Conference 7.286::home_work

A couple of thoughts on effective use of this topic:

- Cross-check 2020, the "Plumbers" topic, since it's common for the same 
  person or company to do both plumbing and heating.  Note, however, that 
  good plumbing skills don't necessarily apply to heating, and vice versa.
  It helps when people making recommendations specify what type of work
  the recommended contractor did for them.

- There are several common heating technologies, each with its own set of 
  skills, tools, and materials.  Again, pay attention to what type of work 
  the recommendation is based on.

This note was copied here by a volunteer moderator's-little-helper, as part 
of an effort to copy all old contractor references to the 2000-series topics.

            <<< JOET::DUA1:[000000.NOTES$LIBRARY]HOME_WORK.NOTE;1 >>>
                         -< Better living through DIY >-
================================================================================
Note 238.9                in search for a good plumber                   9 of 10
NRADM3::OSBORN "Sally's VAXNotes Vanity Plate"        8 lines  17-JUN-1987 20:17
                       -< Messier, Plumber in Marlboro >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paul Messier
L. R. Messier, Inc.
Plumbing and Heating and A/C
Marlboro, MA
617-485-1192
(leave message with wife Maxine)

Comfortable working with old steam systems

[end of Sally's note]


Since I'm married to Sally, I'll take the liberty of adding my own comments
on Paul.  He installed a new FHW by gas system in our house in Maynard.  He
provided all materials and did all the work (assisted by his helper) himself. 

Paul was the only contractor we could find that could discuss our old steam 
system with us intelligently.  We wound up choosing FHW, but only after he 
helped us weigh our options.  (BTW, our decision wasn't based on cost - his 
steam and FHW quotes turned out to be very close).

He was very patient and flexible, both during the initial design phase and 
with the inevitable surprises and one-plusses.  Very fair and honest in his 
pricing, and proud of his workmanship.

He's been in the trade forever, and it's an old family business, so he has
lots of steady customers around.  He's quite conscientious about responding
to their emergency calls, which sometimes causes him not to show up when
scheduled to do new work.  It's not a big problem, but I thought I should
mention it. 

Since FHW work is so similar to regular plumbing, I have every reason to
suspect that this glowing recommendation of Paul would apply to his
plumbing work as well as to his FHW work.

Paul loves to talk as much as I do, and he knows lots of great stories. 
Good thing I was paying him by the job.  :-)

    - DCL, sometimes moderator's-little-helper, sometimes homeowner

Jay Moody - Lancaster Mass 534 9483. (but he covers all of eastern MA)

He is a sheet-metal house, but also does A/C, air cleaners, furnance
replacement, FHA heat ducting, etc. I met him as the A/C company who
did my house subcontracted the duct work to him, and I have had him
back to put in an air cleaner, and extend a heating duct to an extra
room. I can describe him simply: very reasonable prices, no ripoff,
and EXCELLENT work.  (wish I had hired him for the whole A/C job, the
guys from the A/C company looked quite unprofessional in comparison)
He instills in his whole crew a very professional attitude towards
their work, they do things <right>, no shortcuts. 

tell him I sent you. 

            <<< JOET::DUA1:[000000.NOTES$LIBRARY]HOME_WORK.NOTE;1 >>>
                         -< Better living through DIY >-
================================================================================
Note 1472.1                 Need FHA Repair in S. NH                      1 of 1
REGAL::ASCHNEIDER "Andy Schneider - DTN 381-2475"    10 lines   1-SEP-1987 09:24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    When I've had problems with our gas FHA furnace, I've just called
    Gas Service in Nashua.  They're prompt in getting out, will do
    a full check-up on the system, and repair anything that needs
    to be.  I don't know if they're cheap or not (relative to other
    people who would come out) - but I figure that they're the gas
    people in the area, and really know what they're doing.  I've had
    good luck with them, anyhow.
    
