If Google allowed zero stars, that is what I would give Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning…read more
As a business owner, I rarely leave negative reviews. I understand businesses make mistakes, but this was not one bad day. It was a prolonged series of failures, excuses and expenses that placed our home closing at risk.
In November 2024, Sean McCutcheon's installed two new Bryant air-conditioning systems for $28,399. Their written proposal specifically included "permit and inspection by local municipality" and stated that a second day would be required for the inspection.
Nearly two years later, while selling our home, we discovered that the permit had never been finalized and remained open. We had never been notified that an inspection was still required.
The company claimed it had a note saying we were out of town when the systems were installed. That was false. I was at the house and spoke with the installer while the work was performed. The company also had my telephone number and email address. This did not explain why nobody contacted us afterward or why the permit remained unresolved for nearly two years.
During the home-sale inspection process, kinked ductwork restricting airflow, significant moisture and visible organic growth in the HVAC areas--including on or around the equipment--were identified.
Sean McCutcheon's had maintained the systems under its paid maintenance program. Despite repeated access to the equipment, none of these visible conditions had been documented or brought to our attention. Had we been told, we would have addressed them immediately.
The company said checking the ductwork was not its responsibility and claimed its technicians had never seen the visible organic growth. Yet its proposal acknowledged that the systems would be attached to existing ductwork and stated that an estimate would be provided if duct modifications were needed. No such warning, recommendation or estimate was presented during installation or later maintenance visits.
Because closing was approaching, we paid Sean McCutcheon's another $1,975 to repair the ductwork and approximately $6,000 to another company to remove and remediate the organic growth. We also hired a different company to install a whole-home dehumidification system because I would no longer allow Sean McCutcheon's to work in our home.
When the municipal inspection was finally arranged, the work did not initially pass. A Sean McCutcheon's technician told me they had tried to get the prior work "grandfathered," but the inspector would not agree.
Their $1,975 duct-repair invoice included commentary and theories about other conditions and possible causes that went beyond the work they were hired to perform. Because the invoice was going into our closing file, I asked for a replacement describing only the work performed. The company refused and told me changing or recreating an invoice was "impossible." As a business owner, I know businesses correct and reissue invoices every day.
When I initially declined to pay until the invoice was corrected, the company contacted our real-estate attorney and stated it would not sign the affidavit needed for closing unless the $1,975 was disclosed or paid. To prevent the dispute from interfering with closing, I paid it despite objecting to the invoice's contents.
At every stage, instead of taking ownership and helping solve the problem, we received another excuse, denial or deflection.
Proceed with extreme caution. Independently verify that every permit has received final approval, obtain a separate evaluation of your ductwork and airflow, and inspect your attic and HVAC equipment for moisture and organic growth. Do not assume a paid maintenance program means visible problems will be identified or reported.
I will never use this company again or recommend it to family, friends or anyone purchasing a major HVAC system.
