Beware of "Total Duct Cleaning" !!!

[rviewmirror]

So we got a cold call from this company to come clean out our ducts at home. I figure, what the heck, I have my wive's parents living with us for the next 3 months and we can all benefit from clean ducts.

So the sales manager quotes me $120 no tax, if paid cash, after asking some detailed questions about the house, dimensions, etc.

I left my father in law at homewhile they come do our work.

When they're done, they ask for extra cash, because they state that the company before did a bad job so they had to do more. Excuse me????

My F-I-L pays it without calling me, cause he believes them, and he's just gullible that way.

It just so happens that they were the same company that cleaned the ducts just 1 1/2 years ago.

I've called and left messages and no response from the company or the manager that provided the number.

So, if you plan on getting this service, stay away from Total Duct Cleaning!!!!!

[mjl_toronto]

Where are they located? Thanks for the heads up. Any recommendations in the GTA?

[patriot]

So we got a cold call from this company to come clean out our ducts at home. I figure, what the heck, I have my wive's parents living with us for the next 3 months and we can all benefit from clean ducts.

So the sales manager quotes me $120 no tax, if paid cash, after asking some detailed questions about the house, dimensions, etc.

I left my father in law at homewhile they come do our work.

When they're done, they ask for extra cash, because they state that the company before did a bad job so they had to do more. Excuse me????

My F-I-L pays it without calling me, cause he believes them, and he's just gullible that way.

It just so happens that they were the same company that cleaned the ducts just 1 1/2 years ago.

I've called and left messages and no response from the company or the manager that provided the number.

So, if you plan on getting this service, stay away from Total Duct Cleaning!!!!!

These guys are crooks !! What area are you in ?

[Dustbunny]

You can save yourself a lot of expense if you do some research on duct cleaning. It just isn't necessary unless you have been into some reno work or it's a new build. I wish I still had the link, but if you google you can find a gov't study and analysis as well as other info that explains why it isn't necessary under normal living conditions and how it really doesn't improve dust or air quality in your home.

[Pete_Coach]

I agree that this duct cleaning requirement is an industry created paranoia so that they can keep making money.
Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) is a wealth of information for homeowners and potential homeowners. Here is the link to duct cleaning http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_011.cfm

[rviewmirror]

I wish I would have made some more enquiries. My wife suffers from allergies to dust, and so does her father so I was thinking of that when decided to do it.

For those interested, I live in Brampton (SW) and usually get a call from these guys saying "they're working in the area, so you can get a good deal".

Good deal, yah right.....

[Pete_Coach]

If allergies are an issue, perhaps you need to consider electronic air filtration for your forced air furnace. Worked for my kids.
http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/compare-furnace-filters.html

[GunnerX]

What's funny was that I read this thread yesterday. When I got home after work, guess who gives me a call. Total Duct Cleaning!! Once they mentioned the name, I told them "Not Interested" and hanged up. :D

[patriot]

What's funny was that I read this thread yesterday. When I got home after work, guess who gives me a call. Total Duct Cleaning!! Once they mentioned the name, I told them "Not Interested" and hanged up. :D

Just further proof that posting your negative/positive experiences on RFD works !

[Torontomato]

I read this posting right before they came. I did warn them about what I learned here. They did their duct cleaning job. I gave them $130 + 6.xx tax as the telemarketer offered.

I checked their website www.totalductcleaning.com
There is a process list with what they are supposed to do step by step. they didn't follow the total list. ( there is a spinning air brush cleaning in the list that they didn't do ). But I think overall it is an OK job and I don't expect too much with the price.

I don't want to clean the duct in the next 5 years. I don't think it very necessary. I always use good air filter though.

Hope this will help.

[coolspot]

If allergies are an issue, perhaps you need to consider electronic air filtration for your forced air furnace. Worked for my kids.
http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/compare-furnace-filters.html

I heard those electrostatic filters don't do much ... if you don't clean them monthly.

I heard HEPA air filters are much more effective (and the filters don't need constant cleaning).

As for duct cleaning, I would only do it after a major renovation... or moving into a new house.

[Pete_Coach]

I heard those electrostatic filters don't do much ... if you don't clean them monthly.

I heard HEPA air filters are much more effective (and the filters don't need constant cleaning).