    andy
    

            <<< JOET::DUA1:[000000.NOTES$LIBRARY]HOME_WORK.NOTE;1 >>>
                         -< Better living through DIY >-
================================================================================
Note 1613.1          FHW by Gas - Contractor Recommendations              1 of 1
BRAT::GERMANN                                        13 lines   9-OCT-1987 13:03
                      -< Try Dulac Plumbing - Manchester >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I am about to get a new gas steam system to replace my VERY old
    oil fired system.  I am using Larry Dulac in Manchester.  I got
    estimates from a number of sources.  Larry wasn't the cheapest
    (nor the most expensive).  He did spend lots of time with me,
    explained benefits, etc. of various systems, and didn't try to
    sell me any fluff (like tankless hot water - I asked about it
    and we discussed my family water uses, etc - decided against).
    
    I called Larry because a friend had used him to convert a steam
    system to a FHW system and was more than pleased - and he is
    an architect (the friend, that is)
    
    Ellen

            <<< JOET::DUA1:[000000.NOTES$LIBRARY]HOME_WORK.NOTE;1 >>>
                         -< Better living through DIY >-
================================================================================
Note 1636.1              Full Service vs. Oil & Repairs                   1 of 7
TIGER::GCOTE                                          6 lines  23-OCT-1987 12:43
                               -< 1 VOTE FOR... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I recommed:  Dalpes Oil Service
                 12 Bliss Road
                 So. Bellingham, Ma.
    
    They have always been very quick to respond to any problems
    that I've had.

    Re: .14
    Try Carlisle Fuel in Boylston.  I've used them for 6+ years and
    been quite satisfied.  Burner service is good.  Tom Carlisle,
    the son of the owner (Phil Carlisle), seems to be doing more of
    the servicing now.  He tends to be a bit overenthusiastic at
    times, but he's okay.  Phil Carlisle is VERY good.  And they
    are reliable and honest.

   I used Reliable Oil but they have no burner service and I found when you
need some you are no-one's customer.  
   I switched to Jim & Sons because they were privately owned (Jim), and
their oil was pretty cheap.  But when I needed some service I had to tell
the guy how to fix the problem and then pay $35 for the privledge.  It is
likely you will have more normal problems and besides if you buy a contract
they can fool around all they want - it's their own time.  
   I never used Marane because I didn't like their sales pitch and their
prices are significantly more.  On the other hand, being more professional
might bring a serviceman who knows whats going on if you ever had a real
stumper.  They may be the biggest dealer in the area.

Craig

    We live in Spencer and started using Allan Oil (near Norton Co up
    by Higging Armory) about 5 years ago because they are a member of
    the Mass Fair Share Oil Coop.  I've always compared my bills with
    my parents who use a local supplier and I'm usually about .20 lower
    per gallon...We get discounts for Fair Share, Time Payments, and
    others that I can't think of at the moment.  They are FULL service
    by the way...

Alanm Corp is probably the biggest heat/ac/etc outfit in Worcester

lots of trucks - people, etc
a good outfit, but sloppy sometimes, but if you complain they'll take 
care of you

    I highly recommend M. Horvitz in Brookline, MA, phone 566-4465.  They
    replaced our 1934 coal-converted-to-oil gravity hot water system with
    a Burnham gas-fired FHW system.  They were prompt, polite, and efficient.
    The inspector from the gas company said (unsolicited) that it was an
    excellent plumbing job.  The foreman we dealt with was Doug Spellberg.
    For more details, see note 2480.5.

    FWIW (not much), the Globe mentioned that Horvitz does Dukakis's
    plumbing work (I suppose that's better than doing Nixon's).

    
    
    re:21
    i have had juniper farms service & oil delivery for over 8yrs.
    i have a furnace service done at the beginning of each season.
    the most recent one was $40.00. reasonable. their oil prices 
    are competitive within the area.
    
    woul i recomend them? yes.
    
    steve

re Note 2011.24 by CADSE::GILCHREST:

>     I'm looking for a good heating contractor in the Dunstable, Ma. area to
>     inspect my heating system to correct a hot-water problem.  

