When your air conditioning quits on a hot afternoon or water is coming through the ceiling, you want someone at the door fast. That pressure is exactly when people skip the checks that protect them. Having spent years around the home services industry in Florida, I have seen how much smoother a job goes when the homeowner knows what to ask up front.
This is a general checklist, not legal advice, and rules differ by state and county. Use it as a starting point and confirm the specifics where you live.
1. Confirm the license, and that it matches
In many states, including Florida, air conditioning and plumbing contractors need a state or local license for most work. Ask for the license number and look it up on your state's official licensing website. Check three things: that the license is active, that the name matches the company or person you are hiring, and that it covers the type of work you need.
2. Ask about insurance
A reputable company should carry general liability insurance and, if it has employees, workers' compensation coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance. It protects you if someone is hurt on your property or if something is damaged during the job.
3. Check that the business is real and reachable
Look for a registered business name, a physical address or a clear service area, and a phone number that is answered by the business. Search the company name and compare details across its website and profiles. Consistent information is a good sign. Mismatched names, numbers or addresses are worth a question. I wrote more about this in why verified information matters for local businesses.
4. Read reviews for patterns, not stars
A single bad review tells you little. Patterns tell you a lot. Look for repeated comments about showing up on time, honest pricing, clean work and how the company handled problems. Pay attention to how the owner responds to complaints. A calm, specific reply is usually a better sign than a perfect score.
5. Get a written estimate
For anything beyond a small repair, ask for a written estimate that lists the work, the equipment or parts (with model numbers where relevant), labor, permits and the total. For larger jobs, getting more than one estimate is reasonable. When you compare them, compare the scope, not just the bottom line. A lower price sometimes means a smaller unit, skipped ductwork or no permit.
6. Ask about permits and inspections
Many installations and replacements, such as a new AC system or water heater, require a permit and an inspection. A professional company should know what is needed and pull the permits. Be careful with anyone who suggests skipping them to save money. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance, resale and safety.
7. For air conditioning: sizing matters
A bigger air conditioner is not automatically better. A system that is too large can cycle on and off quickly, waste energy and leave the house feeling humid, which matters a lot in a climate like Florida's. Ask how the contractor will size the system. A proper load calculation looks at the home's square footage, insulation, windows and layout, not just the size of the old unit. Ask about the condition of the ductwork, too.
8. For plumbing: understand the diagnosis
Ask the technician to explain what failed and why, and what the options are. A good plumber can tell you the difference between a repair that buys time and a replacement that solves the problem, and let you choose. If a camera inspection or test is recommended, ask what it will show and how it changes the plan.
9. Know the warranty, in writing
There are usually two warranties: the manufacturer's warranty on equipment and the contractor's warranty on labor. Ask how long each lasts, what they cover and whether the equipment needs to be registered. Get it in writing.
10. Watch for red flags
- Pressure to sign today, or a "special price" that disappears tomorrow.
- A large cash-only payment demanded before any work starts.
- No written estimate, no license number, or vague answers about insurance.
- A diagnosis that keeps changing, or replacement pushed before anyone has really looked.
- Contact details you cannot verify anywhere else.
A short list to keep handy
- License number, looked up and active.
- Certificate of insurance.
- Consistent business name, address and phone.
- Written, itemized estimate.
- Permits, if required.
- Warranty terms in writing.
None of this takes long, and most good companies will be glad you asked. If you found the company through an AI assistant, the same checklist applies. I explain why in how AI assistants are changing the way people find local service businesses.