As for duct cleaning, I would only do it after a major renovation... or moving into a new house.
HEPA is an acronym for high efficiency particulate arrestor (arresting or air, you pick one because they are all correct). It means nothing unless you add the word filter, HEPA filter. A filter is a filter, it traps particulates. If you don't clean the filter, HEPA or not, it plugs up with the same particulates that it traps. As a matter of fact, if you use a HEPA filter, it in fact traps almost what, 99% or the particulates? After a while that is a lot of stuff that has collected on the surface, where do you think it goes? There are no little particulate cleaning people that come around and clean it for you when you are sleeping :)
You need to clean it more often because it is so much more efficient. I guess I need to temper that wit the statement that it depends what type and size of HEPA filter you get. A really big one may require less cleaning just because of it's size but it could be as much as 12 inches thick.

[Omal Buh]

I've got call from this guys couple days ago. the price they gave me was pretty reasonable. 130$ and i desided to go for it. Today they came to do the job. Really polite guys. they cleaned ducts and they inspected rest of my system for free. I think it depends on the person who is doing the job. I was with this guys every step they made specialy after reading some of this reviews. Yes, they told me for extra service I have to pay extra. i think it's reasonable.Nothing is free in this world.

[Pete_Coach]

I've got call from this guys couple days ago. the price they gave me was pretty reasonable. 130$ and i desided to go for it. Today they came to do the job. Really polite guys. they cleaned ducts and they inspected rest of my system for free. I think it depends on the person who is doing the job. I was with this guys every step they made specialy after reading some of this reviews. Yes, they told me for extra service I have to pay extra. i think it's reasonable.Nothing is free in this world.

And then they asked you to join RFD and make your very first post a good one about them ......Ha! :lol:

[Blackjack]

"they're working in the area, so you can get a good deal".


Soon as I hear "they're working in the area" that's a red flag to me--no thanks. I usually ask neighbours who they have used on previous jobs.

[confused student]

DBay is just as bad, except they didn't even touch half the registers.

[Omal Buh]

And then they asked you to join RFD and make your very first post a good one about them ......Ha!

I'm reading RDF for a long time now and it helped me alot since i found this site. :) I'll leave my opinion about things i know.This company came to do something in my house and i've seen the job they did.I think you supposed to supervise all the jobs done in the house and tell them what you think they doing wrong. At last, dont pay them if youre not satisfied with work they did.

[Crowbarfoot]

And then they asked you to join RFD and make your very first post a good one about them ......Ha!

I'm reading RDF for a long time now and it helped me alot since i found this site. :) I'll leave my opinion about things i know.This company came to do something in my house and i've seen the job they did.I think you supposed to supervise all the jobs done in the house and tell them what you think they doing wrong. At last, dont pay them if youre not satisfied with work they did.


Red Deals Flag Eh?

[i8thesandbox]

Let me tell you that they did the work without my permission and then billed me saying it was already done and that was that. Dont ever let them in your house because your bill will go from $150 to $800 with a blink of an eye.

[Rehan]

I checked "Omal Buh"'s profile, did some Google searches, and it was obvious he's associated with Total Duct Cleaning.

[DealDemon]

omal buh, where are u?
i need duct cleaning service
lol

[TTony]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=438153077

[Frameboy]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=438153077

Pwnd!

Omal, you should take this seriously... I will never use your service now. a) RFD people complained LOUDLY and b) you came on here to try and fix it, but didn't come out and say who you are.

[circus_boi]

So I understand that duct cleaning is not for everyone and is certainly not required in many cases. However, we did do some relatively major renos in our home so am considering getting this service. Having read the informative posts, I was wondering if there is a simple way (i.e. some cheap device from CT or HD, for example) wehre one can test the air quality in one's house, to determine if duct cleaning is even necessary?

[Frankie3s]

If allergies are an issue, perhaps you need to consider electronic air filtration for your forced air furnace. Worked for my kids.
http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/compare-furnace-filters.html

Thanks for the link! If you go up one level on the website there is a ton of other useful information.

[nielboy]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=438153077

Oh that is too funny.

Joe

[lindmar]

So scummy he came on here to post.
Talking about killing your business.

Ouch.

Especially if we say things like "Total Duct Cleaning Reviews" - google is our friend. :lol:

[warlandsboy]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.channel&ChannelID=438153077

Amazing!

Agree on this issue, DO NOT use duct cleaning services!

[Just thinking]

A few years ago, we used Cana Duct (sp?). It was a new development and once all the construction was finished, we decided to get the ducts cleaned.

Our neighbor and I both used them and the price was $300 for both.

Did a great job, no extra charges, very professional.