Trane XL16i Install - In Progress

[chicago installer]

Originally posted by kcrossley

i agree some of the stuff is due to being lazy and not caring but do u guys think that this homeowner hanging on them all day they just wanted to get the hell out of there?

If you're going to make a comment like this you really should read the original post, which clearly indicates that I checked out their work AFTER they left. I was NOT hanging on them all day. You'll also see in other posts that I made that my intention was to "show off" their work, not criticize it.

[Edited by kcrossley on 02-05-2005 at 11:48 AM]

my mistake when they come back like u said make sure u post the pictures and make sure u are satisified with the rework that they did,and dont forget about the warrenty

[trane]

Originally posted by swampfox
Most of this stuff should have been done period, regardless of whether pics of the work was going to be posted on the internet, there wouldnt be a problem if they had done a decent job in the first place, everyone would have been complimenting their work instead of criticizing it, I hardly call doing a good job and giving the customer their moneys worth "Aggrevation"

You posted while I was typing but I agree 100%

[bentruler]

Originally posted by bigtime
I'd say the aggravation of dealing with this was worth an extra 15% of the sales price.

Wow. I think this scares me as much as the guy who raised his bid 25% when I mentioned I wanted permits filed.

[boilrmakr]

I don't want to soud off about other peoples work but I can't hold my tongue on this one. I am interested to know if you got more than one estimate for the job. If so, how did it compare to the others? Also what was your feeling on the presentation and thoroughness of the comfort survey/analysis? the job looks like cookie cutter new work that we go around fixing all the time. You have some fine equipment there, unfotrunately the workmanship on the install looks sub-par. Good luck with all and I agree with the other posts regarding the install here.

[boilrmakr]

Definitely talk with a TRANE Rep, maybe see if the dealer's TM will meet you, Mine comes out to see the work I do from time to time, and interact with the customer. As a TRANE Dealer, I am embarrassed for the experience you are having, I know TRANE will be too. Good luck.

[kcrossley]

Originally posted by boilrmakr
I am interested to know if you got more than one estimate for the job. If so, how did it compare to the others? Also what was your feeling on the presentation and thoroughness of the comfort survey/analysis?

I recieved two estimates. One from the independent HVAC contractor I used, the other from a larger HVAC company through Home Depot. The larger company was considerably more, a lot more. I probably shouldn't disclose any more details because from what I understand we're not supposed to talk about pricing on this discussion board.

The larger company sent out a sales representative and provided a comfort survey/analysis, which was very thorough. The smaller company did not, but both HVAC contractors recommended the same size systems.

I would have gotten one more but because I was on emergency heat and temperatures at the time were in the teens, I didn't.

[kcrossley]

Originally posted by boilrmakr
Definitely talk with a TRANE Rep, maybe see if the dealer's TM will meet you, Mine comes out to see the work I do from time to time, and interact with the customer. As a TRANE Dealer, I am embarrassed for the experience you are having, I know TRANE will be too. Good luck.

I have spoken with a Trane tech specialist, only because I was concerned about my 10-year warranty and several participating members were scaring me a bit about certain procedures that may have been left out.

The Trane tech specialist I spoke with is familair with the installer and said he is confident that the work was done properly, but is reviewing the install. Strangely, although the person is an area Trane tech specialist he works for another company, a wholesaler I believe. Is this typical?

[dash]

Trane typically works for the distributer/wholesaler,does not compete but sells product to contractors.

You have every right to complain and NO obligation to tell them you are psoting here in advance.

If they had done a good job ,the would have been pround.

[kcrossley]

I just heard from my HVAC contractor today and apparently an inspector is coming out to check out the system sometime this week. What's this all about? Does the inspector work for the state or the county? Do I need to do anything in preperation for his/her inspection?

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

The larger company sent out a sales representative and provided a comfort survey/analysis, which was very thorough. The smaller company did not, but both HVAC contractors recommended the same size systems.


You really do get what you pay for.

Chances are you wouldn't be dealing with this headache right now if you went with the other company...

[bkliewer]

This type of work is one of the biggest problems in our industry. The work is average at best, as I have stated in a previous post. However, please keep in mind that you got what you paid for. There are a lot of really bad companies out there, but there are only a handfull of good ones. You said the other company was a lot higher. Well, there was a reason he was higher. I am a comfort consultant for my company and we are the highest in town. I know walking into each and every home that I am usually at least $1000 higher than everyone else. But I also know there is not a single company in town that beats our installations or our service. PERIOD. This type of work must be the norm for his company or else he wouldn't have made the comments about his installations prior to completing the job.

