Get Quotes Contact Us Sign In
Website
Call
Nichols & Phipps Inc: Serving Northern VA Done right the first time, so you can mark it off the list and get back to what's important in your life. Your home is a big investment. Avoid surprising repairs, and expensive emergency calls by scheduling yearly system check-ups. Schedule a consultation to confirm you have Poly B and give you an estimate on the cost to repipe your home. It's got to be done. If your home has polybutylene piping installed, it's a matter of when, not if, your pipes will leak, potentially causing significant water damage to your home.
Services
Nichols & Phipps is an HVAC, plumbing and electrical service company serving Fairfax, Virginia and the surrounding NOVA region. We know that you have many choices when it comes to repairs and installation of new equipment around your home, so we go the extra mile to set ourselves apart from the competition.
Owner and president, Fred Petrus has knowledge and experience in all areas of the business. You can feel good about hiring Nichols & Phipps because it is under the leadership of a Master HVAC tech, Master Plumber, Master Technician and a real estate professional. Plus, he holds a class "A" contractors license, has an MBA and is a CPA certified to work in both Virginia and Maryland.
When your system is broken, you are not only hot but frustrated that you have to spend time finding a reliable repair company that won't take advantage of the situation. Finding a trustworthy service company shouldn't be so hard. We agree that's why we do things differently. Our goal is to earn you as a customer for life by fixing what needs to be fixed, and only replacing what can't or shouldn't be fixed.
Is your air conditioner making unexpected noises, not cooling properly, freezing up or won't turn on at all? It is time to make the call for air conditioning repair service. At Nichols & Phipps, we offer HVAC repair service you can trust and a price you can afford. At Nichols & Phipps, we know that dealing with a broken or malfunctioning air conditioning unit is the last thing you want to do.
Reviews (16)
Write a Review
Marge Li
May 20, 2022
I decided to try Nichols & Phipps after I received an initial estimate from another "big" company that went to my townhouse to inspect the clogged kitchen sink. An outrageously expensive estimate was given by the technician who spent a couple of minutes looking at it. Nichols & Phipps was next on my list to call and I am glad I did. Nichols & Phipps provided me with a very reasonable estimate on the phone and sent Miguel to us on the same day. Miguel showed up on time and worked on the drain for more than 2 hours.

He explained to us what the problem was and how to go about fixing it. He is professional, polite and knows what he is doing. And the finally cost was exact the estimated quote that was provided to me initially. I definitely recommend this company and they will be my go-to plumber from now on.
Simon Wu
Apr 13, 2022
Thank you Fred and his team for making it so painless for the re-piping project in my house! I had polybutylene pipes when I bought my house and due to costs I have been holding off in re-piping. I am so glad I found Nichols & Phipps as Fred was kind and courteous from beginning to the end. He gave me a great affordable price and everyone working was kind and professional. Fred explained everything in details and was involved the whole time.

He even helped me fixed my dryer, light fixture and a receptacle when he was there! I am very thankful for him and his team and will most certainly call him up for any future repairs and projects! The ratings of this company speak for itself! You would be a fool to not give them a call first for any issues you have! Thank you Fred!
Kristina Tipps
Apr 04, 2022
Fred and his team repiped my entire home (I had quest pipes that kept leaking). I received a few estimates, but he was the most affordable and I am glad we went with his company! They were very professional and easy to work with, and made the experience of having water turned on and off for 3 days as easy as it could be. Fred continuously communicated with us about what was going on throughout the process, and while a few minor issues came up due to how the original quest piping was put in, they worked through them without complaint. Fred also helped out with installing a new faucet and fixing incorrect plumbing installations made by the previous owner and everything was done wonderfully and quickly.

