In the southern states like Georgia, we’re kind of in the ups and downs with warm and cool weather at the moment. That means there are days when it can still be really warm with a need for the AC and dip down on the next day to where you might think about switching to a minute with the heat on.
Homeowners in Hiawassee employ air conditioning preventative maintenance contractors at least once a year before the extreme weather hits in the summer months since these can be exceptionally hot.
No one wants a system shut down with the need for emergency AC repair service in Hiawassee, which can be costly. If there is a malfunction, a repair technician is a sight for sore eyes. The thing to remember is there are unsavory contractors in the batch who represent the industry in a bad light.
These will take advantage of a desperate homeowner in need of a rapid response. Let’s look at some tricks to keep you from being scammed.
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AC Repair Tips & Tricks To Keep Hiawassee Georgia Residents From Scams
Unfortunately, you’ll find scammers looking to make a fast dollar in every industry, and AC repair is no different. Homeowners need to do due diligence by searching authoritative sites for reviews, ratings, complaints, and fraud claims, especially the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs. Read here tips for proper air conditioning maintenance.
If you find yourself in need of an emergency repair with the need to work with someone unfamiliar to you, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to avoid the chance of being scammed.
Request any parts removed that the tech indicates were replaced.
One particular fraud that often takes place is charging for parts that were not replaced. That can easily be prevented if you request the faulty parts that the contractor had to change out.
It also gives you an opportunity to have these “broken” parts looked at in a “second-opinion” capacity to ensure they were, in fact, in need of replacing.
Free tune-up offers might not be all they’re cracked up to be.
The Better Business Bureau indicates that free estimates are a part of a reputable air conditioning repair denver sales process. Still, a company of less honorable intentions boasts allowing you to have a “free” preventative maintenance inspection that ends up as a high-pressure sales tactic.
Whenever you’re offered something for free, there’s always a catch. As the adage says - “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
A sizable down payment is a no-go.
Down payments are relatively typical with any contractor performing a job, including AC servicing or tune-ups. But if the repair contractor expects the total cost estimate before completing the work, that would be a significant red flag.
You should never pay the total amount before someone does the job. A scammer won’t return. Walk away from this AC repair tech. Learn how to DIY AC servicing.
Freon is expensive and often used for scamming.
Freon helps air conditioners function at peak performance. The substance is less than budget-friendly, with less reputable contractors making attempts with service calls to incorporate purchases of more than what you genuinely need or present offers as “free” only to add the cost in with the repair bill as a hidden fee.
A homeowner needs to be aware that Freon won’t become low readily unless there’s a leak in the system. If a contractor introduces the idea of adding the substance but does no leakage inspection, that’s an indication of a scam.
Final Thought
Homeowners in Hiawassee, Georgia, need their AC units to run a bit longer than most other states. If a resident has repairs or a tune-up from a reputable technician, the contractor will likely stick around to ensure the system is working adequately.
You will also receive information to contact them if anything goes wrong in the next few days to do a follow-up.
Anyone attempting to scam won’t go this extra mile. An unscrupulous contractor will likely leave immediately upon finishing work and won’t provide follow-up information.
Always make sure to check with the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs before committing to a specific provider. Doing so can save you time, money, and another service call.
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