Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Fort Wayne, IN

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Fort Wayne

A huge part of Fort Wayne's appeal is its natural beauty. This charming Midwestern city boasts 87 parks and playgrounds, several lakes, and even a confluence of three rivers. However, while these lakes and rivers provide cool microclimates in their immediate vicinity that offer much welcomed relief to outdoor enthusiasts on hot and humid days, creating and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures and humidity levels is essential both during the warm summer and the freezing winter. Luckily, over 500 skilled HVACR mechanics in Fort Wayne can help with any of your heating and cooling needs in all seasons.

In Fort Wayne, HVAC contractors must be licensed to perform any type of work, whether installing AC units to keep homes cool during the summer, tuning up faulty forced-air furnaces and heat pumps in preparation for winter months, or upgrading whole building HVACR systems. Therefore, when making a hiring decision, you should verify your contractor's license, insurance coverage, service rates, and local reputation.

Asking the following questions before committing to any HVACR contractor in Fort Wayne can help ensure that you hire a qualified and reputable professional for the job:

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Fort Wayne?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning-related work should always be handled by skilled technicians who adhere to applicable requirements of the Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission and other relevant standards for installing, maintaining, and repairing HVAC systems in Fort Wayne. This is the only way to ensure these tasks will be executed safely, effectively, and within budget. Other benefits of hiring professionals for your HVAC projects include improved efficiency of your HVAC equipment and potential energy bill savings of up to 50 percent.

Some common tasks that should always be left to skilled HVAC contractors in Fort Wayne include the following:

  • Central AC installation, repair, and filter replacements
  • Air quality testing
  • Duct cleaning and air duct sealing
  • Ductless mini-split systems installation and repair
  • Furnace installation and tune-ups
  • Heat pump repair
  • Whole building HVAC system design, installation, and energy-efficient upgrade

Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Fort Wayne?

HVAC contractors wishing to ply their trade in Fort Wayne must be licensed by the Allen County Building Department. This department offers several licensing classifications, depending on the applicant's experience level and expected scope of services. These licensing classifications include the following:

  • Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Duct Systems Journeyman License: This authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, alter, or repair HVAC and duct systems and equipment under the supervision of a Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Duct Systems Supervisors Licensee.
  • Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Duct Systems Supervisor License: This authorizes the licensee to install, maintain, alter, or repair HVAC and duct systems and equipment and supervise these HVAC works.
  • Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Duct Systems Contractor License: This authorizes licensees to contract for HVAC and duct systems installations. Note that licensees under this classification must either have a valid Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Duct System Supervisors License or employ someone who does.

Applicants for these licenses must have at least four years of relevant on-the-job experience and pass a licensing examination to prove their knowledge and proficiency in HVAC work. Be aware that HVAC contractors who intend to work with refrigerant-containing equipment must also provide proof of federally-mandated Section 608 certification.

Always ensure that any Fort Wayne HVAC contractors you plan to hire are properly licensed and, thus, qualified to provide your required services before finalizing hiring agreements with them. You can check if your prospective HVAC contractors hold valid licenses by contacting the Allen County Building Department at (260) 449-7131.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Fort Wayne?

While the typical range for HVAC services in Fort Wayne is $200 to $12,000, the exact cost of any given HVAC project in the city usually depends on variables like the following:

  • The scope of the work to be done
  • The urgency of the project
  • The type and size of HVAC equipment involved
  • The cost of pulling necessary permits
  • The building layout
  • Renovation costs and other miscellaneous expenses like purchasing smart thermostats, dehumidifiers, and other HVAC-enhancing components

You should consider getting quotes from various HVAC contractors and comparing their rates before making your final selection. Doing this is an effective way to get a working estimate for your project and spot fraudulent contractors.

Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Fort Wayne?

A permit issued by the Allen County Building Department is typically required for projects that involve installing, altering, and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other mechanical systems in Fort Wayne. While these permits are typically issued to licensed contractors, they may be pulled by homeowners who intend to do the work themselves and currently reside on the property. Note that homeowners must submit an affidavit to obtain this self-permit.

Contact the Allen County Building Department at (260) 449-7131 for more information on its permitting process for HVAC projects in Fort Wayne. You can also make inquiries in person at

200 East Berry Street
Suite 180
Fort Wayne, IN 46802-1811
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Fort Wayne?

Professional Fort Wayne HVAC contractors offer several types of services to interested city residents. Here are a few examples of these services:

Air Conditioner Installation:
$3,370 - $9,500
Air Conditioner Repair:
$80 - $1,000
Forced Air Furnace Installation:
$2,550 - $7,000
Forced Air Furnace Repair:
$90 - $2,000
Whole House Humidifier Installation:
$350 - $410
Thermostat Installation:
$120 - $135
Central Air Purifier Installation:
$890 - $1,230
Emergency repair services for unexpected breakdowns:
$100 - $200 (on top of regular charges)
Labor rates:
$75 - $150 per hour

Note that some contractors charge minimum service fees of about $75 - $200.

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Fort Wayne?

It is crucial to ask your prospective HVAC contractor if they plan to handle the work themselves or by using subcontractors. This is because, even though licensed HVAC contractors are generally skilled enough to handle projects independently, they often outsource work to subcontractors for assistance and speedy project delivery.

If your HVAC contractor will be outsourcing the work, taking the following steps will lessen the likelihood of miscommunications and difficulties with subcontractors:

  • Confirm that each subcontractor is appropriately licensed, experienced, insured, and bonded.
  • Ask the subcontractors for lien waivers to protect yourself if the primary HVAC contractor reneges on their agreed payment.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Fort Wayne HVAC Contractor?

Fort Wayne HVAC contractors are not required to meet any mandatory insurance and bond obligations. However, you should always ensure that any HVAC contractor you hire is adequately insured and bonded to cover any injuries, accidents, and property damage that may occur while your project is being executed.

Therefore, always ask your intended HVAC contractors for copies of their insurance and bond certificates and authenticate these documents with the appropriate issuing organizations. Also, confirm that the HVAC contractor's coverage limits will be sufficient for the scope of work to be done.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Fort Wayne?

Professional Fort Wayne HVAC contractors always offer warranties for their services, and you should never hire any contractor who does not do this or seems reluctant to discuss warranties.

HVAC warranties usually cover the contractor's workmanship for about one to two years and the materials used for about five to ten years. However, the specific coverage offered by your warranty will be determined by your HVAC contractor and the types of materials used for your project. Therefore, always request a written copy of any warranty you are offered and review its terms carefully.

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Fort Wayne?

You can report issues like subpar HVAC services, home improvement scams, and other similar matters involving Fort Wayne HVAC contractors to the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division via an Online Consumer Complaint Form or by mailing a pdf Consumer Complaint Form to

Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Government Center South
5th Floor
302 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204