Learn about Downflow / Horizontal
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Some contractors won’t want to work with you and will •
only want to sell and install their own equipment for you,
since this is how they make the most money. They might tell
you why what you are doing isn’t a good idea, or the brand
you like is a bad brand. This is common, since this is some
contractor’s method of trying to convince you to buy from
them. Don’t worry - there are plenty of other contractors that
would be glad to have your business.
The second type of contractor will be friendly and willing to •
come out and give you a quote and work with you. Call a lot
of contractors and nd several of the friendly ones in you
area and get pricing from them. The key is to keep calling; the
more you call the more cooperative contractors you’ll nd
and the better pricing you’ll get. Pricing for the same work
can vary wildly between contractors, so you’ll want to get
multiple quotes to nd the best deal.
What to look for when selecting a contractor
While price is certainly important, it is not everything when
selecting a contractor. Here are some other important things to
find out about the contractor before you make your selection:
Get the price in writing -• Make sure the quote clearly states
what is included and that there are no additional fees other
than what is stated to get the work done.
Permits –• If city or municipality permits are required to install
the equipment, as they are in most communities, make sure
that they contractor will be obtaining such on your behalf.
This should be put in writing on your quote, and the price for
the permits is included.
Insurance – • Any decent contractor will have liability insur-
ance. Ask to be on the safe side; you can request documenta-
tion of such if you like.
References –• You can ask for the names of other satised
customers and call them to see how they felt about the work-
manship and service provided. Also, ask if the contractor is
a member of the Better Business Bureau, and call the BBB to
see if there are any outstanding complaints made against the
company that haven’t been resolved.
You’re in Charge
Not that long ago, you had only one option when it came
time to buying your home furnace or heater: getting it from
your local contractor. While this is still a good option in many
circumstances, you are no longer dependant on just your local
contractor to provide you with product information, buying
guides, product comparisons, answering your questions about
installation and other details regarding this once-every-ten-
years type of purchase. And you can now buy the equipment
directly from wholesalers yourself – a whole new opportunity.
Over the past decade, the internet has provided consumers
with a wealth of information and buying outlets for products
they wish to buy to which they didn’t have access previously.
This in turn has raised service standards for merchants in all
industries while at the same time lowered product costs due to
increased competition among stores.
Information from this shopping guide as well as equipment
manufacturer’s web sites should empower you to make a smart
purchasing and installation decision that is right for you. As
an informed consumer, you’re now in charge. Armed with this
good information, you should be able to shop with condence
for your next home heating system.