Hills Antique Clocks specializes in the repair and restoration of fine antique clocks. Richard Hills, clockmaker, is a member of the NAWCC and has over 25 years of experience in the clock restoration business. House calls are offered for large clocks which are not easily moved. The shop in Holliston, Massachusetts has a large selection of antique clocks for sale.
Business highlights
18 years of trusted experience
Services we offer
Repair and restoration of fine antique clocks, casework, mechanisms, dial painting, gold leaf, veneer, water damage, insurance claims, missing parts. We also have a large selection of antique clocks for sale including tall clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks & desk clocks.
I contacted Mr. Hills on February 23rd. We had a Fire sprinkler pipe burst in our home on February 14th, which destroyed much of our home and required we move almost all of our belongings into storage while the remediation and restoration team works to dry, gut, and rebuild our home. A clock like our heirloom Herchede Grandfather Hall Clock requires special attention and expertise to take apart and pack properly so that no parts are damaged during transport and storage. I called Mr. Hills in an understandably hectic and confused state, to find out if he might provide such a service and how much it might cost. Of the three places I called, he was one of only two that I reached directly, and the only one who spoke with me about the clock and the work and cost. The other person promised to return my call later in the day then never did. But Mr. Hills has a better reputation, so I am glad of the chance to work with him. He was very up front about the cost of the initial service. He also quoted me the cost to put the clock back together - and I will most certainly work with him when the time comes. When I did finally call him back two days later to schedule, last minute, he found a space for me the coming Monday at the end of his his house-call day, which was very kind. And when he wasn't able to get to me by end of day, he called as soon as he realized to let me know and since we had an urgent situation he even came out the next morning - a day he doesn't usually do house calls. He also threw in a quick examination of the Movement to make a recommendation on cleaning, lubrication and any work that might need doing. When he finished, he recommended the movement have a full restoration, showed me the parts and reasons, and provided us a verbal estimate for that work. We plan to hire him to do this work after all the work surrounding the burst pipe is done and settled. I am more than happy with Mr.s Hill's work, I found him honest, professional and remarkably well-priced for what he does, considering there are so few people left with his skills and knowledge. Even more, he has a calm and kindly demeanor, which was so very appreciated in the midst of the chaos of the last couple of weeks. We're vary grateful and look forward to working with him again, and keeping the routine maintenance of our clock with him going forward.
Description of Work: Disassembled, padded and packed a Herchede Grandfather Hall Clock for short-distance moving and storage, on short notice no less. Quick diagnostic exam and recommendation for cleaning/restorative work on the Movement, for when the clock is reassembled.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$400
Harold N.
02/2016
1.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: They told me that there would be an $85 charge for estimate. When they arrived they said there was a travel charge of $200. We refused to proceed. They became angry and slammed the door when they left.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
value
1.0
professionalism
1.0
punctuality
5.0
Response from Hills Antique Clocks
Arrived at this house call on time after a 65 minute drive to Cambridge from my shop, to find the spouse of the customer home, and clearly not expecting me. She became very irritated I was there as her husband had not told her he had scheduled this appointment and that I was coming. It was then immediately announced by her that there was no form of payment available to me since this was her husband's clock and "not her problem." The charge for the house call into Cambridge, including over two hours of drive time and evaluation of the clock is $200. I charge for travel time when a house call is more then half an hour from the shop. This was discussed with the customer when the appointment was made and was agreed to. During this time I must close my shop in order to travel to accommodate customers who request such appointments. The customer's husband, over the phone, then decided not to pay for the house call and I left the residence without doing any work on the clock and lost two hours of my business day. As a professional business person, I would never display anger or slam a customer's door upon leaving. I am a solo business owner who is specifically contacted by the customer themselves who request and schedule these appointments. As can be seen by my customer feed back on Angie's List I have an excellent reputation which I work very hard to keep. It is disappointing when a customer such as this leaves an untrue representation of the events.
Andrew W.
02/2016
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: I inherited a clock from my father, and it needed retuning and fixing up. Hill's Clocks did the job admirably: on-time, knowledgeably, respecting my father's legacy. Although they're not close to where I like, I plan to return in a few years for its next check up.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$150
Paula C.
11/2015
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
When you call someone who shows up - let alone at the time promised - and does the work competently, without needless delay and completes the job, well, this is simply great! The fix was done expeditiously, the work area was left just as neat as when Hill arrived and my clock is now working again. I plan to use this company again.
