After a 3-yr search and MANY bids for a new HVAC, we settled on James Wu, who installed our system…read morelast month and proved the research paid off. Below are things I wanted to know before choosing a contractor; maybe it will be helpful for you.
Our situation: 100+ yr old home with current boiler in basement. We recently insulated our walk-up attic - that would both freeze and melt items stored there - with closed-cell spray foam (more research there), added drywall and will use it for storage. This is where the air handler and ERV (for ventilation) went.
Our upstairs is now ducted, with one vent running through a closet on the 2nd floor to 1st floor. We also added a Mitsibishi floor mount unit and a ceiling cassette on 1st floor. So, we had a VARIETY of equipment installed, requiring a contractor experienced in not only ducting, but mini-split installs with both a ceiling cassette and floor mount unit. We did not want the large wall mount mini split units. Our walls/ceilings are PLASTER, (metal wire mesh and cement-based): cutting them is a JOB. And, we wanted the floor mount unit RECESSED.
COST - James was in-line with our other bids, which came in between 27k and 39k, largely depending on equipment recommended, with ceiling cassettes costing more. Many contractors simply would not install them, and wanted to run ducts in the corners of all upstairs rooms to first floor, which to us was a last resort.
COMMUNICATION - James is very responsive to texts, emails, and even more importantly, he is a fantastic communicator. He is very calm, not pushy, explains things in an easy-to-understand way that clearly shows he knows his business. I actually told my husband after he left for the first time, "I think we may have found our guy" just based on his personality and knowledge. He's likeable, which isn't a requirement, but definitely helps.
EXPERTISE - This is what truly sets James apart. Our needs were fairly complex, requiring interior ducting, 2 outside units with exterior line sets, and recessed ceiling units, but also RECESSING the inside floor unit into an interior wall. We've overseen several renovation projects recently and could tell these guys knew what they were doing. Also, they were perfectionists, and paid attention to details you don't often find with contractors.
DEPENDABILITY - Not a single missed appt. Showed up on time with clear communication. The job took a week. He also helped with Masssave paperwork. They cleaned up after themselves each day, which we appreciated.
KNOWLEDGE - Extremely versed in Mitsibishi equipment. He's a Diamond Contractor, which extends our warranty, but we'd have chosen him regardless. Every question I had about these units (cassette and floor unit operation, air handler, ERV, outdoor units, thermostats...) he knew the answer to. When I researched anything specific online, from multiple and trusted sources, I found the info he'd given me to be correct. I trust his knowledge and I don't automatically do that. One example: our ceiling cassette has an internal thermostat and it's off by several degrees regularly. I researched it and found we likely need an external thermostat separate from the unit to measure the room's temp. I texted James a photo showing the inaccurate reading and his immediate reply, "you need an external thermostat. I'll install one." That's what I'm talking about.
INTEGRITY - Example: After the permit inspector left, James explained his philosophy on inspections. Each city apparently has different requirements. He learned several years ago how strict one particular city was, requiring a blower test to determine air tightness and the passing score was 4% or less. He got 4.1% and city wouldn't pass it. This required a lot more time/energy to go through everything and another test and more $$. So, now James says to his guys, "We install to the strictest inspection every time, regardless of the specific city's requirements, so we don't ever have to redo anything." In our case, the city didn't need a blower test but if they did, I feel confident we would have passed!
I don't often take time to write reviews, esp this lengthly, but I felt it was warranted here. Finding an HVAC contractor is HARD; it's time-consuming and complicated. And a lot of money. Three years of research finally led us to James and now, looking back, it was worth the wait and headaches in research. I would highly recommend anyone in the market for a new HVAC, especially if it involves Mitsibishi and especially ESPECIALLY if it involves recessing any equipment like ceiling cassettes or wall units, to consider James Wu. He and his team are uniquely skilled in their work.
