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How to Find the Best AC Installer in Phoenix

July 12, 2018

In the market for a new air conditioner?

If so, you’re probably comparing different contractors in the Phoenix area and wondering who to hire to install your new AC.

You’re right to do your homework: Hiring a high-quality contractor is extremely important, as it will largely determine the longevity of your AC system.

Higher-quality contractors do better work, which means your AC will last longer and perform better.

On the other hand, if you hire a contractor who does poor quality work, you could end up with problems like:

  • An incorrectly installed AC, which could lead to breakdowns and higher energy bills
  • Damage to your property caused by carelessness
  • The wrong size AC for your home, which leads to higher energy bills and additional wear and tear on your system

To help you avoid those issues, we’ll share 5 tips to finding the best HVAC contractor for your AC installation:

  1. Verify they have a physical address
  2. Read customer reviews
  3. Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured
  4. Beware of over-the-phone pricing
  5. Ask for a written estimate for the installation cost

Want a FREE quote to install a new AC?

Or, read our article about the cost to install an air conditioner in Phoenix.


Tip #1: Verify they have a physical address

First things first: Does the company have a physical address?

You don’t want to hire a tech who only operates out of their truck. Not that techs who operate out of a truck aren’t competent, it just makes it harder for you to track them down if you have a problem.

In the worst case scenario, a bad tech could install an AC, and then you never hear from them again. But if they work for an established company with a physical address, you always know how and where to reach them if you have an issue.

Tip #2: Read the customer reviews

It’s easy to gauge a company’s reputation by looking at their online reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, Facebook and BBB (Better Business Bureau).

When you look up a company to read their online customer reviews, don’t just look at their star rating; also look at how the company responds to and resolves customer concerns or complaints.

Does it look like the company is actually interested in helping their customers? If so, that means they’ll probably be willing to help you if a problem arises after your AC installation.

Tip #3: Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured

By law, a contractor must be licensed by the state and insured (in case something goes wrong on the job) in order to legally install a new air conditioner in Phoenix.

You can search to see if a contractor is licensed by searching the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. And if you ask a contractor, they can usually provide you with proof of insurance.

However, the easiest way to quickly verify if a contractor is licensed and insured is to see if they are promoted by the BBB—in order to be listed there, the contractor must be licensed, bonded and insured.

Tip #4: Beware of over-the-phone pricing

Beware of contractors who give over-the-phone estimates for an air conditioner installation.

When it comes to installing an air conditioner, cost varies depending on many factors unique to to your home. The only way to give you an accurate quote for an AC install is for the tech to visit your home and perform a cooling load calculation.

So simply put, if a contractor gives you an over-the-phone estimate, it’s not an accurate price.

Tip #5: Ask for a written estimate for the installation cost

Getting a written estimate for the cost to install your AC will save you hassle down the road.

If you have a written estimate, you can hold the contractor to their original quoted price so they can’t pull a bait-and-switch when the project is all over. (A bait-and-switch is when a contractor gives you a low price initially, then tries to upsell you at the end.)

The bottom line: Honest HVAC companies will give you upfront prices in writing, so that there are no surprises when you get the bill.

Want a top-quality AC contractor in Phoenix to install your AC?

We offer FREE AC installation quotes, and we provide honest and upfront pricing to all our customers.

We also offer 100% satisfaction—guaranteed to all our customers. If you’re not completely satisfied with our work the first time, we’ll redo the job on our own dime.

See what our customers have to say about us.

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By Ty Lindsay

Ty Lindsay is the Director of Field Operations at Patrick Riley | Isley’s and a 15-year veteran of the plumbing and HVAC trades. In 2010, Ty earned his Journeyman’s plumbing license. He became a Master Plumber five years later and earned his Journeyman HVAC technician’s license that same year. Ty’s breadth of knowledge in plumbing and HVAC includes both residential and commercial work. He’s been a loyal member of the Patrick Riley | Isley’s team since 2016.