HOMEOWNER'S CHECKLIST · UPPER OHIO VALLEY

How to Choose an HVAC Contractor in the Upper Ohio Valley

Hiring the wrong contractor is expensive and stressful, and most homeowners do not know what to ask. This checklist gives you the exact questions to ask before you hire, what a trustworthy answer sounds like, and how Honest Fix answers each one. Take it to every quote you get.

Licensed HVAC Contractor, Ohio Lic. #36883 · West Virginia Lic. WV066603 · NATE Certified Contractor · BBB A Rating

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The Five That Matter Most

You do not need to know anything about HVAC to hire well. These five decide whether the job is done right. The full checklist below covers all sixteen, but if you only remember five, remember these.

Licensed and insured.

In Ohio, West Virginia, or both, depending on where you live, and they can prove it.

They pull the permit.

Not you.

They size the system.

With a load calculation, not by matching the old one.

The quote is in writing.

Itemized, with no pressure to sign today.

A fair deposit.

No more than 30 percent up front, and the labor warranty length in writing.

Honest Fix Heating, Cooling & Plumbing service van parked outside a home in Steubenville, OH, representing trusted local HVAC and plumbing service.

The Complete Checklist

Tap any question to see what a good answer sounds like, what should make you pause, and how Honest Fix answers it.

Are they licensed and legal?

Are you licensed for this work in my state?

Good signA current HVAC license number for the state the work is in.

Red flagNo number, or the name on it does not match the company.

Honest FixLicensed HVAC contractor in Ohio, Lic. #36883, and in West Virginia, Lic. WV066603. Verify with the State of Ohio → (opens in a new tab) Verify with the State of West Virginia → (opens in a new tab)

Will you pull the permit for this job?

Good sign"Yes, we pull it under our license."

Red flag"You can pull it yourself as the homeowner." That puts the liability on you.

Honest FixWe handle the permits, included in your written exact quote. See how we handle permits → (opens in a new tab)

Are they insured and qualified?

Can I see proof you are insured in my state?

Good signCurrent general liability coverage, dated, valid in both Ohio and West Virginia.

Red flag"We're covered, don't worry," with nothing in writing.

Honest FixLicensed and insured. About Honest Fix → (opens in a new tab)

Are your technicians certified to handle refrigerant?

Good sign"Yes." Refrigerant certification is federally required, not a bonus.

Red flagAny hesitation.

Honest FixAll our technicians are EPA 608 certified. Meet our certified team → (opens in a new tab)

Are your technicians NATE certified?

Good signSome are. The next best thing is a NATE-certified trainer on staff who trains the whole team.

Red flagDoes not have or does not recognize the term.

Honest FixNATE Certified Contractor. About Honest Fix → (opens in a new tab)

How do they decide what you need?

How will you size the system for my home?

Good sign"We run a load calculation for your home." Right sizing drives comfort, efficiency, and lifespan.

Red flag"We'll just match what you have now." That is a guess, not a measurement.

Honest FixA complete load calculation on every full-system replacement. No exceptions, and no oversizing. See how we size your system → (opens in a new tab)

Do you verify the system before you leave, and do I get the numbers?

Good sign"Yes, we test the system on completion and hand you the results."

Red flagNo verification step. They turn it on and go.

Honest FixA recorded commissioning checklist (airflow, static pressure, refrigerant charge, combustion), a two-person sign-off, and a walkthrough with your test data.

Is the quote honest, or a sales pitch?

Will I get the quote in writing, with the equipment listed?

Good signItemized, in writing, with model numbers and what is included.

Red flagA number scribbled down, or "trust me."

Honest FixAn exact quote in writing after a technician diagnoses your system, with make, model, and serial listed. No upsells. See how our pricing works → (opens in a new tab)

Do I have options, and is there pressure to decide today?

Good signClear options, no deadline pressure.

Red flag"This price is only good today."

Honest FixOptions every time, including a repair-first option. Quotes valid 30 days. No today-only pressure, ever. See how our pricing works → (opens in a new tab)

Are all fees explained up front?

Good signAny diagnostic fee is disclosed before the visit.

Red flagFees show up only on the final bill.

Honest FixDiagnostic pricing is published, and it is credited toward approved repairs of $500 or more, or toward a replacement. See our diagnostic pricing → (opens in a new tab)

How much do you require as a down payment?

Good sign30 percent up front is standard for a new system replacement.

Red flagLarger than 30 percent, or asking for cash.

Honest FixA 30 percent deposit on new installs. See how our pricing works → (opens in a new tab)

If I need financing, is it explained clearly?

Good signTerms laid out plainly and up front.

Red flagFinancing not available, or only brought up as a tool to close the sale.

Honest FixFinancing options with a free monthly-payment calculator. See financing options → (opens in a new tab)

Will they stand behind the work?

What warranty comes on the equipment, and do you register it?

Good signExplains the manufacturer parts warranty and registers your equipment so coverage stays valid.

Red flagLeaves registration to you, or is vague it needs doing.

Honest FixWe register your manufacturer parts warranty and review your coverage with you before pricing, then activate it in your final quality-check packet. See our guarantees → (opens in a new tab)

How long is your labor warranty on the install, in writing?

Good signA specific length, in writing. This is separate from the equipment warranty.

Red flag"The equipment is under warranty." That dodges the question.

Honest FixThe Lifetime Trust Shield is a 15-year labor warranty on new installations. The Service Trust Guardian is a 5-year warranty on repairs and maintenance. Full terms on request. Trust Shield → (opens in a new tab) Trust Guardian → (opens in a new tab)

Reputation and after the sale

Where can I read your reviews, and how do you handle a bad one?

Good signReviews on more than one platform, recent, with professional responses to the negative ones.

Red flagLittle to no reviews, no recent reviews, and no responses to reviews.

Honest FixA multitude of recent 5-star reviews and a Better Business Bureau "A" rating. Read our Google reviews → (opens in a new tab) See our BBB reviews → (opens in a new tab)

What does ongoing care look like, and what if it fails after hours?

Good signA real maintenance option and a real after-hours response.

Red flagNot mentioning that manufacturers require yearly maintenance visits, and no after-hours availability.

Honest FixThe Priority Service Maintenance Plan for ongoing care, plus after-hours and emergency service. See our maintenance plan → (opens in a new tab)

What Your Neighbors Say

"We had a water heater stop working over the weekend. He was responsive and helped us to figure out a plan. He gave us different options to choose from and was easily accessible for questions."

Mary · Google · January 2026

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"Alex was knowledgeable, professional, courteous of my home and my time and fixed the problem with my hot water tank in one short visit."

Stacy · Google · December 2025

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"The materials and products they use are top of the line, up to code best money can buy. Easy to talk to and transparent throughout the whole job."

Allen · Google · May 2026

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Take the Checklist With You

Print it, save it, and bring it to every quote you get. Same checklist, yours to keep.

Download the Checklist (PDF) Schedule Your Free Exact Quote

Preview of the two-page Honest Fix homeowner checklist, with each question paired to a green flag and a red flag.

Page Update: August 3rd, 2026

Ready for an Honest Quote?

Use this checklist on every quote you get, including ours. A technician will diagnose your system, show you exactly what they found, and put your options in writing before any work begins. No upsells. No games. Just an exact quote you can trust.

Prefer to talk it through? Call (740) 825-9408.

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