Based on positive reviews on another consumer site and due to their proximity to my Skokie home, I called Bill's. They were brought in for remediation of a couple issues discovered during a home inspection relating to the sale of my house. One issue was routine and completed satisfactorily: assessing/cleaning/optimizing furnace performance. The other issue related to the relocation of an exhaust vent for an existing basement wall heater. This was also straightforward, but more challenging and would have involved perhaps a full day's labor. The HVAC tech did everything he could to offer implausible solutions that would not involve the vent relocation, including removing the heater completely! I had already indicated that the house was under contract and the sale was contingent on having all issues corrected, relating to existing equipment.
The tech finally stated that he would have their estimator come out and give me a quote. When I inquired as to when that would be, he said that they were busy installing a couple new furnaces, but perhaps the estimator could stop by in the morning (7 am) on their way to the job, since I lived less than a mile from their shop. I said that I could be available any time, and any day. He departed, indicating that I would hear from their office, though intuitively I knew that they didn't really want to get involved in a somewhat demanding project.
I never heard from them again and I was left high and dry, facing a deadline, with the home sale contingent on the single remaining heater vent issue. I was fortunate to track down another HVAC contractor, through word of mouth. They gave my job priority and solved the problem, resulting in a successful closing on my house.
My recommendation: for a simple, straightforward furnace maintenance job, Bill's provides adequate service. If you actually have a real, less-routine problem to be solved, continue your search for a more responsive HVAC contractor. read more