Smart
business owners know the best way to save money is to keep things working
effectively and efficiently all year through. It’s not maintenance items that
break the budget; it’s the unexpected events that cause instant problems.
The
$25 oil change is much more cost effective than spending thousands replacing
the car you drive to work every day because of a blown engine. In the same
token, maintaining a HVAC system by repairing leaks, replacing hoses and adding
fluids will save you thousands over the possibility of having a major piece of
equipment destroyed due to lack of care.
And
while there are many commercial HVAC companies vying for your attention today,
be warned: there are many less-than-reputable companies willing to low-ball
their bids, knowing they can make up the costs later. If a HVAC maintenance
contract is on your list of things to finalize this year, consider the
following:
Timing
Of The Repairs
The
reason you are considering a HVAC maintenance contract in the first place is to
avoid downtime at your facility. Downtime means productivity loss and angry
tenants/employees, which means avoiding interruption is probably one of your key
desires. Not only should you focus in on how frequently a HVAC maintenance
contract authorizes a visit by a HVAC technician, but also how fast emergency
work will be handled. A quality service company will try its best to keep your
system running and prevent failures from occurring. But when an emergency does
arise, it’s nice to know that how quickly they will respond.
Turnaround
Time For Repairs
Cut-rate
service providers try to keep their costs low by keeping spare parts at a
minimum. That means when a problem arises with your HVAC equipment, instead of
having a replacement part on the truck or at the warehouse, they may have to
specially order it in. That can take days or even weeks to make the repair,
allowing your facility to run at a less than optimal level. For some parts, it
might not be noticeable. But try explaining that to tenants on a 90 degree day
when the part for the air conditioning system won’t be available for several
working days.
Quality
Of Work
When
you don’t have the expertise, it’s hard to know if someone is providing you
with top-notch service, or being less than up-front with you. While looking at
testimonials and online reviews can give you an overall picture of the
company’s reputation, you can also look at the way they charge their customers.
Do they provide rate sheets that make sense, or do they hide their fees in the
fine print? Can you get a clear picture of what you’ll be charged up-front, or
is it always a wait and see approach? Ask a few questions if you’re concerned
with bids or breakdowns. Sometimes the way a person answers can reveal a lot.
Budget
Control
A
reputable HVAC company realizes you have a budget to maintain. They understand
that unplanned events can cause financial duress for some companies. No matter
what your budget constraints, an HVAC contractor should be able to tell you
upfront how a HVAC maintenance contract will work within those guidelines. Most
will have options – do you need one that covers basic repairs, or an
all-inclusive that provides 24 hour emergency service as well?
Consider
your options, work together with your HVAC service provider, and put one less
thing out of your mind as you continue on with your busy days.
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