After moving into our home and running our furnace for a year we decided to get it checked out as there was a hint of gas smell in the air (and you should do it anyway).
We called and got a few quotes (both time and cost) and McKinnon visited us and did a full inspection determining that the gas valve was leaking. McKinnon tried to find a replacement part - even aftermarket, but as the brand is no longer even sold (it was a Shomar, Sears furnace brand until the early 90's) could not find one.
For the replacement we got several quotes including one from McKinnon and ended negotiating with them to get a two stage variable speed Colman (same as a York model I was quoted on, just different badge) installed plus relining our chimney. The installation was made trickier by the fact that I had asked them to run the intake and exhust pipes to a hard to access place.
The serviceman who did the installation, Suari, was a true gentleman and answered all of my questions throughout the day. Suari ran some of the neatest PVC line that I have seen, out of the way, and exactly to where I wanted it. Beyond that, and this is what impressed me the most he stayed from 9:30 in the morning until midnight (there was a lot of conversion required from the old furnace to the new duct work as well as extensive PVC work) to make sure that we had heat for the night and hot water in the morning.
AS can be expected with that kind of day there were a few small things that needed to be addressed - the condensation tube needed to be re-run as he did not have enough length to reach our sink and he jury rigged something for the evening, he ran out of silicon and so had some minor caulking touchups to complete and the cementing around the new chimney duct needed to be redone as it had sagged). I left an e-mail with Barry our sales rep when Suari left so he was aware of the great service that we had provided and to ask when they would be back to complete the job.
Suari showed up at 9:30 the next morning (I had received a call at 8 letting me know he was coming) and quickly did a bang up job of finishing.
These guys arrived on time for everything, did great work, and were very communicative throughout the process. I highly recommend them.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $5,000.00
- Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
- As with all renovation jobs make sure that you get multiple quotes, learn about your house and make sure that you do all of the follow through - checking references, being around to make sure that work is done as you expect it without assuming that the contractor can read your mind, and ensuring that you get what you paid for.