Get ready to get your shorts out of storage, the weather is absolutely heating up here in Rapid City. Your AC is going to be in for a workout this season. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to have an AC repair professional chosen and properly vetted before your AC has any problems surviving an incoming heatwave.
It would be ideal if you could just select the first number out of the phone book and trust that they’ll do a good job, but there are companies out there that are looking to take advantage of your unfortunate situation. We don’t want to leave you sweating a sketchy repairman or the heat so the team at Precision Mechanical has some cautionary signs to look out for that let you know you may be dealing with a dishonest company.
1) Requesting Full Payment Ahead of Starting Work
A trustworthy company will provide you with an estimate before beginning any work. Any company asking for payment prior to starting work should set off the alarm bells. Another request of a shady company is asking for payment in cash. This could lead to problems down the road having your problem fixed properly or completely.
2) Quotes a Cost Before Inspection
A technician may have an idea of what is going wrong with your air conditioner simply by speaking with you, but they won’t know for certain until they have actually inspected your system. Choose a company that will provide you with an estimate only following an inspection.
3) Refuses to Put it in Writing
If you’ve viewed even 5 minutes of a court show on TV, you know it doesn’t count unless it’s in writing. This is non-negotiable. If a company isn’t willing to put the labor and charges into writing, don’t have confidence in them to finish the work. By getting a signed contract prior to work beginning you’re making certain that you and your contractor are on the same page and you’ll have no unexpected costs after your repair is completed.
4) They aren’t licensed
Not every state requires that contractors are licensed, but most do. You can look up online and see if licenses are required in your state. If you reside in a state that requires licensing, by choosing a licensed company, you’re protecting yourself from a company that uses unqualified workers. And any problems or issues with the company you choose can be reported. If you come across a company that is operating without a license, there’s almost certainly a reason for that and you’ll want to stay away.
These warning signs will hopefully help guide you along as you’re looking for a credible AC repair technician in the Rapid City area. The pros at Precision Mechanical are ready to get the work done right and earn your trust. Give us a call at 605-206-3766 to set up an appointment up with us anytime.