We have had very good service from Daniel Messer, a heating contractor in
Groton.  Phone 448-3308

Bob

    MacDuffie of Hudson, NH - Dave McKinney - 883-6400
    
    We had them install a new system in our house
      NECA (cast iron) hot water boiler
      Riello "mectron" burner
      Ford Aquamite hot water heater
      And some new valves and things
      And removed and took away old system
    
    Price $2,795
    
    At first I wasn't very happy with it -- seemed real noisy, but a
    few adjustments and everything is fine.  Also, I love having all
    that hot water!
    
    Julie
    

I would like to put in a solid recommendation for Harry W. Wells & Son
heating contractors in Nashua (phone 882-4492).  We bought a house that needed
a new boiler - the old one was a "Federal" oil boiler that had been converted
to gas some years ago, and was going through, I kid you not, 1000 cubic feet
of gas per day, and that was with all thermostats set at their lowest
temperature.

They came out the next day and recommended replacing the old boiler, and the
work was scheduled.  The boiler they had shipped in couldn't be used because
of clearances, so they got a better, more efficient one instead.  They
installed it in a professional and quality manner, spending three days total
on the system.  We also had them run a new gas line for a clothes dryer.

We were quoted "$2500 for the boiler", which really included the whole
heating system (only the actual heating pipes remained from the old system),
but expected that the newer boiler would be more expensive and that the 
extra labor would also be costly.  We were pleasantly surprised that we 
were not charged anything extra for the boiler installation, and the price 
for the gas line was extremely reasonable.

I am very happy with the work they did and the price charged, and would not
hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

					Steve

>< Note 2011.32 by QUARK::LIONEL "Free advice is worth every cent" >
>                       -< Harry W. Wells & Son, Nashua >-

I'll second the recommendation for Wells. They installed my system and stood
behind their work when we experienced component failures. (back flow valve leak
and cast iron pipe leak).

Ross

    I'm looking for recommendations for contractors that specialize, or
    at least work with radiant floor systems in the So. NH area.
    
    John

     <<< Note 2015.15 by QUARK::LIONEL "Free advice is worth every cent" >>>
                       -< Harry W. Wells & Son, Nashua >-

After getting estimates from several contractors I used Harry W. Wells & Son
for a replacement boiler.  Their price, while not the lowest, was close
to it.  There were no surprises, such as an extra charge for the permit,
or to haul away the old unit.  I asked for a small modification, expecting
to pay about $50 extra, and they still came in at their estimated price.
All of their recommendations matched what I considered the best advise
from this conference.  They are licensed in Massachusetts and do jobs at 
least as far south of Nashua as Acton.

The estimated time to get to the head of the queue was one to two weeks.
It actually took almost three, but I had heat so I did not mind them inserting
a few emergency calls.  Once they gave me a date, they kept their word.

The job looks well done.  No problems in the month or so since then.
I'm happy.

>Note 4050.2        Device to extract heat from boiler exhaust?          2 of 10
>VMSDEV::PAULKM::WEISS "Trade freedom for security-lo" 5 lines  6-DEC-1990 09:10
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>As an aside, could you tell us who your oil service guy is? (not here, in note
>2015).  Anyone who will say "Well, I have one for $100, but you can get one
>cheaper at Spag's" has got to be alright.
>Paul
    
    Sure I can tell ya.  His name is Bob (forgot last name) and he is the
    service manager at Chair City Oil in Gardner.  Real nice guy.  Not only
    did he say I could get that "waste heat extracter thing" cheaper at
    Spags than he could give me a deal on one, but also we were talking
    about set-back thermostats because my 1.5 year old son broke my regular
    thermostat and he said he had a Honeywell that lists for 100.00 but he
    would give it to me for 70.00 and then talked me into buying a regular
    thermostat at Spags for under 20.00, because I didn't really need a
    set-back thermostat.  Only guy I ever met who wouldn't sell me
    something I didn't need!  My flue vent is broken and after I told him I
    am a DIY'r at heart he said he had the part but I could get it cheaper
    at a hardware store and put it in myself rather than pay him to do it.
    
