Baker Elman Plumbing

We contacted several plumbers recommended on Angie's List when our water heater suddenly, the night before we hosted a major party for Memorial Day, died and spilled its contents all over our finished basement. Baker-Elman answered us promptly, quoted a fair price and arranged to install a new heater by the following Wednesday. I can't say for sure but I believe they were chosen by my husband because they were able to come the soonest. I know he was pleased with how they handled themselves when they came and felt like they were a good choice. I liked them for how well they interacted with a rather panicked me the frantic night I called trying to find out what was happening with our heater (I have never dealt with such things before...)

I was a little envious of the reciprocating saw blade they used in cutting through the cast iron pipe. Blades I have used would not have survived that difficult cut. Also their hand held power snake was a tool that I couldn't justify buying and was so functional in getting the drain cleared. I learned a lot while visiting with these plumbers during the completion of their work. I provided good lighting and they shared excellent knowledge with an amateur plumber. I selected Baker-Elman Plumbing because their Annie's List profile indicated an A rating in pricing as well all other categories. I think other users will agree they are fair, reasonable and honest providers of service. Before this work I had never before known of this business. I did my best to not impede their work but I really benefited from the information I got from them in addition to some excellent work.

Initial service repairman was useless. He recommended replacing everything that was not working and reattached connection to basement sink. (This failed the next day and water leaked into my basement.) The subsequent service person that came to install the disposal and faucets that I purchased at Home Depot was excellent , and he completed all the installations and repairs very efficiently. As long as they don't send you the first repairman you will have a good experience. Subsequent to this I had Baker Elman back to replace a shutoff valve in a toilet. This was accomplished with no problems and was satisfactory so in my view they are batting over 600.

Two plumbers were at my home on time. They checked all kitchen and bathroom sources of leak. I am satisfied with the service.

Perfect job start to finish!

I called and left a detailed message explaining my need. The provider very quickly returned my phone call. They do not provide the service I needed. It would have been easy for them to ignore me, instead they took the simple step of promptly returning the call, explaining, and suggesting where to go for service. A+

I tried to troubleshoot our toilet. Did everything under the son that my grandpa taught me, and realized the next step was to snake it. I called to see if someone was available to come out that day and they were able to. I called back to check on the price. Was told it was $130 for the hour. I then asked if it was a quick fix, would it be adjusted in price. She told me they do 15 minute increments so it would only cost $32.50 if the service guy could do it in 15. Knowing that a snake tool is about $30 a home depot, and loading two kids under 2 in the car and then buying it, coming home, trying to figure it out, it seemed like a great price. Too great apparently. When the service guy came, he said he would show me how to do it since they cost about $30 at home depot and this would cost $130. I said, "What?" He said the service call is $130 for the first hour THEN they do the 15 minute increments. I was p*****. I told him not to do anything as I was going to call the office. I called back, left a VM message and then called back again and got David. Told him what happened. It definitely was NOT my misunderstanding as I am an attorney and I always get the details like that. While I was talking to him, the service guy was fixing the toilet (even though I said not to do anything while I was figuring thing out. Not cool.) Anyway, David charged me half the cost. I'm torn about using them again. I really would love to have a plumber that I can rely upon and call upon all the time. Kind of like a doctor or a lawyer. But I hate getting wrong information, not having the service guy listen. etc. Otherwise, they were very nice on the phone, prompt and did try to rectify the situation, which is nice.

Cheryl in the office was very pleasant deciphering what I was asking her to do and coordinating the schedule. Jeff did a great, meticulous job at the house making sure everying was done right and done well. Very pleased with their overall professionalism and capabilities -- would highly recommend them.

It went very well. There was a part that needed to be replaced which took a little work to get out, but eventually the provider was able to do it and now it works great.

Technician was prompt, courteous, friendly, professional and very competent.

Toilet smelt like the sewer on some days. I didn't know what caused it. Initially, I was under the impression that a trap had dried out. I poured water and Lysol on all the drains but to no avail. The plumber took the toilet out and told us that the seal was bad; he then replaced the spacer and the wax seal. Worked on a tub to unclog a rather stubborn clog. Fixed a couple of toilet flushes, the fill valve had to be replaced on both of them. Overall very impressed by them, will definitely recommend their services.

The good - the source of the leak was identified - bad grout on the tiles that was causing it to leak water through the tiles to the 1st floor. The bad: 1. They did nothing to fix the leak. Basically, after the guy said "I think it's the grout", he picked up his tools, said I'd get a bill and walked out. The shower is still leaking. 2. They did not clean up after themselves. The silicone sealant on the fixtures was cut (and was not recaulked). There was dust everywhere (I'll get to that in a minute). 3. They put in a chrome handle on a gold / brass fixture. And want me to pay extra for them to come out again and put in the right one. 4. There is a massive hole in my bathroom wall. Supposedly to identify the "source of the leak", the guy wanted to look behind my shower. Fine idea, but the size of the hole that he cut in the wall is ~4 ft x 2ft. It's a gigantic hole. There's no reason to cut a hole that big in the wall "to get a look". Baker Elman has basically said, "we did what we had to." This is a hole big enough, that even if I wanted to cover it with a shelving unit or access panel for the future - there is NOTHING big enough to cover it. Cutting the hole that large was bad enough, but the wall was also cut in jagged uneven pieces, so I can't even buy molding and put the dry wall pieces in the middle of it to make a framed wall - because it's in pieces. And there's dust everywhere from the cut wall that wasn't cleaned up. So in summary, here's the final damage - massive hole in wall, need to recaulk all my fixtures, shower stall is still leaking, and I'm out a couple hundred dollars.

