AL SIEVERS SPRINKLER SERVICE
About us
Oregon City, OR is the home of Al Sievers Sprinkler Service, where we provide a complete range of landscape contractor services, including lawn, sprinkler systems and landscape design
Business highlights
Services we offer
Sprinkler Installation and Repair. Sprinkler electrical problem diagnostic and repair. Electronic lost valve locating. We pride ourselves in doing right the first time. Landscape design.
Accepted Payment Methods
- CreditCard
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 5% | ||
| 5% | ||
| 70% |
We had an outdoor copper pipe break, and the total cost amounted to $8,982.00
We were aware of a trip charge of $95 when they come and give an estimate; also the hourly charge for Al--$120 per hour; Nick--$100 per hour. Most companies remove this trip charge if they do the work; we were charged this for all 3 days that they worked.
They checked the system, and we were told that the total cost would be $5000 , as the system is older & needed more repairs than simply the pipe. We trusted AL that all repairs were necessary.
My husband signed the papers to begin the work, every time Al came up with more work, he signed again.
I spoke to Al, asking why it was so high, again he told me the system needed all repairs.
Breakdown of the $8982.00 bill :
Total charges are for 3 days of work.
Trip charges 3 @ 95. per day $285
LABOR AL 3 days@ 120 per hour 17 hours $ 2040
LABOR Nick 3 days@ $100 per hour 13 hours $ 1300
Total labor charges (includes office & shop time) $ 3340
MISC charges
Mole protection ( a small galvanized steel screen at bottom of boxes) $1500
Design fee (Nick) $1000 screen $500
Controller (Rainbird modular ESP $ $925
( highest price right now of Rainbird web site ($391)
Old copper pipe removal $ 500
( This has value to recyclers)
Gas Fee (2 trucks) $ 175
This company has such high fees for labor, parts, and other "extras" that are hidden until the bill is presented
Finally a few days after the job was finished, we received a letter from AL about having a "Service Family Program Agreement" to have them come out twice a year for inspection & maintenance --for which the same fees are charged as the original fees.
To top it off, they wanted a $150 payment just to sign up for the service!!
My husband called Al a few days after receiving this, and told him we weren't interested in the agreement.
To which Al said something like "We will not guarantee our work then"
We talked with the local business that we have for our regular sprinkler system, and they told us not to worry, that they would stand by our system.
the "servicing" we got was a continuous attempt to market something we did not ask for --and charge us for his time trying to sell us by adding that onto the service call --to the point i finally agreed to a couple of new sprinklers just to get him off my back.
La\er after viewing a 2010 similar complaint on Angie's list we saw the stark reality--it was all about how to make as much dough as possible. His service agreement fine print included agreeing to an analysis of our entire system
my favorite: One of the new sprinkler heads i really did not need (he price of which was twice that of HomeDepot) was installed in a way that the water over shot where it should have been directed. I could not figure out how to adjust it . I call Al. Al tells me there is a special tool to make the adjustment. He would be glad to come back out and adjust --of course for another service fee, truck and gas fee . Having viewed his service on Angie's list and becoming more than suspect, i suggested maybe i could just go buy one of these tools? . He was certain i should not do that . owners should not try to adjust because they usually mess it up. Says they cost 20 bucks but he would come out, make the adjustment and only charge the service fee and not charge for the "tool" if i would (ironically) go on Angies list and give a review of his fabulous work.
I thank Al but decline. I locate a nearby a farm impliment store that carries the brand. The clerk says we do not carry the tool--we can only sell you the sprinkler head--it comes with the tool.! I tell him my Al's Sprinkler "service" story. He looks at me incredulously and says: " we have them laying all over the place here is one for free--its easy to do the adjustment " He was correct
There is much more but this conduct --close to criminal--should convince you what not to do
Al needs not to be overseen or checked upon. He will not do any additional work without consulting the customer and obtaining permission. I would reccomend Al Sievers Sprinkler Systems to anyone needing such services.
"I thought I would respond only because it seemed fair. There is a letter on file. (removed member name) protested all the way to a Administrative Law Judge hearing and I was totally exonerated. The LCB had to dismiss the complaint. The Judge dismiss all allegations of wrong doing on my part."
Licensing
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