    Also while he was doing my (first) annual heating system service
    he answered just about everything I ever wanted to know about heating
    systems, insulation, wood stoves, oil prices and supply, how they
    calculate when you need oil next, and everything else I could ask.
    He was pleased to answer any questions I had.  I highly recommend both
    he and his company to someone who wants honest and reliable service
    for oil.

Tomac Mechanical, 30 Baldwin Rd, Dracut, MA, (508) 459-3453

Small company, does work in Westford, MA area and surrounding towns.

Tom MacNooge (he owns the company) does good work, is quick,
competent, and fairly priced.

When warantee work was needed he came right over, did repair without a quibble.
He knows gas furnaces, plumbing, and more.  Enjoys talking about work
to be done, explaining furnace innards, etc.

I can recommend highly.

In September 1990 my old furnace died.
Tomac replaced it with an Amana high efficiency forced air gas furnace.

Installed by a crew of 3 (Tom + plumber + electrician)
took about three hours, cost $1290 total.

    Need someone to put in/Help put in a heating system FHW or FHA, (not
    sure yet), need job done well but inexpensively!
    
    Dean
    Delni::mcgorrill
    226-7379

       I use Barbin Heating in Fitchburg. He installed my boiler and does
    PM for me when I need it. He's reliable (shows up on time) and fairly
    priced. His number's in the book.
                                    Denny

    You could probably get some info by calling around to the local oil
    dealers as well.

How about contractors to install a steam gas-fired boiler in Chelmsford?

Ed..

                        Duane Smith Plumbing & Heating
                                23 Brook Drive
                               Hudson, NH 03051

                                (603) 880-4975

Small Company that does excellent and high quality work in the southern New 
Hampshire, such as Nashua, Hudson, Pelham, Amherst, Hollis, Milford.

Duane Smith Plumbing and Heating installed our forced hot water heating system, 
and added a Super Stor, stainless steel, energy recovery system in October 1989 
to replace the electric home heating system and electric hot water heater. This 
new heating system has saved us hundreds of dollars each year in costs for 
heating our home and for our hot water. The new system has been excellent. We 
have not experienced any problems or needed any repairs since we started using 
the new heating and hot water system.

I highly recommend Duane Smith Plumbing and Heating for their high quality work 
and the products they sell. 

Jim McIntyre DTN: 264-1634, MKO1

    I need to have some FHW pipes and baseboards replaced.  Any contractor
    suggestions?  I live in Westborough, MA.
    							Larry

    
    My brother-in-law just had some work done by Moberg's Plumbing out of 
    the Worcester/Grafton area. He said his prices were by far the best and 
    the turn around time was very quick. The number was (508)752-0275.
    
    
     Bob
    
                                                                      

    Baker Whitney Oil Co.  Acton, MA  263-5261
    
    We have used Baker Whitney for oil delivery and burner service for the
    past 3 years and their service is fantastic. If I ever have any
    questions I don't hesitate to call them and they will always spend as
    much time as I want discussing it. They are extremely knowledgable. I
    was interested in installing a humidifier and air cleaner on my furnace
    and they spent an hour giving me all kinds of information on these. I
    also needed an underground oil tank removed and they recommended an
    excavator to do the job (his price was much cheaper than the other
    excavators I called) and they were very helpful in giving an estimate
    for replacing the underground tank with a tank in the basement. They do
    the replacement themselves. If you want an oil company which is very
    knowledgable about anything and everything related to heating, give
    Baker Whitney a call.
    Gina Marksteiner  Nodex::marksteiner

I recently used Scott Campbell of Westford, MA for a conversion from oil heat
to gas heat. He was very flexible (willing to let me buy my own used equipment
or provide it, which ever was cheaper) and did a good job. I was very unsure
at the start of what I wanted done (new furnace or conversion burner) and he
helped me decide and was willing to give me quotes on different options so I
could compare prices. He's just gone out on his own (used to work for Coldwell
plumbing & heating in Acton which gave him a good reference) but seems 
knowledgable. His price was very good (I think he charges $25 per hour). I got
bids for the whole job and most were about $1200 while his was around $900. 

