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A BETTER PLUMBING CO

Founded 2001 • With Angi since March 2006

2.2

(10) Verified Reviews

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Business Details

Phone Number

Address

5916 SE MILWAUKIE AVE

Portland, OR 97202

Map showing A BETTER PLUMBING COView larger map

Description

OWNER-OPERATED. USES SUBS. CHARGES $100 FOR FIRST HOUR THEN $85/HOUR. NO TRAVEL CHARGES. NO SERVICE FEES. MAY CONTACT THROUGH EMAIL. LICENSE #CCB157105.

Verified Reviews

A few reviews for this pro...
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Peter B.
2.0
05/12/2009
Does good work but had issues with Punctuality Professionalism for the price I would rather hire someone who was customer focused.
Description of Work
Replaced 2 Shower valves and rough plumbed in supply pipes for sink and other shower
Category
plumbing
jeff B.
5.0
09/01/2007
We discovered the leak on a Friday evening of a three day holiday weekend. We called at 8:00 AM, Saturday morning and he was out within 90 minutes. Very professional and friendly demeanor. Had all the necessary tools and parts. Was able to show me exactly what the failure mode was rather than just speculation. Work was done quickly and area was left in a clean condition.
Description of Work
Fixed substantial leak in shower faucet. Vendor asked about type of faucet before he came. Took valve apart, made repair, replaced o-rings even though originals were still in good shape.
Category
plumbing
CHERYL M.
1.0
07/30/2007
Not at all happy with the overall experience with this guy! I called and left a message on their answering machine on a Monday morning. Thursday afternoon they call back (prompt???) and claim the message just came in on Thursday. Appt. was scheduled for next morning between 8 & 10 am arrival. I asked about the fee, $85 for the first hour plus $15 truck fee then billed for each 1/2 hour thereafter. NEVER was it stated that the hourly charge starts from wherever his last job is! At 9:15 am Friday I get a call that he's on his way. At 5 min 'til 10 he arrives. I again repeat that I want to be shown how to do the fix so I can do it myself in the future. He fixes the leaks quick but never gives me any info unless I specifically ask (such as when replacing the kitchen faucet, things have to be in exactly the same position as when removed; if I hadn't thought to ask this I wouldn't have known). Then, part of the time involves a phone call from his girl friend from the Philippines.
Description of Work
Fix 2 leaky faucets. I specifically stated that I wanted the plumber to show me how to fix them so I could do it in the future!
Category
plumbing
TERRY C.
3.0
04/11/2007
Arrived on time. Began the work and worked through lunch to complete the job.
Description of Work
He replaced all of the bathroom fixtures and a valve on our Water heater.
Category
electrician, water heater repair
JENNIFER S.
1.0
01/25/2007
UNBELIEVABLE! Dave (owner) He tried to collect entire $1800 bid the first day of work. I refused and told him 1/2 now, 1/2 at completion! He had previously seen what we needed done and now acted like we were asking him to do the impossible. He called me at work and said I needed to come home because there were problems but when I arrived he just explained that the work was too hard and he needed $700 more. We agreed, to pay upon completion. On my way out he asked if I would drop the permit app. off (apparently he hadn't obtained a permit!). Reluctantly I agreed but when I delivered it, the clerk said his license# was missing a digit. I drove BACK home, then BACK to the city office and was now told the license was not registered work in Wash City. I think his teenage son ended up installing our water heater! NOW washer line leaks and hot water is messed up. He has never attempted to call, return to finish the work or collect any more money. (it's been 6 months).
Description of Work
Installed water heater. Moved plumbing for washer. Moved plumbing for shower and bathtub UNFINISHED: install bathroom faucet, install kitchen faucet, cap off old washer box, switch hot/cold in shower.
Category
plumbing, water heater repair, home remodeling

