A BETTER BRIEF
Planning your heating & cooling project
Establish the reason for replacement
Request the diagnosis or assessment that supports replacement. Compare the repair alternative where one is offered. Share equipment history, existing ownership or rental terms and comfort problems so the proposal addresses your actual situation rather than using age alone.
Ask how equipment is selected
Ask for the proposed model, capacity, controls and the assessment used to size it. Clarify compatibility with existing ducts and other equipment. Brand and efficiency labels do not establish that a system will fit the home or solve every comfort issue.
Make installation scope explicit
Compare removal, access, electrical and venting changes, startup checks and commissioning records. Identify who handles applicable approvals, inspection and disposal. Ask how unforeseen work is approved and which tasks are excluded.
Compare warranty and payment terms
Separate manufacturer coverage from workmanship coverage. Ask who registers the equipment, what maintenance conditions apply and which labour or attendance charges remain payable. Keep the equipment specification and written scope with your records.
Jobs to describe in your request
- Furnace diagnosis and repair
- Furnace replacement
- Urgent loss of heating or cooling
- Planned equipment maintenance
What changes the cost?
Use these factors to compare the scope of proposals. A total price alone does not show whether the same work is included.
- Equipment and fuel type
- Diagnostic work and parts
- Installation and access changes
- After-hours attendance
Ask for a written description of included work, exclusions, payment stages and how additional work is authorized. Confirm who supplies materials and what documentation or warranty terms you receive at completion.
Official resources
Check these sources and confirm requirements for your property with the responsible authority. Guidance is a starting point, not a property-specific assessment.