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Documents to keep

Keep these with your home records.

Document	Why it matters	How long to keep
Written estimate	Shows what you approved	Until the labor warranty ends
Final invoice	Lists parts, labor and refrigerant	As long as you own the equipment
Equipment warranty and registration	Can make parts free	As long as you own the equipment
Labor warranty	Covers repeat failures	Until it ends
Maintenance records	Some warranties require proof of maintenance	As long as you own the equipment
Permit and inspection papers	Needed for replacements and home sales	As long as you own the home

Related steps in this guide

Frequently asked questions
Usually yes. Ask the amount before the visit and whether it is credited if you hire them.
Checking the contractor
Who you hire matters as much as the price.
HVAC repair costs: labor, parts and diagnostic fees
Most HVAC bills combine a few separate charges. Seeing them separately makes it easier to compare companies.
Step-by-step: from breakdown to fair repair
Make sure the thermostat is set correctly and has working batteries, the filter is not clogged and the breaker is not tripped. This can save a service call.