Service Provider Response

IT WAS REPORTED TO ME BY A NEW PLUMBER THAT I JUST HIRED THAT HE OVERHEARD A COMPETITOR (THAT I WON’T STOOP TO NAME) OF MINE LAUGHING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE HAS FOUND SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO WRITE DIRTY THINGS ABOUT ME ON ANGIE’S LIST. ON THIS REPORT PARTICULAR REPORT SHE SAID SHE HASN’T PAID ME, BUT THAT I WAS BAD FOR RECOGNIZING A CHEAT AND ASKING FOR FULL PAYMENT AT THE START. PRETTY SILLY! I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR FULL PAYMENT AT THE START. ALSO I DON’T HAVE A TEENAGE SON, ALSO WHERE IS WASH. CITY? ANYONE CAN CHECK ONLINE TO SEE THAT I’M LICENSED TO WORK ANYWHERE IN OREGON WITH THE CCB. ANY YES I’M LICENSED, BONDED AND INSURED. READ THROUGH THE LINES ON THIS ONE, IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE. THEY CAN’T SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT MY WORK, OR ANYTHING THAT REALLY MATTERS.
KEVIN H.
5.0
01/23/2007
Since we were leaving town later that same day, I was hoping to find someone who could do the work in the next few hours. Called A Better Plumbing Co. at 9:00 AM, and was given a time frame of 12-1 for appt. I received a call at 11:00 AM saying that a plumber would be there within 30 mins. Buzz showed up at 11:30 (when does this ever happen?) and got right to work. He worked by himself and was very knowledgeable - no apprentice to double the labor charges! Through the course of replacing pipes, we agreed that the old shut off valve inside the house should be replaced as well (it was about 60 years old). The work was performed professionally, quickly, and I was very satisfied with the results - it saved me hours of cursing and trips to the store! Worth every penny.
Description of Work
An exterior water pipe that contained both a hose bib and on/off valve for the sprinkler system froze during this January's cold spell and caused the pipe to burst. Per my request, the existing pipe was cut off and the (non-functional) sprinkler system pipe was capped off. A new hose/faucet handle was installed in it's place, as well as new shut off valve inside the house.
Category
plumbing
CHRIS D.
1.0
08/18/2006
As noted by the other posts, Dave quotes a rate of $85/hour. Then he brings an unqualified helper and charges $85/hour/person ($170/hr). Quality of the work is okay. Labor charges are over the top (in excess of what he quotes on the phone). So, here's the worst part: He charges you for the permit fee and then fails to file the permit with the city. So you thought your plumbing job was permitted??? So that when you sell your house there is a record with the city of the work being done properly??? Think again. I currently have a claim filed against him with the CCB and hope to have his license revoked. Oh, and when there's a problem like the one above, he doesn't return phone calls. DON'T, DON'T, DON'T USE THIS GUY FOR YOUR PLUMBING WORK.
Description of Work
Replaced a water main (old galvanzied leaking main line replaced with 3/4" copper, 35' run from the house to the meter box).
Category
plumbing

Service Provider Response

IT WAS REPORTED TO ME BY A NEW PLUMBER THAT I JUST HIRED THAT HE OVERHEARD A COMPETITOR (THAT I WON’T STOOP TO NAME) OF MINE LAUGHING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE HAS FOUND SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO WRITE DIRTY THINGS ABOUT ME ON ANGIE’S LIST. WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF HAPPY REPEATING CUSTOMERS AND REFERENCES. PLEASE NOTICE THE COST TO REPLACE A WATER SERVICE AT THE TOP, IS $980. PLEASE CHECK WITH ANY PLUMBING COMPANY IN TOWN TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THIS JOB FOR THIS LITTLE!!! RIDICULOUS !!!! AND WHAT IS HE COMPLAINING ABOUT? PLEASE CHECK WITH THE CCB ABOUT THIS GUYS CLAIMS.
D P.
1.0
07/21/2006
Denies liability. Terrible experience.
Description of Work
Pipe popped off. Water damage to kitchen.
Category
plumbing

Service Provider Response

IT WAS REPORTED TO ME BY A NEW PLUMBER THAT I JUST HIRED THAT HE OVERHEARD A COMPETITOR (THAT I WON’T STOOP TO NAME) OF MINE LAUGHING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE HAS FOUND SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO WRITE DIRTY THINGS ABOUT ME ON ANGIE’S LIST.
CATHY B.
2.0
04/27/2006
We couldn't get an approximate ETA from the company and then when they called he was already at the house and I had to hurry home. We requested that he bring a 40 gallon water heater because we knew the heater was toast. He didn't and charged us $85.00 and hour for the 45 minute trip to the store and back to buy one. He spilt water in the garage and the carbon that was on the outside of the heater was all over the floor. He then tracked it inside the house. He came in the house when I was talking with another person and set himself up in the kitchen to do his computer work. He had his son working with him and charged us $85.00 an hour for him as well. He charged us for 6 hours work to install the heater. The labor charges were over $500.00.
Description of Work
Replaced gas water heater.
Category
water heater repair

