A good HVAC quote is specific - named equipment, named efficiency ratings, a stated scope - and a good company is verifiable before you sign anything. This section covers what to check and what to compare, not which brand to buy.
The equipment matters less than who installs it. A correctly-sized system installed badly underperforms a slightly-smaller system installed well, and the installation is the part a brand name on the unit can't tell you anything about.
Verify before you compare price
- License. Most states publish a license lookup - search it directly rather than trusting a number printed on a truck or a card.
- Insurance. General liability and workers' compensation. Ask for a certificate; a company that hesitates to provide one is telling you something.
- A load calculation, not a guess. A quote for a specific system size should be backed by a calculation based on your home, not "the same size as what's there now."
Reading a quote
The same checklist as what it costs covers, applied line by line:
- Scope stated exactly. Furnace only, AC only, or the whole system - written down, not implied.
- Equipment named specifically. Make, model and efficiency rating (SEER2, HSPF2 or AFUE), precise enough to check against the nameplate once it's installed.
- Ductwork addressed explicitly. Either "reuses existing ductwork" or a separate line for what changes, not left ambiguous.
- Two warranties, not one. Manufacturer's equipment warranty and the installer's labor warranty are different things and should both be in writing.
- Permits included or excluded, stated either way. Silence on this usually means it comes up later.
Patterns worth a second look
Common questions
How many quotes should I get?
Enough to make the numbers comparable - three is a reasonable starting point, matched on scope, system size and efficiency rating using the checklist above. See what it costs for how to make sure you're comparing the same job.
Does a lower quote always mean a worse job?
Not necessarily, but a large gap between quotes for the identical scope and equipment is worth understanding before you decide, not just accepting. Ask what's different.
Should I choose based on the brand of equipment?
Brand matters less than correct sizing and a competent installation. A well-installed mid-tier system will usually outperform a premium system installed poorly.