Kevin Shaw Plumbing, Inc.

Very well.

Unfortunately, when I initially spoke to someone at Kevin Shaw Plumbing to ask for an estimate, there was no mention of a "service call fee". I only learned this when someone called me to schedule the appointment, and it was after setting the appointment that it was "casually" mentioned there was a service fee involved for coming out and giving an estimate. It was a waste of my time, and the caller's time to go back and forth to set up a convenient time for the appointment, only to find out there was a service fee involved. On my part, I was honest and up front during the initial call to let them know we were in the process of getting bids. I hope this was just an oversight on their part - but for a first impression - very poor business practice.

I gave them a call and Jeff called back within 5 min. I asked him how much a particular job was and he said from 185-300+. I then asked him how he determines his pricing since it's a range. He responded by saying we charge 89 dollars for the assessment and a flat rate for the job. I then asked him how much is the flat rate since he gave me a range. He said he the repair man would have to come out and give me the price. Since the range was so wide , I declined to book it when he asked if I would like to book. When I declined , he said "lame" and hung up. Do not waste your time. No professionalism , no certainty on price , no customer service and prices are very high and they " range ".

Price for repiping house was quoted as $14,000.  I was told by workers that the cost to repipe has almost doubled in the last few years.  This was not even for copper piping. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with very ample under house space.  Did not order permits until I asked for them.  Plumbing job did not pass inspection the first time.  Asked workers for itemized copy of work when I requested the work to be performed.  I also asked the oh hive to supply me with itemized copies of parts and labor and was told this could not be done as all their parts and labor are rolled into one price.  There was no breakdown between parts and labor given to me and no breakdown as to the cost of attic fan, which attic fan was installed and labor for same.  There was not even a breakdown between cost of fan and work performed and the cost of repiping and labor for same.

I asked for for pricing to put a fan in the shower where the light was and was told this can't be done as it is unsafe to have a fan and light in the shower.  I was told they could put a fan outside the shower and connect it to the light switch in the shower for the price of $2,600.  That price is not a typo.  Their representative, Jose, said he would check with the office to get a lower price and was told fan could be installed for $2,100 and that was the best they could do.  I went with a contractor who installed a very quiet fan that I purchased on Amazon and he only charged me $200.

Note when the replumbing was done the turn off valves for washing machine that were above the washer so they could be easily reached and turned off in an emergency were placed halfway down on the wall behind the machine.  My washer overflowed all over the floor and I had to pull out the washer to reach the turn off valves.  Yes, they did move turn off valves when I contacted their office, but this practice of putting valves behind the machine and not above where they can be reached.  Also had to call them back again to secure the turn off valves as they becam lose from the wall and needed to be secure before dry way was repaired.

The final bill did explain that drop clothes would be used wherever work was done and workers would clean up after all work was done.  Workers failed to cover up my printer. Phones and usb holder for electronic items needing charging.  A hole was cut out above these items and plaster fell into the printer and other items, behind, in front of and around the computer stand.  

The people I dealt with were always pleasant but the costs associated with this company are the worst.  Others have told me that a repiping job should cost around $5,000. To $7,000 maximum especially for a house with great crawl space under the house.  I'm in my 70's and my mother is 100 years old and I believe we were taken advantage of.

without Angie's List discount the cost would have been $2,358.74 higher.

The repair was to a 3/4" copper pipe that had a pin hole leak at the coupling. The pipe was on the exterior of the house, exposed and above ground. It was a 30 minute job with about $20 worth of material. The price he gave me was $449. Again, this was a 30 minute job with about $20 worth of materials. I was more than surprised at the price quoted. It's outrageously expensive for such a minor repair. Needless to say, I refused the work and sent him away. Absolute rip off. I  Do not trust this company.

unknown

unknown

Excellent plumber, but we didn't use his services.

My husband was told the water heater was probably on it's last legs and that we needed a new one.  This wasn't unexpected.  The first estimate we received from Kevin Shaw was for a 50 gallon gas water heater with a 10 year warranty at a cost of $5,461.11.  For a gas tank water heater.  (Not tankless, not solar.)

I called and asked how the price could be so high.  I was told that our water heater installation wasn't to code, and some minor issues were detailed.  I was told we had been provided with 4 estimates, but I only had the $5,461.11 one in hand. Jose told me he'd done another estimate for $3,400.  I told him that I didn't have that one, but it didn't matter, that wouldn't fly, either. 

I also asked how much the water heater itself cost, without labor.  I was told they would not provide me with that information, that they were a flat rate shop, and they would only quote a flat rate.

We received another estimate, this time for $2,208.  6 month warranty and we would have to dispose of our existing water heater. Yes, this is less, but still out of line for what I should expect to pay for a water heater, and there's no way I would purchase a water heater with a 6 month warranty. This estimate included no additional work other than hooking up the heater with existing hardware.  I have the estimate to prove it.

We used Kevin Shaw for plumbing work in the past, and were happy with the work.  But I no longer have any confidence that they won't overcharge me.  Significantly.  We won't be calling them again.