I paid the price I was given before the job started- there were no surprise charges due to any unforeseen issues or extra work/supplies. We are very happy with the job and plan to use them for plumbing in our next home!
Annette Sheffield
Feb 21, 2022
This is the company to go with if you are in the DMV area! Fred goes above and beyond the call of duty and he works with you whatever your situation. The repiping of our townhouse was long overdue and their services and work were EXCELLENT! He and his crew made sure to maintain a very neat and meticulous environment and they didn't destroy ceilings or walls in unnecessary areas! Warm, Professional and Friendly:-
M.
Feb 15, 2022
Had a plumbing emergency and they were able to get someone out to me quickly. When they arrived the work was done fast and professional. I was even given tips and suggestions on other work I was doing in the house myself. I really felt like I was taken care of. Great service!
Cherita Watkins
Feb 04, 2022
By far the best service I've ever had! The team goes above and beyond to make sure you're taken care of. I'm so grateful for their quality of work and knowing I have someone I can call who I can trust and rely on. Service: Plumbing pipe repair
Colby Connelly
Dec 04, 2021
We were in need of a house re-pipe after moving in a few months ago, and Fred's estimate came in well below anyone else who took a look at what needed to be done. He and his team did an incredible job and were in and out of our house in no time at all. Not only did they complete the re-piping in two days, they put in several new fixtures for us and discovered (and repaired) several issues with our plumbing we didn't even know we had. I cannot recommend this company enough and would absolutely refer anyone I know to them for any plumbing needs!
Jan Dichoso
Oct 20, 2021
We are first time home buyers and the major issue with our house is the polybutylene piping. Our realtor helped us look for a quality and highly valued plumbing company. After talking to numerous companies, Nichols and Phipps gave us the most affordable quote and they made us very comfortable from the start. Fred was the person who assessed our house and also led the project.

He was wonderful to us and knowing that we are first time homebuyers, he did his very best to explain every step. He kept our house clean and the quality of his team's work is superb! We will definitely make this company as our go to for any repairs we would need in the future.
Christopher Goodin
Oct 11, 2021
Nichols & Phipps to the rescue! Fred the owner came out my house to check out a leaky water heater. I had two different companies check it out and none did a thing. Fred sprung into action! He worked very hard to save our house from flooding! He went above and beyond and gave us a great price on replacing the water heater. He Stayed late trying to get our new water heater installed.

I can't say enough good things about Nichols & Phipps. Fred is an awesome and we will definitely be using them for our plumbing, heating and air conditioning needs. Thanks Fred!
Ken Ross
Aug 23, 2021
When you need plumbing help don't just use any plumber. I had 3 local ones come to snake out drains, but they all failed. Until I called on Nichols & Phipps. They sent the best they had. I explained that the last plumber had tried for 4 hours to snake out a bathroom sink drain, but left without success and I had no use of that sink for a month. Brad Mills is young but a seasoned professional.

He tried for a bit also but then figured out he needed a much smaller snake, and it worked. Now I have a working sink where the others said they would have to tear the wall apart to just get into the pipe. Nichols & Phipps motto is true. When it is broken, we fix it. When it's unfixable, we replace it. When it's working, we keep it that way. So save tons of money and anguish by giving them a call the first time. Very satisfied customers Ken & Anne Ross.
B. M.
Apr 07, 2018
These guys have been amazing so far and have helped me navigate my transition from a tank unit that failed to a tankless. After 3 weeks of not having hot water, battling a home warranty issue, and trying to find someone who was knowledgeable about my situation and tankless units. Nichols & Phipps to the rescue. They got a technician (Ralph) here quickly and expertly ran all of my connections.

I on the other hand purchased the wrong unit for them to install, however they were able to identify this. They conducted research and were able to identify several options that would. My case is unique since I needed a condensing unit, indoor, with interior air combustion capability, on natural gas, and had to vent via PVC (3rd floor of a condo).

All of this was after normal working hours and a great example of customer care and technical acumen (Cody). Their technicians were polite, on time, and craftsman. I checked out several other service providers in the area and they were way overpriced, charged for an estimate, or just didn't know what they were talking about when it comes to tankless units. Needless to say Nichols & Phipps beat everyone else on price too.

