Get matched with top central vacuum installation pros in Brookline, MA

"Before installing a mini-split, the sales person told me that I'd need to cut down an interior shelf to a specific height. I paid a handyman $400 to do exactly what the sales person instructed. Later on, N.E.T.R. came and did the installation; however, AFTER the installation, a technician told me that they hadn't accounted for the vent opening and closing and that the shelf would need to be further cut down. As you can imagine, this type of service is rather ridiculous. If they knew that the shelf would need further cutting, they should have NOT installed the unit. I have called N.E.T.R. six (6) times in three weeks, and no one has called me back about this issue. After paying for the unit and for a handyman, it's ridiculous that I have AC that is compromised because no one with the company thought to properly measure the space so that the work by the handyman could be done once. At this point, I'd like for N.E.T.R. to take care of this for me."

"Topic is a home water supply Shallow Well which operates with a shallow well jet pump + pressure tank installed in the basement. I had been collecting parts over the summer, as I knew the original to house jet pump would go out soon some day and with covid parts are hard to get quick, so started collecting ahead of time. Glad I did as the pump started leaking, from the housing. Replacement needed. Not an emergency but time to get it replaced. Was a ticking clock as it also looked like the pump was twisting putting stress on piping as original owner did not mount it and other fittings had large amounts of corrosion on them. I supplied these parts for the job: new 1hp jet pump, 44 Gal. pressure tank with T package, water filter housing, brass fittings, brass check valve, brass ball valves, 1" copper pipe and some copper fitting, and 2x10 pressure treated board to mount the pump/board to the floor with concrete anchors. Called up Sila on 10/14, master plumber Dave was available on 10/16 to come quote the job of installing what I supplied and misc. parts still needed. Talked with me and received my requests for specific design wants and he supplied his opinions & additional ideas and other options like wall mounting of water filter, sensor shutoff option and different water filter all together and we worked out the plan, did not do the different filter or sensor though. Talked about brass pipe and fittings at the pump up to the pressure tank and we agreed what I had purchased was good and would last a lifetime, vs copper all the way which would still last a long time. Quoted $2800 with water filter bypassing and $2600 without the water filter bypassing. Job was scheduled for 10/22. Quote was high level line item as listed here. Came a bit late on 10/14, due to an emergency call, no big deal Dave called to let me know. Was on time for installation on 10/22, 7:30am. Two workers on Job (Dave + 1, sorry I’m horrible with names +1 was an electrician and was helping Dave) Job took ~ 8 hours to finish. What was not able to be completed: Was not able to replace old original check valve. Well started to suck air when old was started to be removed, confirming there is no foot valve on the line or a broken one, so old check valve was kept. Concern was not being able to recover from air going down the well pipe causing priming issues. At this point the job would require a well expert and was not able to be replaced by Sila. What part of job was mis-understood: Mounting of jet pump to board/floor. Ended up missing the concrete anchors to start and installing after the fact with a different method. Made it more difficult to mount the pump and did scratch the rust proof paint. But it got done. Nice and sturdy. What was complicated on the job: Something that should have not been an issue at all went wrong. I had purchased 1” brass unions. There were two unions installed. One was found to be causing leaks during the initial job installation. This caused extra rework during the initial job. After job completion and area dried with a fan, it was found that both unions were leaking. The original one that had issues in the initial job and the 2nd one. One is pre pump and one is post pump. Called Sila office on 10/23 and told them what was happening, Dave’s earliest availability to come back was was 10/26. He was on time on 10/26. Dave stated that 1 union was giving trouble and replaced it with one spare that I had also purchased. When looking at the 2nd union again he was not able to get it to seal and he made the call and changed the design to direct copper connection and no union, I did not object as at this point just wanted the job done. No More leaks on that location, but also no ability to easily break the connection for future maintenance. When left no leaks. However, after using water for a while the 1st union started leaking again. Texted Dave direct with a picture and said he could return on 10/28 and I requested him to bring a union from his supply. Arrived when he could with ~ 1hr notice and replaced the union with one of his. When looking closer at the issue unions that I had purchased it was found they were cracking. Summary: I’m a novice in pluming, reason for calling Sila. I wish Dave would have noticed the poor part / crack issue and replaced unions from his stock on day 1. I was trying to save time by collecting parts over time and ended up causing issues. Dave knew he was working with brass and seems like he did not have backup stock on site incase of issues. Wish he did as I’d have two unions… and he would not have had to come back twice to repair the leaks. The call was made to not use the brass ball valves I purchased so it was clear that my parts were recommended to use but not absolute. Overall Dave and team did a great job, it’s clean, organized, valves and drain spickets installed nice and logically, filter is at good height, job completed like I asked and planned with Dave, except for the above jet pump mounting, union issue and check valve replacement discussion above here. Dave and team was professional and focused to get the job done. Thanks Dave for your hard work. Reason for Rating: I am giving this job an A rating based on the end result, Sila stood by the workmanship and resolved the issues that arose. That is a sign of a great company. If I would not have supplied the couplers that issue would not have happened ultimately and the check valve & well priming issue was just out of reach and would have required a well specialist to complete. The pump mounting was probably just lost in the large amount of details we had discussed, again it is mounted sturdy."

"Very well, above and beyond the call of duty."

"Installed two heavy window air conditioners, lugging them up from garage under to first floor. Appt was scheduled for 9:30 am, called them at 10:15 and unfortunately the owner had had a very bad night with his mother in hospice care. Finally came at 11:20. They were willing to wear masks inside our house. Installation went very quickly and smoothly. They knocked $25 off their usual minimum hourly rate because of the delay. Very friendly, would definitely hire them again (and probably will for A/C removal in the Fall). Would have been 5 stars except for the arrival delay."

"Diagnosis and repair were straightforward and the talented Mike, who has done other great work for us on our ACs, had a replacement pump in his truck. Swapped over in under an hour. Cost of the repair was quite high, mainly due to very high price they charged for the pump. A Taco pump that I could buy for $175 was priced on this repair at more than $500. I get that it was an urgent situation and I’m happy to pay reasonably for the response but that mark-up bothered me. I called the office, had a long talk with the owner; sadly, she offered no consideration at all. Yes, it’s hard to find and keep skilled techs, but now seems that most HVAC firms have a business model like a car dealer’s service dept, far more corporate, less flexible or customer-considerate."

"Excellent for maintenance service and emergency work. I subscribed to their maintenance service for several years before they raised the rate, and they always did fine work. When I switched to another maintenance company that missed a flaw in my furnace which caused it to fail on season startup, AccuTemp came out to diagnose the problem the same day with no contract, got the large expensive replacement part for free under warranty, and had it fully installed and working again within 2 calendar days. All that for just the cost of a day's labor!"

"I would not hire these guys again"

"The work was done correctly and promptly, but quite expensive. On the plus side, he presented all the options and didn't really try to upsell. Just the facts."

"Hired him to repair crumbling grout at the steps to our entrance. He had forgotten a few spots and left before we could inspect the work. No big deal, he promised to return the next day. He didn't show up but was still paid due to miscommunication with another unit owner. He missed another appointment, and I have been unable to reach him since. He doesn't respond to texts and hasn't answered any of the 15 calls I made over the past two months."

"The employees at Mr. Handyman always go the extra step to help their customers. When planning the work, they present so many great ideas to help you figure out exactly what you want. They work with your timeline and your budget for the best result possible."