Whether you’re building your place of business from scratch or fitting out an existing office or retail store, the businesses you choose to provide goods and services can often play a major role in helping your business succeed.
From electrical wiring to appliances, lighting and more, choosing quality always produces the best results.
Nowhere is this truer than air conditioning, where the difference between an experienced, capable commercial air conditioning installer and an unreliable, fly-by-night operation can truly be night and day.
To help you make an informed, effective decision as a customer, we’ve converted our HVAC contractor in Miami, FL years of hands-on experience and expertise into a variety of tips to make the process of choosing an air conditioning installation provider easier, faster and safer for your business.
Choose an HVAC installer with previous experience
As the saying goes, “the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior.” While you might get lucky and stumble onto a fantastic deal with a new company, you’re much more likely to receive high-quality results when you work with a tested, experienced and reliable installation partner.
When you’re comparing air conditioning installers, take a look at their previous projects. If they don’t list any previously completed projects on their website, ask them for examples — most will be happy to provide you with a list of installations they’ve successfully completed.
It’s important to note that new installation providers aren’t necessarily bad — often, they’ve got great skills, but just don’t have a lengthy track record. However, the most reliable, dependable option is almost always to choose an experienced, proven installation provider.
Get recommendations on the best equipment for your needs
A good commercial air conditioning installer doesn’t just know how to install equipment — they’ll also have a deep, thorough knowledge of the equipment they work with. This makes them one of the best sources around for product recommendations.
If you’re not sure of what your retail store, workspace or other commercial space needs, reach out to your installation service provider and ask for a recommendation. Often, your installer will have a direct relationship with equipment providers and may be able to provide a good deal.
Purchasing your air conditioning equipment through your installer can also make the process more affordable, as many installers will be happy to bundle their installation service with your equipment purchase at a more affordable price.
Understand your requirements before you make a decision
Whether you’re installing a small one-ton air conditioner to a large unit designed for a massive retail or commercial space, it’s important that you’re aware of your requirements before making a decision about the air conditioning equipment you purchase.
There are several ways to do this. You can either calculate your needs based on the square footage of your commercial space or speak to multiple installers to gain a more well-rounded understanding of your approximate air conditioning requirements.
As always, it pays to be an informed customer. The better you understand your air conditioning needs and the more aware you are of installation options, the easier you’ll find it to choose the right commercial air conditioning installer for your needs.
Ask for and agree to a budget before work commences
Just like most building and fit out projects, the total cost of installing air conditioning can easily increase over time as problems arise. Because of this, it’s important to ask for and agree to a specific price before work commences on your air conditioning system installation.
If you’re on a strict deadline, you can also ask your installer to agree to a specific deadline for the project. This can help to prevent the installation process from lagging behind schedule and delaying the opening of your retail store, office or other commercial space.
Finally, make sure the bid or proposal you receive clearly outlines the equipment, accessories and other components that will be used during the installation. This way, everything is as clear as possible before work begins, eliminating the risk of unwelcome surprises.
Make sure you ask about after-sales service and maintenance
Air conditioning equipment requires regular maintenance and servicing to perform at its best, making it essential that you’re aware of the after-sales service available to you as a customer.
Before you agree to a deal with any commercial air conditioning installer, make sure you’ve got a full understanding of the servicing intervals of your equipment, as well as the cost of keeping your new air conditioning system in optimal condition.
From filter changes to cleaning, AC repair services and more, there are numerous costs involved in the long-term operation of a commercial air conditioning system. The more you know ahead of time, the easier you’ll find to accurately forecast the costs of maintaining your AC equipment.
