CONTINENTAL ENGINEERING SERVICES & CO

Prompt, professional, friendly and very knowledgeable. Quick turn around from estimate to install in 24 hours. Highly recommend!

I used Continental for a central A/C install. I did a lot of research beforehand so I got a good idea of what was needed and got a few quotes. Their salesman was very knowledgeable, professional, and returned calls timely at first. I got a lower quote from GEM Plumbing, but the Continental salesman seemed a little more knowledgeable. And when we used GEM's quote Continental came close to matching it. It was still somewhat higher, but the salesman said this was b/c they would use sheet metal for the entire system and NO flex duct. Also he seemed to know about proper vent placement - vents should go on outside walls of the bedrooms, etc. The installers were also very prompt, courteous and worked professionally. Here's the negative: when the installers came I wanted to stay out of their way and stayed in my office for the afternoon. I assumed they knew what the salesman knew regarding proper vent placement, or would ask me if they had questions. Nope. When they installed, they DID use flex duct. This was not a big deal for me. A big deal though was that they did NOT put vents on the outside walls. They out them in horrible places, for example close to doors off the hallway where the intake is. This is inefficient as it causes cold air to get taken into the return, before fully circulating through the room. (I assume they did this because it was easier than bending over in the attic to put the vents closer to where the roof meets the walls). They then failed to do a QIV test to make sure the system ran efficiently even despite this. Also, I had a large walk-up attic with plenty of space and the salesman said they could put the system to the side - nope, right in the middle, taking up virtually all of my usable storage space. To add salt to my wounds, they left drill holes next to vents. Finally, I tried calling and e-mailing after install to ask some questions about the system, and have got no responses. Makes me wonder if they'll honor the service warranty! Long story short - the salesman knew what he was talking about, but I made the mistake of trusting the installers rather than watching them like a hawk.

We solicited several estimates and we really liked Continental's approach to tackling the installation.  Our house is a two level colonial so the challenge was how to cool the first floor.  Coming up from the basement was not an option.  Most companies wanted to do a traditional central AC system for the second floor and mini-spilits for the first floor.  Rich Jr came up with a way to drop in from the second floor.  Others had similar approached but we just seemed to click with Rich Jr and his approach.
We also really liked Rich Jr's people skills and he was prompt in answering questions and making sure we were comfortable and ready to go.   We really thought Continental was a company that we could build a lasting relationship with.  We never had natural gas before picking a company that could do it all for us for the long run was important.   We had a great 24+ year experience with our previous heating company but they only service oil units so we had to look elsewhere.  I know the heating is not part of the review, but it was an important factor when we were looking for a contractor to do the AC work.  We wanted to build a relationship on both heating and cooling.
After agreeing to the contract and providing a deposit, that is when communication became almost non-existent.   We understand that parts need to be ordered and scheduled, but repeated messages over a few weeks inquiring about the installation status were not returned.  A simple return call would have been nice.  Only after I sent an email asking for my deposit to be returned and stating that  we would use another company did I receive a call from the installation manager.   When I asked about the why calls were not returned, he was very unapologetic and said they were waiting for parts.  When I said a return call at least would have been nice, he said "What do you want from me".  At that point I should have stuck to my initial thought and gone somewhere else but we knew that meant that AC would not be installed this summer.  We recently had moved in and needed the AC for a family member with respiratory issues. 
Once the installers were onsite, we were thinking positive again.  The installers were extremely professional, friendly, polite, and neat.  They worked tirelessly to install the system in a day and a half.  Despite cutting multiple holes and running ductwork everywhere, you could not even tell they were in the house - other than seeing cooling grates where none had previously existed.  They were simply awesome.
The system works great and is super quiet.  The house is pretty evenly cooled.  We knew that some first floor rooms may be a little hotter than the upstairs because of the limitations with ductwork, but it is really better than expected.   You cannot tell the difference between the two floors of the house.
I called to inquire about payment and rebate forms and they quickly resent the forms I needed to complete to get all of the rebates.  Again, we were thinking that our experience was more positive and perhaps the original issues with responsiveness were not the norm.
We had RISE come in and do an energy assessment at the new home and they suggested a new gas furnace.  I contacted Continental to check about an estimate for the possible installation of a heating system.  The message was taken?.no return calls after a couple of weeks (so far).
Following the install, I am sad to report that communication again appears to be very lacking.  I've called multiple times to check on the status of the inspection with the Town inspector.  Messages were taken but I do not receive a call back.  I'm going to just have to call the Town and see on my own.  I left a message about a MERV filer and system cover and received no answers.  There has still been no call back on the heating system.   We understand companies can be busy but a call back is not that challenging.  It is not like it is an emergency - if they are busy just let us know.
The ratings are hard to follow.  Asking if you'd do business with them again, should be will they do business with you.   I have extremely happy with the actual installation and they way the system operates, but they do not appear to want to do business with us since they do not return calls.  
They were very punctual once the install was set up.  
I downgraded professionalism due to the response issues.  Rich Jr was professional when on site, the installers were awesome but I believe responsiveness is part of professionalism.
The big issue with Continental appears to be communication.   We don't know if they cater to larger clients or if there is just something going on.  All we know is that we paid a good amount of money (at least it is to us) and we are very disappointed in the lack of response.
We are very now very concerned about what will happen if there is an issue with the system and who will perform the annual maintenance of the system.

