Beware of Red Flags When Hiring a Service Company

A small home repair contractor should never ask for payment up front

By paying upfront for small home repairs you assume the risk for poor-quality work or, in some cases, no work at all. We've heard it all - Servicers that have charged customers, in many cases for multiple parts, and then disappeared when the unit is still not operating properly. Servicers that have left a unit disassembled and then never answer their phone again. Servicers that require payment upfront, sometimes "for the part", never to return or give excuse after excuse for why they can't come back.

Cash should never be the only acceptable form of payment

Some servicers will only accept cash payments, which is another cause for concern! When you pay in cash, make sure the company provides a solid record of work performed and payment received. Proof of payment will be helpful in the event disputes arise about the work that was done. If you are ever wary of paying for a service, credit card payment is often the best option as most allow you to dispute charges in the event of the above-mentioned scenarios.

Home repair companies should have proper insurance and experience

Texas does not require a business license, certificate, or even insurance for a person to operate as a small appliance repair company. This means anyone can claim to be an appliance technician, and trust me, it happens! Appliance repair technicians are working with water, gas, and electricity, so there is always potential for property damage. It is a good idea to make sure your next home repair company is adequately insured in the event of an unfortunate catastrophe, and has proper training and experience, of course!

Online presence and reviews can tell you a lot about a company

Do your research! Most companies today will have a website, a social media page or some type of online presence. If you are looking for a repair service, there should be some way to find them on the internet. If you cannot find them, they may be trying to avoid bad reviews, or they may have dissolved previous companies and reestablished under a new name. When contractors can’t clean up their brand or reviews, they often start over. There may be exceptions to this, but as a general rule, the lack of a web presence is usually a red flag.

Multiple negative reviews can also tell you a lot about how a company operates. We recommend sorting reviews by newest, as it can tell you if there is a trending downward spiral. Read the reasoning for the negative review and check if the company has responded.

Communication is key

Your repair person should be open to answering questions. If they’re unable to give you complete and specific answers, they probably don't have the knowledge or experience to do the job correctly. We hear all too often of service companies that don't answer calls, refuse to return messages, and no show to scheduled appointments. Look for someone who demonstrates their professionalism through their words and actions – respectful, prompt communication, complete answers, and upholds their commitments.

The cheap comes out expensive

Many times the first question a customer asks is how much is our service fee. If you are calling around with this question, you will probably find most companies are similarly priced. If one is much lower than the rest, there may be cause for suspicion. They may not have the experience to properly estimate how much a job should cost, leaving you with bad news later on when they tell you it’s actually going to be much more than they expected. Or they may not have the knowledge to properly diagnose your problem, leaving you on the hook for multiple parts you may not need, resulting in a higher repair total.

At Science Appliance we provide transparent pricing and guaranteed repairs. We do not collect until the work is complete and your unit is operational. We will not charge you for misdiagnosed parts, and you can rest assured that if a follow-up or return appointment is needed we will answer your call and come back at no additional fee if you are in your warranty period. Our appliantists regularly complete continued education training. Our team is led by a Master Certified Appliance Technician (MCAT) and a Certified Service Manager (CSM). We carry EPA certifications and are adequately insured for your peace of mind. Our Google and Facebook reviews speak for themselves!

Throughout our ten years in business in Lubbock, we have developed a long list of reputable servicers in all fields. If you don't know who to call for your next home repair service, we are happy to provide recommendations!