D & R PLUMBING INC

They came out promptly with 2 men. Seemed like a one man job to me but they billed me for 2. They insisted the failed pump was not one of theirs until I produced the invoice that proved it was their pump, In the process of replacing the sump, they totally destroyed the cover to the well. The technician that fixed the stuck faucet was very nice but couldn't find the problem. He told us he would only charge $150. After calling his boss, the price became $250.

When I spoke with D & R we were told that it would take one man to install the toilet and since we were a senior he would charge us $85.00 an hour and that it would take about 1 1/2 hours to install new toilet.  We provided the new toilet.  D & R brought 3 men to work on our toilet and charged us for 3 men doing the job.  We also asked them to install a Bidet to our toilet that we purchased and provided.  Our son installed our first one and it took our son about 30 minutes to install.  But D & R took two men to install the Bidet and charged us for an hour for two men.  D & R also checked our water heater and used two men to fix this water heater with one new part.  We then were charged $1,800.00 for this service.  We asked for a detailed bill - they never provided this.  However upon D & R going through the bill with us personally D & R realized they had charged us double in installing the bidet that they originally had charged us over $400.00 for installing of the bidet - so they reimbursed us for 1/2 of this cost.   They still never provided us a break down detail of our bill after asking and requesting two times.  I have never heard of installing a toilet would cost a person $1800.00.  This really has bothered me ever since this service.  I feel that I had been lied too about the actual cost, I feel that after charging double for installation of a simple thing as a bidet for over $400.00 was excessive, and I feel that this company took advantage of us as customers by bringing in 3 plumbers at the same time.  

It was one of the most awful experiences I've had for service.  We had back up sewer and drain from wipes being flushed down the toilet.  It happened on a Saturday and I spoke to Richard.  He said he didn't want to charge me for weekend call so waited until Monday. The showers were backing up what looked like laundry detergent and toilets started to overflow.  They came around noon on Monday Nov. 3, they were a little late because of another job.  I understand how that goes, so was not upset.    He had two workers show up.  He said they would get lines cleared that day, but would come back on Friday Nov. 7 to replace some old ABS black pipe with new PVC pipe.  Monday they were at our house 12 noon until 11:30 p.m.  They took off both toilets. It seemed they didn't know how to use the equipment.  When they finally got the lines cleared after getting another machine, one of the workers started to put the toilet back on without a ring.  I said something and he said yes he would get one.  They broke a waste basket in one of the bathrooms and didn't even apologize, acted like it was no big deal.  Their gloves that wore to crawl in the manhole were placed on Mother's dresser. They did not have enough towels to clean up their mess, they asked if I had any.  I was so exhausted just glad to go to bed by 11:30 p.m..  Friday, Nov. 7th they show up.  They said they would replace the old ABS pipe and clean the crawl space (it has like a pool liner on the walls and flooring) with an industrial strength cleaner.  They did not replace all the old ABS pipe, only part of it.  I was outside and standing by the curb and this foul smelling water came out from where the sump pump is located.  They had taken the sewage water and dumped it into the sump pump. The industrial strength cleaner was a bottle of ammonia (which they did not even use half) and two cans of Lysol. I went down with Clorox when I saw how they were cleaning it up and cleaned the entire area.  There was glue every where on the plastic that I cleaned up.  A place on the vinyl tarp was torn and it now has duct tape on it.  They didn't even have enough buckets and had to use two of mine.  As we were taking the buckets and tools back up through the crawl space, Richard had one of his buckets and took the sewage water and dumped it down our KITCHEN sink.   My 90 year old Mother saw it too late, I was down in the crawl space still, but saw him wiping down his bucket with paper towel - that we supplied.  The garbage disposal quit working shortly after.  We discovered that a small piece - connection for cable was in the garbage disposal.  My guess it was sucked up from the crawl space  and was in the bucket.  When the bucket was dumped it landed in our sink.   Since we have the vapor covering in the crawl space the vents are closed.  They started to leave with the outside vent open.  I told him they can't just leave it open.  He said they would use metal covering. I said no that will rust and asked him if he would like to have that on his house.  He then promised to do it for "free" and make a really nice looking cover.  The cover is powdered coated (again someone didn't know what they were doing it's not smooth- looks cheap), it may be steal - the magnet sticks.  It took at least a week for them to come up with that.  He made smart remarks to make it look any nicer he could put flowers or my initials on it and I told him I probably paid for it.  Today I wrote down every piece of pipe he replaced and it's probably not $200 worth. I haven't priced it yet but will for my own knowledge.  I understand labor and I also understand he gets discount on parts.  They charged $5,486.00. I understand trying to make a living, but please don't try to make it all on one person.  As I started talking to others I found out similar experiences and a whole lot more, work not done right, being over charged, even BBB notified.  Richard knew I was desperate to get the sewage water out. I didn't get a second opinion and I knew better, not only gut feeling, but I have had experience writing claims for homes and thought that seemed extremely high, little did I realize until it was all said and done how over charged I really was.  Once he got his money, he was not as friendly, but became more sarcastic.  I was calling about the vent about 8 a.m. and I heard him as he picked up his phone say...."Here we go.." I can't believe this guy keeps getting away with poor workmanship and reaping people off.  Several people have said I wish I would have known and I would have warned you, because of their similar experience.  Bloomington/Normal is not that large, hopefully people will look on here and take heed.  I will not recommend them, but I will continue to talk about my experience and keep it all facts.  I am so bothered that he took advantage of two ladies and especially my 90 year old Mother.  I am disappointed in myself that I didn't get a second estimate. 
Listed are the pieces he replaced:
16&18" PVC; 4x3 WYE; 4" fitting clan out w/plug; 3" street 45; regular sweep 90; 3" 90; 3 PVC Strap hooks; 1 3" 90; 10ft 3" pipe; 15 ft 3" PVC;  (overall approx 25' 3" PVC start to finish); 1-3" cuppling; 3x2 WYE; 3" no hub adapter; no hub band from PVC to black ABS; 2" 45 PVC;2" Y; 2.1 bushing; 1.5 street 45; 1.5 P trap; 1.5 trap adapter; 2" cuppling; 2-2" hooks.

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