BELLAMY 'S GAS

Originally I called TB to get an outside opinion on replacing my air conditioner. I asked many questions and had them all answered. It was suggested that I call Blairs A/C and get an estimate which I did. It was my fourth estimate and the best deal. Bellamy gas came the day after the A/C and gas furnace were installed. The Bellamy office called to make arrangements, again to confirm, and answered all of my questions. TB arrived on time, was knowledgeable and explained how to use the furnace, the safety features, and we tried it out. It worked fine. He seems to be an honest person and highly trained. As for the price, I paid the A/C company $350 for the gas hook up with the understanding that it might cost more or less. TB said he would collect from Blairs and I have no idea how much he charged. I have not received any money back.

TB, the owner arrived on time. gave me an accurate, honest appraisal of the problem which was that my gas furnace would just shut itself off, pilot light would go out and Iwas afraid of fire. He replaced the faulty part, a thermocoupler, looked like he knew what he was doing and demonstrated experienced ability. He also cleaned the burners and checked the system. He put my mind at ease explaining how the furnace operated and the safeguards in place. His price was reasonable. He was well spoken and extremely polite and knowledgeable.

I am at a loss for words. I really don't understand what happened with this contractor. A gas company referred Bellamy's as one of their preferred contractors. We have found this to be an incredible disservice to the gas company's customers. The owner, TB, came and gave an estimate. He was a no call, no show on the day of the estimate but arrived at the end of the day after another call from us. He was polite, well spoken, and told us everything we wanted to hear. TB is probably the reason we actually stuck with this company all the way through to the end of the job. Watch out for a wolf in sheep's clothing. We placed our trust in someone who was obviously experienced and he time and time again took full advantage of our trust. The estimate (dated February 18) was for 5 hours of work and we were verbally told it would take two days. The work began February 25th. It was completed on May 6th. Work was done sporadically with no shows, no calls, late arrivals and unexpected, unannounced visits being the norm rather than the exception. The only time I recall anyone showing up on time was when the owner picked up the final check at an off-site location. That a company with a claimed 39 years of experience would stand behind this work without flinching is unbelievable. Although the business is licensed and insured, and backed by the gas company, the people actually doing the work obviously lacked the experience and knowledge to be able to do the job properly. They were always nice guys but they lacked any supervision when it was obvious it was required. There are now multiple holes in my foundation, walls and floors from mistakes and re-do's. Although I tried to let these guys do their work without my interference, during the week of March 17-21 (3 weeks after the work had begun), I began to worry every time I heard a power tool going. I had already seen enough holes in my wood floor without any pipes running through them and I was beginning to have trouble imagining why anymore were required. The piping runs at times at angles and configurations worthy of Dr Seuss. I can't imagine what they are like in the places I can't see under the house. All of the work eventually passed inspections by the city of St. Pete and we now have a working stove, water heater, and dryer. First we had to go through: failed pressure tests because of poorly assembled pipes (which Bellamy's tried to hide by re-pressurizing pipes just prior to initial inspection dated March 4); purchasing, being talked into and sold one water heater model and receiving another; obvious lack of experience dealing with said water heater, including understanding clearances, and breaking new $1500 appliance during installation; many calls to determine when work would be done (both unanswered and not returned); and taking a total of a week's vacation over 3 months just to meet them at the house with them often not showing. I just don't know what happened.