When it comes to heating and air, there're too many contractors out there who use underhanded tactics to increasing the cost unnecessarily, like saying you need to buy a new unit when a repair is possible instead, or who simply don't have the expertise to troubleshoot and repair systems, especially the large, complex ones. 

That's why it's important to know about the Somerset County firm Midstate HVAC & Mechanical Services in Readington Township NJ and owner Bob Krauss who since 1980 has been serving customers honestly by doing repairs when possible rather than replacing and with the expertise necessary for large commercial and industrial systems.

Midstate HVAC & Mechanical Services in Readington NJ: Saving Customers Money Through Expertise & Honesty

With so many companies out there getting away with convincing customers to pay big dollars to replace units that could be repaired instead, why doesn't Bob Krauss do that too? He says, "It's just in my nature to save the customer money and do a job right, so I look for a way to repair the existing system. Although I've kept the expense lower for the customer, it's worth it to me in the long run because that kind of honesty and professionalism is how we've created customer loyalty that lasts for decades."

Customers we called as research for this article back that up, like one named Mike who told us, "Bob Krauss and Midstate HVAC did some work for me. What I liked about him is that he came in and he analyzed the problem and tried to just correct the problem as opposed to trying to sell a whole new system, sell you something that you really didn't need. And he did correct the problems in both situations. He was good."

In fact, Bob Krauss saves his customers money by helping them on the phone at no charge if it's something simple, where other companies take advantage of an excuse to bill for a trip out to service. He tells us, "A lot of things are minor and can be fixed over the phone, like when it's simply an emergency switch getting thrown.  Also we do a lot of building automation systems and people get lost with the computers and that's something else that they can often be helped with over the phone."

Some companies who push customers into expensive replacements rather than repair do so out of ignorance rather than greed, because they simply don't have the troubleshooting abilities to identify the problem, or the skills to repair it, especially when it comes to the large complex systems. Unlike those other companies, Bob Krauss and Midstate HVAC & Mechanical Services specialize in commercial and industrial systems. And even when a company does attempt a repair, they too often use cheap parts instead of the ones made by the original manufacturer, known as OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Bob shares, "OEM parts cost me a little more but I do it for the customer because it's important to maintain the integrity of their unit."

According to a commercial customer named Lisa, reliability is also something Bob Krauss and Midstate HVAC & Mechanical Services is delivering, when she told us, "They do all of our in-house work. We've always been very happy with them. They're very reliable. Always here where when they say, and always so great work."

Hunterdon County resident Bob Krauss lives in Readington Township NJ with his wife. The two have raised two children together. He started in the trade working for his father-in-law in 1980 and has been the owner of Midstate HVAC & Mechanical Services since the 1990's. Friends describe him as hard-working, and customers cite his trustworthiness, and his professional, respectful demeanor. Running Midstate HVAC & Mechanical keeps him busy but when he can find the time he enjoys flying his four-seat, single engine Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

So in an industry where so many others look for every opportunity to charge you unnecessarily, such as with system replacements where merely a repair is required, Bob Krauss and Midstate HVAC & Mechanical Services in Readington NJ stand out for their honest approach with repairs instead of replacements, giving customers quality OEM parts that last, and even helping over the phone instead of charging for a trip out, all with a particular expertise in troubleshooting and fixing large commercial and industrial systems that others don't have and won't admit lacking.  As Bob shares, "There's reward enough for me from that feeling when one company has told a customer it's going to cost them a big amount to fix something and I can look at it and give them a bill for less than one-tenth of that.  I approach business where if you treat the customer right, they'll be your customer for life. Treat them with respect, listen, and give them options."

In the words of a customer of Midstate HVAC & Mechanical Services who we heard from for this article, "Regarding Bob Krauss, he's been working for me for over 30 years. He is a fantastic individual, knowledgeable, fair, honest. His prices are probably the best in the area.  As far as knowledge for mechanical systems there are few that know as much as he does. I recommend him without any hesitation."