A quick script for the call
“I’m in [your town]. My [heating or AC] stopped working [when]. I’ve noticed [what is happening]. Do you cover my address, and what is your earliest appointment? What does the initial visit cost, and how do you approve any additional work?”
If a business cannot help soon enough, try another contact. Have the system type and recent service details ready if you already know them; you do not need every answer before calling.
Before agreeing to work
Ask for the contracting business name, Virginia contractor license number and insurance details. Check the business in Virginia DPOR’s license lookup and ask for the proposed work and charges in writing.
Virginia DPOR license lookupHave time to compare your options?
Use the repair guides to organize symptoms or the quote guide to compare a proposed replacement.