128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric

Marc W.

I'm a new homeowner and I like to try to do as many small projects around the home as I can. Try to save money and do a lot myself. And the cost of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work has gone up a lot in the past decade. But quality service by dependable people is not always guaranteed. I've had 3 interactions with 128 so far, and am scheduling more for the future. What I can say is that the workmanship, reliability, and my trust in the men that have come to my house and made repairs and upgrades is 100%. I'm reading some of the reviews about people being frustrated with paying for an estimate. That is nuts - $49 for a thorough estimate by a master tradesman who takes his time and thinks through all possible options is more than reasonable. And I have no commitment to sign and no pressure if I don't like the estimate. I was given a bunch of different options of estimates for the work a couple of weeks ago. Tried to trim a few of the smaller jobs down by taking them on myself first. When I got myself into trouble with a plumbing mishap trying to shave off a few dollars I called them for emergency service. Within a few hours the repair was dealt with elegantly. As a result I signed for the most thorough estimate because I wanted to put my home repairs in this company's hands. I appreciate the customer service, courteousness and small-town feel working with this group and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

Emi G.

Getting straight to the point, the guys who did the installation were great! The company - its professionalism, its care for their customer, its follow through, IS TERRIBLE!!! I spent over $23,000 to replace my boiler and hot water tank. The installation is fine. Did I overpay, yup. I believe I did. It wasn't about the money as much as it was feeling comfortable and confident I was spending money with a company that I assumed would care about me as a customer. I had made the initial call and had a technician come out within a couple of days. He informed me/showed me that I needed to replace my 7 year old boiler. The next day, I had another person come out. He showed me my options and gave me a quote. I needed to get this done ASAP because of my elderly mother who lives with me and winter was coming. They were willing to accomodate so I decided to proceed. However, 128's wires definitely got crossed because the advisor who quoted 2 days for the job and the installation team said, no way - this is at least a 3 day job (actually took 4). The duration caused them to push the install out to the following week. Installation was done with satisfaction (all though there was a lack of clean up, but no biggie). I got the final invoice and was shocked that it was a basic summary of what took place and a total. Keep in mind, I had a brand new water heater, a new boiler, 5 new pumps, filters, 2 new expansion tanks, etc. None of this was itemized or detailed in the invoice. BUT, payment nevertheless was expected. Then there was the follow up call on the rebate (which I've never heard from them again about). Lastly, during the installation, I asked for a water test. They took the samples, and over 4 months later and SEVERAL calls, I have no clue what happened to that water test, nor do they. You will always get, ""Let me look into that and I'll get back to you."" NO ONE EVER GETS BACK TO YOU. If you are just looking to get the job done and you don't care who does it, go for it - hire 128. If you want to create a relationship with a vendor who will be there when you need them and you feel like they appreciate you and your business, STAY CLEAR of 128!!! I would have gladly spent a couple thousand more to a company who actually followed up and followed through. It's a total shame because I had every intention of having them as my turn-key provider for heating, AC, plumbing, and electrical. Not anymore. Any other companies out there that offer these same services, feel free to let me know and I'll give you my business. Clearly, I'm still in need of a water test and subsequent home water filtration system :)

James W.

I was not looking forward to replacing the 16 year old heating/ cooling system in my condo: the cost, the inconvenience, the mess. I couldn't have been more wrong with 128 PHCE doing the work. I negotiated a good price and package, including Mass. Save 0% interest loans, with Darren (who was extremely easy and conscientious to work with). The furnace was installed by the team of Ron and Rafael. They were excellent technicians and good, good people. They worked around my needs and got the work done quickly and efficiently with no mess and minimum inconvenience. It was obviously that they loved their work, were good at it, and were going out of their way to make life easy.
In my 3 or 4 years of working with 128 PHCE I have noticed something unusual and remarkable about their employees: they all really enjoy their jobs and each other. There is a level of integrity and collegiality that I have not seen in other service companies. They work together easily, ask each other for advice, and go out of their way to be concerned about the customer. They love their work. For example, Ron noticed a prior installation that was perfectly functional but not well located and ugly; he replaced it in a manner that was easier to deal with and more aesthetically pleasing. And Ron is not unique: Paul, Ari, Chris, Roger, Kris, Craig, Eddy, Austin, and all of the others were pleasures to work with, both as master craftsmen but also as fine human beings.

