Eight things to check before hiring an HVAC contractor in the Philadelphia area. Licensing, insurance, warranties, and the questions most homeowners forget to ask.
Get a Free EstimateThe company you hire matters more than the equipment they install. A great system installed poorly will underperform, break down early, and cost you more in repairs. Here are the eight things to verify before signing anything.
Pennsylvania requires every company doing residential HVAC work over $650 to hold a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration. This is non-negotiable. You can verify any contractor's registration on the PA Attorney General's website.
If you live in Philadelphia, the contractor also needs a separate Philadelphia contractor license. Working without proper licensing means no legal recourse if something goes wrong.
Ask for proof of both general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. If an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, you could be liable. A legitimate company will provide certificates of insurance without hesitation.
Minimum coverage you should see: $1 million general liability and active workers' comp for all employees.
Check Google, Yelp, and the BBB. Look for patterns rather than individual reviews. A company with 200 reviews averaging 4.7 stars is more reliable than one with 15 perfect reviews. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews. That tells you more about their character than the positive ones.
Ask the company for references from recent jobs similar to yours. If they cannot provide them, move on.
How long has the company been operating? A company that has survived 10 or more years in the Philadelphia market has weathered recessions, supply chain problems, and thousands of installations. That track record means something.
Also ask about experience with your specific equipment type. Boiler work is very different from ductless mini-split installation. You want a company that has done your type of job hundreds of times, not a few.
A professional estimate includes:
If a company gives you a verbal quote or a one-line estimate, that is a red flag. You need detail in writing so both sides know exactly what was agreed upon.
The manufacturer warranty covers the equipment itself: compressor, heat exchanger, parts. But who covers the labor if something fails within the first few years? A good HVAC company offers a separate labor warranty on their installation work. This means if a connection leaks, a wire comes loose, or something was not installed correctly, they come back and fix it at no cost to you.
Companies that do not offer a labor warranty are telling you something about their confidence in their own work.
This is one of the most important questions and the one homeowners rarely ask. Does the company use its own W-2 employees, or do they subcontract installation work?
Companies with their own employees control the training, quality standards, and accountability. If a subcontractor does your install and something goes wrong six months later, getting it resolved can be a nightmare. The installing company and the subcontractor may point fingers at each other while you sit without heat.
Ask directly: "Are the people who install my system your employees?" If the answer is no, keep looking.
Your furnace will not wait until Monday morning to break. Does the company offer 24/7 emergency service? Is there a live person answering after hours, or just a voicemail? HVAC emergencies happen on weekends, holidays, and at 2 AM. The company you choose should be available when you need them most.
McCorry Comfort has served the Philadelphia area for 25 years. We are family-owned, PA HIC registered, and fully insured. Every installation and service call is performed by our own employee technicians, not subcontractors. We offer written estimates, a labor warranty on all installations, and 24/7 emergency service at (215) 379-2800.
We install Mitsubishi and Fujitsu mini-splits, York and Goodman furnaces and air conditioners, Bradford White water heaters, and Navien tankless water heaters and boilers. We serve Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County.
Pennsylvania requires a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for any company doing residential HVAC work over $650. You can verify a contractor's registration at the PA Attorney General's website. Philadelphia also requires a separate city contractor license.
Yes. Get 2 to 3 written estimates for any major HVAC project. Compare not just price but also equipment brands, warranty terms, and what is included in the scope of work. The cheapest bid often means lower-quality equipment or corners cut on installation.
Companies that use their own employees have direct control over training, quality, and accountability. Subcontractors may be skilled, but the hiring company has less oversight. If something goes wrong, you want to deal with the company that did the work, not a third party.
McCorry Comfort has served the Philadelphia area for 25 years, since 2001. We are family-owned and use our own employee technicians for all installations and service calls.
Yes. McCorry provides a written labor warranty on all installations, separate from the manufacturer's equipment warranty. Ask about specific terms during your consultation.
📍 Serving Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Bucks County & surrounding areas. Available 24/7.
