ComplaintsforLaPointe HVAC/R

• Initial Complaint

  03/25/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  LaPointe HVAC arrived at our home many times late 2022 and early 2023 to help with broken heat but we noticed it would get worse each visit. We orally agreed that any troubleshoot would only cost the material and not the labor, and that if it didn't work, it would be removed for free and not cost anything as LaPointe HVAC was made aware that installing a power vent system was not something we could afford and weren't keen on doing as we didn't think that was the issue. According to the invoice, we were charged $250 for the labor. We did not agree to that. LaPointe HVAC did not communicate with us after the troubleshoot was finished to check on performance of the vent system. There was no written or signed contract created or reviewed with us. There also was not a clear verbal arrangement. Upon speaking with the office of consumer affairs, they researched and shared that Lapointe HVAC are not HIC or CSL registered in the *********** and did not have a building permit that we were aware of. Upon speaking with the *****************, LaPointe HVAC did not pull a permit or license for electrical or sheet metal work to be performed. On 3/29/23 we hired ** *** to get help who reassured us that our boiler is only 4 years old, and did not need to be replaced. ** *** inspected our chimney and stated nothing was wrong, but expressed concern that our safety switch was off and could not leave our home without repairing that first as that is a safety concern that could have released carbon monoxide if there was something off with our chimney. The floo window was also removed. We got a quote to remove the power vent system so we could give Lapointe the part back, and they told us that it would cost $400+ in labor because there was cutting/damage to the ductwork. We offered to hire ** *** to take it out for us correctly but we will not pay that $400+ removal fee or to put in new ducts. ** *** were confused as to why this had been troubleshooted before cleaning the boiler system.

  Business response

  04/03/2024

  Troubles found:
  No thermostat in basement, installed. Bad power to living room thermostat, repaired. Taco SR504 had bad zones due to water damage, replaced 504. Heat and A/C ran at same time, repaired wiring. Pic provided is from heat exchanger, clearly not plugged. Draft was -.012", flue pipe went from 6 to 8 back to 6, repaired/replaced needed pieces, stainless chimney liner is present, scheduled with *** ****** for repairs/observations, customer cancelled several times due to did not want to pay. Chimney liner is on outer wall and uninsulated. Home was very tight, added power venter to assist with draft per customer conversation thru texting and phone calls. Babies room was always cold, heat load calc was done, missing 7 of baseboard heat. Customer allowed us to install venter kit, then decided did not want to pay. Had another company come out and got fancy maint agreement for several hundred of $, but could not pay me the $450 for equipment, that I paid for out of my own pocket. I am a small business, I do not do Pro-Bono work.  
  

  The company jumped right on band wagon and bad mouth me up and down. I have gone to great lengths to help this struggling family, many many visits, most of which were free. I have not broken any laws; I am a legit business from top to bottom. I sent several invoices, all ignored and unpaid. I was going to sue under principle alone. I have not been by home nor do I have a clue where they work, nor do I care. I have much more to say, but will not matter anyways. So: I wish to let all other companies the customer is a bad payer and a liar; they very well may take advantage of you also. Customer wishes to left alone, good luck and God speed. 

  Customer response

  04/04/2024

   
  Complaint:********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  We tried resolving this issue with Brandon LaPointe last year and received a quote from ** *** to have the part that he installed removed due to their judgment of it being "shotty work." We had paid Brandon many times via cash and card for other work that was completed through the home. Where he is referring to multiple "free" visits was because he told us he didn't know what the problem was or how to fix it and had been looking and trouble-shooting different things. There was no advantages taken of this worker. The ultimate factor is that we tried resolving this over a year ago to have the part uninstalled by ** ***, then we didn't hear back from Brandon for 14 months. NOTHING was ever ignored. May 2023 we sent him a certified letter in response to the first invoice. We also reached out to him for the invoice that was sent in March 2024 via phone call and text, and he said he'd talk to ** *** and get back to us which he never did. He went to *** ***, then never got back to us. We filed a harassment order because he is threatening a lien on our home for something we tried resolving over a year ago.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Customer response

  04/04/2024

  I also want to add that $925 was also the total with labor per the invoice. He charged 250 of labor when that is not what we agreed to, either. Also, we agreed to only pay it if it worked, which it did not. That is why we reached out to ** ****, and they reported to us that the vent was doing nothing and they didn't know why it was installed, and that safety switches were off which was against code. They straight up recommended filing reports on Brandon which we did not do at the time. We just aren't going to pay more out of pocket to fix Brandon's issues with our home. We had to pay a ton of money to ** *** to fix his errors, and again tried resolving this with Brandon over a year ago with no communication back from him.

  Business response

  04/04/2024

  Once again ******: I am dropping the case, lien, suits and everything else. You want to be left alone, well... please go away, close this case and go. I'm done. I have spent way too much time stressing over this problem of you. I hope your happy with the new HVAC company, may they serve you better than I. I don't care what you write, or say, or do. I know my truth and I sleep just fine at night. I wrote you off on my taxes as a loss, so don't worry anymore. Parts are paid for, sorry to have caused you so much anguish and hardship. May you have your future home properly inspected before purchase and or sale, so you know what you're getting into. The problems you had with the boiler should have never happened, God forbid someone comes along and tries to help. I read your responds, I don't care anymore, just go away please. Good bye! You win.

   

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