5/3/06: The Air Duct Story – Air Concepts of Central FL, Good Guys

I’ve made a marathon decision. I’m going to Casper, Wyoming for a June 4 marathon. On Friday, June 2, I’ll fly to Denver, hope to see my friend Beth, and drive up to Casper either Friday night or Saturday morning. After the marathon on Sunday, I’ll drive up to the Yellowstone area and spend Monday there. Monday evening, I’ll drive about halfway back to Denver, and finish the trip Tuesday morning, then fly home Tuesday afternoon. I’m excited about another marathon, but just as excited to be going to Yellowstone.

I had a strong 20-mile run on Sunday, too. As I was walking back home, I thought, “This is the way it should be. I get up, go out run 20 miles, and come back home. Nothing to it.”

Meanwhile, I had an interesting experience on the home front. The air ducts in my house were failing-- partially disintegrated, caved in, unattached. So I got the standard three estimates. One company stood out from the rest, so I asked them to get started. The job started on time, and the workers were polite and respectful. I was especially impressed when they asked if there was a vacuum they could use to clean behind themselves. The original time estimate was Wednesday, Thursday, and a half day on Friday.

I returned home at nine-thirty Friday evening to find a doubled crew still working. There was some mumbling about some unexpected problems, but the supervisor was smiling and expressed confidence that the job would soon be completed. By ten-thirty, he asked if they could finish the last little bit on Saturday. I agreed.

On Saturday afternoon, I got a call from a worker saying he was delayed and asking if it would be okay to come Monday instead. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday all passed with no word and no work. I still hadn’t paid anything, so I wasn’t alarmed, only disappointed at the inconvenience. During the week since the project started, we had lost all or part of the use of our garage, and this was beginning to be quite annoying. Also, the air conditioning system was working efficiently, and not at all in some areas.

I called on Thursday to find out when to expect someone. I got a call a few hours later asking if I could meet with the company president the next day. I agreed, but grew apprehensive. Could this have anything to do the “unexpected problems?” Are they going to want to increase the fee?

The next day, four company vehicles crowded into my driveway and out piled a large work crew, along with the company president, his father/former president, and the supervisor of the job. They began with humble apologies and an offer of free maintenance on my air conditioning system for two years, plus a two-year extension of the warranty of the air duct system. And an offer to do whatever else would make be happy.

Over the next few days, and employee was fired, the job was completed to my satisfaction, the price of the original contract was reduced, and a commitment made to repair damage to a piece of furniture. I’m happy with the job and the company.

I recommend this company without reservation. They are highly professional, they do detailed estimates, and they do good work. If you’re in the central Florida area and need air conditioning or air ductwork, call Air Concepts of Central Florida. They’re a class outfit.

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