December 2013 - Ductworks

It all started with a contest: The rules were pretty simple: Tell us what your asking for this holiday season, and why… for a chance to have your wish granted.

One listener… Stacy, asks for a gift of getting her Grandmas house carpets replaced. Willie B DJ of KBPI publicized her selfless request, and calls poured in from contractors of numerous trades transforming the request of carpet replacement to a full blown home makeover.

Ductworks met Brett, owner of CQL 2000 a General Contractor who donated his services. At the time of our arrival there were already over twenty trades at the home. We performed the walk through, to discuss the various projects that desperately needed to be completed. We began with a general meeting, discussing the various projects that would take place, and the high level of coordination it would take for numerous trades working within a confined space.

There was a catch… All of the work to be performed was a surprise to the Grandmother. The grandchildren told the Grandmother that they were going to have the carpets replaced as a Christmas gift, and asked that she stay in a hotel as the work was being performed. All of the work needed to be complete within 4 days!

Within minutes the meeting ended, and all of the contractors formed various bucket lines within the home to remove the homes contents to make space for the various projects that would be undertaken. Within an hour the garage door, furnace and air conditioner were replaced. Ductworks will provided the air duct cleaning at the end of the project once the dust settles.

Willie B of KBPI brought a community of good natured contractors to really show what this holiday is about.

If you could wish for anything you wanted on your wish list this holiday season what would it be?

Customers thought they were getting fresh air when they hired Seabreeze Air, Quality Air and Fresh Air.

“Well, it starts out as a classic bait and switch,” Suthers said.

Suthers says the companies advertised duct cleaning for $35 and then charged up to $1,000. He says customers weren’t the only ones they lied to.

“They told both the court and ourselves in a previous proceeding that they were going out of business, but in fact they simply changed their name and went back into business,” Suthers said.

“Unfortunately within our industry it’s not the exception, it’s the norm where you have folks that are taking advantage of folks,” Ductworks General Manager Eddie Frisk said.

Frisk has been in business 23 years and cleans more than 4,000 homes a year. This year he says the floods have meant more business and more unscrupulous companies than ever.

“I get the same coupons that everybody else gets. You can’t get your ventilation system cleaned for $35,” Frisk said.

Frisk says here’s what people need to know: duct cleaning costs more than $350, not $35. It takes five to eight hours, not two to three. And any reputable company should be certified through the National Air Duct Cleaning Association.

“It the age-old adage, if it’s too good to be true, it typically is,” Frisk said.

The attorney general and Better Business Bureau received more than 230 complaints about the companies that lead to the investigation. Suthers got a temporary restraining order to shut the companies down until they go to court in a couple weeks.

CBS. (2013, November 25). State Shuts Down Several Air Duct Cleaning Companies For Scamming. Retrieved from http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/11/25/state-shuts-down-several-air-duct-cleaning-companies-for-scamming/

Month: December 2013

KBPI Christmas Wish | Stacy’s Grandmas House

State Shuts Down Several Air Duct Cleaning Companies For Scamming