Negotiating with HVAC contractors
June 6, 2018 7:45 AM Subscribe
Our 20 year-old, weirdly-installed air conditioner died last week. We had the unit replaced, and and after the work was done they informed us of a major change they made to its structure that will require more work and more money. This wasn't reflected in the initial assessment, so it came as a shock. Can you help us understand if we have a legitimate beef here, and if so, suggest ways to ameliorate the situation with the contractors?
When our 100 year-old building was converted for condo living, they put in central air conditioning by cutting a hole in a bedroom closet and installing the coil/internal unit there, then running the lines up to a compressor on the roof. They then drywalled around the unit, making it a very annoying process to reach down into the unit and periodically clean out the permanent air filter. This was fine, until the compressor died on us last week. When the HVAC repair guy came out to take a look, he informed us that we needed a new compressor and coil unit. For a while, it looked like he was going to have to cut into our drywall to make the repairs, but he sourced a replacement coil that fit our unit so that didn't happen, to our great relief. We agreed to pay for having the new coil as well as a new compressor installed.
However, the installation process did not go as planned. The installers came to our place yesterday an hour and a half late because they initially picked up the wrong part. That was annoying and impacted our workdays, but we could have also overlooked that if they hadn't also surprised us by sealing off the unit so we could no longer use the permanent filter. When they finished the work, sure enough, the AC does function. However, he informed my spouse that new work (outside of the original scope) would be necessary to route the filtration system differently, so it could be accessed from the hallway instead of the closet.
So here we are, having spent thousands of dollars on a new unit, and just now learning that we can't use it* because new work is necessary. New work that they did not mention in the initial assessment, and new work that he did not mention during the installation process. We are very annoyed.
What I want to know is, do we have the right to be annoyed here? If so, what would be a reasonable ask of the HVAC company? A new contract at a reduced rate? A partial refund of the contract? These guys have great reviews on Yelp and we had a favorable impression of them until this incident, so I am hoping they will be reasonable and want to make the situation better.
*Note that we COULD run the unit without a filter, but that would be a poor solution as it would affect the efficacy of the unit and circulate dust in the air. I have asthma, so this would be very bad.
When our 100 year-old building was converted for condo living, they put in central air conditioning by cutting a hole in a bedroom closet and installing the coil/internal unit there, then running the lines up to a compressor on the roof. They then drywalled around the unit, making it a very annoying process to reach down into the unit and periodically clean out the permanent air filter. This was fine, until the compressor died on us last week. When the HVAC repair guy came out to take a look, he informed us that we needed a new compressor and coil unit. For a while, it looked like he was going to have to cut into our drywall to make the repairs, but he sourced a replacement coil that fit our unit so that didn't happen, to our great relief. We agreed to pay for having the new coil as well as a new compressor installed.
However, the installation process did not go as planned. The installers came to our place yesterday an hour and a half late because they initially picked up the wrong part. That was annoying and impacted our workdays, but we could have also overlooked that if they hadn't also surprised us by sealing off the unit so we could no longer use the permanent filter. When they finished the work, sure enough, the AC does function. However, he informed my spouse that new work (outside of the original scope) would be necessary to route the filtration system differently, so it could be accessed from the hallway instead of the closet.
So here we are, having spent thousands of dollars on a new unit, and just now learning that we can't use it* because new work is necessary. New work that they did not mention in the initial assessment, and new work that he did not mention during the installation process. We are very annoyed.
What I want to know is, do we have the right to be annoyed here? If so, what would be a reasonable ask of the HVAC company? A new contract at a reduced rate? A partial refund of the contract? These guys have great reviews on Yelp and we had a favorable impression of them until this incident, so I am hoping they will be reasonable and want to make the situation better.
*Note that we COULD run the unit without a filter, but that would be a poor solution as it would affect the efficacy of the unit and circulate dust in the air. I have asthma, so this would be very bad.
Response by poster: Hi, yes we could access it before and now we can’t. It was annoying but nowhere near impossible. Now it’s sealed shut (and I think may even have been removed).
Totally agree that drywalling over the air conditioning unit was a dumb move. I would love to take that up with the person who converted this condo 20 years ago. We have only been here about a year and a half so I can’t speak to why they made this decision, but it’s the case for all the building’s units.
posted by lieber hair at 8:23 AM on June 6, 2018
Totally agree that drywalling over the air conditioning unit was a dumb move. I would love to take that up with the person who converted this condo 20 years ago. We have only been here about a year and a half so I can’t speak to why they made this decision, but it’s the case for all the building’s units.
posted by lieber hair at 8:23 AM on June 6, 2018
Some things that I think are true:
- The installers should return it to its previous state.
- You might have a hard time getting the installers returning it to its previous state.
- Regardless, you should install an access panel so that you can have access directly to the filter without reaching down.
- A handyperson should be able to install an access panel in one or two hours. You would be able to do it if you're handy.
posted by suedehead at 10:50 AM on June 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
- The installers should return it to its previous state.
- You might have a hard time getting the installers returning it to its previous state.
- Regardless, you should install an access panel so that you can have access directly to the filter without reaching down.
- A handyperson should be able to install an access panel in one or two hours. You would be able to do it if you're handy.
posted by suedehead at 10:50 AM on June 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Now, I'm having trouble understanding why this unit has been drywalled in in an inaccessible way at all. That should never have been allowed in the first place.
But, my question would be to the installers: Why didn't you return it to its previous state? If you have photos of how it was before, send those along. It's possible that two people did the job and the fixer had no idea how it was before. But, if they tell you that in order to be safe and accessible, you need to make it safer and more accessible, then you might consider doing that work. But you could also shop that work around.
posted by amanda at 8:00 AM on June 6, 2018