Even though I bought the wrong unit, I was told that once I get the right one that they would hook it up for me, free of charge. If you look at my review history on Yelp you will see I write two kinds of reviews. High and low. If I'm impressed then I will take my time to give much earned praise. Well earned Nichols & Phipps. Everyone else around here can kick rocks!
Hoon C.
Nov 30, 2017
I called them because their sticker was on my HVAC system. Looked like they had installed our geothermal unit. The heater wasn't producing enough heat during a time when the temperatures were really starting to go down. I thought it was due to wiring issues on my ecobee system. A tech came out, looked at the wiring, and proceeded to work on the system down stairs.

Apparently it was due to the refrigerant being low. Had no idea, that refrigerant was needed to produce heat. All in all, it was fixed and was done quickly. Not sure how the price compares but I think it was fair.
William C.
Sep 15, 2015
In the course of going over our system for a different repair, I noticed with one of their technicians that, when they installed some plumbing during our home renovation, they had connected a copper pipe directly to a cast iron pipe without the necessary dielectric coupling. The joint had leaked (wasn't leaking then) and was headed to failure.

This is a basic no-no. The tech took a picture of it and said someone would get back to me. That was a year ago. Realizing that nothing had happened since then, I called the company in the hope that they would consider this an inexcusable mistake, plain and simple, and would fix it. They said it's out of warranty (as it was a year ago, but, still).

They would be glad to fix it, COD. Nothing I could say would budge them. The only reason I called them was to give them an opportunity to make things right, which they declined. Not to mention the raft of problems we have had with our geothermal installation, which, after $1000's in "broken sensors" and "adjustments, culminated in their diluting a water circulating loop with glycol and presenting me with a bill for almost $1500.

I said, "this either was wrong when installed, or something has changed. Which is it?" I never got a straight answer. They did compromise that bill some, I'm sure in the hope of getting rid of me. The bottom line is that they didn't know what they were doing, they charged me to fix things that never should have happened (and may never have happened), and I'm done. I gave them every opportunity to make things right, but they just. couldn't. Couldn't or wouldn't.
Steve K.
Feb 20, 2015
Avoid this company! We had a leak in our furnace and called one of their technicians to come out and help. Aside from the leak, the furnace was working without a glitch. The tech came and quickly took care of the problem. However, since his service our furnace has stopped working properly, now only turning on once every 30-45 minutes and completely disregarding the thermostat.

I called the next day and asked the same technician to come back and figure out what went wrong. Their response was twofold. First, they informed me that the technician fixed the leak incorrectly. Second, they have no availability whatsoever during normal hours, and would have to charge me double the rate for someone to come out after 4:30pm. In other words, I will have to pay double for them to come back and fix their own mistakes! Needless to say, I will hire a different company to fix my furnace!
Erika Z.
Mar 14, 2012
After I posed this review and sent the company a nastygram explaining how upset I was with the lack of service, Cary contacted me to set up a time to come out and replace a fan free of charge. While I did appreciate the fact that he and CFS wanted to set things right, I still feel it was too little, too late. I did have him replace the fan, and it seems to be doing a minimal amount of good.

We are going to need more work done (ironically enough, it will all be HVAC, but after my experience with the electrical branch of the business, I don't even want to try to get a quote from them), and I have begun collecting estimates from other contractors. Essentially, I am glad they took steps to improve relations, but ultimately, it wasn't enough to make me want to continue using them when there are so many other contractors out there.
Kimmy M.
May 17, 2009
After receiving many estimates and advice about replacing our heating & AC system, we talked to Ken at Nichols and Phipps. He gave us honest advice and worked us up a great price. When the time came to install the equipment the workmen were on time (to the MINUTE!), professional, and very tidy and even were nice to our very BIG dogs. Ken even stopped by to make sure everything was going okay during the installation.

Our new AC is the BOMB! it's whisper quiet, energy efficient and just plain COOL! I'm super impressed with Nichols & Phipps and Ken Haines in particular. I am very glad we decided to use them.