Most of us dream of owning a home one day, and there’s no shortage of benefits it provides. Not only can you build equity through your mortgage payments, but there’s also something to be said about the flexibility to modify your house as you see fit.
However, it’s imperative to set aside money each month for maintaining your home. In 2022, homeowners spent an average of $6,000 per year on maintenance expenses.
Your home’s generator is one of the most important aspects to consider, and preventive maintenance goes a long way. Not everyone knows what to look for in generator maintenance services, though. Let’s explore the most important information to keep in mind.
1. Ask Friends and Family
This is one of the most effective ways to pinpoint which option is best for your needs. Chances are you know someone who’s worked with a reputable generator maintenance company.
Ask them key questions like how long the business took to respond, how easy they were to communicate with, etc. This will help you eliminate choices that aren’t suitable for your needs.
Even if you don’t think you know someone who can help, it’s still worth asking. A simple text message could provide valuable insight that illuminates your path forward.
2. Research Their Reputation
What do other people online have to say about the company’s performance? Were they satisfied with their overall results?
The answers to questions like these will help you streamline your search. It’s essential to keep an eye out for fake reviews while looking, though.
These are often posted in batches and contain many of the same keywords. It’s best to avoid businesses that don’t have previous feedback. While these aren’t guaranteed to provide poor service, you’ll take unnecessary risks by hiring them.
Avoid businesses that aggressively handle criticism. If they seem to blame their customers for issues that arise, they’ll likely do the same if you encounter problems while working with them.
3. How Experienced Are They?
The company’s level of experience plays a large role in proper generator care. Experienced businesses are more likely to understand how to handle contingencies.
They can also recognize your project’s unique nuances, allowing them to provide better levels of service. In general, it’s best to find a service provider who’s been around for at least a decade. The younger the company, the more likely you are to encounter issues.
4. Are They Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
Under no circumstances should you work with a business that isn’t licensed, bonded, and insured. This comes with enormous risks that you can’t overlook. For instance, imagine someone got injured during your project but didn’t have the appropriate insurance coverage.
You could be held financially liable for this incident. The same can be said for property damage that occurs. Reputable companies proudly advertise these credentials, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a business you can trust.
5. Look for a Brick-and-Mortar Location
Companies without an established physical location are almost always scams. Keep an eye out for this detail when browsing their site. However, having a location isn’t always indicative the company is legitimate.
Search the address on Google Maps and see what comes up. If you see a conventional commercial building, this is a good sign. If you see an empty lot, forest, etc., you should look for other options.
6. Examine Their Pricing Structure
You often get what you pay for, and it’s never recommended to choose the cheapest company you find. This comes with a large number of consequences, such as subpar service.
However, this doesn’t mean you have to go with the most expensive service provider. There’s a point of diminishing returns regarding the amount you spend. Instead, look for a company in the middle of the industry’s price range.
These typically have the best value for the money you spend. You should also ensure they don’t charge miscellaneous fees.
The last thing you want is to deal with financial surprises. If the company isn’t fully transparent about its pricing, it’s best to continue your search elsewhere.
7. Ask for an Itemized Bill
Never overlook this tip when maintaining your generator. Asking for an itemized accomplishes two primary tasks:
- You gain insight into what you’ll pay
- You avoid scammers
To clarify the latter, disreputable companies often charge their clients miscellaneous fees to accrue extra money. They might also overcharge for certain services.
Without an itemized breakdown, your final bill might be far higher than you initially expected. If you have an issue with the charges, you can ask the service provider for clarification before the project begins.
Avoid companies that don’t provide this service, as there’s a good chance you’ll encounter financial surprises. Companies that don’t provide itemized breakdowns are also unlikely to prioritize customer needs.
8. Do They Provide Ongoing Support?
It’s not impossible for issues to arise after hiring a service provider and dealing with them on your own can be frustrating. In some cases, it could even be dangerous.
Only work with companies that have robust customer support policies. This could mean the difference in whether you avoid additional problems in the future.
Ask the company what type of warranty they provide, as well. For example, imagine if a service technician made a mistake during maintenance that damaged your generator. There should be an established course of action that allows them to rectify any oversights they made.
Some firms offer 24/7 maintenance service. Having access to this flexibility could dictate how easily you overcome maintenance problems. Look for companies that offer this level of support so you don’t have to worry about their availability.
Benefits of Generator Maintenance
There’s no shortage of benefits that come with generator maintenance, but many homeowners are still on the fence. Understanding the most notable will help you make the right decision. Let’s explore them below.
Prevent Fuel Issues
As you might expect, this is one of the most notable benefits of working with a maintenance professional. Fuel issues will lead to subpar generator performance, and it may eventually stop functioning altogether. Service providers will assess fuel levels and make the necessary adjustments.
Save Money
When maintenance issues get out of control, they’re often notably expensive. A problem that could’ve cost $50 to fix could become something that costs $1,000+. Don’t make the mistake of foregoing maintenance due to the cost of the service.
It’s a small price to pay compared to the consequences that could arise. This also helps you budget more accurately. You won’t need to have money set aside for generator repairs since maintenance.
Maintain Peak Performance
Generators don’t just suddenly stop working when problems manifest. They slowly exhibit performance issues until the problems get serious enough to demand attention.
Taking care of your generator will help ensure it continues to run at peak performance. You won’t have to worry about your generator being unavailable if your home loses power. In some situations, a poorly maintained generator can make natural disasters far more difficult to deal with.
Improved Lifespan
Taking great care of your generator will extend its lifespan. This ensures it’s available when you need it and lets you avoid spending thousands on a replacement. Even simple maintenance tasks can add months or years to your generator’s longevity.
Peace of Mind
There’s something to be said about the peace of mind backup generator maintenance provides. Working with a professional you can trust lets you discard the worry that something will go wrong. You can focus on other aspects of your home instead, such as making renovations.
When to Seek Generator Maintenance
If your generator is more than five years old, it’s best to schedule maintenance every six months or so. If it’s less than five years old, scheduling annual maintenance is often suitable.
However, don’t neglect to call a professional if you notice issues with your generator’s performance. Some of the most common include:
- Low coolant levels
- Battery failure
- Insufficient oil levels
- Blocked heaters
- Electrical problems
Leaving these unchecked could lead to much larger issues, such as expensive repairs. The good news is your maintenance technician will catch and resolve problems before they evolve. Make sure the company handles more than the installation of home generators, as well.
Some service providers will install generators but won’t provide ongoing support once they’re up and running. Making this distinction can help you avoid hiring someone who can’t provide the service you need.
You should also consider how often you use your home’s generator. If it was active for hundreds of hours over the past few months, you should schedule maintenance sooner rather than later. The more you use your generator, the greater the opportunity for problems to occur.
Don’t Neglect Generator Maintenance Services
With the right generator maintenance services on your side, you shouldn’t have an issue getting the results you need. From here, you can keep your home’s generator running smoothly and prevent future issues from occurring. Just be sure to choose the right provider.
Our blog has plenty of other information that can help you make better lifestyle decisions in the future. Check it out today to see what you can learn!
