Michael Ward

Review of Central Cooling and Heating, I...

$625 for a routine service call! Beware of gouging...

$625 for a routine service call! Beware of gouging and duplicative charges! I just had Central Cooling and Heating check and service a central AC unit which had been leaking from the ceiling. The tech was fine and explained what he was doing (essentially cleaning the unit coil and drain). I paid $625, by check, but didn't examine the bill until afterwards. I was shocked at the charges: $155 "diagnostic," $65 "Boston fee," and $405 for "General labor, minor repair, 1-1/2 hour." Other than a single, stripped bolt on the cover, no parts were replaced or installed; no additional freon was needed. The labor rate comes out to $270 per hour (in addition to the "diagnostic" fee), which is exorbitant by any comparison for this type of work. Also, I was never informed that an additional surcharge of $65 would have to be paid for a trip to Boston. $625 for a simple service call with no repairs or parts, and rude customer service? Never again...would never recommend Central Cooling and Heating.