Advanced Home Services is good at what they do, and that is taking advantage of trusting customers and making them pay two times or even three times higher than any of their competitors. And they do it with a kind, smile on their face.
To change out the water heater, tub, and piping in my family's single story, 900, sq. ft., home, it cost $12,000.
My in-laws had the plumbing installed in their entire two-story, 5,000 sq. ft. home by a different company and it was THE SAME PRICE. That included the kitchen, four and a half bathrooms (with all sinks, tubs, etc), water heater, all the piping, and outside hose connections.
These are the deceptions my wife and I discovered after we were suckered:
1. THEY CHARGE FLAT RATES.
Think of it like tiers. Any work that falls under a certain amount will be charged at the same rate. For example, if you ask them to do a $3,250 dollar job and their flat rate is $6,000, they will charge you the $6K, regardless of the work. They did not make that clear when "estimating the prices."
2. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ITEMIZED RECEIPTS.
To hide how much they are overcharging people, they refuse to provide a receipt that details how much they charge for each task. When we asked to see such a receipt, they hid behind the excuse that it's "Not the company policy to provide such receipts."
3. THEY TRICK YOU INTO SIGNING UP TO BE EXTORTED LATER
Though the two previous complaints are unethical yet probably not "illegal," this one most likely is. After you see the ridiculously high bill, they offer you an "amazing offer." If you sign up for a "complementary" inspection of your water heater and furnace, they will discount about 10% of your bill back to you.
It seems good, but it hurts later.
When they come back for the "inspection," they will look at your furnace and if they notice any "problems," they will shut it off and refuse to turn it back on because of "safety concerns." Their estimates for cleaning can range from $500 to $1,500, while a repair ranges from $12k to $14k.
Their competitors typically offer free cleanings and repairs around $500.
They tried to hit my wife and me with this scam during January, soon after we had below 0 temperatures. That means if they found a "problem" and shut off our furnace, we would have been without heat during the winter time.
Consider this: Even when you are late on bills, gas and electric companies do not shut off your heat in your home during the winter BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL.
But Advanced does.
After we refused to let them do this inspection, the inspector immediately used subtle scare tactics to frighten my wife (who was alone with him at our house at the time) into reconsidering our decision. We refused again, and he immediately left, saying he no longer had time for us. Though he was plenty eager to conduct the inspection just moments before.
Do not let them take advantage of you, too. read more