I accepted bids from 5 different companies.  Their price was the lowest.  In addition they also had to do some extra work that I was not charged for because they honored their bid price.  The new Lennox units were larger than the old York units they were replacing so they had to relocate them which meant extra work for adding piping and electric lines.  They showed up promptly and worked hard to complete the job until it was done.  The crew they sent were personable, and hard working. When done they showed me how to operate the system and answered all questions.  A couple of days later they showed up to test the system to comply with the rebate from National Grid.   My wife and I love our new system.  It is a 2 stage system and runs less often than our old system, even in the middle of the heat wave.  It is an obvious upgrade and I am looking forward to see how much money I will save on my energy bills given I have now upgraded to a 17 seer system from a 10 seer.   Great rebate program too. I highly recommend this company!

UPDATE-It is now December 4, 2015 and I still have not received my rebate from Lennox, some 4 months later after several phone calls.  That is my only issue.

They were good. The service was good, and the turnaround time was good. They paid attention to detail. They were responsive when we called. Everything was taken care of. We really haven't used the a/c yet.

One technician came out for the estimate. He was professional and provided a lot of time for the estimate. He gave good information and answered all of my questions. The estimate was sent to me through mail and was very easy to read. It was very professionally written up and easy to understand. I had no difficulty scheduling the estimate. I plan on hiring them for the installation of the unit.

Paid for the annual service contract well in advance. They then cancelled my service appointments at the last minute THREE times in a row (and I have to take time out of work to meet them at the house). Finally showed up on the fourth appointment. Tech missed that the drain pipe was cracked and dumped a gallon of water down it, which leaked through my kitchen ceiling causing damage. I called them back and all the girl said to do was to put bleach on the stain. No apology. No offer to pay or make good on the damage THEY caused. Will never use this company again.

From meeting with Richard, Jr. to spec. out the job, receiving the quote, obtaining answers to several questions and the installation we could not be more satisfied. Everyone that we dealt with was courteous, knowledgable, and professional. We especially appreciate the fact that Richard offered us clear options and information that helped us decide to go with Continental. We are very satified customers.

My experience with this concern was extrestarting from the consulation with Richard J. DiRocco , owner son was simply great. He acted in a professional manner, was extremely courteaneous helpful and spent the time neceexpc and fulle gave me a great deal.

They are professional. They were on time.

I go with A's all across the board and they were absolutely perfect. I will use them again in the future.

Terrible! The reason I paid so much for the system was because I was trying to move in by a specific day, and Richard DiRocco Jr assured me the work would be completed by that date. Long story short, it took an additional 6 weeks to complete the heating system and we had to postpone our move in date. When the system finally was up and running, I learned how ridiculous their design was! The ducting is heavy on one side of the house, making for extreme uneven heating (unless we keep all the bedroom doors open). The AC unit, I was told by one of their own techs, is the cheapest one on the market. The humidifying unit works, but is in a ridiculous location which requires a very loud pump (you can hear it upstairs!) be run to drain the excess water constantly. All they had to do was place it 6 inches higher and gravity could have led the water to a drain pipe by my washer. Personally, the contacts at Continental were cocky and insulting. I would NEVER use them again!