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FAQ

Everything people ask before uploading their first quote.

What can I upload?

A PDF of your quote, or a clear photo (JPG/PNG) of a printed one. If your quote is multiple pages, either combine them into one PDF or upload each page as a separate photo — just make sure the pricing and equipment/model sections are legible.

How long does a review take?

Basic and Standard reports are typically ready within 24 hours of payment. Premium Compare (up to 3 quotes) is typically ready within about 12 hours. You'll see live status on the order page after checkout.

Do you work with any HVAC contractors or equipment brands?

No. HVAC Referee doesn't sell equipment, install anything, or accept referral or placement fees from any contractor, distributor, or manufacturer. You pay us directly for the review, and that's the only way we make money on it.

Is my information private? What do you do with the quote I upload?

Your quote is used only to generate your report. We don't sell or share it with contractors, manufacturers, or data brokers. You can black out your name and address before uploading if you'd rather stay anonymous — we only need the equipment, scope, and pricing details to do the review. See our Privacy Policy for the full details.

What if the report doesn't find anything wrong?

That happens, and it's a good outcome — a clean report is real peace of mind before you sign a five-figure contract. The report will still walk through what we checked and why it held up, so you know the "all clear" was actually earned.

Can I get a review after I've already signed?

Yes — some customers use us to sanity-check a contract they already signed, or before a warranty/service dispute. Just note in your own records that the work may already be underway; our recommendations are the same either way.

Do you review anything besides HVAC quotes?

Not yet — HVAC is where we're starting. If that changes we'll announce it here first.

What if I have questions about my report?

Premium Compare includes one follow-up question to our team within 7 days of your report. Basic and Standard reports are self-serve, but if something in the report is unclear, reach out and we'll do our best to clarify.

See a sample report

This is an illustrative example (not a real order) so you know what to expect from a Standard Review.

Sample Quote — Standard Review
3-ton central AC replacement, existing ductwork
C

Get answers first

This quote proposes reasonable equipment for the home's size, but skips a load calculation entirely and the price sits about 18% above the typical range for a comparable system. Two items below are worth resolving before you sign.

What we found

Red flag
No load calculation referenced
The quote sizes the new system to match the old one with no Manual J calc mentioned. Ask whether one was performed.
Caution
Labor warranty not stated
10-year parts warranty is listed, but labor coverage (often much shorter) isn't mentioned anywhere.
Note
Permit line item present
Contractor is pulling the permit and it's itemized separately — that's good practice.

Questions to ask your contractor

  1. Was a Manual J load calculation performed, or is the size based on the existing system?
  2. What's the labor warranty length, separate from the manufacturer's parts warranty?
  3. Does the quoted price reflect R-454B refrigerant equipment, and is the indoor/outdoor pairing AHRI-matched?

Get your own review