    Gina Marksteiner  Nodex::marksteiner
    

I'm looking for a contractor to do some ductwork -- this note was the closest I
could find.

The job is to hook up a wood furnace to an existing gas furnace.  The blower on
the wood furnace has a two-speed blower 650cfm/1300cfm with its own thermostat.
This includes joining the furnaces at both the cold air and warm air sides.

One guy quoted $950, including two automatic dampers.

Another guy quoted $460, but I'm not quite as comfortable with his expertise --
he missed the fact that the blower has a high speed of 1300 cfm (my wife gave
him the book to puruse).  He had originally suggested manual dampers as a cost
saving, and when I suggested automatic ones he had to think a while before he
was convinced that two would be needed (one for each furnace).

I thought $950 seemed a bit steep, but wasn't completely comfortable with the
$460 guy.

Does anyone have any feel for if appropriateness of these quotes, or have
recommendations for contractors in the Worcester area?  I live in Grafton, MA.

								-- Chuck Newman

    RE: .7
    
    I also live in Grafton (good choice!). I just had a FHA furnace and
    ductwork installed by J&R Sheet metal. Telephone: 508- 755-5517.
    Good, cheap work.
    
    Marc H.

    Can anyone recommend an oil company in Pepperell, MA?  I called Lorden
    Oil on the recommendation of the builder who sold us our house but they
    won't accept a check for payment unless I give them my Social Security
    number which I won't do.  Anyone have a favorite heating oil company
    who delivers in Pepperell?
    
    							John

    Try May & Hally, out of Groton.  508-448-6711.  If you are on
    auto-delivery their prices are reasonable.  Reasonable response time if
    you have an emergency.
    
    Priscilla Bryant

I second the recommendation of May & Hally.  But you don't have to be on auto-
delivery.  We are "on-call" and their prices are as good as the high volume, low
service companies.

7 c per gallon discount if paid within a week of delivery.

Elaine

        I need a good person for maintaining/repairing an oil-fired
        boiler in Groton, MA.

        This person must especially be good at keeping the burner
        going!

        (Yes, I know I recommended Dan Messer back in Note 2015.13,
        but I was subsequently disappointed with his ability to keep
        my burner going.  However, I just might go back to him if I
        have no good alternatives.)

        Thanks,
        Bob

Anyone have a recommendation for an oil company in the  Hudson, NH vicinity? 
The previous owners used Fred Fuller but I just don't want to default to that. 
Need replies quickly because I'm almost out of oil!

George

We use and like Fred Fuller.  If you liked the previous owners taste in 
houses, why not trust their choice in oil company's as well.

George

    I am about to replace my FHW furnance.  I talked to Wells and got their
    estimates.  Is their any other recommendation (good or bad)?  You
    can reach me at TRLIAN::SMOLINSKI.  I live in the Nashua area.
    
    Most of the previous entries are a few years old, so I looking for
    some current advice.
    
    Thanks in advance
    
    Dave

    Henry Zelent
    MROA::Zelent
    Dtn 297-7344
    
    I am currently looking into converting from Electric to Oil heat. Could
    anyone recommend a Heating contractor in the Clinton Ma. area. 

>    I am currently looking into converting from Electric to Oil heat. Could
>    anyone recommend a Heating contractor in the Clinton Ma. area. 

    Call Claflin Donahue (Texaco Oil) in Worcester a call. They
    actively pursue converisons to oil heat. Look them up in the phone
    book or check out one of their many billboards.

    They have contractors on hand to do the work, use quality
    materials (Weil McClain boilers, Beckett burners, top quality
    baseboards)  and will finance the project for you! You put 25%
    down and pay the balance of over 2 years at 0%.

    Charly

    P.S. Speaking of billboards, I think there's one in Clinton now
    near the railroad underpass just as you come into town from
    Lancaster on Rt 70.

