Davis and Davis

We have used Davis and Davis for more than 20 years, because it has always gone well, and the prices have always been fair and reasonable (not the cheapest around, but far from the most expensive).

I have had a service contract with them for many years which covers my air conditioning and heating systems, The service is always very good. One thing I really appreciate is that they always send the same serviceman who is excellent. He also knows my systems well and can keep an eye on them from year to year and be on the watch for potential problems.

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While I'd like to "like" Davis and Davis (Had a prior good experience with them), when you have a system installed by another company, don't expect good service. Companies don't seem to support each others' work - it's a dog-eat-dog world and the consumer gets the short end of the stick. We had our AC installed by another company and experienced insufficient cooling on some hot days. Davis and Davis diagnosed it was short on coolant (1 lb). They recharged the system, everything was fine, paid their technician fee. Next day, AC doesn't work - at all, and makes clicking sounds. Call Davis and Davis again, they recommend contacting the original installer as it was still under warranty. I called original installer, they say it was OVERCHARGED with coolant, and tripping a safety switch (hence the clicking) because there was too much pressure buildup. ***? Anyway, I was charged the EPA fee for releasing coolant (trust me, it's not cheap - can't blame them, when they reclaimed the extra coolant, the system worked fine). Called back Davis and Davis and they said they would "note it in the file," acknowledging there was "only 1 lb added..." but no acknowledgement they screwed up. Well, I did some research and if a system is low on coolant, it's not a simple matter to just add more coolant: you have to really know how much to add as changes in temperature, and load requirements can cause the coolant to expand/etc. which caused the over-pressure switch to trip. They're good when they're good, (Davis and Davis, that is) but when they're bad...it's pretty expensive.

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I was originally quoted a good price ($5900) for all the work and a timeline of about 2 weeks, 4 at the most. After a signed
contract, being told that he was a really honest guy, and almost 8 weeks, I was informed that he underbid the project and couldn't finish (he had already received $5600 by this point - more than what was stipulated in the contract - because he kept insisting on more money, and I trusted him).
Not a single room in the house was complete. New carpet color was changed without first consulting me; paint drops were left all over stairs, stone floors, siding, cabinets, windows, and window screens. After window sash cords were replaced, the trim was put back improperly and the windows wobble excessively. New locks were provided but not installed.  Windows in the
basement were simply "installed" - as in they don't fall out.  Non-pressure treated wood was used, but it's all exposed to the outside, and there are large gaps to the exterior, allowing weather and insects in. The old windows were broken and left on the floor, with lots of broken glass both inside and outside. The surrounding concrete was damaged during window removal
(not unexpected), but there was absolutely no attempt to repair it, seal anything, or install trim.
New deck boards were left loose and warped; undersized blinds were installed into existing supports, so screws were put into the underside of the blind frame to stop them from moving left and right in those supports; plumbing was not fixed; trash was left all over the yard (front and rear), resulting in a citation from the city and dead grass everywhere.
Old caulk was simply caulked over, not replaced, so the new caulk didn't adhere properly and looks terrible.  One bathtub was caulked without any direction from me, and they did a horrible job to boot - very wide and sloppy over slate tile.  An existing access panel (covered in slate tile to match the bathtub) was supposed to be trimmed so it would fit properly.  Instead it was jammed in so it now can't be removed.  Caulk in the shower was barely started, and simply caulked over the existing moldy, cracked caulk.  Again, it was also very sloppy.
A light cover is missing.  The list goes on and on...
Another contractor quoted me over $1750 just to fix the things that were damaged or done improperly, and almost another $1000 to finish what was originally agreed to.  Honestly, I feel that estimate was a little high, but it gives a sense of the amount of work that was done improperly or not completed.
At least he returned my phone calls... but not my money

It was great every step of the way. They were quick thorough. It was a mess job that they did neatly. They returned our calls and did what they said they would do. We were very pleased

Very good scheduling and notification. Arrives when stated. Quick and efficient.

Called in the morning and one technician came the next day to fix the dripping of the cooling system in the basement. Cleared the rusty pan. However, made the water dripping worse. Gave me an estimate to replace the pan for $2000+ (forgot the exact number).
Contacted another technician from another company and got the problem fixed within 30 minutes. It seems that the technician from D & D couldn't figure out the problem. Glad I didn't follow his advice to replace the pan.

There was a noise and they discovered the source of the noise. The price was very reasonable, very happy with them.

They were very good about fixing it and not doing anything more that did not need to be done. They did not take advantage of us. They are very helpful and we have never been disappointed with their service.

They are listed as one of the certified contractors.  I paid them $140 for a tune-up; but then I would get a rebate on $100 of it.  The guy who came out was a great guy.  He didn't push me to get a new air conditioner.  If someone needs an air conditioner rating, then Davis and Davis are a good company.  I had gone on Washington consumer checkbook, and they had a double check on there.  They were one of the few that was in the reasonable distance, and that was also highly rated by the Washington consumer checkbook.  The guy was a good guy.  They came very promptly, and not very pushy.  They did exactly what they said they were going to do.

I was not happy with the job that they did.   The job they did on the shed was poor.  They did a decent job on the roof.  The landscaping was marginal.  They tried to do some basement waterproofing, which did not work.  I had to hire another company to redo the water proofing.  There were a lot of unanticipated additional out of pocket costs.  The carpentry was acceptable and the gardeners work was acceptible.