Thomas R.

They fixed an issue with our HVAC system, which three HVAC contractors were not able to fix. Not only did their expertise exceed the expertise of the other HVAC contractors but they were the most professional. They delivered what they promised. Best HVAC service in the area.

Tomi O.

Snarky management. Charged me $941 for Diagnosis, expansion tank replacement, Boiler SafetyValve replacement Draining the heating system.

I had thought that this (or some of this) was covered in the 3 year contract that they sold me for $397. Called and explained my disagreement. They weren't interested. Cancelled the contract. They kept the $941.

You might want to ask them to explain in plain English what their contract covers.

Looks like Nicholas and Holly had similar experiences.

Nicholas L.

Originally this was going to be a 5 star review, but 128 got in their own way.

I had substantial work done to replace a broken water heater and replace a busted cast iron drain pipe. Kenny was amazing and came to look at the situation within 1 hour of my call. Chandler and his team were top notch professionals. I was 100% satisfied with their work and professionalism. My only concern was the cost of the work being perhaps higher than necessary, but I was willing to pay extra so that we had hot water and proper sewer drainage.

Fast forward two weeks and my boiler starts leaking. I called 128 because I was so pleased with their work, but they refused to send a technician out for an estimate until my outstanding balance was paid. I explained that I needed to move some money around to cover the significant scope of the prior work, and that I need a few days to make payment. I reiterated that I had no concern paying their $89 estimate fee (which as an aside is ridiculous - who doesn't offer free estimates??), but they still refused to send someone.

I told Karin and Alex on the phone that I understand their need to receive payment, but that these policies communicate that 128 cares more about getting paid than they care about having satisfied repeat customers who have heat in their home. Once I offered to make a partial payment, they agreed to schedule the estimate.

They can say all the right things, but when push comes to shove, they've shown their true colors. I'm very disappointed in 128.

Holly V.

They said they had no time for an emergency while they were literally 2 feet away doing work for my neighbor. That it would be 6 weeks b4 anyone could help me.
They showed up 2 days later at another neighbors unit who said they sent a tech immediately after he called -1 day prior. Apparently, tgey don't service everyone, not even referred customers with a bona fide emergency.

Robert H.

On a Sunday morning we had water dripping out of our first floor ceiling light. It was coming from the upstairs bathroom. Not having the need for a plumber for many years, I went online to find a Plumbing company that does emergency service. I called 128 plumbing and explained the situation. I was asked if I was a customer of theirs and when I said no, I was told I would be put on an urgent wait list. So much for emergency service. Not good

David L.

We needed to replace an aging heat pump in our Back Bay condo. The team at 128 PHCE executed the entire project in a most professional and skilled manner. This included the initial survey and consultation from Morgan, the bulk of the mechanical installation work by Tommy and Thuy, and the electrical work by two craftsmen who joined in on the second day of the installation. I am very satisfied with all of their services and with the quality of the Bosch equipment that is now running smoothly.
Thank you, 128 PHCE.

Edward L.

Most DISORGANIZED service I've ever used. (1) inspected job. Promised to schedule it. When I wondered why it was taking so long (10 days) I called. They forgot. (2) Plumber arrives and only knows half the job. ""Supervisor"" only explained job by phone. (3) Plumber never read thorough job description. (4) Consequently, plumber did not have all needed supplies. (5) ""Supervisor"" claimed to have scheduled town DPW to shut off water main. DPW doesn't show up. I call them. Turns out, in our town there IS NO WAY to schedule a shut off in advance. Plumber has to call when work is to be done, and DPW sends someone out. (6) I had to call to get final receipt. (7) Actual plumber was wonderful and did fine work. he was very apologetic about the many oversight screw ups.