Begin with a written scope you can read
A good quote reads like a plan. It lists the equipment by make and model, the capacity, and each piece of work around it, including venting, gas or electrical connections, ductwork changes, thermostat, condensate handling, removal of old equipment, cleanup, start-up and testing. If a line says only "new furnace installed", ask for the detail.
The goal is comparison. Two totals mean little until you know whether both quotes include the same work. When one quote is thinner, find out what is missing before you decide it is cheaper.
Ask to see how the equipment was sized
Heating and cooling equipment should be sized from a proper load calculation or a site review, not from square footage or the size of the old unit. Ask the contractor how they did it, what inputs they used and whether you can see the result. For ducted systems, ask whether ductwork was assessed, including return air and static pressure.
Oversized equipment tends to short cycle and run less comfortably. A contractor who can explain their sizing in plain terms is usually one who has done the work.
Permits, licensing and who does which job
Different parts of a job can involve different qualifications. Gas work, electrical work, refrigerant handling and plumbing connections each have their own rules in Ontario. Ask who will do each part, whether that person holds the appropriate licence or authorization, and who arranges permits and inspections where required.
It is reasonable to ask any contractor, Kelvin Mechanical included, about liability insurance and workplace coverage, and to expect clear answers in writing.
- Who is responsible for permits and any inspections?
- Who handles gas connections, electrical work and refrigerant work?
- What happens if an inspector asks for a change?
- Who do you call after the job if something is not right?
Warranty terms worth getting in writing
Manufacturer warranty, installer labour warranty and extended warranty are different things. Ask for each separately: how long it runs, what it covers, who you call to make a claim, whether registration is required and what could affect coverage. Labour is often not covered by the manufacturer warranty at all.
Be wary of a verbal promise that does not appear in the paperwork. If something matters to your decision, it belongs on the quote or agreement.
References, reviews and a sensible read on track record
Look for patterns in reviews rather than single highs or lows. Ask for references from jobs similar to yours, such as a furnace replacement in a similar home or a ductless install in a similar layout. Notice how the contractor answers questions, whether they explain trade-offs, and whether they pressure you to sign right away.
Experience counts, but so does how a company treats you before the contract. Kelvin Mechanical was founded in 2019, and we encourage you to compare us against anyone else on the same checklist. You can read about us on the about page.
Rebates, financing and rental paperwork
If a rebate matters to your decision, ask who applies for it, what paperwork you will need to provide, how the rebate is handled on the invoice and what happens if it is declined or funding runs out. Rebate information in Ontario can change, and you should confirm current rules with the program.
If you are financing or renting equipment, get the terms in writing: approval conditions, interest or fees, buyout or removal rules and what happens if you move. Financing, rental and extended warranties are different things, and financing and extended warranty options explains how. Any offer should be conditional on provider approval, terms and expiry.
Exclusions, changes and the final conversation
- What is excluded: drywall repair, panel upgrades, chimney work, gas line changes or duct modifications
- How changes are priced if something unexpected turns up during the job
- Payment schedule and what triggers each payment
- How cleanup, access and protection of floors are handled
- Who your point of contact is, and how to reach them after the job
When you are ready to compare, Build My Quote lets you send us your details for a site review, and a quote follows that review. Use this same checklist on our quote, and on anyone else's.