Since most credible duct cleaning contractors don't cold call your house, it's very likely that a duct cleaning phone call is a scammer. In other, more sinister cases, particularly online, scams like these are a method of obtaining your personal information. Never send a deposit, sign forms, or answer personal questions over the phone without verifying that the air duct company is certified and insured. Real companies will not require personal and financial data in advance.
Try not to let the dupes scare you away from cleaning your ducts despite these deceptive practices. While it may be appropriate in some cases, you may not know how often you really need your air ducts cleaned. Cleaning air ducts requires the use of advanced technology and the extensive knowledge of a technician. Cleaning your air ducts is a great way to start from scratch, especially if you recently dealt with a pest problem or a leak near the vents.
But like any industry, air duct cleaning isn't immune to scammers looking for opportunities to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. Generally, state and local laws do not regulate air duct cleaners, but the National Association of Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA) offers certification and good practice guidelines. I am sure that, like all of you, you have experienced the most frequent calls of some duct cleaning scam to be attacked and then loaded and changed to pay more. Watch for these red flags to avoid any suspicious air duct cleaning practices and make sure you're working with the right professional for you.
Cleaning the air ducts is expensive, but it pays off with a reputable company to do the job well. Thanks to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, most landlines in the United States are able to effectively handle repeated automatic air duct cleaning calls through third-party applications such as Nomorobo. If an air duct cleaning company offers its services to you for a fraction of the standard price, you should consider hanging up the phone immediately. You can also check if they are a member of the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA).
The organization suggests that air ducts be cleaned every three to five years, unless you suspect one of the above problems. All automated calls, such as automatic air duct cleaning calls, must allow the customer to withdraw from company marketing calls. Unfortunately, there are air duct cleaning companies that illegally use the NADCA logo or claim to be members of NADCA when they are not.
