Homeowners hire contractors every day for various projects. These appointments might be peppered with conversations about maintenance plans. Contracts between consumers and contractors are filled with various benefits for both parties. Are they worth the money? Take a look at the factors that go into plumbing and HVAC maintenance plans.
-
Understanding the Coverage
Remember that there are no standard contracts when it comes to HVAC or plumbing maintenance plans. Discuss your options with the contractor. Read over a potential contract. These plans can be customized in many cases to your needs.
If the contractor’s plan seems vague or includes items that aren’t applicable to your property, asking for an alternative or declining the coverage are reasonable responses. Quality plans might involve flat rates for certain services, discounts on labor or other perks. The idea is to give you a small discount for regular visits from a professional.
-
Benefits of Regular, Ongoing Maintenance
You might have a busy schedule. Keeping up with HVAC and plumbing maintenance isn’t a priority. These contracts, however, are automatic reminders about upcoming service calls. The contractor might call or email you about a scheduled appointment. You can free up time for this appointment without much thought.
Unexpected malfunctions will be a problem of the past as a result. Allow the contractor to remind you of the latest service calls so that you can focus on work and family.
-
Prioritizing The Workload
Some contractors add in priority orders within the contracts. If your HVAC system breaks down on the hottest day of the year, everyday consumers must wait their turn for a professional’s arrival. Your contract might prioritize your property, which means that you head to the top of the appointment list on busy days.
In some cases, this priority work is reason enough to purchase a maintenance plan. Read the fine print carefully.
-
Long-Term Savings
Every maintenance call covers the basic needs of each system. Preventive maintenance will save you money over time. Minor clogs can be cleared now. Overlooking this simple task might lead to cracked pipes, flooding and expensive repairs.
Compare the home’s age with the contract’s price tag. Older homes will benefit from regular tuneups so that major malfunctions, from cracked pipes to broken AC fans, are rarities. A system may be able to withstand months or years of no service calls, but the eventual breakdowns will be major and so expensive that replacement components might be necessary.
-
Building Professional Relationships
Plumbing and HVAC maintenance plans are worth the money when it comes to building relationships. You’ll see your dedicated contractor several times a year, which means he or she is familiar with your household.
They’ll understand habits that might affect the plumbing, for example, such as budding chefs in the kitchen with a lot of food scraps possibly entering the drain. Each maintenance visit might include a look at the drains across all of the sinks. Without a plan, plumbers may not be as thorough because they’re unfamiliar with a household’s habits.
Ultimately, the choice of plan is up to you. Every consumer has a different viewpoint on their benefits and drawbacks. Keeping up with household maintenance, however, will always be good for your pocketbook. Look at the home as a whole to make an educated decision.