Service Provider Response

IT WAS REPORTED TO ME BY A NEW PLUMBER THAT I JUST RECENTLY HIRED THAT HE OVERHEARD A COMPETITOR (THAT I WON’T STOOP TO NAME) OF MINE LAUGHING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE HAS FOUND SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO WRITE DIRTY THINGS ABOUT ME ON ANGIE’S LIST.
BARBARA N.
1.0
03/22/2006
Excessive labor charges for work done. I would not say where he was located, only that he services entire Portland area. (CCB license shows address 5916 SE Milwaukie which isnt far from my Milwaukie home) They billed me 147.00 in travel time (52 minutes from when he called to say he was coming times two people at 85.00/hr each) plus 13.95 to defray his gas! He never said anything about a trip charge when I called. Also, he brought his son, ''who wants to be a plumber'' along and charged full hourly rate (85.00/hr) for him. I could not find any plumbing license info on the son. Left to get a part, was gone along time, said he was in a traffic jam He added about another hour (170.00 in labor). The actual work done seems OK, my issue is with the excessive labor charges.
Description of Work
They repaired a leaking pipe. Water pipe was in ground and required some digging to enlarge the existing access port. The leak was at a joint in the pipe. Also, a larger access box was installed.
Category
plumbing

Service Provider Response

IT WAS REPORTED TO ME BY A NEW PLUMBER THAT I JUST HIRED THAT HE OVERHEARD A COMPETITOR (THAT I WON’T STOOP TO NAME) OF MINE LAUGHING ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE HAS FOUND SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO WRITE DIRTY THINGS ABOUT ME ON ANGIE’S LIST.

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    Business Highlights

    Emergency Services OfferedEmergency Services Offered
    Plumbing
    Water Heaters
    Kitchen and Bath Remodeling
    Electrical
    Drain Cleaning
    Bonded
    Insured
    All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves.To find more licensing information for your state, visit our Find Licensing Requirements page.
    General Information
    Free Estimates
    Yes
    Eco-Friendly Accreditations
    No
    Payment Options
    Check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
    Senior Discount
    NO
    Emergency Service
    Yes
    Warranties
    Ask for details

    Services Offered

    ALL PLUMBING SERVICE WORK, WATER SERVICES WITH TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY, WATER HEATERS, REPAIR OR REPLACE FAUCETS & FIXTURES, REMODELS & DRAIN CLEANING.

    Services Not Offered

    Ask for details

    Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about A BETTER PLUMBING CO

    How is A BETTER PLUMBING CO overall rated?

    A BETTER PLUMBING CO is currently rated 2.2 overall out of 5.

    What payment options does A BETTER PLUMBING CO provide

    A BETTER PLUMBING CO accepts the following forms of payment: Check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover

    Does A BETTER PLUMBING CO offer free estimates?

    Yes, A BETTER PLUMBING CO offers free project estimates.

    Does A BETTER PLUMBING CO offer eco-friendly accreditations?

    No, A BETTER PLUMBING CO does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.

    Does A BETTER PLUMBING CO offer a senior discount?

    No, A BETTER PLUMBING CO does not offer a senior discount.

    Does A BETTER PLUMBING CO offer emergency services?

    Yes, A BETTER PLUMBING CO offers emergency services.

    Are warranties offered by A BETTER PLUMBING CO?

    No, A BETTER PLUMBING CO does not offer warranties.

    What services does A BETTER PLUMBING CO offer?

    A BETTER PLUMBING CO offers the following services: ALL PLUMBING SERVICE WORK, WATER SERVICES WITH TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY, WATER HEATERS, REPAIR OR REPLACE FAUCETS & FIXTURES, REMODELS & DRAIN CLEANING.