Here's the kicker.  I just saw on Angie's List that this A-rated business has a special on 40-50 gallon water heaters, 10% off, normal price of $1,662.00.  They certainly didn't offer us the normal price. There's something very wrong here. 

Here's the Deal:

• $1,495 for installation of a new electric or gas water heater; two water supply lines and one gas connector, deal value can be credited toward purchase of upgraded unit
• Valid for up to 50-gallon electric or 40-gallon gas tanks
• Water heater must be readily accessible
• Includes a six-year warranty on parts and one-year warranty on labor
• Removal and disposal of existing water heater

unknown

Jeff was an excellent and knowledgeable technician 



Very thorough and efficient.   We were very pleased with his work, attitude and responsiveness.

Work was professionally done and the plumber cleaned up everything on completion. Total job took about 8 hours.

unknown

We had a problem in the back yard...... a previous plumber I used because of a coupon I received, Pipe Bros., had attached a brass hose bib to a pvc pipe and one morning I heard what sounded like a geyser going off.  When I went to investigate the noise, sure enough, the brass hose bib was off and water was shooting up in the air.  To make things worse, we are in a serious DROUGHT.  Well I went to cut the water off and found out I did not have a convenient shut off valve.  I had to go to the street at the meter and I couldn't budge the turn off valve.   I had to call the Water Dept to come out and do it.  Well to make a long story short.....I called a good plumber I had used in the past (Gem) but they could not get out until Monday.  This was on a Friday.  Well I thought I would call around and happened onto Kevin Shaw.  After setting up an appointment they emailed me a picture of my plumber that was coming out that same day.  His name is Jeff Probst and he is a guru.  He diagnosed our problem, raised my pressure regulator and added beautiful copper with a shut off valve.  He rerouted the water from the pvc explosion in the back and with all copper he gave me a new brass hose bib that was securely attached.  I would give five stars but the price was a little more than I expected but you get what you pay for.  There will never be a geyser in the back now.  Thanks Kevin Shaw plumbing and your guy Jeff Probst is fantastic.  Sorry this review is a little late but I loved the work and will use you again when needed.

unknown

unknown

Phoned the provider and was able to schedule an appointment for the same day, which was great.  Senior Technician, Jeff Probst arrived in the early portion of the 4 hour window scheduled for the appointment.  He was very professional, friendly, and answered all questions I had regarding the plumbing problem.  Despite having some technical difficulties with the electric snake, he completed the work and unclogged the drain.  He did this without getting any water on the floor or cabinet below the sink which was pretty impressive and left everything as clean as before he arrived.  He also wore shoe covers to protect my floors, which I had never had any type of technician do before.  I will use this company's services again and would recommend them to anyone else with plumbing problems.

I thought their estimates were high and the seller did as well, but I liked their professionalism and punctuality.  I think in the end the seller ended up hiring them for some of the repairs.

The plumber arrived promptly after my call and gave me a quote based on information from his tablet.  I was truly shocked by the quote, but because of it being late in the day and our house having no water, I agreed to let them do the work.  The job took the plumber approximately 1 hour, so I expected to be charged less than the amount quoted, however, because of company rules, he could not do that.  Now given that the valve cost maybe a couple hundred dollars, or so, and consider that including travel time, there were maybe two hours charged to the job, that means that they are charging over $600/hour including overhead, profit, cost of money, etc.  That is way above the approx. $300/hour that I have paid on two previous plumbing jobs at my house from other plumbing firms.  The work by Kevin Shaw Plumbing was done in a workmanlike manner, and the plumber was congenial, but I am really dissatisfied with their pricing and have reflected that in my overall rating of the firm.

Excellent

The employee was punctual and professional. Had the shoe covers ready to go that we require. He used both chemicals (i was assured non-toxic) and a professional snack and was able to clear the clog. He checked our other toilet just to be kind. We were informed we would likely have this problem again over time as the toilets are early low volume and that was simply a bad design.
 What I didn't like was no fault of the gentleman who showed up. Upselling. For each thing there was an additional charge. Felt like nickel and diming after getting in the door and that's why I won't call back. I realize they can't know what they are in for but the person who books the appointment should have more info and share more on the pricing front.

The service was great, it just cost much more expensive than I expected and I don't quite see why.  $700 seems really pricy for the two hours' work installing the faucet and water filter, especially given that I had already purchased the equipment beforehand. 
The quote for the cost was boilerplate, though, so it's apparently just a pricy shop.  Since pricing is standardized, I'd recommend asking for a quote before they come out to avoid any surprises after you're already on the hook for the service fee. 

I did not end up needing this service so I got a refund for the big deal.

Initially, I called them out for a leak. The owner, Kevin Shaw, came out himself to provide the estimate. He was very knowledgeable. I felt that they really knew what they were doing. However, they do tend to cost more than other companies. Overall, they are very good and professional.

They said that due to the plumbing and gas line restrictions, the installation would have cost far more than I wanted to pay. I ended up getting a regular water heater installed.