When your refrigerator, freezer, or commercial cooling system breaks down – the race to find a repair solution is ON. You’re probably not in the mood to waste time typing refrigeration mechanic near me into the search bar. But how do you know that you have the right refrigeration mechanic that is dependable with the experience and skill set to ensure you get a proper and timely repair. The right refrigeration mechanic can spare you the hassle of a simple and cheap repair, and the frustration of an ongoing and expensive repair.
This is your essential guide for finding an honest refrigeration mechanic that will complete the job correctly.
1. Make Sure to See the Credentials
To protect yourself you want to make sure you can check the credentials of your mechanic. In Australia refrigeration mechanics can only legally hold a license from the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) for the handling of refrigerants gases. You can always ask the mechanic for a copy of their ARCtick license number so you may check their credentials online for yourself. Having a license associated with a mechanic means 1) they are likely staying out of jail & 2) they have gone through some training.
Ask the mechanic if they have qualifications specific to either residential locks or commercial locks. One might matter for your needs.
2. Check Experience and Speciality
Not every refrigeration issue is the same. Some technicians work and specialise with domestic fridges and freezers, while others specialise with more complex commercial systems like those in restaurants or cold storage units, or in medical/healthcare facilities. Make sure the mechanic you are looking at is experienced with your type of system.
Ask how long they have been working in the field then, ask if they have encountered similar issues in the past. An experienced professional is likely to diagnose and fix the problem quicker and potentially save you, your organisation and the clients money.
3. Read Reviews and Testimonials
This research stage is extremely important. Online reviews are your insight into the experience of other customers. You should look for common threads, including:
Punctuality
- Professionalism
- Clean work
- Fair pricing
- Follow up support
A couple negative reviews is not rare, but if they see consistent issues, this is a cause for concern. Good platforms are Google, Facebook, and local trade directories. If you can, ask the mechanic for references for you to contact directly.
4. Ask About Emergency Service
Refrigeration failures, as you may have noticed, also seem to happen at the worst times — evenings, holidays and heat waves! A good refrigeration mechanic should provide emergency or after-hours service. Even if you have no need for emergency service today, it’s important to know they will be available to you when things go awry. No one needs the extra stress of trying to find an unavailable refrigeration mechanic to assist with their systems failure.
Although some companies may promote 24/7 service on a guaranteed basis, others operate only as ‘on-call’ systems. Be sure to ask about any emergency call-out rates in advance.
5. Transparent Pricing Is Important
Be careful of vague quotes or unclear hourly rates when it comes to refrigeration repairs. A reputable refrigeration technician should provide you with an upfront quote, ideally, an in-person quote explaining the cost of materials, the cost of labor, the call-out charge, and any other costs they can foresee.
Ask if they flat-rate the job or if they charge hourly. Flat-rate pricing gives you something to budget for, especially if it ends up being a long job.
6. Warranty and Guarantees
Is the mechanic standing behind their work? A good mechanic should guarantee the workmanship, and honour any warranties that cover the parts installed. This demonstrates that the mechanic is confident in the work that was completed on the repair and that they desire satisfied customers.
Ask what kind of warranty is some service includes, and for how long. Also, ask about what is covered. Some warranties allow you to go back for free if the repair doesn’t work again, while others do not.
7. Local Expertise Can be Beneficial
The local refrigeration contractor is more likely to respond faster, as well as have knowledge of localized conditions affecting your system. A local contractor with experience or breadth of experience in the coastal salt air or extreme summer heat will offer you more relevant advice to maintain your system.
Additionally, many smaller local contractors will be motivated by reputation, and thus it may be a better avenue for diligent or superior service.
