How to Choose an HVAC Contractor (Checklist)

An HVAC install runs five figures and lives in your home for fifteen years. Picking the wrong contractor compounds.

The non-negotiable checklist

• State HVAC license, verified on the state board website
• Manufacturer certification for the equipment they sell
• Manual J load calculation in writing, not a square-footage rule of thumb
• Written warranty covering both parts and labor for at least 2 years

Red flags

Door-to-door sales, “today only” pricing, and refusal to provide references should all end the conversation.

Sample script for the first call

“Hi, I’m gathering quotes for a system replacement. Can you confirm your license number and email me a sample Manual J before scheduling a visit?”