I am extremely disappointed with NCB Mechanical and would not recommend them based on my experience during the sale of my home.
Because I live in California and the property is in Albuquerque, NCB Mechanical was given access to the home while I was out of state and unable to be present. I relied on them to perform the requested work professionally and to communicate accurately regarding the scope of the repair.
I hired NCB Mechanical to complete a specific repair requested by the buyers following their home inspection: replacement of a corroded pipe associated with the water heater. The repair was completed, I paid the invoice, and provided proof of completion to the buyers. At no point was there any written requirement from the inspection report, repair request, or purchase contract requiring replacement of the water heater itself.
During the repair visit, NCB Mechanical recommended replacing the water heater. I explained that I was contractually obligated to complete the repairs requested by the buyers and identified in the inspection response--nothing more and nothing less. The corroded pipe was repaired exactly as requested.
What made this situation especially frustrating was the timing and the circumstances. As a courtesy, I allowed the buyers to move into the home 12 days before closing so they would not have to move twice after selling their own home. Despite that accommodation, less than 12 hours before closing, the buyers contacted NCB Mechanical directly rather than working through their real estate agent or the normal transaction process.
The property had a continuous history of hot water service during seven years of tenant occupancy. No hot water concerns were identified in the inspection report, and no tenants had reported hot water problems prior to NCB Mechanical's visit. The only plumbing repair requested was replacement of the corroded pipe. After NCB Mechanical completed that work, a new dispute suddenly emerged regarding the water heater itself. Whether related or not, the timing raised obvious questions and created unnecessary stress immediately before closing.
Several days after the repair had been completed and paid for, NCB Mechanical informed me that they had told the buyers I only wanted the "absolute minimum" done despite their recommendation for a new water heater.
This completely mischaracterized the situation. I was not refusing a required repair. I was following the exact repair list agreed to by all parties in a legally binding real estate transaction. By making comments that suggested otherwise, NCB Mechanical created the impression that I was avoiding necessary work, which was simply not true.
As a result, less than 24 hours before closing, I found myself defending my integrity and dealing with a completely unnecessary dispute over a $3,100 water heater replacement that was never required by the inspection report, the buyers' repair request, or the purchase contract.
A contractor's role is to perform the requested work and communicate professionally. It is not their role to insert themselves into an active real estate transaction or make statements that can create conflict between buyers and sellers. Their comments caused significant stress, confusion, and unnecessary complications at a critical stage of the sale.
While the requested repair was completed, their handling of the situation and their communication with the buyers were highly unprofessional. For that reason, I cannot recommend NCB Mechanical. read more
