Getting cash out of American Home Shield ? Experiences sought

[jamesflanagan1044]

Was told one time the fan blades were cracked. Two other times was told they were "worn out." I didn't believe it then, but again, pretty sure we're dealing with companies that will fix whatever is fastest and cheapest. Guy today from Piedmont Heating and Air flat out admitted they can't stand the warranty companies because they never authorize the correct repairs. Said if I went with a total replacement through them, they'd install one stage Trane systems. As far as the annual replacement of the stater capacitor, I'm quite sure they are using crap replacement parts as each time they've been replaced, they look like silver soda cans that are swollen and about to burst.

[trader_4]

The thing that would concern me there is that you say some vents are blowing little, while others are fine. I doubt that is a cleaning issue. And the expensive company quoted replacing at least part of that duct work stuff. Why? Did they show you problems? If it's not done right, then having it done right could make a big difference and improve the airflow. it's not unusual for installers to hose this up in new construction. Sometimes just adding a couple returns can make a big difference, especially on the second floor.

You can probably buy a cheap inspection camera or rent one if you want to see what the inside of the ducts look like. But i'd bet the low airflow isn't dirt, more likely just longer runs, more bends, ducts that are too small, etc. You should examine what you can see too. Not unusual for ducts to be held together with duct tape, instead of the good metal foil stuff. It dries up, then a joint leaks or falls apart entirely.

You might be better off getting the guy you just had back, giving you a quote on the replacement after he's taken a good look at the whole thing, what's right, what's not, etc. And call another vendor or two for quote on replacement, show them the airflow problems and ask them what they think is wrong, how it can be fixed, etc.

[jamesflanagan1044]

The guy that came out today said his would not involve replacing any duct work, said it's just old and the builder clearly used way too many distribution boxes and way too much duct lines... but he wouldn't adjust any of that for the $10K. I do feel the $16,500 was too high, but felt that I'd be getting a lot more for that price (and as I said, If I went that route, I would negotiate down as much as I could).

Good point on inspecting the ducts, but for $99 on Groupon (per HVAC unit), they'll do a full cleaning, AC tune-up and camera inspecting in the vents/ducts/returns to get everything working properly. Considering I don't think they've been cleaned in 20 years, I think it's probably a good first step.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 6/7/2019 3:22 PM, [e-mail] wrote: Decided I'll probably do nothing for now, or call the $16,500 contractor and see if I can negotiate a lower price.

Did you ask how long it would take? If you call in mid July when it is

102 degrees you can probably add a couple of weeks to that. Just factor that into your comfort decision making.

[Ed Pawlowski]

It may help with distribution, but won't fix any of the other problems you've been having. Present units are about the end of their useful life. How much pain do you want to endure?

[jamesflanagan1044]

the guy today said he's 11 days out for scheduling and would be able to do full replacement of both systems in one day. That seemed like an awful lot of work for one day... but I've never done a full replacement. Just made me think they'd be cutting some corners in order to wrap up a quick install and removal.

$16,500 guy could schedule within a couple of days and said it would realistically take 2-3 days for them to fully install everything, including the new duct work and fixing builder issues, making it all up to current code. This also included fixing any potential drywall they'd have to remove as part of the process, if they had to do any. I know there is at least one place in my basement ceiling where drywall will need to be removed to get to a distribution box with 7 ducts coming off it. Awesome design by the builder for sure.

Not sure about how much pain, lol, but $16,500 will hurt the wallet.

[trader_4]

I'd be curious and suspicious about those "code issues". Presumably the guy who said there were no code problems is going to pull permits? If so, it has to pass code.

This also included fixing any potential drywall they'd have to remove as part of the process, if they had to do any. I know there is at least one place in my basement ceiling where drywall will need to be removed to get to a distribution box with 7 ducts coming off it. Awesome design by the builder for sure.

[Bren]

replying to 1MANSHO, Bren wrote: I have been dealing Ahs since May21st trying to get my ac unit repaired. The contractor has been out three times and I am still no success. I have spoken about getting a lawyer and all of the above and still nothing. The contractor said it would be another 3 to 5 days but I called the company and they said some kind of way the part got canceled so they have to reorder the part. Remind you today is July 2nd.

[pacoii106]

I agree with you. For a moment I thought you were employed by one of these rip off companies. But in any event, the initial investment is at best an eye-opener. One does not typically expect that the need for a home warranty will come as soon as the first year of ownership or even the second for that matter. But things do happens and as a gentleman posted until you get a feel for the house, you are basically in the dark. But a renewal of these warranties is stupidity, plain and simple, better off putting the money in the bank for the certain events in life.

[Ken]

I have never purchased a home shield policy, but I have a neighbor who did. When his hot water heater sprung a leak, he called his company for service. First they said it would be several days before they sent someone to replace the unit, and then his deductible was higher than what we spent when I replaced it with them. Not only did it cost less in spite of the insurance, they had hot water in hours rather than days.

[trader_4]

There are car warranty companies selling the same story. One of the big ones that's on TV all the time, if you read the reviews and stories online, it's horrific. People sign up with a car, three months later they have a problem, they tell them that car isn't the one they signed up. Or they take it to a service place, the service guy says he can't get a hold of the warranty company, they keep him on hold for an hour, won't return calls, their guy who has to come look at it never shows up, the car sits there for days. And this company doesn't even do the warranties, they are just a marketing/sales company that sells policies from some other company. If you can't write a check for a couple thousand, best thing to do is start putting $100 or whatever away for the day when you will need it.

[Behonest]

replying to jamesflanagan1044, Behonest wrote: Just want to know your end result? My water heater is supposed to cost

600.00-800.00, then their contractor was going to charge me almost 600.00 to replace/hook up water heater.... what a scam! But what do you think AHS will give me? What was your END result with them... I swear the call goes to the Philippines and I think one time it was Vietnam?

[Ralph Mowery]

The plumber I hired sent out 2 men and they charged me $ 200 labor, about $ 100 for the parts and $ 600 for the heater. They were here slightly less than 2 hours. I did get a head start as I had cut the power and had the heater almost drained of water when they got here.

[Sue wolf]

replying to MAG, Sue wolf wrote: Goodluck,,,still waiting for my pay out for furnace replacement,,,they offered me 895. Still didn't get it,,,followed their instructions,,,no one answers the phone,,even live chat cut me off

[invalid unparseable]

On Thu, 2 Jul 2020 20:14:02 +0000, Sue wolf posted for all of us to digest...

I would contact your state officials be it: attorney general, consumer protection, insurance commision, etc. Also contact the TV stations you see their ads on, they may be motivated to get off their ass to do something for you.

[Clare Snyder]

Attempting to get money out of ANY for profit home insurance company is a fool's errand

[trader_4]

I'd say buying the protection to begin with was the fool's errand. But if you have it, it's certainly worthwhile trying to collect on it, if you believe you are owed a reasonable sum that warrants it.

[Ade]

I opted for cash out after the AHS contractor asked me to pay $1020 out of pocket.. I had my own contractor replaced the water heater for $830. After submitting the receipt AHS/Frontdoor decided to pay me $560. I have been waiting for the check for the past nine months. I have called on several occasions no luck. It’s frustrating. The customer service reps forget about you immediately they hang up.

[Patricia Rodriguez]

They will pay you but only when your contractor has completed the replacement and you send them the final bill.