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Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Mathews Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. 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
Mathews Brothers has been plumbing Melrose houses since 1929 — fathers and sons across three generations, from Ed Mathews Sr. through to Ed Mathews III, who runs it now, handling plumbing, heating and air conditioning installation and service. The written accounts run from 2021 to 2025, and the calls they describe were answered fast. A homeowner in November 2021 whose heat had gone out across the whole house got a text straight back, a diagnosis over the phone and the problem resolved immediately. In July 2023 an emergency leak at a customer's parents' house brought a response within the hour. And in November 2025 someone who called for a repair was talked through fixing it himself on the spot, and wrote that the best kind of plumber is the one you end up not needing. The one job described at length is from September 2021: Ed ran PEX and a drain from the basement up to the second floor and hard-piped a vent through the attic kneewalls, finishing on time at a price the customer called great and, in his words, never making him worry. A customer in September 2023 singled out Luis as exceptional and knowledgeable. The exception is a 2022 account from a customer whose project was fully paid but still open a year later. They wrote that they had tried several times to get an open permit closed and had not heard back. For plumbing, heating or air conditioning work around Melrose — particularly the kind of call where advice over the phone might settle it — this is a fair call; ask who pulls the permit, and get the final inspection and sign-off dated in writing before the balance goes over.
The best kind of plumber is the one you don’t need. Called them to get repair for an issue, he gave me advice on the spot on how to fix the problem, problem solved. I’ll definitely call him back with any future issues.
The best in the business highly recommended
You guys do incredible work and Luis is exceptional and very knowledgeable. I would call this company for any plumbing issue without hesitation.
Responded within an hour to an emergency leak situation at my parents house. Communicative and nice guy. Highly recommend
05/31: Celebrating 1 year anniversary (project is srill open but fully paid :( ), tried reaching several time to close open permit , as usual no reponse. Thanks! Hello Everyone, Please don’t take this as negative comments, I'm just sharing my personal experience I went/going through and with "Mathews Brothers Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning". Got Ed's contact through friend of mine, reached out to him last summer (May 2021) to add refrigerant to my existing mini split. Since the unit was out of life, I did requested for possible /alternate options. Due to space constraints classical duct work was not a solution rather crawl space ac/ducting was suggested and worked on contract for $18K ( later I end up paying $20K). Initial responses to messages, calls was good. The project is still open (hopefully won’t celebrate 1 year mark). Patching any holes was part of the contract but wholes were not made instead pretty much most of the walls were cut down during installation ( compromised on everything , once work is started you will left with no options) I had very tough time with the lead installer who did the duct work ( whenever i ask him to consult with ED for options he kept saying he has 10+ yrs of experience and knows better than anyone, could have been little friendly :-) , coffee cups, trash pretty much everywhere I ended up cleaning most of the time). When asked about closing those walls during end of work (sometime in last week of Sep) I was told that I’ll be charged additional as it was not included in contract. I end up spending lot of time, money in closing the walls, duct work as we were approaching winter. Team showed up on time for 1st week and later once in 2 weeks etc... I have to do several follow-ups to track this installation to closure. In the mean while lot of other errands, installation team end-up cutting a water line, then did a patch-up work but left the wall ceiling open , water heater started leaking all of sudden ( I was charged ~$2000 to replace the water heater which was under warranty) replaced the water heater. I'm very disappointed with quality of work, stress we went through during this time and even now as the project is still open. There were no responses for texts or calls after the final amount was paid off... Even now I need to fill-up their contact us form in their website to get a response. Till now I haven’t got a permit for the central air conditioned installed after too many follow-up I got a response with permit application submitted for duct work (not sure if this will be enough for Central AC installation). I was told the inspection will be scheduled after Feb break but no luck so far. Just wanted to share my experience and things that you need to consider when taking any home improvement project. When you sign a contract please make sure you explore all possible scope of work, get 2-3 quotes , make sure you have agreed upon "end date" (Very crucial part) , final check once "everything" is completed and sign the contract - the biggest mistakes I made) We customers agree for huge quotes as we trust you to have the work completed on time and stress free. I Know every contractor for that matter is very busy (covid times, supply issues etc.) but make sure respond to them at least once a while, update them on any delays. If they are satisfied they will get you more customers by referring you. Thank you!
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1 change recorded — last scanned Sep 8, 2026.
Heat pump specialists4.4