Told You Need a New System? Get a Second Opinion First
Replacing an air conditioner or furnace is one of the largest purchases a homeowner makes, and it is often recommended in a hurry, on a hot day, by someone who has spent very little time diagnosing the system. Before you sign anything, it is worth having the system looked at by a shop whose strength is troubleshooting. Fortt Mechanical Inc is a family owned company run by Art Fortt and his son, Lucas, in Mission Viejo. Second opinions are some of the most valuable calls we take, because a proper diagnosis regularly changes the answer.
What a Real Second Opinion Looks Like
A second opinion is not a second sales pitch. We inspect the system ourselves, test the components that were blamed, and check the things that are commonly missed: refrigerant charge and signs of a leak, electrical components, airflow, the condition and sizing of the condenser, and the thermostat and controls. Then we give you a straight summary of what we found, what can be repaired, what that repair involves, and how the equipment looks overall for its age. If replacement really is the right call, we will say so, and you can move forward with confidence either way.
Repairs That Often Get Missed
Systems get condemned every season for problems that turn out to be smaller than advertised. A failed capacitor or fan motor can make a healthy system look dead. A refrigerant leak can be located and repaired instead of written off. A mismatched or undersized condenser can make a newer indoor unit look like the problem. None of that means every system should be repaired. It means the decision should rest on a diagnosis, not on a first impression.
No Pressure, Either Way
We only sell customers what they need, and our prices are set to support thorough work, not to win a foot in the door. If you decide to repair, we can do the repair. If you decide to replace, we can quote that too, in existing homes and buildings. What we will not do is steer you toward the larger job when the smaller one is the honest one. Fortt Mechanical is licensed in California, License #646285, and when you call, you talk to Art or Lucas directly.
Call Before You Sign
If another company has told you your AC or furnace needs to be replaced, call Fortt Mechanical at (949) 201-0491 before you commit, or use the Request Service form on our Contact page. A careful second look costs little compared with replacing a system that still had good years in it. You can also run through our Repair or Replace checker first for a general steer from a few quick answers.