Professional air duct cleaning and HVAC companies hold a large stake in the home improvement industry. Dirty air ducts are often overlooked as a DIY effort, especially when it comes to cleaning the inside of dirty ducts. Unfortunately, cleaning scams are increasingly common. As homeowners look to improve indoor air quality and maintain energy-efficient HVAC systems, some service providers take advantage of this demand by employing deceptive practices that can leave customers dissatisfied and burdened by extra costs. These scams often involve:
- overcharging for services
- using high-pressure sales tactics to upsell unnecessary upgrades
- failing to deliver quoted results
To avoid falling victim to an air duct scammer, homeowners should be mindful of the risks of hiring the wrong company and take the time to speak with reputable members of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. It also helps to get multiple quotes, research pricing, ask questions, and require proof of work following the air duct cleaning process.
1. Overcharging for Services and Maintenance
Air duct cleaning services may overestimate or overcharge for their services. This tactic simply advantage of customers' lack of knowledge about the process. Learning about your home's air system and the overall process is the best way to protect yourself:
- Get multiple quotes. Request quotes from several reputable companies. Speak with the foreman, contractor, or technician (whoever they send) to understand what's included so you can accurately compare costs. Qualified contractors have high expectations for their business.
- Ask for a detailed estimate, too. Make sure they itemize what your air duct cleaning needs, and list the scope of work, building materials for the job, and any additional fees or charges. Make sure there are no hidden costs.
2. High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Unfortunately, it isn't uncommon for air duct cleaning technicians to use high-pressure sales tactics. Scare tactics are one common way fraudulent companies pressure customers into unnecessary services or upgrades. They'll warn you of health risks, complex issues, pest infestations, and more.
If you feel pressured to make a decision about professional services on the spot, remember:
- Take your time making a decision. Your system will be okay for one more day. Rarely is a cleaning, repair, or upgrade so necessary that you should feel pressured to agree to an air duct cleaning cost or recommendation on the spot. It's important to review what was proposed by the service company, and consider your options.
- Ask questions: Ask the technician questions, including why they're necessary and how they will benefit your HVAC system. A legitimate company can break it down.
- Get a second opinion. If you're unsure about the recommended services, get a second opinion from another air duct cleaning company or HVAC professional. As you talk to more companies, you may become more aware of industry bait-and-switch tactics.
3. Failing to Deliver a Complete and Thorough Cleaning
In some cases, air duct cleaning companies may fail to deliver altogether, leaving customers with little to no improvement in their home's air quality or HVAC system performance. Protect yourself by considering the following:
- Ask for customer testimonials before the job starts. If they're willing to share references, call those individuals before you agree to hire. The majority of contractors who deliver excellent service will have legitimate customers.
- Request proof of work. Request before-and-after photos or videos of the air ducts to verify that the cleaning was completed as promised. Nothing to show? That's a warning sign! You should also be wary of fake photos.
- Monitor air quality. Keep an eye on your home's air quality after the cleaning to see if there's any noticeable improvement in household dust levels or indoor air circulation. Using an IAQ monitor can help, but also track other changes in your health. If respiratory issues or allergies were a health issue before, make a case if they haven't cleared.
- Document problems. If you're unsatisfied with the results, take note of any issues and contact the air duct cleaning company. You can request a resolution, or, if necessary, a refund. If you think you've been targeted by a potential scam, contact the appropriate authorities to make a claim.
