Learn the important questions to ask a contractors before you invite them into your home.

If you’re calling from a coupon or yellow page ad, you have no idea of the background, training, insurance coverage, or quality standards of the company behind that phone number. So how can you, as a homeowner, sort through the dozens of choices and make the right decision on a service provider? Well here’s a checklist of questions that you can ask. Now, I’ve worded these questions for air duct cleaning, but the list is useful for just about any service provider. Number one: Is air duct cleaning your primary business?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 1. Is air duct cleaning your primary business?

BARRY MCCOY:
Many carpet cleaners, chimney sweeps, and furnace companies are now offering air duct cleaning as an add-on service. Number two: How long have you been doing air duct cleaning on a full-time basis?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 2. How long have you been doing air duct cleaning on a full-time basis?

BARRY MCCOY:
Is this a trained, experienced professional- or are they “practicing” on your house? Number three: What kind of equipment are you using to do the work?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 3. What kind of equipment are you using to do the work?

BARRY MCCOY:
We believe the specialized air duct vacuum truck is the key for professional air duct cleaning. Now there are many inexpensive portable shop vac style machines being used, but Fresh Air Corp doesn’t use them. They’re small, the vacuum pressure is very low, and they exhaust inside your home. If these small machines aren’t thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after every job, the dirt, fleas, and cockroaches from the last project are brought right into your home. Number four: Do you offer a video inspection so I can see the actual results?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 4. Do you offer a video inspection so I can see the actual results?

BARRY MCCOY:
At Fresh Air Corp, you’ll be shown the inside of the system, the blower fan, and main trunk lines. We’re proud of our thorough service, and we want to show off our work. Number five: Is the price you’re advertising, the price I can expect for a complete job?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 5. Is the price you’re advertising, the price I can expect for a complete job?

BARRY MCCOY:
Watch out for the “bait and switch.” Here is an actual invoice from a newspaper coupon- the bait- offering a $99 full house special. On the work order presented at the time of cleaning, there were thirteen additional lines with costs that brought the final price to $515. Now this kind of dishonest marketing is wide spread in the air duct cleaning business. The low price on a coupon is many times an outright deception, and you’ll be presented with the “switch” when they’re standing in your home, counting on being able to pressure you into authorizing the additional charges. Do you really think a company that will manipulate you with fraudulent pricing, dishonest coupon offers, and lists of add-ons is really interested in providing high quality air duct cleaning and professional service? It’s a good question to consider. Number six: Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 6. Are you a member of the “B.B.B.” [Better Business Bureau] and Angie’s List?

BARRY MCCOY:
Membership in organizations such as these shows a critical element- accountability. With a simple phone call or website inquery, you can find out what Fresh Air Corp customers are saying about our service that we provide. Number seven: Will you provide names and numbers of former clients?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 7. Will you provide names and phone numbers of former clients?

BARRY MCCOY:
Here’s what our customers have to say about Fresh Air Corp.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: “Our 100-year-old home has come back to life!” Mary & Larry D.
“We feel our home is definitely warmer!” Lori & Dave O.
“The men treated our home like it was their own!” Bill & Dorothy B.

BARRY MCCOY:
Number eight: Do you have comprehensive liability insurance, and will you provide proof of that coverage?

ON-SCREEN TEXT: 8. Do you provide comprehensive liability insurance coverage?

BARRY MCCOY:
Well, there you have it, the “Fresh Air Report: Indoor Air and Your Health.” I hope these few minutes have been enlightening, and given you information that will help you make your home a healthier place to breath. If it’s been three years or longer since your air duct system has been professionally cleaned, call us at Fresh Air Corp. Your family will thank you, your furnace system will run cleaner, and efficiently, and Sick Building Syndrome will be a thing of the past. Thank you

ON-SCREEN TEXT: Indoor Air and Your Health. The End.

END IA5 Questions To Ask