factor. Are you being treated in a professional manner? Is someone there to answer your calls? Is there an office staff to assist you? You can usually tell whether you are dealing with a pro. Insurance is extremely important. If someone works in your home and is not covered properly, you could be held responsible for any injury or damages! Unfortunately, many contractors pay their helpers “under the table” and they buy no worker’s comp and usually take no income taxes. These “uninsured” workers can be a huge liability for an innocent homeowner. Also, does the contractor you’re considering have all the licenses he needs to do your work? Does he get the permits and inspections that are required? If not, once again, the homeowner can legally be held responsible for the lack of permits and inspections. All this information and more are available in our free pamphlet. If you’d like a free copy, just call us at 635-3452 or write us with your name and address, and we’ll be happy to send you one. It’s called “How to choose the right contractor” and it’s free as a public service from Quality Service, Inc. We’ll be back again next week for more “Ask Mike”, and as always, contact us with your questions and we’ll answer them right here. Be sure to catch our Saturday morning radio show on WTRB!

08/31/05