Complaint Review: E&M Heating & Cooling - Bidwell Ohio

December 13, 2009 hired E&M Heating & Cooling Company to give a quote on a complete heat pump system for a new construction home. This is a one owner company with to my knowledge stated to have 15 years in the business with one good friend of mine as a reference. This is the biggest mistake and nightmare ever.

He first had to be paid before starting the job so my bank cut him a $6,230 certified check. He then talked me into a Westinghouse heat pump and told me fiberboard ductwork is more energy heat efficient so I said that would be good. Little did I know what the stuff consist of until it was brought to the home site.

When I handed him the check on December 24, 2009 he had me to sign a proposal to do the job, so I thought but the one thing he forgot to mention before I signed is that it was a binding contract. I of course didn't see it and now leave myself to wonder what kind of company does that. One that has been sued before.

January 17, 2010 after calling for 2 weeks E&M finally decided to bring materials to job site and start work. After seeing the fiberboard I was not happy with it because it looked like to me it maybe harmful to my wife and son who has asthma plus if it's going in a crawspace rodents can easliy tear it so it wouldn't last very long either. I had asked to change it to galvanized metal ductwork which was something he really didn't want to discuss. I said do you have any experience putting complete metal in, well very little because I mostly put fiberboard in. The cost would be another $2,500 up front before I do anymore work.

When I asked did you deduct the fiberboard and flex ducts, he stated those are yours to keep and fiberboard is custom cut to fit...no returns. I later contacted a well known bigger company who let me know that it can be taken back. They also informed me of the not so good business I chose that others had problems with and that company had to fix there mess-ups.

I fired him and told him to get all materials out of my home after it was inspected by the same qualified company who let me know he made cuts on my floor joist. The total labor that he performed was $300 according to specialist from that company. I let him know that is all he can keep that I want him and all of his materials to be gone with a refund of my money. He refused and stated you signed a contract.

The materials are all useless to us because he's the only dealer for Westinghouse in the area which means there is no warranty and who knows it could be a bad unit that he boxed up since it was brought down to the site after he was fired. I don't want to find out so none of it is going in because I don't trust anything about that company.

Went to my lawyer who is working on the case but in the same time more money is coming out of my pocket for those fees and if this goes to court that's another $3,000. I contacted the BBB who is also working on it. I just made a horrible mistake in going with a business that makes you sign a contract and thinks they are intitled to your hard working money no matter if they complete the job or not. My construction is on hold because of this situation any suggestions would be greater apprieciated.