How much does it cost for a good job?
We’ve been in business for over 47 years and the most common question we get is “How much does it cost to…?” It’s a rational question as everything we do these days seems to have a price attached to it. No one wants to pay more for something they should have paid less.
The trouble with this question is that it’s all about the price and the answer may or may not reflect the true cost. We’ve all had the experience of buying something that seemed like a great deal only to find out it didn’t last long enough or couldn’t do the job it was supposed to do. As time goes on, we learn to ask better questions and we understand that a good deal may not be as good as it looks. We become skeptical. This skepticism is a result of many things but essentially is a learned experience. Blame it on deceptive advertising, shady sales people, cheap knock-offs, surprise costs or hidden fees. The list is long and reads like a “terms and conditions” screen on your smartphone when all you really want to do is get ‘the thing’ working.
So how do you tell if you’re getting a good deal? Whether you’re looking for a furnace or air conditioner repair, or maybe a new boiler or hot water tank, without really knowing the true cost of things, it’s pretty hard to tell if what you see is what you get. In our industry, average companies make a pretax profit of 14% on sales. Considering the hourly rates and equipment costs, 14% doesn’t seem like much. Some make a little more and many make a lot less. Consumers and even our own industry tradespeople sometimes forget all the costs we incur. Everyone knows about parts, materials, and labour, but the list also includes things like (in no particular order):
- Liability insurance
- Vehicle Insurance
- Local licenses
- Provincial licenses
- Industry Licenses
- Workers Compensation
- Pension plans
- Employment Insurance
- Health Care Plans
- Vacation Pay
- Permits
- Regulatory Training
- Factory Training
- Safety standards
- Mobile communication
- Internet and Websites
- Advertising
- Vehicles and Repairs
- Gasoline
- Bank Fees
- Credit Card Fees
- Technology Investments
- Tool replacements and upgrades
- Lease and/or Depreciation
- Administration and Management
- Accounting and professional fees
- Business and industry associations
So what does this all have to do with getting a good deal? It’s simple really. Some may argue the costs above may or may not be important or even necessary. The reality is, like any good quality company, there is a cost when you do things right. If I don’t pay for training upgrades or reinvest in broken tools, the end cost will fall on the customer and I will be out of business.
Looking for a good deal should mean looking for a company who can do the job right, with minimal inconvenience and maximum concern for your safety and comfort. Installing or repairing a new furnace or air conditioner has more than just the cost of labour and materials to consider.
For example, when we install a new furnace, heat pump, air conditioner or boiler, we usually take about a 1/2 to 1 day longer than many of our competitors. Is that because we are just slow? Not at all. It’s because we take the time to do things right. We plan out the job, think through all the little things and how they may impact you or the equipment, and then we do the work in a careful and clean manner to ensure the work is clean and safe. Rushing work can ruin the aesthetic appeal of the final result, but it can also impact the longevity of the equipment if the correct installation is not followed.
The point is to get the job done right. As many have said before,
“You can always pay too much, but you can never pay too little. If you pay too little then you may as well have added some to cover the cost of what you will pay in the end.”
Look for the following when searching for a quality contractor:
- Great online reviews
- Insurance and Workers’ Compensation Coverage
- Length of business experience
- Factory trained employees
- Organized and focused
- Focused on the solution, not just sales
Low prices may seem attractive, but there is usually a reason they are lower than everyone else. Do they incur the expenses listed above? If they do then they should be charging a price that can cover those costs. If not, they either don’t understand their costs and will be out of business soon, or they are looking to find other areas of profit from you. You may or may not want to deal with someone trying to push the greatest $900 filter you’ve never seen!
Airco Heating and Cooling Ltd is a family-run company and we’ve been in the business since 1970. We install, maintain, and repair all makes and models of;
- Forced Air Furnaces
- Air Conditioners
- Heat Pumps
- Ductless Mini-split systems
- Boilers
- Hot Water Tanks
- On-demand tankless hot water systems
We have top ratings with the BBB, Google Ratings, and HomeStars as we focus on clear, clean, and professional service. We stand behind our work with parts and labour warranties and we are licensed, bonded, insured, and factory trained.  Our rates are fair and based on average costs to run a quality business with a reasonable profit.  We are members of the community and care about the same issues as our neighbours.
If you want to book an appointment or learn more about us, feel free to call us at 604-882-9224 or contact us here.