The price line gets most of the attention, but the sales agreement often decides whether you can change your mind, what you lose if you do, and what you pay if the job changes. Read those terms before any money moves.
Deposit and payment schedule
Find the deposit amount, whether it is refundable, and what it covers. Check when each payment is due and what it is tied to. A payment due at signing is different from one due after installation. A plan that takes most of the money before the equipment is on your floor deserves a closer look.
Cancellation window and fees
Look for the cancellation deadline and how you must give notice. Check whether notice must be in writing, sent to a specific address or email, and whether a fee applies. Some agreements charge a survey or site visit fee even if you cancel. If the contract is silent on any of this, ask the company to answer in writing before you sign.
Cancellation rights for sales made at home
Some places give buyers a set period to cancel a contract signed at home or away from the seller's office. Whether this applies to you depends on where you live and how the sale was made. Ask the company to confirm in writing which rule its contract follows, and check with your state or local consumer protection office if the answer is unclear.
Price changes and extra work
Find the clause that covers extra work, such as an unexpected pipe run, a plumbing change, or removal of an old unit. It should say whether the price can change, what triggers a change, and whether you must approve it in writing. An estimate that says 'subject to site conditions' with no detail gives you little protection.
Who the contract is with
Confirm the legal business name on the contract, its address, and whether a subcontractor will do the work. Match those details to what the salesperson told you. Keep a complete copy of the signed agreement and any written changes together in one place.
If a clause is still unclear, a short plain-language review by a lawyer or a consumer protection office can help. This is general information, not legal advice about your situation.