Our sump pump had ceased working and flooded our basement. My husband and I had purchased a replacement sump pump and were looking for someone to install it. I used the ?Contact Us? form on their website, and within 10 minutes of pressing submit, I received a call from a very pleasant, sympathetic and efficient woman, who asked me some questions and scheduled an appointment. The plumber arrived at the beginning of the 2-hour time window and was extremely friendly. My husband and I had purchased what we thought was a compact sump pump that would fit, but while we had measured, it turned out that because of some things we had not accounted for, the opening was smaller even than the compact pump. However the plumber saved that day by being a miracle worker and managing to fix our old sump pump! He also explained everything to me. I found the price very reasonable, and on top of it, I received a discount when I told them I found them through Angie?s list. I would not hesitate to use Baker Elman again. The next time I need a plumber (which will hopefully be for something planned), I will definitely be reaching out to them.

Very good experience. We had called two other plumbers -- both said the faucet would have to be replaced for around $750. This didn't seem right, as it is a high quality Grohe faucet and not that old, and it seemed to me that it was mainly a problem with the way it was installed. Baker Elman responded to my email query promptly and sent someone over within a couple of hours. He repaired the faucet in about half an hour for a small fraction of the replacement cost, and it's better now than it ever was before. We will definitely be using them for future plumbing needs.

The company was extremely responsive. I left a message on Sunday and they called Monday morning with an appointment. I was given a two hour range and they honored that. Kenny came in & went right to work. He couldn't take the stopper out because of stripped screws, but used a pump device that did the job in an instant. He wasn't there more than 10 minutes and was professional, neat and courteous. (Too bad I got charged for the full hour + gas charges, but I guess that's standard practice these days.) In the end, well worth it though. I had been trying everything possible myself for the previous 4 days to no avail. Should've called them sooner and will definitely call them again.

The plumber did a great job removing the old sink, which was partially rusted in, installing the new unit and cleaning up the mess of a drainage system the prior owners had installed. Nice guy, cleaned up the mess well, everything works great now. Will definitely use them again.

They did a great job and it was quick. I've used these guys consistently for 3 years. They are by far the most reliable and easiest to work with plumber ie effect had. I honestly feel more secure knowing they're out there to help me in an emergency. They have not failed me and I truly appreciate it.

I called and left a message the previous night. That morning, early, I received a call from the plumbing company and they had a plumber on site within two hours. Work was done very efficiently and at a reasonable price. No complaints - all good.

They were on time and knowledgable.

They’re excellent. They offer reasonable prices. On their first visit they forgot to apply an Angie’s List discount but then they applied the discount to the second service.

The plumber showed up within the stated time frame. He disconnected the old dryer right away. However, since there was not enough room to have the new dryer and the old dryer in the laundry room at the same time, the old dryer had to be hauled out and the new dryer hauled in. From past experience, I did not expect the plumber to help me with this, since it's usually the delivery person's responsibility. So you can imagine how surprised I was when the Baker Elman guy not only offered to lend me a hand, but actually ended up doing most of the hauling in and out himself! I was really impressed and extremely grateful, since it would have been very hard for me to move those dryers by myself. Overall, I would say you can't go wrong hiring these guys. I'm very, very pleased with their work.

Plumber came on time and was done within an hour. Will use again. Nice job.

On June 3rd 2013, Baker-Elman Plumbing provided an estimate for replacing anti scolding valve for my apartment in Boston. Then they told me that they can send plumber to work on Thursday or Friday (June 13/14). I responded that June 13 works fine with me. I did not receive any confirmation until June 11th. In the afternoon of June 11th (15 minutes ago as I'm writing this), I got a call from Elmer asking what work I was requesting. I told her that the work was specified in the work estimate. She said she will check. Then she said that it's all set. I asked what time will the plumber on site. She said between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. I explained to her that I'm 45 minutes away from the apartment. I need a specific time and if the plumber can call me before he finishes his first job ahead of time, that would be fine. Elman was just completely inpatient and rude. She insisted that there is no way the plumbers can do that. I told her that I can't use their service. She hang up the phone.

Job complete. Very much satisfied with the service.

He was very quick. Showed up on time and got done quickly, in less then an hour. We were very happy that he was prompt and fixed both leaks so quickly. charges 195 an hour plus parts but well worth it.