GRAY PLUMBING

We called Gray Plumbing after our friends used him for their master bathroom renovation and raved about him. We got a quote from him and another company and he was significantly less but the job was quick and high quality. No complaints. He is a pretty straight to the point guy but we absolutely loved the shower he installed for us and have used him for other things since and also had great experiences.

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We initially called because we needed our foundation tiles cleaned. Since it was spring and rainy, we wanted this done rather urgently, to avoid any potential problems. He doesn't perform this service, but initially suggested he had a contact who did (this turned out to be wrong). He suggested we put in a back up pump, which is something we had on the long term to-do list, so we agreed.  He started quickly, and created a large hole in the floor of our basement. Then all work stopped, because.....it was rainy. He told me that in order to work through the rain he had to bring back a "box" that would keep the ground in place.  This would, of course, take more work and a few hundred more dollars.  The implication was that this (more expensive) fix would expedite the process. Instead, he disappeared for about a month.  When we called, he said he was waiting until the rain stopped!!!!   He finally returned.  When he did show up, it was with little notice and at really inconvenient times (apparently convenient for him though). The work was done at the increased price, with no explanation why, given the VERY long time frame.   I realized that he can't control the weather. But since the project wasn't urgent, why start what you can't finish?   Worst yet, he did a quick job, instead of the right job.  Because he didn't take the time to measure carefully, the new pump (which connects to a less than ideal drainage pathway)  is set lower than the existing pump and has now taken over as the primary, instead of as a back up.  When he sold the plan to me, he told me that the less than ideal drainage method was not an issue as this pump "would only kick in when the other failed." Sure, if you do it correctly. Since we can't "undig" the hole, especially without large sums of $$$$, we're stuck.     When he finally did finish, I was at work, and he left the bill with the sitter, who then went out of town for a funeral, and the bill got pushed aside.  He was subsequently EXTREMELY efficient about calling us for payment! Pretty much every other day.  As a side note, he was also mildly condescending (even when trying to pitch the product).   And although we kept asking about the foundation tiles (the whole reason we initially called), it wasn't until about a month (and $2000) into it, when he finally said that he didn't know anyone.   Although everything works, it does not work the way it was promised, and he went way over schedule and over budget.  Because we really didn't get what we wanted, I was highly tempted to give him a "D" overall.  

We had a water pressure back-up pump installed. The new water lines were able to be installed so they didn't stick out. The finished work was very clean looking. The job was completed on time and within budget.