The above scenario describes the sequence of events. Fortunately, this job was canceled before it had a chance to begin!
Description of Work: This is the story of a major duct-replacement job that thankfully, did not take place. After getting several estimates to replace my heating system ducts, I decided on yet another opinion. Thus, I called Jamie Thomas, who had just opened an office in nearby Simpsonville, SC. After several unreturned phone calls and one missed appointment, I finally had a meeting with Eric Childers, a "comfort adviser". He emerged from beneath my house and advised me that the situation was bad and that it would cost $4,700.00 to correct things. In all fairness, his analysis of my problem was well-presented, and at the outset, I was somewhat impressed. He "talked" a good game. But when I checked the ratings on Angie's List, I was stunned to see reviews that were anything but favorable. Noting that Jaime Thomas was a member of the local Better Business Bureau, I checked with them and found a number of actions in which the firm had been involved. When I raised the question of the firm being licensed in South Carolina, the representative of the Better Business Bureau suggested I check with the State Licensing Office in Columbia. That was the final strike-out. The State had no record of any license, either for my "comfort adviser", or for Jaime Thomas Heating and Air, Inc. After repeated questioning, the search came up negative. In all fairness, the letter bearing my written estimate from Jaime Thomas was written on letterhead marked Matthews, NC. While the firm and its employees may have been licensed in that state, being legal in another state, does not make them legal in South Carolina. When my "comfort adviser" called to ask when I wanted to start the work, I advised him that his price was too high and his reputation was questionable. End of discussion. I ended up using a local contractor, Ted's Heating and Air Conditioning of Fountain Inn. His price was more than $1,300.00 lower, his team totally professional, and the work superb. I plan to nominate him for Angie's list. All the above points out the value of Angie's List and the wisdom of doing major checking before embarking on major projects. "First learned is least burned".