B&E Mechanical

We hired B & E Mechanical of Belford NJ to service our air conditioning unit during the heat wave this past summer. (July 19^th) Initially we were very pleased with their response time and what appeared to be their expertise in diagnosing the issue. We had blown out our Freon tank and our external exhaust fan had seized and was no longer functioning. They were hired to replace the parts and correct the problems with the system. Although they worked diligently, they had trouble getting the system to engage 100% of the time that morning. As was the problem, the exhaust fan did not turn on each time it was tested. So their next step was to look at our condenser located with our heating unit in our basement. It was determined by B & E that this motor engaging the air system was also faulty and was the root cause of the fan and Freon tank seizing and blowing out. Using them as an expert in the matter, we signed off on the additional repairs to make certain all would be in 100% working order.
Upon completion of installing the internal motor the next day (the part needed to be ordered) they were requested to return later the same day as the system again was still exhibiting signs that it was not engaging the external fan 100% of the time. The concern was that the fan and Freon tank would again seize and blow should the exterior unit get too hot. Additionally, when the unit did engage, the whole enclosure shook violently and loudly, which it had not done the seven years we’ve been in our home. (This was our first problem with the air-​conditioning system since we had bought our home.) Either owner, Howard Eastman or Jim «B» — returned the same day — July 20^th, then in mid-​August, and then a final time, on Oct 6^th to attempt to correct the same issue that seemingly was not fixed by all the previous attempts. We had used the system intermittently as temperatures moderated in August and September, plus the system worked fine between those service calls, though continued to shake loudly and violently.
On Oct 6^th, the final service call, Jim B worked on the system for about 1 hour, and then told me that the fan itself was factory defective and they would replace it. Either he or Howard would call me in a day to schedule a swap out of the failed fan for the replacement. However, next day, I received no call. The following day I began calling them over the next 2 weeks leaving messages with both owners in attempts of finding out what was going on and when they would return. No calls were returned. I wrote to their business and home addresses, certified, with a request for either a refund or for someone to make good on the 1 year parts and warranty claim written by them in their invoice. To date, no attempts to reach me have been documented.
On November 11^th, I had two other HVAC companies come out to review the work completed by B & E Mechanical and give me a quote as to the cost of repairs. Both representatives from both companies independently corroborated that the fan that was installed was not a model that should have been used with my system and that, at best; this fan should only have been used for a day or so, until the correct part was procured and installed. In essence, I have what could be construed as a loaner fan that was rigged, unsuccessfully to our air conditioning system. One of the representatives also noticed that the fan blades were already bent, due to striking the enclosure causing the shaking described above. I also have doubts that the replacement of the engine within the house was necessary, this alone tallied 700 dollars. (The initial quote for fan and Freon was about 430.)
So at current writing, I’m out 1,169 with a system that doesn’t run. I’m unsure that if all the maintenence completed was necessary as well. In addition to posting here, I’ve alerted the BBB of NJ, the Consumer Affairs Division of NJ, Angie’s List, Yellow Pages as well as starting proceedings in small claims court. What a headache — avoid these crooks at your own risk
**Update 07−21−14**
This business seems to have changed email addresses but not the business name. Still same owner. I won a judgment against principal owner in Howard Eastman back in Mar. Will never see the money though, he’s off the grid. Remaining owner, Jim Berry probably has the business. On 07−17−14, it was in the Star Ledger that B&E Mechanical was fined by the NJ Consumer Affairs along with 30 other businesses. Not only was I ripped off, but 3 others, including someone effected by Sandy, were also taken. Again, under this name or any other, avoid this company like the plague.