Choosing an HVAC contractor in Miami-Dade without getting burned

Check the license yourself

Florida requires HVAC contractors to hold a state license, a Certified Air Conditioning (CAC) or Certified Mechanical (CMC) license. You can look up any contractor by name or license number at myfloridalicense.com in a couple of minutes. Check that the name matches the company on the quote and that the license is current. Ask about insurance too, and ask for a certificate if the work is large.

What a real quote includes

A replacement quote should list the equipment model numbers for both the indoor and outdoor units, the efficiency rating, whether a load calculation was done, what happens to the duct, line set and drain, the permit, the anchoring hardware, removal of the old equipment, and the warranty terms for parts and labor. A repair quote should name the failed part and how it was diagnosed.

If two quotes differ a lot, lay them side by side on those items. The difference is usually in what's included, not in the price of the same work.

Diagnosis before price

A technician who quotes a compressor over the phone, or before testing, is guessing. Many symptoms that sound like a dead compressor turn out to be a capacitor or contactor. Ask how the diagnosis was made and what the readings were. A second opinion on a large repair quote is reasonable and common.

Questions to ask on the first call

Ask whether they answer after hours, and who actually comes out. Ask how they price: a diagnostic fee and then a quoted repair, or a flat rate. Ask whether replacements include a load calculation, the permit and anchoring. Ask what brands they install and service, and how the parts and labor warranties work. A contractor who answers those plainly on the phone usually writes a clear quote too.

Red flags

Walk away from pressure to sign today for a special price, from refusal to put the quote in writing, from requests for full payment or large cash deposits up front, and from contractors who suggest skipping the permit to save money. Be cautious with anyone who adds refrigerant every year without finding the leak.

After the work

Keep the invoice, the permit number and the equipment model and serial numbers. Register the equipment with the manufacturer if the contractor doesn't, since many parts warranties depend on registration. Make sure the county inspection is scheduled and passed.