The problem is that you paid for a Ford and expected a Lexus. Equipment typically isn't what you are paying for. The installation is what you are getting for your money. I think you paid an average price and got an average install.

Also, what kind of proposal did he work up for you? Was it an actual proposal? How did he present it?

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

I think if he went with the "thorough" guy, we wouldn't be dealing with a 7 page thread...
He was obviously comparing equipment and not installation when making his choice.
Chances are this install will be problemed its entire life.

[kcrossley]

Originally posted by BoltonNC
I think if he went with the "thorough" guy, we wouldn't be dealing with a 7 page thread...He was obviously comparing equipment and not installation when making his choice. Chances are this install will be problemed its entire life.

Granted, some of what you're saying is true, and I don't mind paying more for quality work. However, when another HVAC company is quoting prices that are nearing 35% more for the exact same system, even after you've identified that you're getting competitive prices, you begin to feel like you're being taken advantage of and lose one of the most important characteristics of a business relationship--TRUST.

I was also under the impression that in order to become a Trane authorized resellers/installer you must be factory-trained on proper installtion procedures. Is this not the case?

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

I'll answer the second part of your question 1st...

No, all Trane is worried about is moving boxes just like all manufacturers.

Do you feel like you lost the trust of your current installer because he undercharged you and used inadequate mechanics to do your install?
My bet is the expensive guy knows what it takes to run a business properly.
The companies that charge more usually have the best installers and provide the best service.
The fact that you had to even come to this forum to ask these questions about your install(before and after) shows the incompetency of the company you're doing business with.

[kcrossley]

Originally posted by BoltonNC
Do you feel like you lost the trust of your current installer because he undercharged you and used inadequate mechanics to do your install?
My bet is the expensive guy knows what it takes to run a business properly.
The companies that charge more usually have the best installers and provide the best service.

The HVAC contractor I used has been in business for 32 years. According to my Trane tech rep, you can't stay in the HVAC business this long by doing consistently poor work. Perhaps my install is not typical for this contractor. I'm sure that even you have unknowingly hired bad installers before.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

Did your contactor measure your ducts to ensure they were sized properly?
Did he do a Manual D?
A 16 SEER unit with improperly sized ducts MIGHT give you a 12 SEER!

[Advanced Response]

KC,
I agree you most likely got what you paid for!!!
If you only got two estimates and the one you went with was 35% cheaper then you got what you deserved... I am sorry if I am being blunt!! If one company is that much cheaper there is an obvious reason they are.. I.E. Hacks, low ballers.. If you would have gotten additional quotes from quality contractors than you would have seen if the contractor you went with was one of the above..

I swear that I recommended that you get some quality contractors to bid on your house in other posts.. And I think I advised to stay away from the home improvement places and sears.. You should have went with contractors that had a good word of mouth of neighbors and family/friends..
It could be that the home cheapo contractor was a quality contractor but I would feel more comfortable if you contacted that company directly than thru home depot(as they usually have a list of contractors and not all are equal)...

I do have one question??? Was this the same hvac contractor that was contracted by your home warranty company??

I hope you learned something..
Good luck on your unit,, you may need it..
J

Definatly get a 10yrs part and labor warranty thru Trane.. Make sure you get all the paperwork just incase..

[kcrossley]

Originally posted by Advanced Response
I do have one question??? Was this the same hvac contractor that was contracted by your home warranty company??

Yes, it's the same company.

[Gunnery Sergeant Hartman]

Originally posted by kcrossley

Originally posted by Advanced Response
I do have one question??? Was this the same hvac contractor that was contracted by your home warranty company??

Yes, it's the same company.

Explains everything...

35 years experience doesn't mean jack.

I know companies in my area with more than that who had to change their name 4-5 times from filing bankruptcy.

A low price is a warning sign!

[kcrossley]

Originally posted by Advanced Response
I swear that I recommended that you get some quality contractors to bid on your house in other posts..

Yes, I should have gotten a few more estimates, but I was under a little pressure since it was in the teens at the time and I was running on emergency heat. Plus, using the emergency heat effectively doubled my monthly electric bill from $200 to $400, and this was only for two weeks! When you're burning through money that fast you just want to solve the problem ASAP.

[Edited by kcrossley on 02-07-2005 at 02:24 PM]