Chief/Bauer Service Experts

Dave, we did complain. It did no good. I still think whomever sold my grandmother the light scammed her. Whatever, I’ll find another company from now on. You have lost my respect as well as my business!

When our AC stopped working properly yesterday, we called Chief/​Bauer to come check it out. After receiving poor customer service and hassle from another area company, we were extremely pleased by the professional nature of the technician who came out to complete the repairs. Even though it was a Sunday evening, the technician was at our door within a half hour of our initial call. He was skilled, efficient, and honest, fixing the problem without pressuring us into extras. Our unit is 25 years old, so we realize we are on borrowed time — he confirmed that yes, we will indeed need a new unit in the near future, but made the necessary repairs so that we could sleep comfortably, as our thermostat was reading 85 degrees and we were all grouchy and warm. :) It was so great to wake up this morning to a working AC. Thank you, Chief/​Bauer! Because of your excellent customer service, you have our business.

I used Chief/​Bauer based on recommendations by friends.
However, after two visits for an install and a service call, I couldn’t stand the deceitful upselling that went on.
First, the technician told me my AC filter was inadequate for the system I was using. It had just been installed, and was the top of the line from the manufacturer. He also added that it was dirty. I commented that the filter was changed two weeks prior, and it was fine.
I was also tricked into changing a capacitor in my AC unit. He told me it was bad. After that, I researched online to see that they don’t simply go «bad,» and will usually blow out. The next visit, six months later, led to the technician telling me I needed to replace the capacitor again. Obviously they want you to believe these should be replaced like the batteries in your smoke detectors.
I won’t use this company again. If they cannot be honest and do the job I’ve hired them for, rather than upselling, I’d rather go anywhere else.

We were delighted with the expert and friendly service. Helped get our boiler /​radiator system going for the fall/​winter 2012 … explained how the boiler worked along the way. Very reasonable pricing for level of service received. Can’t imagine a better company for our heating needs.

A/​C broke. Repair person came out pretty quick, diagnosed to simple part, but said would cost near $ 1000 to fix. Later I found out the part could be obtained on the internet for about $ 100.
Based on the high cost to fix, I went with a new Lennox system from them. (At the time they did not mention it, but it turns out their parent company, Service Experts, is really owned by Lennox, so if they recommend that brand, it is probably because of that and not necessarily objective.) I believe the price was in the OK range.
The salesman had assured of a few things, that the installers were experienced, well-​trained, and not beginners, that the house would be left cleaner than when they arrived, and that it would be done right.
However I think none of those things were true. There was quite a mess that had to be cleaned up of dust, metal scraps, extra sheet metal screws, etc. which showed that they did clean some stuff up, but clearly didn’t do any care in vacuuming or checking for objects.
They also did not install the A/​C correctly, and it needed service within a week of installation, even the tech admitted the installers erred.
Finally, the A/​C plenum and where it connects to the vents, the top of the furnace, and around the drain pipe leaks air like a sieve. I’ve read online that part of the hallmark of a professional install is sealing the connections to the ducts well. In this case, it is bad enough that there is a wind in the room and that room gets freezing cold due to how much air leaks out. I’ll have to fix that myself with some foil tape and silicone as I don’t think we want them back in again if we can help it. The air filter is also held in by a screw and a folded piece of metal and is bending upwards at the sides letting air pass it by and I’ll have to figure out a more «professional» way to fix that. I know I’ll do a much more careful job, so it really isn’t worth having them come do it.

Previous review deleted. Because:
I paid chief-​bauer $ 4000 to completely replace my air conditioner and furnace in May. It is now late October, and to this day, the FURNACE HAS NEVER WORKED. They have been to my house multiple times, they have canceled appointments when they were SUPPOSED to come to my house multiple times, they have wasted my time up and down the block, and I still have no heat in my house.