While installing new windows at one of my rental properties, one of the installers stood on the brand new HVAC unit. This resulted in a dent in the top of the unit. My HVAC contractor was the person who noticed the dent. He informed me that this damage would affect the fan motor, thus voiding the warranty. The first time I contacted the owner of Window Depot, he apologized and told me to let him know what the repair cost would be. When I informed him, he said that he was not going to pay for extra work. The repair cost was approximately $400, including labor. He told me that there was not even proof that they were the ones that did the damage. I informed him that the unit was covered in window caulk, right next to the dent. He said that he was not going to reimburse me for the repair, but would be happy to come out and remove the caulk. He said,during this conversation, that his workers are big guys and would not have stood on it. He also questioned why it would have voided the warranty. I called my HVAC contractor and had him called Window Depot directly. He did and explained the issue. This unit had just been installed the previous week. After speaking with our HVAC contractor, Window Depot still refused to pay the bill. He also told me that his workers assured him that it was impossible for them to have stood on the unit as it was in between the windows. I went to the property, personally, and confirmed, with photos that the unit was directly under a window. I called and told Window Depot and he asked for pictures. I sent them immediately. He said that now, he could not see the dent. Then I made an appt with the owner of Window Depot, my husband and my HVAC contractor. Get everyone involved there and get it over with. I scheduled it for first thing in the morning. As my husband has work and the other contractor has jobs to be at as well. When I called the day before, to confirm, Window Depot said that yes they would be there at 11. I told him no, that was not the time I told him, because that was right in the middle of my toddler's nap time. I told him again he needed to be there at 8:30 and to not be late. He said he would be there between 8:30 and 9. When we arrived that morning, at 8:30 he was waiting. He went inside to review work that needed to be done, by my husband on the trim. at 8:45, the HVAC contractor was not there. Their office is less than 1/2 mile from the property. My husband asked to walk down 2 doors (where my mother lives) to get the HVAC phone # and check on them. Window Depot told him that he could not wait and proceeded to leave. The HVAC contractor arrived just a couple minutes later. He informed my husband that it would take a large man to make that dent. That info was already admitted by Window Depot. The owner of Window Depot has been given all the proof of the damage. AND has even caught his installers in their lie that the window was not over the HVAC unit. He did tell me that he would be more than happy to pay for the repair if we go ahead and schedule new windows for my mother's home. I am asking for full refund for the repair. It was a brand new unit, we could not have in lose it's warranty.
more