McCarthy Services

L. H.

I just signed up for McCarthy's Home Service Plan with a free plumbing inspection. So far, everyone I've worked with has been incredibly friendly and professional. I've had a rough few weeks of home ownership with water leaks and related issues less than a year since purchasing my condo, so it's especially important that I work with a company that cares about its customers. I was incredibly impressed with my plumbing inspection -- after my recent water leaks, I really wanted to make sure I had everything in order to avoid future headaches. The plumber they sent out was so helpful -- he took a look at the areas that make me most nervous -- washing machine, washer/dryer, and really took the time to explain things to me. He gave me some tips on some of the things I could fix myself for a cheaper price, so I could focus any money I put toward plumbing on making some of the more complicated repairs. His recommendations were reasonable, and he was honest with me about what I needed to get done right away, versus things I could wait on.

Barney K.

I can not say enough bad things about my experience with McCarthy's services. Do you like it when your plumber shows up, repeatedly, hours after your given window? Do you appreciate it when you have a plumber install an overflow emergency shutoff valve on your HVAC, costing you hundreds of dollars, only to have the next plumber from the same company come and tell you that the previous guy installed an ineffective one? Do you appreciate it when you have a leak from your washing machine, and the company offers to send the same plumber back out to fix what he diagnosed, so you call that plumber, only to have him tell you that there's zero chance of him returning to his job site? Do you (this happened to me today) like it when your plumbing company calls you at 8:30 the day of to tell you that they want to re-schedule your long-held appointment for between 10 and 2 on a Saturday for a day during the week, as they ""don't have the staff"" only to call back to say that they magically do have the staff only to call back again an hour later to say that they never ordered the part you needed for the job in the first place?

The company is a disaster. Their dispatch system is clearly screwed up. My favorite was the tech from FREDERICKSBURG VA (1.5 hours away) telling me that he was dispatched to my place at like 730am for an 8am appointment (1.5 hours is without DC traffic). The people who answer the phone there seem nice and i feel bad for them, but don't bother going down this path. I cancelled my annual service contract with them less than a year after signing up because quite frankly, i don't trust them and i'm tired of being late to work or the rest of my life due to their extreme incompetence.

Yong J.

had a plumber from McCarthy services come to fix a water a leak in a pipe. The plumber did a fine job and fixed the leak. But he told me there was a $200 fee just to find the leak. I found that fee ridiculous since I knew where the leak was, right where the water stain was. So our total bill came out to be like 550, 350 for the pipe repair and 200 for the leak search. Avoid McCarthy Services if you can.

Denise C.

Mc Carthy Services sends out coupons for A/C system check.
I paid them over $4500 to install an AC/Heating and Humidifier. I called, made an appointment, and told them the humidifier was not working.

When the technician left I thought he had fixed or got the humidifier to work. He never said a word about needing a part, or making another appointment. I paid for him to install a $60 new filter and $49 for the AC check. The Humidifier does not work.

Today I had an appointment between 8 and 9 AM. NO ONE SHOWED! I called after 10 AM and the office staff said, ""OH, the manager will call you when he is out of his meeting"". [HUH?] How about my appointment today?

...it is now 11:`15 am and no calls.

When the unit was installed, they had to come out (4) times to get it right.
When choosing a company for a new AC/Heater/Humidifier, you may want to shop around!
/Customer in VA

Daniel P.

This contractor charged me 900 dollars for about 45 mins worth of work. Our Trane air conditioner blower motor and the blower module had to be replaced and the parts were still covered under warranty. The technician told us that the labor, shipping, and paperwork for each of the two parts was 434 dollars each. When asked why the price was so high, he mentioned it was due to the area we lived in.

Because he was already at my house and had the part in hand I decided to go ahead with the work thinking it would take a while. Imagine my surprise when he said he was done 45 mins later. Because he had already done the work, I had no choice but to pay him. Later, I called a number of different hvac contractors in my area and was told I got ripped off for almost double the going rate. I called customer service the next day to see if there was any recourse. The manager offered me $100 not to write a negative review here. I decided not to take the deal because I want to warn people that the work they do is overpriced.

I feel like I got robbed in my own house. I strongly advise you to look elsewhere for hvac work if you want a better deal.

Ed K.

This was a follow-up call to fix a problem not fixed in a previous visit. They came quickly after my call and made the adjustments to my outside faucet to repair the problem. The serviceman Randall, even offered to come and replace the part at no cost.

Firekrasher V.

UPDATE:
McCarthy Services followed up on the complaint in Yelp, and they returned a check for $325. I think they will do good if they can have more trained technicians.

T. W.

Do you enjoy spending lots of money, and hearing lectures about what could happen in the future of your HVAC system? If so, then call McCarthy Services for any of your HVAC and Plumbing needs.

***I should have researched further as they are linked to super fleecers ARS Rescue of Virgina Company, AND (drum roll please) this company is not owned by the original, conscientious McCarthy gentleman who would probably put a stop to the greedy marketing nonsense.

PROS
As promised the Tech called prior to arrival and within the allotted time frame.
Ease of appointment, You can make an appointment online, but you have to give them A LOT of your personal info. which I did not like, but otherwise they do not allow you to make an appointment.

CONS
Too numerous to list, but suffice to say that the guy spent 15 minutes doing nothing that I ever saw during a check, and then he spent 30 minutes selling me what I did not need nor did not want. Accessories for the unit! Seriously??

Then he spent another 30 minutes using carefully crafted ridiculous scare tactics. Commence eye roll.

He could not give a concrete answer as to how to remedy my situation without the scare/selling tactic, but he did explain what could happen in order to sell us everything under the sun which was not the intent of this service call. The inspection was a bust because of the weather --he could not do what needed to be done to the unit, and shrugged it off.

I found it odd that when he was on his way out he gave me his card and said to call if I needed anything.

To our dismay, something else which we found out 12 hours after he left was broken which was connected to our unit and was part of what he ""looked at"". I strongly believe there was no coincidence in this matter.

There is a line between being genuinely helpful and leaving the client with the sense that ""you have THIS and we can help with THAT"", it should not be YOU HAVE THIS AND THIS WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DO NOT DO THAT!!!!
STAY AWAY FROM THESE GUYS!
Yelpers send me your tips for honest HVAC guys.

O M.

McCarthy came out for a plumbing repair (kitchen faucet) and did an excellent job. Great customer service and I look forward to working with McCarthy Services in the future.

Warren Q.

Setting up appointment was efficient. The technician, Randall D., called 20 minutes before arriving and was on time. He made an evaluation and located the problem, gave me the diagnosis, then suggested two alternative fixes. After selecting the best option for me, Randall completed the work in a very efficient manner. Everything went fine. I'm very pleased with McCarthy Services and with Randall's work.