Preventive Maintenance
New company, Free Inspections — Three scams
Unneeded repairs and flaky additions
Overview
The retiree sold out to a new company. We received a notice that we were enrolled in their free annual inspection program. Electrical, plumbing and air conditioning were due.
So, we scheduled the inspections. One toilet had a slow leak and we usually had them change the house water filters if needed. It’s better to catch problems while they are small instead of waiting for a disaster. We had been having inspections for years.
This new company was far different from any other we worked with!
General Workmanship
None left things as they were when they arrived. Each left a problem that we had to fix.
The plumber removed the flapper assembly to inspect it. He was supposed to reinstall it, but just put it loose in the tank. I had to reinstall it. The seal was not good since part of the piece was broken. I had to turn the water on and off as needed, but it still flushed.
He also left one house input valve closed when he changed the house water filters. My wife discovered it when she took a shower with practically no water pressure.
The electrician left the circuit breaker off to one of the rooms. I had to determine the problem and reset it.
The air conditioning technician reduced the thermostat temperature by 7 degrees to have the air conditioner running while he did his inspection. He did not reset it before he left.
Plumbing Scam
Our one-piece Kohler toilet was refilling every 15 minutes. The tank had a slow leak. The plumber determined that the flapper cylinder’s plastic holders were broken and the cylinder needed to be replaced.
He called his office. The toilet was no longer produced and the cylinder was no longer available. He claimed they called Kohler. He proposed replacing the toilet with a cheap 2-piece model for over $700. One like ours would cost at least $500 more.
We have 1-piece Kohler toilets because they are easier to clean. They didn’t have any in their warehouse, just 2-piece toilets. If we bought one locally, he would pick it up for $250 and install it for $469 (the local store would deliver it for $80).
My wife called Kohler, discovered that the toilet was no longer produced in white, and ordered the part for $27, including shipping. It arrived three days later. It took me 2 minutes to install it. Their estimate to install the new canister, if we found one, was $148.
Electrical Scam
The electrician claimed that each bedroom had to have a smoke detector, according to code. Cost $824. I read the code. That is for new construction. The applicable code stated that the smoke detectors needed to be next to the bedroom doors and connected to each other. Our detectors were within code.
He then claimed that the house surge protector was old and should be replaced. It still passed all of his tests. Cost $963.
He also recommended that we replace 3 GFCI outlets. They still tripped the outlet breaker and passed all tests, but they were old. Cost $747.
Everything passed all tests, but the repair estimate was still $2,534.
The electrician did tighten all connections inside the fuse box. That made the visit well worthwhile.
Air Conditioning Scam
The air conditioner is only two years old. The technician recommended that we replace the starting capacitor since it showed wear. It still passed all tests. Cost $262.
He also recommended we add a “hard start” kit. According to my search, it reduces strain on the capacitor and generally costs less than $50 on Amazon. However, I wouldn’t install it myself. Cost $306.
Finally, he proposed installing a UV light in the air chamber to kill all DNA, as they have for hospital operating rooms. The problem with that logic is that the air then goes through a dirty fan and down air ducts that haven’t been cleaned and sterilized for more than ten years. Cost $1,025.
Summary
Generally, there were no real problems except the leaking toilet. I was willing to pay them to get and install the part, but they couldn’t even do that. I learned enough by watching the plumber take the cylinder out that I could fix it myself.
Their total proposals were:
- Plumbing $795 (+ $500 for similar toilet)
- Air Cond $1,593
- Electrical $2,534
Total of $4,922.
We did not do anything that they recommended. We plan to find someone more ethical to do our inspections next year.
Author’s note: I intentionally did not mention the company name. I have seen similar complaints about them in the comments section of our local online newspaper in The Villages, Florida.
References
- Example of an air conditioner “hard start” kit
