Finding an HVAC Contractor: 7 Factors to Consider

October 8, 2013 - Published by Scott's Air

Finding an HVAC contractor is important for your home’s energy efficiency and your indoor air comfort.

But selecting a technician based on an advertisement can be a gamble. Luckily, a little homework on your part can make all the difference.

Finding an HVAC Contractor

Sure, your could go online and do a quick search to find a contractor. But in today’s world of advertisements and clever ranking tactics, you can’t trust the first thing you see online.

Finding an HVAC contractor can quickly become quite a headache! Keep these things in mind when starting the HVAC hunt:

Know your AC model.
Trust word-of-mouth.
Check reviews!
Be aware of unnecessary upsells.
Wait for an in-person visit before getting a quote.
Ask for a written estimate.
Paper contracts are king!

Knowledge is power!

Be informed. Requirements for contractors and insurance vary greatly! If you choose an HVAC contractor that is not up to code, you may be leaving yourself and your home liable to damages. Understand the licensing and insurance requirements for your state, your county, and your city. Make sure the contractor meets those regional standards before trusting them with your home.

When you call potential HVAC contractors, have the brand and model of your HVAC equipment available. This allows the HVAC professional to tell you if they have experience with your equipment. If they do – bingo! If not, it may be wise to keep searching.

Ask around!

Use word of mouth. Recommendations are one of the best ways of finding a reputable contractor who might work well with you. Ask your friends and family if they have an HVAC contractor they know, trust and recommend.

If you can’t locate someone close to you that has a trusted HVAC source, then reach out to your neighbors! Chances are, your home was built around the same time that theirs was, and you may even have the same HVAC unit. It’s possible that your neighbors are also in the process of finding an HVAC contractor.

When In Doubt, Experience Speaks!

Check references. Ask potential contractors for references. Talking to previous clients is a great way to find out what a contractor is all about. Be sure to ask these clients about their entire experience, including service after installation.

It may feel strange to reach out to a customer, but the clients that consent to be contacted as a reference understand how important, and stressful, finding an HVAC contractor is.

Know Your Worth!

Watch the bottom line. Improvements to your HVAC system are a considerable investment. Don’t be dazzled by rebates, only to find out you’re paying more in the end. Look for a contractor who is an authorized dealer for a quality brand – they can give you the best price upfront so you don’t have to haggle for discounts or fill out rebate forms.

Blind Quotes Are Red Flags

Anticipate a site visit. Your contractor shouldn’t be giving price quotes over the phone. You can’t afford that type of guesswork! A qualified HVAC professional will evaluate the needs of your home before making a recommendation.

Leave a Paper Trail

Written, itemized estimates are a must. When comparing bids, make sure you’re looking at the entire purchase. Warranties, follow-up service and energy efficiency are important parts of any HVAC purchase. Having estimates in writing allows you to make an informed decision.

Cover Your Assets

Have a written contract. Before any work is done, have a written proposal drawn up that outlines the scope of the project. Itemized costs, warranty information and model numbers should be clearly outlined.

Finding an HVAC Contractor

By taking these things into consideration before you make your decision, you can avoid a lot of trouble and heartache down the line. And if you’re looking for an HVAC contractor in the Orlando area, be sure to give us a call at Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re always happy to help!

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Scott's Air

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Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!

Tags: energy efficiency, energy evaluation, heating and cooling, hvac contractor, hvac system, orlando florida

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UPDATE 12/11/25-
Mr. Scott, the owner took the time to speak with me the day before to take ownership of the unfortunate event, and to rectify it, he personally came over to speak to me and issued a refund for the blower motor replacement to honor me being a customer and purchasing the unit from them in recent times. This speaks a lot about his integrity and customer centric approach. Even though I didn’t hear from them initially for a few months, this was a great gesture in difficult times, and I appreciate this, therefore updating my review.

STAY AWAY!!!

I purchased a new AC system from Scott’s Air & Heat in 2022 for approximately $7,000. Since then, I have already spent over $1,500 on repairs in 2 years. Despite the system having a 10-year parts warranty, I was charged $650 for labor alone to replace a blower motor—a repair that took about one hour to complete. Another reputable company quoted $500 total, including both parts and labor, for the same job.

Additionally, I was charged $258 for the same issue just a week prior, and when the problem recurred, the company billed me again instead of honoring their previous service. Attempts to reach the owner or manager for a resolution went unanswered.

Overall, I found their pricing to be excessive and their customer service severely lacking. I would not recommend this company based on my experience.

Response from the owner:Hi, Thank you for taking Scott's call today & allowing us to make this right. We're looking forward to meeting you tomorrow with the hopes of being able to earn your 5-star rating. We genuinely care for our customers and their families and want you to be 100% satisfied. Thank you again.

Robin Preucil

It’s been a long process, but Scott did call personally to make sure that our ac unit was working properly. They even upgraded to the correct size unit we needed after many repairs and issues. I appreciate the follow through and transparent communication! They will make sure to follow up and help when needed. Thank you Scott and team!!!!

Response from the owner:Hi Robin, Thank you so much for giving us an opportunity to make this right. We're happy to hear your system is running good now & we were able to turn your experience around. Thank you for trusting us with your home.

Karon Phillips

12/11/25

Same day update! I want to applaud Scott, the owner, for contacting me about my concerns regarding the labor charge for our last job. It was a disappointment that I had to have such an expensive charge on a relatively new unit. However, we talked about it, and he’s going to try to help. I appreciate any owner who listens to customers and wants to try to make things right. Thank you, Scott. I guess I don’t have to shop around for a new AC company for now.

12/11/25
Just to clarify. My response says that I’m frustrated to pay for labor for a warranty repair. I didn’t understand this was a warranty repair and I always am fine with paying for labor if a job is done. I believe my review explains my frustration with flat fees no matter how long the job takes.

10/8/25
Update today. The price that was quoted me was not only labor. They are charging flat fees for jobs. This is a change from the past with HVAC companies , but with more explanation and a little flexibility, I think we will stay with Scott’s for the time being. We’ll see how it goes. They still remain extremely responsive and professional and kind. This is worth something. They also come quickly when you have a problem.

This is a big change in my review for this company. Over the past five years things have changed. The company I used to trust I am now very skeptical of. They no longer charge labor by the hour so that you pay more for something that is more difficult and less for something that is less difficult. Just flat fees. And extremely high ones at that! Guess I’m looking for a new company now.

Response from the owner:Hi Karon, Thank you for trusting us with your home all these years. I can understand your frustration in having to pay labor for a warranty repair. The warranty from the manufacturer (not us) only covers the part itself. We value our customers and our community & want to make sure we take care of you and your home. We've left you a message & hope you'll return our call so we can make this right.

Mia Torres

Chelsie was absolutely amazing!! She was on time, super friendly and personable! She was knowledgeable and even took the time to explain the problem and solution with our ac. I highly recommend them to service your HVAC needs!