I really liked Mark at first. He gave me straightforward advice for the first job he did for me. The second time, however, I was disappointed. He came by later than he said he would and left a mess when he was finished. He also was less straightforward.
Mark also left the cover off the running furnace, which is apparently a big mistake (so said the next person I hired next). Doing so will trip a blowback sensor and shut down the furnace. It also seems a little dangerous.
When he came by the first time, he told me my furnace might last for a long time. When he came by the second time, he told me I should replace it--for $5000. The first time, he also told me that it didn't need to be cleaned, and that it was working fine. The second time, he 'cleaned' it and told me it was in bad shape (he didn't really clean it; he left a large-ish pile of dust and rust on the floor that he swept out of the furnace but didn't dispose of).
Mark also does not show up with tools, making repairs a collaborative venture. I had to get him a screwdriver, vacuum, and steel wool.
Mark is also over worked. He showed up late and could not promise to return the next day to finish the job.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $175.00
- What could this company do to improve their services?
- Show up on time. Finish the job. Communicate clearly. Offer guarantees. Clean up after. Bring your own tools.
- Company Response
Sorry that you were disappointed. The first time I came to your place I just did general check up for leak. There was no monoxide leak but the pipes had leaks, you said you had plugged the back flow preventer, this means you are feeding your neighbors with poisonous drinking water. And since you wanted to keep going with the existing boiler I recommended you change the part, which was not done when I came back.
1. I explained I have boiler installation and I can not give you time as I have to finish it first, you agreed.
2. When I came to your place your boiler, I left the cover open and showed you how to turn the unit on with a lighter until I get the part tomorrow. I told you before leaving your place, please cooperate with me as I can not come tomorrow morning and you said you will not be in the afternoon, which I said as long as somebody is in I will take care of your heat. You agreed.
2. In terms of borrowing your screw driver and vacuum you are right, I felt so friendly to ask you. As you saw we had two trucks in front of your house and I have all the tools needed for fieldwork.
Then in the morning you called me to say that you hired somebody else to come and fix the boiler. I called and talked to your wife and apologized that I could not have been there in the morning.
3. In terms of electrical wires, the electrical voltage is only low voltage control signals and is fully legal for low voltage even to be live. I am fully authorized insured master electrician. The other guy who scared you am sure does not know enough about it otherwise he would not have said so.I do wish you the best of luck in the future and welcome any opportunity to resolve these issues in person.