CHF Mechanical Services

Karen G.

Repair people were great. Professional, competent and got the job done.

However the inspection people are less admirable. If you are using this company for inspection prior to a sale and you are the seller, they are great. They will only charge you ca. $300 to say that the system works, assuming it does at that point in time. However, they will NOT report EXTENSIVE corrosion on the motherboard that will require the next owner to replace the board six weeks later. Apparently, opening the unit is not part of the inspection. Just flipping the switch to find it turns on is sufficient. If you are the seller, this is a great service. But otherwise, beware.

Joanna A.

Chris, the engineer, was great. He replaced a broken hot water heater that had leaked thru my ceiling. It's in a lofted space in a fourth floor walk-up, so definitely not an easy job. He was nice, knowledgeable and thorough. This one star is for him and him only.

Getting him there was another story. After he came out for the initial estimate and said he'd back 2 days later to replace the hot water heater, the issue got worse. There was water literally pouring thru my ceiling and causing major damage. When I called the next morning after leaving several messages, I desperately pleaded for someone to come that day before the damage got even worse and affected my neighbors' units. The response I got was, ""Yeah, not going to happen"" from a dude with major attitude. I had to have a male call on my behalf for them to take my request seriously... but luckily Chris came out later that afternoon.

Since that time (going on 4 weeks now) I've been waiting for work to be done to repair the water damage to the walls and ceiling (which of course must be done before I can get it painted). I received a reasonable estimate and have basically been strung along ever since. Every week, they tell me the work will happen another day. Was supposed to be 2 weeks ago, then last Monday, Thursday, then Friday. No phone call or response unless I contact them... I understand it's peak season and there are customers who have urgent issues, but I have been more than patient and understanding of a hectic summer season. It's the lack of communication and follow-up that just boggles my mind. Be honest and say you can't do the job up front, or give an accurate estimate on how long it will actually take to get on the schedule. I would have looked elsewhere much sooner had I known. Literally never have experienced service like this in my life! It's really almost comical to think a company can be run like this.

Phil W.

During the hottest week of the year, the A/C died. Here's the story of my week-long clown show with CHF. (Based on actual events, just like in the movies!!!)

* WEDNESDAY, July 17. CHF is not our first choice. My A/C problem has already been diagnosed by another vendor and my landlady has a quote for a new unit. But CHF apparently has a contract with the condo association to handle A/C for the building overall, so she calls them to get a second quote. They are supposed to arrive first thing in the morning.

In reality, CHF rolls in around 10:15. Not a promising start. When the quote comes, it's higher than the first vendor. We decide not to use CHF.

* THURSDAY, July 18. Unfortunately, the first vendor is now booked up for the week, so we're stuck with CHF. They promise the landlady they will be out to install a brand new A/C unit first thing on Friday morning.

* FRIDAY, July 19. I take the day off work and sit in a puddle of my own sweat until noon, but CHF doesn't show. I finally call. ""We never said we were coming today. We aren't coming today."" Later they make a new promise to the landlady: they will arrive first thing Monday. We're beginning to think that ""first thing"" means something different to CHF than it does to regular people.

* MONDAY morning July 22. I take yet another vacation day to sit in a sweltering apartment waiting for CFH. True to form, they don't show. My landlady, the niceset person in the world, calls me and unleashes a string of f-bombs about them. No one seems able to tell her if they are coming and when, so I sit and wait. And wait.

At noon I call and am informed that they never meant that they would be there ""first thing,"" but they may show up within 90 minutes ""if everything goes according to plan.""

* MONDAY afternoon, July 22. A CHF tech arrives--but without the replacement A/C unit. He tells me he is just there to disassemble, the replacement unit will arrive ""soon."" I literally text a friend: ""If these geniuses show up with the wrong A/C unit, I am going to stab them to death with a salad fork.""

A couple hours later I find him at the utility closet with another CHF tech. They seem genuinely mystified. ""We measured the width AND the height"" he says (he seems very proud to have remembered two of the three dimensions that define the physical world) ""but the new unit won't fit."" CHF apparently doesn't realize that A/C units are three-dimensional.

I wish I were making this up.

To sum up: CHF VISITED THE SITE, THEY MEASURED THE CLOSET, THEY WORK REGULARLY IN THE BUILDING where all the apartments are the same, AND THEY STILL MANAGED TO ARRIVE LATE AND WITH THE WRONG REPLACEMENT UNIT.

* TUESDAY, July 23. The heatwave has now broken. It's gone from 104 to 70 degrees outside -- just in time for CHF to show up with the correct A/C unit. I have endured a full week of record-breaking temperatures, during which I have taken two vacation days to sit and sweat and wait for CHF to not show up.

In the end, they do a clean install without too much trouble, but I sure as fuck will never call them again.

---
TO SUM UP:
* More expensive
* Consistently late
* Brought an A/C unit that didn't fit, despite the fact that they themselves measured for it.
* No apology

Brendan P.

Thanks to the CHF guys for bringing that rare component of common sense. A pair of CHF pros showed up after three sequential ""Also-Rans"" could not cure my gas furnace of its Tourette's-syndrome-wacky-behavior. A reasonably short time later, it was running smooth as butter - and the thermostat was running accurately. Top marks kids!

Paul M.

I called CHF yesterday morning to help me with a plumbing issue. I was desperate after the five companies I called previously could not make it out same-day. CHF sent someone out not just same day but within a few hours! The guy (I forget your name, sorry man!) was great. He came, diagnosed the issue, got the parts, fixed my problem and left the bathroom cleaner than he found it in no time flat. He was polite, courteous, knowledgable, and professional (despite my dog freaking out about an unattended stranger in the house.)

Great service by the receptionist/admin.
Great service by the plumber.
Great price.

I will absolutely be calling CHF again when I have plumbing or HVAC work.

A W.

Hired them a few weeks ago during a heat wave when my AC broke. They were able to come the next morning, arrived right in the middle of their estimated time, quickly assessed the problem, had the part in their truck, and replaced it to completely fix my AC in less than an hour! Total cost less than $300, which I thought was great, though their initial visit fee is quite high for the area ($135) I trust them since my air has been working perfectly ever since! I found my HVAC people for South Philly!

C P.

They came to look at my HVAC. They were within their time windows, courteous and professional. They methodically evaluated my HVAC. They communicated the problem, the solution and the cost in an easy to understand manner. They could have gouged me for a repair but instead offered a solution that I could easily handle.

CJ W.

CHF is a trusted member of the team that manages the condominium complex that I help manage. Their technicians are knowledgable and honest, giving you the straight scoop about your HVAC system. I highly recommend their seasonal preventative maintenance programs for owner-occupied as well as tennant-occupied apartments as you'll get a good idea of what challenges (if any) your units will face in the coming years.

Marcia S.

I have used CHF for years for a variety of services in my Old City condo for 20 years. They replaced and installed my heat pump/air conditioning system. I have had no problems. CHF offers a spring maintenance package to change filters, top off coolant, check/clean the roof unit and air handler. They also instructed me on the use of my thermostat. CHF has fixed and replaced the parts inside of my toilets. When I had an old washing machine removed and a new one delivered - the new one had not been properly installed and the guy who delivered the washer had tightened faucets behind the washer so tight that I could not adjust the water. CHF came out and had me in business in a matter of minutes. The owner is Charley and I am completely comfortable when he or any of his crew are working in my home whether or not I am home. I have cats and they are careful not to get them ""out the door.""

V L.

Very good customer service. I found this deal on Angie's list and called for verification and they were very upfront and honest about the deal.