    Has anyone used Paul Landry of Leominster for work on a oil furnace?
    I woke up this morning with no hot water (tankless coil) and the 
    oil tank was 1/2 full.  I'm looking for recommendations for someone
    in the Leominster area that is reliable and has reasonable prices.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Debbi

    I used Paul Landry after I moved into a house in February. We got his
    name from several Leominster residents, who highly recommended him.
    He spent alot of time on the furnace. Apparently the previous owners
    had a dog that spent alot of time near the furnace, because dog
    hair had gotten into the furnace and Paul had a challenge getting it 
    all out. 
    He was really reasonable for the time he put in. He had an assistant
    with him that day, but it may have been because Paul was recovering
    from a serious injury to his hand.  
    Kath

    
    I usually don't post negative reply's but this one is worth noting.
    I had Bellemore do an electric to oil conversion in our house.
    Let's just say I wouldn't have them put heat in my dog house
    (and I don't have a dog). If you need details I can supply them
    offline.
    
    doug
    SOLVIT::FERRIN

Can anyone recommend a heating contractor in (or covering) the 
Milford, MA area?  I've got a gas FHA system.



-Andy

When we had work done on our home in 1985, the contractor recommended Holliston
Plumbing & Heating.  Ed Caswell is the proprietor, and he came out to scope out
the job.  We liked him, his manner, and his thoroughness on the estimate.
However, we thought we would be smart and get someone less expensive, which we
did.  And to this day, I regret that decision.  If we were to do this again,
I would go with Ed Caswell.

Though I can't recommend him based on our experience of his actual work, I do
recommend that you check him out for an estimate.

-Chris

    
    I've interviewed 5 HVAC contractors - 2 of my choosing, 3 selected by the
    contractor.  Although I kinda thought one of the contractor's choices 
    was sorta ok -- the contractor didn't like any of them.  I pursued the
    two of my choosing and selected Wilson Bros. of Pepperell, MA.  This
    was based both on a recommendation from a friend and meetings between Tom
    Wilson and myself.
    
    So far so good -- I like both the energy and care with the work (
    -- will update in two weeks when the work is done).  I also had good 
    recommendations and a pleasant exchange with Breen & Sullivan of Danvers, 
    MA.   However, they are scheduling 8-12 weeks out at this point.  They tend
    to be more commercial and high-end residence too.  This translates to extra 
    $$$ but I'm told the work is excellent (and excellent doesn't come
    cheap).
    
    We had to go looking because the head of the HVAC company the contractor 
    normally uses (and who bid/got the job) died of a heart attack.  His
    sons in the business are in a quibbling match with each other on who is
    head of the company now.  They blew off 4 appointments, so they've been
    blown off.  I had the heating plan done by Dick Dussault of Dussault
    Eng. in Hudson.  I wonder if Dick is still kicking?  Anyway, he did a 
    good job with full heat loss/gain etc. as part of the design - plus CFM
    from each register, etc.  Worth the money in my humble opinion, and the
    extra information has come in handy as we've shopped for HVAC
    installers.
    
    Others I interviewed but nixed included Bob's Refrigeration and Wells &
    Sons.  I forget the other one.
    
    Tom was about the only one that talked nuts and bolts in a straight
    forward manner.  Like he didn't recommend putting in the rigid
    high-density fiberglass ducts that were spec'd.  They're slowly being
    banned in different states (20+ so far?).  Also he's an authorized 
    TRANE dealer (I didn't check out the others) and was familiar with the 
    model units spec'd.  We were able to get more of the gear/stuff on the 
    plans than the original bidder -- but part of this is the time of year too.
    Upfront, no B.S. kinda guy.  I saw Tom several days after I met with
    the last of the others.   Tom promised and delivered his bid in the 4
    days he said he would (I never did see bids from the others although
    they'd told me they could 'get right on it' and have it to me by
    monday).  If there has been any problem or potential problem Tom has 
    called to let me know what, when, and how.  Makes planning easier. 
    [In contrast I'm still waiting for the plumber who has said
    "tomorrow" for the past two weeks now!].
    
