09/21/09

ESTIMATE OUT OF CONTROL

by CATMAN

Now that I look back on the scenerio felt like they had a plan of attack before arriving: First one guy in a Pat's Plumbing truck shows up. He sets the table I'm not that experienced in Septic Systems. Our experienced guy will be here in a few minutes. He shows up in a big Black unmarked Truck. The smooth talker. Have to admit he sounded like he knew alot. After they reviewed my system they huddled up & then gave me a estimate of around $3000 for a new pump, floats & pump the tank. Have to admit I was taken back a little [actually alot]. I asked for details such as material costs & labor time in hours. They would not share anything other than offering "we do the work & get paid by the job". Was a bit uncomfortable as they had everything pulled apart. Partially felt like lets get the job done. The better part of me said let's get a 2nd opinion this damn price is way out of line. I could tell they were not happy by the looks on there faces. The smooth talker knew they had one shot & one shot only. I made the comment if another estimate is close I may call you guys later. He knew better. In short received a 2nd estimate by phone for less than 1/2 half Pat's quote. A honest guy came by later that evening. The pump had a rock lodged in it & was not bad after all. He said the floats are fine & the tank in fact does not need pumping. End result $325. The septic sytem works great & found a new guy that I can trust to work on it if any issues down the road. Bottom line always have a 2nd estimate.

• Pros: NONE THAT I COULD SEE
• Cons: OVERCHARGE

06/16/09

Very Expensive

by MountainManMatt

Had some pipes bust under the house. called these guys, they showed up promptly the next day but when they showed me the estimate i almost choked on a bit of apple. $3000!!! So I looked online and saw all these reviews and thought i might get another opinion. he still charged me the $40 to come out here, but when i got a rough estimate from a plumber friend, the $40 dollars didnt much matter. My friend said it should cost somewhere between $1600 and $2000, depending on how long it takes the guy. Thanks for your reviews, saved me $1000!!!

I urge you all to please please research before you let business' like these take you for all your worth.

• Pros: Nice guy, willing to do extra work.
• Cons: way, way overpriced.

06/11/09

OVERLY high prices - NO SHAME IN OVERBILLING

by KathleenTutor

I had a leaky bathroom faucet. Pat's Plumbing missed the first appointment when I had taken 4-hours off work to be available to monitor the estimate and resulting work.

When they did come the next day, I was unable to be there and accepted their "professional judgment" that they needed to "rebuild the faucet" for $370... against their "professional alernative" $700+ quote to install a new faucet. This is a simple two-faucet pedestal sink with easy access and simple design.

The "rebuilding" amounted to less than an hour's work and I believe they should have reduced the estimate accordingly. I don't mind a premium for quick service but even if you factor in admin overhead, travel, parts, labor and a fair profit there is no way this was a $370 effort on their part.

WHAT I UNDERESTIMATED WAS THEIR SHAMELESS OVERBILLING. When I took the time to speak to them personally I was stone-walled with their theme: you agreed to it. I told them that after the fact it proved to be a ridiculously high price for the actual work performed and they said, again, "well, you agreed to the price."

I told them I was unhappy with the situation given the relatively short time/talent invested by them and asked if they could re-assess but their only defense was "you agreed to the price". At no time did they explain WHAT was done to EARN that kind of money.

I paid it because, indeed, I said I would even though I could easily stop payment on my check and duke it out in small claims court.

The fact is they are WRONG to overcharge like this. I'm sorry I ever fell for their advertising. I would never do business with them again and will actively advise others to avoid them too starting with this review.

SAD example of a "professional" business that profiteers on the first job because at that kind of mark-up they evidently don't need to create an on-going relationship.

• Pros: Advertise as woman-owned business offering perfection
• Cons: RIDICULOUS prices, shameless reliance on "but you said OK"