How should I judge an HVAC company’s stock of common furnace and air conditioner parts?

Walk the shop and the vans. Compare what is physically there to the inventory list, and note whether the two agree. Ask which parts are used most often on calls and check that those are well stocked. Ignitions, motors, capacitors and filters are typical examples, though the right list depends on the equipment the company services. Look for age. Boxes with dust, discontinued models or parts for systems the company no longer services can sit on the books for years. Ask how stock is recorded and whether slow items are ever written off. Agree with the seller, before closing, how the stock will be counted and how any dispute will be settled.

Then ask about the system around it. Who orders, how often and from which suppliers? Do technicians log parts used on each job? A company with a steady routine usually runs fewer return trips for missing parts, which helps customers and technician time. Finally, ask your accountant how stock should appear in the purchase terms.

Seasonal timing matters here too. Stock that looks thin before a heating or cooling rush may be normal if the company orders fast, so ask how quickly a supplier can deliver a missing part.

Key takeaways

• Compare the physical count to the inventory records yourself.
• Ask when each group of parts was last used and look for old stock.
• Agree before closing how stock will be counted and valued.