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How to pick a heating and cooling contractor in Spokane
Most bad HVAC experiences come from the same few shortcuts: a system sized by guesswork, a skipped permit, a vague quote or a repair nobody tested. Here is what to ask so you can spot them before you sign.
- Answered 24/7
- Diagnosis before parts
- Written price first
NBy Nell Bradshaw, HVAC Guides Editor · Updated September 2026
Quick answerTo choose an HVAC contractor in Spokane, verify the contractor's Washington L&I registration and license online, ask how they size equipment and expect a load calculation, confirm they pull the mechanical permit, and compare itemized written quotes. Walk away from anyone who diagnoses by phone, refuses to put prices in writing or tops up refrigerant without finding the leak.
Verify the basics online
Washington contractors doing HVAC work must hold an active Labor & Industries registration, and the relevant licenses can be checked at verify.lni.wa.gov before you sign anything. The same lookup shows bond and insurance information. It takes two minutes and is worth doing for any contractor, including us.
Ask how they size equipment
A furnace, air conditioner or heat pump should be sized from a load calculation that looks at your insulation, windows, ceiling heights and orientation. Matching the old unit's size is a shortcut, and many older furnaces were oversized to begin with. Ask each bidder how they chose the size they are quoting. A good answer mentions the house; a weak answer mentions the old equipment.
Insist on the permit
Washington requires a mechanical permit for HVAC replacement, including like-for-like swaps. The permit brings an inspection, which protects you if the installation is done poorly. A contractor who offers a lower price for skipping it is telling you how they handle the rest of the job.
Want a second opinion on a quote you already have?
Call (509) 404-0016Compare written, itemized quotes
A fair comparison needs the same items on every quote:
- Equipment brand, model number and efficiency rating
- Venting, drain, duct and electrical work included
- Thermostat and any add-ons
- The permit and inspection
- Removal and disposal of the old equipment
- Labor warranty terms, separate from the manufacturer's parts warranty
- What happens if they find a problem once work starts
Red flags worth walking away from
Some habits cost homeowners money over and over:
- Diagnosing or quoting a replacement over the phone without seeing the system.
- Adding refrigerant every year without finding the leak.
- Pressuring you to decide on the spot with a price that expires today.
- Refusing to show you the failed part or the reading.
- A quote with no model numbers or no scope.
Questions to ask on the phone
Before booking, ask whether they answer after hours, what the visit rate is, whether diagnosis comes before any repair, and whether you get a written price before work starts. Those four answers tell you most of what you need. For a big purchase, our furnace cost guide and heat pump comparison help you check whether a quote is in a sensible range.
How we handle it
Every visit from our crews starts with diagnosis, every repair or install gets a written price before work begins, and replacements come with a load calculation and the permit. If you want a second opinion on a quote you already have, call and we will look at it with you. Start with furnace replacement or AC installation.
More Spokane heating and cooling guides
Hiring questions
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three for a replacement is reasonable. Make sure they cover the same scope.
Is the cheapest quote a bad sign?
Not always, but check what it leaves out, especially the permit, venting and duct work.
Should the contractor come to the house before quoting?
Yes for replacements. Sizing and scope cannot be judged over the phone.
What warranty should I expect?
A manufacturer parts warranty plus a separate labor warranty from the installer, both in writing.
How do I check a contractor's license in Washington?
Use the Labor & Industries lookup at verify.lni.wa.gov.
Get a clear, itemized quote.
Call for an estimate in Spokane, WA.
