Obtaining multiple bids for new equipment will save most consumers thousands of dollars. Get several companies to prepare written proposals.
If the estimate exceeds $500 or so, consider getting additional quotes from other companies. If the repair estimate is no more than a few hundred dollars, you may as well have the company go ahead with it immediately. Once a company has diagnosed your problem, it should provide you a written fixed price to fix it. Before scheduling a repair, ask companies for details on their minimum fees and for their hourly labor rates.īecause most repair work is performed on a time-and-materials basis, you can use this information to get an idea which companies are likely to be least expensive.
Since most companies charge hefty minimum fees just to show up, you'll likely have to pay something to find out the price of the repairs. And to replace the dual-run capacitor for a Carrier central air conditioner, prices ranged from $135 to $459.Ĭomparing prices for repairs is difficult, as you'll first probably need to have a company out to diagnose the problem. For example, to replace the control board for a Rheem gas furnace, our undercover shoppers were quoted prices ranging from $263 to $870. Several scored much lower, receiving such favorable ratings from only 60% or fewer of their surveyed customers.Ĭheckbook also found very big price differences. But not all contractors are up to the task. In Checkbook's surveys, several companies were rated "superior" for "overall quality" by 90% or more of their surveyed customers.
#CONSUMER CHECKBOOK SUBSCRIPTION FREE#
Through special arrangement with the Star Tribune, you can access Checkbook's ratings of local HVAC services for quality and price free of charge until Dec. Twin Cities Consumers' Checkbook's evaluations of area heating and air-conditioning services will help you find a competent contractor. When you do need new stuff, you'll want to work with a company that offers the best possible advice and prices. So, it makes sense to maintain your current equipment properly and get good repairs when needed. Even on cool days, such expenses could make you hot under the collar.
Replacing your home's heating or cooling equipment costs thousands of dollars.
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