Verified record
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Alvin Hollis. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$5,000 – $11,400
Typical HVAC project around $8,200
Alvin Hollis is the kind of company whole neighborhoods stick with for generations — reviewers describe being customers since 1975, since the late 1970s when the South Shore company took over their oil delivery and burner service and got them safely through the Blizzard of 1978, and for 25 years and counting across two furnaces, a central AC system and a hot water heater. Based in South Weymouth, the company runs on heating-oil delivery, furnace and boiler service and installation, central air and mini-split systems, and oil tank replacement, with some plumbing work — water heater installs and plumbing upgrades — alongside the heating jobs. The emergency calls are where the company gets tested hardest, and it holds up: a December 2025 review describes a hot water heater leaking the night after the homeowner came home from the hospital with a newborn — a call placed after midnight brought someone to the house within half an hour, with a new unit installed two days later. A May 2026 review describes a six-month Carrier warranty dispute the homeowner couldn't resolve elsewhere getting settled in under 30 days once Alvin Hollis got involved. On pricing, a recent review reports a central-AC quote that came in significantly below a competing bid, with the decision also weighed by an existing relationship for oil service. A few things are worth asking about directly. The company's Massachusetts HVAC license (365-SM-B) is registry-verified but currently shows expired — worth confirming its status before signing a contract. A recent review describes a dispute over a chimney-smoke complaint in which the office reportedly said it couldn't locate the reviewer as a past customer, which the reviewer took as an attempt to discredit their 1-star rating. A 2025 review from a seven-year customer separately reports having to replace the same parts repeatedly, with nothing covered under warranty, alongside billing overcharges. Separately, a July 2026 review from a long-time customer complains the company has stopped accepting new service customers without updating its website to reflect that. And in an older, 2022 review on Porch, a homeowner who inherited the company's service from a previous owner alleges a sales contract was signed without a clear explanation of what it covered, calling the company fraudulent — a serious, dated allegation worth weighing against the volume of long-tenured, positive accounts around it. For routine heating-oil customers and anyone with an aging furnace, boiler, or AC system, the multi-decade relationships and fast emergency turnarounds are the throughline. Anyone signing on fresh should confirm the license is current, ask how warranty work is handled, and get clear terms in writing before any contract is signed.
“ALVIN HOLLIS”
“I know everyone is going to say they’re crazy expensive but I had Alvin Hollis do mine about 2 years ago and all in even with a new Roth double hulled tank it was 14k.”
“I bought a new oil burner for my 1800 sq ft house about a year ago and paid 13k to Alvin Hollis.”
We had our AC replaced. Alvin Hollis service personnel were great. Professional, cleaned up and were in and out in a day. I would highly recommend Alvin Hollis for AC replacement.
We had our old central air conditioning system replaced by Alvin Hollis, and the entire experience was excellent. The crew arrived on time, clearly explained their game plan before getting started, and completed the entire installation in just two days as promised. They removed the old system, cleaned up thoroughly when they were finished, and were friendly and professional throughout the job. Our new central air system is working great, and we couldn't be happier with the results.
I don't usually write reviews, but Alvin Hollis has earned one. When I was getting quotes for central AC, John came out to do the estimate. Compared to another company I spoke with, Alvin Hollis's quote was significantly lower, but what really made the decision easy was that I was already an Alvin Hollis customer for my oil deliveries and service. I've always had great experiences with everyone I've dealt with there, and they've also installed a new toilet for us in the past. Every experience has been professional from start to finish. After the AC was installed, I noticed that on extremely hot days the second floor would blow warm air while the first floor, which is connected to the same system, stayed nice and cool. Anytime I called, Alvin Hollis came out and checked everything. Last year Bonnie called to see how everything was going. I explained the issue, but by then it was already fall and the weather had cooled off, so it was hard to troubleshoot. I told her to check back with me the following summer when it got hot again. To my surprise, she actually did. This summer, after another stretch of very hot weather, the same issue happened. Bonnie called just to follow up, and when I told her I was still having the problem, she immediately got the office involved and made sure someone was handling it. To me, that's what separates Alvin Hollis from other companies. A lot of businesses can install an AC system, but not every business stands behind their work a year later and continues to make sure the customer is taken care of. They haven't forgotten about me once the job was done—they're just as committed today as they were the day John first came out to give me the estimate. From John to Bonnie and everyone else I've worked with, Alvin Hollis has always been honest, professional, and genuinely cared about making things right. That's why they'll continue to get my business, and why I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
These guys were really great, and now they don't take any new customers even for service work. That's your choice, but just put on the web site. We are full and nothing more. May as well just close down the web site if you have a business that can't handle anything new. I recommended these guys for years. Crazy way to run a clown show.
We have been Alvin Hollis oil customers for 35+ years. Recently I noticed small oil puddle under the oil tank. Notified Alvin Hollis and they had man come out next day to see problem. They said new tank was needed (leaky tank was 50+ years old). Within couple days oil tank removal crew arrived to replace the tank. The crew came in and we discussed what was needed. They pumped the tank dry. Removed a section of enclosure wall, disconnected fill and vent piping and the fuel line to the furnace. The crew removed tank and installed new tank, fill and vent lines, furnace supply line and tank level. They then refilled the tank with oil. They removed the materials and cleaned up the work area. They were efficient and professional. Work was done by early afternoon.
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Certified attributes are verified against the public registry. Others are the business's own statement.
Established 3.9 rating
Suggested a cheap fix over a full replacement4.8
Fixed an unrelated issue at no extra charge4.4
Same-day emergencies5.0
Arranged financing and permits for a compressor swap3.9
Old-building expertise3.8
Offers multiple priced repair options4.2