Hot Rod Mechanical, Inc.
5th, Austin, TX

Hot Rod Mechanical, Inc. Reviews

4.6 stars based on 8 reviews

Featured Comments:

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  C. Brad Singleton

  5.0

  I had a situation in which my dryer vent needed to be placed through a limestone block wall, and 4 other HVAC companies either said they couldn't, or they ghosted me. Hot Rod was confident they could easily get it done, they placed me on their schedule, and then they got it done within the day. They were efficient, direct, and competent, and I so thankful my contractor friend recommended them.

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  Michael Chavez

  2.0

  TLDR: Hot Rod is not in it to help you. Their techs, management, and ownership approach customer service with such a profit-retention mentality that you as a customer will always be wrong and will likely pay more than what you agreed to. They’ll even manifest a convenient cover story to exonerate themselves. Do yourself a favor, go to the next HVAC listing. I’m not a big fan of negative reviews, as I assume they’re usually written in an emotionally charged state. I decided to wait a week to gather my thoughts and write as mindfully as possible. Pros: I hired this company because they were the earliest available to assist with a sweltering A/C issue. The technician was cordial and confidently explained what he believed to be the issue. Cons: The technician completed his job and told me that it should be cooling off in the next three hours. When the temperature began to rise after three hours, I called the company and they agreed to send someone the next morning. The next day, the technician told me that the issue wasn’t with the first A/C unit, but another unit that he didn’t check. He quoted me several prices for a temporary patch, the price of the visit to evaluate the second unit, and the prices for the parts that needed to be ordered. When I asked why the second unit hadn’t been evaluated initially, he told me that I had only requested the first unit to be checked. This is when I realized they were trying to blame the customer for their misevaluation. I am not an HVAC tech nor do I claim to have any knowledge of HVAC workings. I don’t even know where the units are, much less know which one is broken and why. I simply called Hot Rod and said “It’s hot. Fix it.” I was taken aback by the blame game, but I was desperately going into day 2 of a broken AC in a medical office with patients. So I authorized the patch to get the air flowing again. I had a weird feeling about how things were being handled, so I hired another company to double check. They came out that night and advised me that the issue was not what Hot Rod had reported. Furthermore, their “patch” was electrical tape that they wanted to charge $125 for. When I called Hot Rod and spoke with the office manager about my experience and the shoddy workmanship, she recited the technicians version to me that I had requested only one unit to be evaluated. She spoke to me condescendingly and patronized me when I asked to speak to the owner. I left my number to be called by the owner, but instead I received an email stating that I had only asked for one unit to be serviced and that’s what they did. She didn’t hear my side or answer questions about their work. She essentially wrote her letter and washed her hands of it. That’s the company that exists at Hot Rod, from the bottom to the top.

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  Response from the owner

  Hot Rod Mechanical Inc. provided services in which the front A/C unit was repaired. A service call later determined that an additional A/C unit located in the back was not operating. HRMI sent an HVAC technician to provide a temporary patch to the frayed wires in the back unit until the part needed to fix it came in. There were no defects as a result of the job done by HRMI. HRMI has not charged the customer for the temporary patch or the permanent wire harness that was done on the A/C unit. We apologize for any misunderstandings between the customer, the HVAC technician, HRMI, and the owner of the company.

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  Tim -

  5.0

  Family Owned Business. Richard came out and was very thorough, professional and helpful figuring out the wisest choices in repair costs. Prices were very fair and service was excellent. I highly recommend Hot Rod Mechanical.