    One of the other contractors wanted to completely change the heating system from 
    forced hot air Trane units to a HW to FHA system using one large boiler
    feeding 3 or 4 air handlers and providing domestic hot water.  Sounded
    nice except there were a lot of changes -- the boiler he had in mind
    would probably be undersized to provide both heat & domestic hot water.
    The combination would approach or exceed the mid-line TRANE units that
    were designed.  He kept referring to the top TRANE units with fully
    variable speed fans, etc. which were a few $K more in making cost
    compairsons.  Anyway, changing stuff on-the-fly based upon experience 
    concerned me -- I'm sure 9 out of 10 times it ends up working fine, but.....  
    Plus it sounded like cost was going to be a factor.  And of course we 
    wouldn't be able to compare bids (apples vs oranges).
    
    Another also wanted to change from TRANE to RHEIM units...
    he installs both but gets a better price cut on the RHEIMs.  Both are
    nice, but personal preference was for the TRANE units.  The switch
    would make it difficult to compare bids apples to apples.
    
    One of the other contractor's we interviewed kept harping on us to get
    a bid from Dussault Heating.  However, although I've heard good things 
    about them when Dick owned them -- I don't have any information about
    them for the last 2 years.  This plus they tend to have higher cost --
    they are/were excellent but also charge for it too. Nothing wrong there,
    except I felt we were being pushed to get a high end bidder to make
    this contractor's bid look good.  That bothered me.
    

    
    Follow-up to .48
    
    The HVAC has been completed by Wilson Bros. and I continue to very 
    satisfied with their work.  Compared to the original bid submitted
    by the contractor, I was able to get an extra furnace and both air-to
    air heat exchangers installed for less money by Wilson Brothers.  
    (The only thing I couldn't fit in the budget was the A/C units, but
    coils are installed in the ducts, so someday...  Also, the contractor
    has decided that he'd like Wilson Bros. working on his next couple of
    projects as he liked both their timeliness and workmanship.)
    
    They substituted insulated metal ducts for 6" flexible hose in one area
    of basement because they thought it would look better.  It does, but
    I'm sure there was extra cost to the them.  
    
    During this time of year they tend to get a lot of emergency "no heat" 
    calls but called me when such things came up.  They have a total of 9
    people in the company, including a secretary at their offices in
    Pepperell.  This made it easy to get in touch with them and get call
    backs when needed or find out what was going on.
    
    A week after giving them the final rough-in payment I noticed water 
    leaking from one of the units.  I called and Paul Wilson stopped by
    before 9am and fixed the problem (loose condensate connection).
    
    Straight shooters, easy to talk to and deal with.

    I would appreciate any recommendations with regard to the heating
    contractor MARK E MEACHAM out of Charlton MA.
    
    We are having our home heating system revamped (again, we're the
    first time home buyer's of a foreclosure home) from a 30 year
    boiler originally built for a ranch.  The home was doubled but
    adequate heating was never installed.
    
    We will be having the work done in two stages.  The first
    is to adequately heat the first floor where there is a family
    room with two-story glass walls 18' length.  
    
    Meacham has recomended a Weil-McLain boiler and air handler to replace
    the existing old boiler, as well as 38' baseboard and a Toester Wall
    Unit for this family room alone.  We've had proposals from 4
    contractors and his made the most sense, was the best laid out.  
    
    We were amazing how many unprofessional proposals are out there.
     Any input would be appreciated as we're spending (what we think)
    is a lot of money for this work.
    
    Recommendations can be send to PNDVUE::JUSSAUME
    
    Thank you - Tracy
    

    In re 84.116 (looking for oil tank removal recommendation), we had
    an underground tank removed a couple of years ago by Apple County
    Contractors (if memory serves; Apple something) out of Maynard. They
    did a good job, including taking care to pull the thing out at an
    angle so as not to destroy the large yew bush growing over where the
    tank was located. (Lotta good that did; the next winter the thing
    got completely devoured by deer.)