Description of Work: Repaired damage to grandfather clock caused by movers.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$400
Patrick C.
11/2015
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: Repaired one clock
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
3.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$500
Wilhelm M.
06/2015
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
He did what he said he would do and did it in less time than estimated. I received an estimate from another clock repair co and they said they could not even look at me clock for 7 (yes seven) months. His work took less than 6 weeks and he picked up and delivered
Description of Work: Cleaned clock after seven year operation. Clock is over 100 years old
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$800
Cynthia P.
01/2015
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
Richard is the ultimate professional, quite satisfied with his work. I just happily heard the chimes from my clock.
Description of Work: Reset my grandfather clock to working, after a lengthy move from Michigan to Massachusetts.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$335
Marsha S.
04/2014
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: Clock repair and cleaning. Everything completed as agreed. Pleasant to do business with. Clock runs beautifully.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$350
Edward R.
03/2014
5.0
antiques, clock repair
 + 0 more
Tune up oil and clean several antique clocks - knowledgeable, prompt, precise.
Description of Work: Repaired several mantel and travel clocks, site visit to repair grandfather clock.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Ronald W.
01/2014
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
.
Description of Work: Moved and set up a large grandfather clock. The work was excellent but expensive.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
3.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$420
Robert C.
12/2013
5.0
antiques, clock repair
 + 0 more
Provided repairs to an antique clock
Description of Work: .
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$325
patrick S.
07/2013
4.0
clock repair, antiques
 + 0 more
Came to house assessed the job. Very professional and agreeable. Gave a detailed review of the clocks, their relative worth and what he would do. Took them away in his (modern) van. Gave us an estimate of about a month (It came in a couple of weeks more than that, but that was OK with us, we were in no hurry He hand carved a missing foot, completely restored the entire and quot;worksand quot; of both clocks and carefully reassembled them in our house. Supplied some missing parts and a key for the cabinet and restored the wood Good experience!
Description of Work: renovated a grandfather clock and a mantel clock
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,000
Richard E.
12/2012
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
Once he was able to start the work, it moved quickly. Richard Hill seems to be a knowledgable and meticulous craftsman. He is polite and pleasant to deal with and appears to be a man of his word. I wanted this work done properly, and I was very much pleased with the result.
Description of Work: Repair, restoration, cleaning, and lubrication of family's 18th century tall clock. Fabrication and installation of new brass gear to restore moon dial and date mechanism functionality, refilling chapter ring engravings, then re-silvering and lacquering the chapter ring and cleaning all spandrels. Testing, set-up, and final adjustments.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$2,600
mary B.
11/2012
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
d
Description of Work: Mr Hills repaired a grandfather clock which had not worked in years. He did the repair in my home, didn't need to bring it to his shop. He cleaned another antique clock and got it running and gave me an estimate on a third clock. He was punctual and did all the work in under an hour. I think the cost was very fair and have not had any problems with the 2 clocks he worked on. He was also very knowledgable.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$350
James M.
05/2009
5.0
clock repair
 + -1 more
Hall's Antique Clocks got our grandmother clock up and running... it now keeps perfect time. Another clockmaker told us it required a total rebuild for $600 - we passed. They also did a great job with our antique schoolhouse clock... totally rebuilt with a guaranteed performance.
Description of Work: Repaired two clocks for us. Made a housecall for our grandmother clock ($175) and repaired and rebuilt an antique schoolhouse clock ($225).
All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.
*Contact business to see additional licenses.
Service Categories
Clock Repair,
Antiques
FAQ
Hills Antique Clocks is currently rated 4.8 overall out of 5.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Hills Antique Clocks accepts the following forms of payment: American Express,Check,Discover,MasterCard,PayPal,Visa
No, Hills Antique Clocks does not offer free project estimates.
No, Hills Antique Clocks does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Hills Antique Clocks does not offer a senior discount.
No, Hills Antique Clocks does not offer emergency services.
Yes, Hills Antique Clocks offers warranties.
Hills Antique Clocks offers the following services: Repair and restoration of fine antique clocks, casework, mechanisms, dial painting, gold leaf, veneer, water damage, insurance claims, missing parts. We also have a large selection of antique clocks for sale including tall clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks & desk clocks.