Chilli Willie Plumbing HVAC & Mechanical Inc
Local business · 473 Essex St, Saugus, MA 01906, USA
Their work
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Verified record
- MA plumbing licenseVerified active
- Not rated by the BBB
- 5 reviews in the last 6 months
- 9 customer photosOf completed work
Highlights
- Fast emergency response — reached a heat outage in about an hour
- Careful plumbing fixes — caught and fixed a hidden leak during a faucet job
- Active state license — Massachusetts plumbing license verified active
- Deep review history — 4.8 stars across 70 Google ratings over several years
- Post-install airflow — a recent review reported ongoing humidity and comfort issues
- Permitting and follow-up — a review flagged issues after a large install
- Not BBB accredited — no rating or accreditation on file
When an elderly neighbor's heat went out during a cold stretch, Chilli Willie had someone on-site within about an hour, after other companies had quoted days just to take a look. That kind of response shows up again and again in how this Saugus company handles both plumbing and HVAC work across Melrose and the wider Boston area. By its own account, it was started in 2019 by owner Steve Franklin with one truck and a home office and has since grown into a full crew; its Massachusetts plumbing license, 17673-PL-M, is active with the state. The most recent stretch of reviews leans plumbing-heavy: in April 2026 a customer had sink faucets installed and a water heater checked, and the crew caught a leak while they were at it; a similar faucet job in May turned up a running toilet that got fixed on the spot, no extra visit needed. That combination — handling the job you called about and catching the thing you didn't — holds up across five years of reviews and a 4.8-star average on 70 Google ratings. It isn't a clean record, though. A March 2026 review from someone who paid roughly $50,000 for two heat pump and furnace systems installed in 2023 said the equipment has run nonstop since, indoor humidity dropped to about 20 percent, and family members have been getting sick — explicit about not recommending the company for an HVAC install. That's a heavier complaint than a handful of five-star ones can offset, and it isn't the only time a big job or a slip in communication has drawn a complaint over the company's review history. Independent write-ups on BestProsInTown and EcoHome describe the crew in similar terms — professional, transparent, reliable — though the company carries no BBB accreditation or rating. For a faucet, a leak, a water heater, or a heating system that dies at the worst time, the reviews back up calling them, and Steve himself still shows up on service calls. Before signing off on a full heat-pump or furnace replacement, it's worth asking directly about post-install airflow and humidity control, and getting the permitting process spelled out up front.
Read the comments
Most recent comments
- 5.0May 20, 2026
We were thrilled with the plumbing work by Chilli Willie. We first had Ben install a new bathroom faucet. While he was doing that he heard water running, coming from the toilet. Ben and Rob came back and fixed it, along with the washing machine knocking.<br>They were efficient, honest and very professional.<br>Chilli Willie will be my go to plumbers for the future.<br>They are also knowledgeable in the mini split business<br><br>Thank you Chilli Willie<br><br>Paula from Charlestown
— Paula ChamberlinView on Google Reviews ↗ - 5.0Apr 29, 2026
After getting several quotes to install central air Chillie Willie was the most reasonable cost wise. I hired them to install central air. Once again the staff including the technicians were friendly and knowledgeable got the job done and exceeded my expectations. They were efficient and professional installed a/c. Technicians were on site when they said they would be and there cleanliness was amazing you never could tell they were here. The technicians showed me how to use the new system step by step. I would recommend this company for any job going forward. They truly are the Best.
— Joseph FedericoView on Google Reviews ↗ - 5.0Apr 11, 2026
This company is fantastic. Very thorough, knowledgeable, committed to doing things right, and reasonably priced. We have had them install sink faucets, check our water heater, and also check on a leak. They are now our go-to plumbers. They are also just great to work with in communication and in person.
— AshleyView on Google Reviews ↗ - 1.0Mar 31, 2026
I do not recommend this company for an hvac install.<br><br>I had two systems installed in 2023 by chilli willi, for around $50,000- this included electric heat pumps and backup gas furnaces with ac and heat, as well as all new duct work.<br>I was pleased with the team and the install, initially.<br>During 2024 & 2025, my ex husband would notice that the system was always running. We thought the windows needed to be replaced, so we did that also.<br>In January 2026 my daughter and I were always sick. I noticed that humidity in my house was around 20%, so I decided to get a whole-house humidifier installed. When the new hvac company came, they asked if the system was always running, which I of course answered yes. They told me that the system is overworking due to the duct configuration and that the life of it will be shortened significantly.<br>It cost an additional $15,000 and a week of work to have the ducts reconfigured.<br>I finally heard my system turn off for the first time during winter since it was installed. My bills have reduced significantly, even during the coldest months.<br><br>Before writing this review, I have tried to reach out to the owner of Chilli Willi, Steve, twice and have not heard back.<br><br>Unfortunately, I do NOT recommend this company.
— CL BView on Google Reviews ↗ - 5.0Jan 28, 2026
When my 90+ year old neighbor's heat went out, Chilli Willie came through! I called a bunch of other places and everyone was saying it would take days to come out and check on the system - Chilli Willie not only sent someone same day, they sent someone in just over an hour and got the system running quickly. Big thanks to them for coming through in a big moment of need during such a cold stretch in weather.
— Josh DeeringView on Google Reviews ↗
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Update history
Added 56 new comments, added 30 new photos, verified active license, established rating 4.1
- confirmed against the state license registry
- behind the score: Post-install airflow — a recent review reported ongoing humidity and comfort issues