I'm writing this because I wish someone had written it for me…read more
When I first hired Zeds I was relieved. Nathan was personable, knowledgeable, and felt honest. I called my mother that night and told her I'd finally found a straight guy who wasn't going to screw me. I meant every word.
Don't be fooled. Nathan is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He earns your trust with a smile and fair-seeming prices, then uses that trust against you. Here's exactly what happened.
VISIT ONE: Called for a tune-up and a pound of refrigerant. $150-$200 job. Nathan went into my attic and came back with a list. Zone damper motor $330. Float switch $120. Plenum seal $175. Duct separation $125. Taping one duct $175. Wiring $240. Let that last one sink in. $175 to tape a single duct. A roll of HVAC foil tape costs $5 to $18 at Lowe's and you use a few feet. That's a few dollars in material. Each item priced just low enough not to question on its own but stacked together they tell a different story. All quoted on the spot while he was already in my attic with no time to research or get a second opinion. My refrigerant call became a $1,323 invoice. I paid it without a word because I trusted him.
VISIT TWO: Called months later about air quality after construction. He fixed a fresh air intake wiring issue for $227. High for running a wire, but I paid it. While there he found my dehumidifier wasn't working. The unit is FREE under manufacturer's parts warranty. All that's needed is labor for two guys to swap it. His quote? $1,200.
$1,200 to swap a free unit. I asked for a breakdown. Got vague talk about "materials for reconnecting" (fittings and a drain line, $30-$50 at any supply house) and processing fees ($50-$150 industry standard). Do the math. Materials, fees, and labor for two guys gets you to $400-$500 being generous. Where's the other $700? He never answered. He compared himself to larger companies at $1,750 but those prices INCLUDE the unit. His is free. Apples to oranges and he knows it.
THE UPSELL: Same visit he also pitched an Aerus ActivePure Air Scrubber for $1,150 (marked down from $1,350 to feel like a deal). NASA buzzwords. "Friendly oxidizers." What he didn't say is this technology produces ozone as a byproduct, a recognized lung irritant per the EPA that can aggravate asthma and reduce lung function. He tried to sell an air quality product that can worsen air quality to a customer who called about air quality. Either he doesn't know what he's selling or he doesn't care. Both should concern you.
THE PATTERN: Visit one, called for $150 tune-up, paid $1,323. Visit two, called for inspection, paid $227 with a $2,350 estimate behind it. Early jobs earn your trust. You stop getting competing quotes. Then the real numbers come and the justifications get vague.
I gave Nathan every chance. Told him I felt betrayed. Told him I had more work planned. That I wanted him long term. Steady business on the table if he'd meet me somewhere fair. His answer: $1,200 firm, go get other quotes.
Homeowners in Cypress, Katy, Tomball: get multiple quotes on every job. If a contractor finds extras in your attic, don't approve on the spot. If you have a warranty repair, make sure you're not paying full install prices on a free part. If someone sells you an air purifier with "friendly oxidizers," research ozone yourself.
I wish Nathan well personally. But I will never call Zeds again and I'd strongly encourage you to think carefully before you do either.
Update 1:
Nathan's reply is exactly what I mean. Polished, professional, says nothing.
"Items were always optional." They were quoted on the spot in my attic. Tell a homeowner their damper motor failed and see how optional it feels.
"$1,200 reflects labor for removal, installation, reconnection, testing and handling the warranty process." That's a dressed-up way to describe two guys swapping a unit for a couple hours. Still no explanation for the $700 gap.
"We encourage customers to compare estimates." Same "go get other quotes" he told me by text. That's not service. That's dismissal.
What he didn't address: $175 to tape one duct when a roll costs $5-$18 at Lowe's. The ozone in the Air Scrubber. The $1,750 comparison that includes the unit his was free.
"Always open to a conversation." Nathan, you had that conversation. I opened up to you. Your answer was $1,200 firm. This review is mine.
Update 2:
Within 24 hours of my review, two 5-star reviews appeared. Both from accounts with zero photos and one review each. One is from Lubbock, TX, not even in the Houston area, and says "do not trust other reviews that depict him as anything otherwise." The last review before mine was six months ago. Six months of nothing, then two in one day. Draw your own conclusions.
Nathan, if you put this energy into making things right instead of managing your reputation, we wouldn't be here.
