How to Hire the Right AC Contractor in Kenya

Why the Contractor Matters More Than the Brand

It's tempting to spend most of your research time comparing AC brands, but the contractor installing the system has just as much influence on how well it performs — and how long it lasts. A premium Daikin or Carrier unit installed with the wrong refrigerant charge, poor pipe routing or an undersized breaker will underperform and fail early, while a mid-range unit installed correctly by a competent technician will run reliably for years. Before you fall down a brand-comparison rabbit hole, it's worth spending equal time vetting who's actually going to do the work.

Credentials to Check Before You Hire

Certification & Insurance

Ask for proof that technicians are certified to handle refrigerant and electrical work, and confirm the company carries liability insurance. This protects you if something goes wrong during installation — a legitimate contractor will have no problem producing this documentation on request.

Manufacturer Training

A contractor trained directly by the brands they install (Daikin, Mitsubishi, Gree, Midea, LG, Hisense and similar) is more likely to install correctly and know the specific quirks of that equipment, compared to a general handyman who "can fit anything."

Business Registration & Physical Address

A registered business with a real office or workshop address is easier to hold accountable than an individual working purely through WhatsApp and mobile money. This matters most for warranty claims and after-sales support down the line.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

• Do you offer a free, in-person site survey? A phone estimate cannot account for room size, insulation, existing wiring or outdoor unit placement — insist on an actual site visit before accepting a quote.
• What warranty do you offer on installation labor? This is separate from the manufacturer's warranty on the unit itself — a reasonable minimum is 1-2 years on the installation work.
• Who will be on site during installation? Some companies sell the job then subcontract the actual work to a cheaper, unvetted crew — ask directly who will be doing the installation.
• What happens if something goes wrong during installation? A contractor confident in their work will have a clear answer about liability and remediation, not a vague reassurance.
• Can you provide recent references or a portfolio? Photos or contactable references from similar recent jobs are a reasonable, low-effort request that most legitimate contractors will readily provide.
• Is the quote itemised? A written quote broken down by unit cost, labor, materials and any additional charges is far easier to compare fairly than a single lump sum.

Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away

• Quoting sight-unseen. Any contractor willing to give a final price without visiting your property is guessing, not quoting.
• Demanding full payment upfront. A reasonable deposit is normal; full payment before any work begins is a common pattern in scams.
• No fixed business address. If you can't find where the company actually operates from, you have limited recourse if something goes wrong.
• Pressure to decide immediately. Legitimate contractors expect you to compare quotes; heavy pressure to sign today is a sales tactic, not a technical necessity.
• Unusually low pricing with no explanation. A quote significantly below every other one you've received often means corners will be cut somewhere — cheaper components, less experienced labor, or no warranty.

Getting Multiple Quotes the Right Way

Comparing quotes is smart, but only if you're comparing like for like. Give every contractor you approach the same information — room dimensions, current setup, and what you're trying to achieve — and insist each one does an actual site survey rather than a phone estimate. A quote that's dramatically cheaper than the others is worth a second look at what's actually included: is it the same brand and capacity, the same warranty length, the same installation standard? Two or three properly-surveyed quotes are usually enough to spot a fair market price and identify any outliers worth questioning.

What a Professional Site Survey Should Include

• Room measurement and heat load assessment. Not just floor area — window exposure, ceiling height, occupancy and equipment in the room all affect the correct unit size.
• Outdoor unit placement assessment. Checking airflow clearance, noise impact on neighbours or bedrooms, and access for future servicing.
• Electrical supply check. Confirming your existing wiring and breaker capacity can safely support the new unit.
• Pipe run and drainage planning. Identifying the shortest, most efficient route for refrigerant lines and condensate drainage.
• A written, itemised quote following the visit. Not a verbal estimate given on the spot — a proper survey should result in a documented proposal you can compare against others.