Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Plumbers entered our home and called our home ugly repeatedly. We caught this on our security cameras. ----------------------------------------------------------------- We just closed on a new home, and per the home inspector's instructions, we needed to add a drain, as the current output from the water heater and softener was draining into a self-installed sink from the previous owners. I called many places and received bids from several. The basis of the job, according to all of these companies, was this: From another plumbing company: To remove drywall, furnish and install pipe and associated fittings for waste and water pipe for stand pipe for washing machine for $1800, OR From a handyman: To break concrete, repipe it, and add a vent - all of which I (the handyman) could do, but I cannot pull a permit per Omaha plumbing code because I am not a master plumber. The estimate I received from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing indicated that they would re-pipe an ADDITIONAL drain for $998. Naturally, I went with them because the receptionist seemed to fully understand my needs and the plumber showed up promptly for the bid. Today, the work was carried out. The plumber brought along his partner, I assume, because it would be a big job that involved cutting drywall or concrete. While they were there, they conversed and made fun of our house, saying "This is such an ugly house. Oh yeah, it's such an ugly house," which we caught on our security cameras. That says enough as it is. The plumber, instead of adding an additional drain, decided to move the two tubes (the output from the water heater and the water softener) that was previously draining into the sink, and simply moved it to the floor, aimed it at the floor drain, and nailed it down. Over the phone, he asked me if I wanted him to install the sink for us. I figured, why not, since he's already there. I was willing to pay him more. He told us it would be a bit more expensive, and I obliged. When he left, we were charged $1,600 instead of the original $998. He did NOT break concrete or drywall to install the initial additional drain that was quoted for $998, but did break drywall so he could move our sink, which is still incomplete, because we need to find someone to fix the drywall before he can come back and attach the sink to the wall. At the heart of the matter, the idea is that they charge $998 to move two output drains that were hanging in a sink, to the floor. All they did was move the two tubes to the floor - something my handyman told us he could've done, and charged us $998. When I asked him about the placements of the drains on the floor, he told us, "every house has this," which is just untrue, because we've lived in at least 5 different houses in Omaha and none of the laundry rooms have looked like this. All this while making fun of our house, humiliating us, and saying how ugly it was. If anyone is dubious of this fact, I have the video downloaded from our security camera, and I'm willing to share it with anyone who is interested. I called the front desk and have not heard from the manager, nor have I received a receipt detailing what exactly cost us $998 as part of the $1600. I'm highly disappointed in this company. I cannot believe their plumbers would enter my house, act like I don't know anything about plumbing, and call my house ugly repeatedly. Truly a heartbreaking experience.

$441.00 for 20 minutes of work- non-emergent appointment. Replaced one valve on the water line to the refrigerator, and he also looked at a pipe in the basement, but didn't climb the ladder to look close to the pipe to see if there was a leak. Tore drywall unnecessarily, while replacing the box and used a much smaller box style, so now I need a repair drywall. Plumber was not there as scheduled, so I had to call again to see why, but he did show up later. I advised the call center I had a online coupon and was told to tell the plumber. I advised plumber I have the $50.00 online coupon and he never mentioned he needs a hard copy, so I wrote the check- for the amount he said - The call center would not honor the coupon nor allow me to bring in the printed coupon-

Made an appointment but never showed up.

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The job was completed on time, as bid, and in a professional manner. The workman came prepared with parts and left the work are spotless.

Prompt. Very professional. Very personable. Was way more expensive than I expected but I was in a hurry to get them fixed

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When dispatcher called to say plumber was on the way - the prices changed.  $185. was just the service call charge.  Any work done would be in addition to the $185.
I explained what I had been told and the dispatcher had no interest.
I cancelled the appointment.

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First plumber took the entire day to replace above.

Individual shutoff valves weren't necessary.

Left house.

I had to shut off water to toilet that ran constantly.

(Individual shutoff valve was handy but not necessary; did not ask to have all the shutoff valves replaced).

Second plumber complained that I should have replaced the toilets instead of repairing them.

He repaired with a new toilet tank valve that the first plumber should have replaced.

Repairing saved several hundred dollars over replacing toilets.

I thought the first plumber should have checked his work before he left.

I thought the second plumber should have kept his opinion to himself.

I hate to write a review critical of people without knowing their reasons for their actions, but  am tired of Angie's List asking me to write this.

I gave them C's because this experience has been TYPICAL of past plumbers.

Among ALL the repairmen I have had work on my house, I give PLUMBERS an F.

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The technician was the best we've ever had. Was fast, friendly, and took the time to explain additional details about our sprinkler system which was not directly part of the repair. They were able to come out the day we called. I'm not sure if the price was good or bad so don't let my grade influence you.

When we started losing hot water. John came out on a holiday weekend free of charge and gave us a price and date of installation.  This was as opposed to a different company which came out with an initial service charge of $169 (later dropped) that quoted us three times the amount of Ben Franklin.
Unfortunately due to supplier problem Ben Franklin had to come at a later date but when they did they were extremely professional and efficient. Overall we highly recommend Ben Franklin plumbing and John for your plumbing needs.

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Repair man did not honor Angie's List $50.00 off deal or use the Senior discount 10%.  For the cost of the repair we could have bought a brand new heater.  Our water heater  is not that old. Less than 7 yrs old.   

 I called 2 times after he left our house and was told they would get back with me about my complaint about the discount and that we belonged to Angies List.  We told the operator this before we set up the appointment.  Have not heard from them at all.  Bad customer service.

We will never use their services again and will not recommend them to anyone.

The repairman was timely but he was not very customer friendly.  The tenant said the drain is fixed.

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They came out and they gave me an estimate and they were too high on price. I ended up going with someone else. I had nothing negative to say about them.

Everything checked out OK.

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