I am writing to formally address a dispute regarding the water heater installation services…read moreprovided by Climate Experts. Below is a detailed account of the situation, including the timeline, agreements, and subsequent issues:
Timeline and Agreements
Initial Quote and Agreement:
On 5 February 2025, Climate Experts provided a quote for installing a customer-supplied water heater. The quote explicitly stated:
"The replacement water heater can be installed either in the attic space where the existing one currently is (provided it fits in the attic access), or it can be installed in the garage. Either location, pricing valid for either.", "*Installation includes all required wiring & water lines."
Pictures and requested information were provided by my realtor to assist in preparing the quote. Additional detailed pictures of the house layout were available online via the property listing.
I signed the quote on 7 February 2025 and paid $2,150 on 9 February 2025.
Tech Visit and Refusal to Install:
The technician arrived at the property and stated that the supplied water heater could not be installed in the attic due to its hybrid nature, weight concerns, and potential condensation issues.
I requested that the water heater be installed in the garage, as explicitly stated in the signed quote. Climate Experts refused, claiming the situation was not as expected and that installation in the garage would cost more than the quoted and paid amount.
Forced Purchase of Additional Water Heater:
Due to time constraints related to the sale of the house, Climate Experts leveraged the urgency of the situation, leaving me with no choice but to purchase the recommended water heater for installation in the attic.
The new water heater was installed with an invoice dated 17 February 2025 and signed 13 February 2025.
Issues and Concerns
Failure to Honor Signed Quote:
The signed quote explicitly stated that the water heater could be installed in the garage. Climate Experts refused to honor this agreement, citing additional costs and unforeseen circumstances despite having sufficient information (pictures, listing details, etc.) to prepare the quote.
Lack of Due Diligence:
Climate Experts did not send a technician to inspect the property prior to providing the quote, despite my realtor offering flexibility to accommodate a visit. This oversight led to inaccurate assumptions and subsequent issues.
Leverage of Time Constraints:
Climate Experts leveraged the urgency of the situation, forcing me to purchase an additional water heater to meet the inspection requirements for selling the house.
Financial Impact:
I incurred additional costs due to Climate Experts' refusal to honor the original agreement and their lack of due diligence.