WM A Zachow & Sons Inc

I use them probably three times a year.

I've been using them for a number of years. I've used them several times.

Estimate visit was quick, prompt and painless. Randy told me they would prefer to install the oven themselves, so we did not have the delivery company install. Follow-up phone calls and emails were prompt, if not a little brief. Overall installation seems to be good. Gas line is very tidily secured to joists. Shut-off valves were installed at manifold and stove connection. The employee did not install the anti-tip bracket, even when asked if he could, saying that they are not necessary in areas not prone to earthquakes. The range was checked to make sure the flame looked good, but the oven was not. Hot water heater was not re-lit after the gas had been turned back on. Overall, there were some slight disappointments as listed above. None of these were big problems, but it left a feeling that wasn't exactly "relax, we'll take care of this 100%." That said, the estimate was $200+ less than 2 other plumbers, which was a big plus, makes it hard to have a big problem with these reasonably minor issues. The end result works, and it works well. Would they be re-hired? It's not clear-cut. If they had the advantage of being the lowest price, then most likely. If it was a more moderate price difference, it would be harder to say "yes" definitively, might see if another company evoked a greater sense of confidence for minimal cost.

Wonderfully! Jeff was prompt and professional and very nice. Fixed my water heater in half an hour! Price unknown, I know it's time and a half on weekends, but worth it. Since we are existing customers already they are billing me. I would recommend Zachow and sons to anyone!

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Fine, these guys know their stuff however....
Gas Surcharge ?HUH?
I recommend Zachow to you without reservation as we have used them for years. They do great work and their employees
are courteous and helpful.
However, when I saw a ?Gas Surcharge? of
$5.00 on their recent  invoice, I thought ?What the XXXX?? as gasoline prices are now lowest they have been in over ten
years. Therefore, what is the rationale for a gas surcharge?
For example, in our part of town, we pay under
$2.00 a gallon. It seems that gasoline is an operating cost of any business and
should be absorbed in their service charge of $70.00 and their hourly rate.
 A gas surcharge is like a homeowner charging a tradesman an entry fee into his/her
home to work on whatever.  This gas
surcharge charge, to me, smacks of rip off, particularly, not representative of
a first-rate outfit like Zachow.
 

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The toilet functioned well since the install.  However in the last months, since about January 2015, possibly before, but being busy with the holidays I didn't act on it, I noticed an apparent leakage at the front base of the toilet, brown, unsightly and emitting an odor.  It has grown larger over time. I called Randy Zachow during the week of 2/2/15 and requested that it be looked at for remedy, preferable at no charge, considering that they had installed it.  His reply was that, given the time lapse, he couldn't do it at no charge.  I asked the cost and he quoted their standard service and quarter hour charges.  He didn't even offer to split the cost, or offer a discount, which I likely would have accepted.  Over time I've never had a toilet fail in this manner, so feel sure it had something to do with the installation and  I feel an injustice here.  An afterthought I had regarding his comment about the 'time lapse', I suspect that the leak had been there for awhile, but didn't become visible until later.  Upon ending the conversation I said to take me off his customer list. 

I am disappointed in the plumber's failure to stand behind his work, especially considering the thousands of dollars I've spent for his services over many years.

fine

They are an outstanding plumbing firm, not the least expensive, but they do quality work.

Everything went fine and as expected. They were prompt, efficient, and professional, and their fees were always reasonable.

Job was done efficiently and carefully. The plumber patiently answered all of my questions and explained the job in detail, which I appreciate because I always appreciate knowing more about how things work in my home. He was respectful and took time to thoroughly clean up the area when he was finished, including scrubbing the sink, focusing on the residue where the old faucet had been, to make it look as nice as possible.

This was a tricky job because the original pipe was behind some newer pipes. So it took longer than anticipated, but the plumber was finished in an afternoon. He was professional and willing to explain the different steps of the situation to me. He answered all my questions. It's been about 3 years since this service was completed and there is no leaking. Overall, I am very pleased.

He came out and was very quick, polite, professional, and clean.

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Randy, Jr. was sent to do the work and he took longer than someone who had the experience would have taken. He also made a rookie mistake that in his second visit he couldn't resolve, and I ultimately solved by posting the question on Facebook. He was there all day on Friday, Aug 23, longer than even he anticipated, installing the washer and dryer and plumbing connections. He said he tested everything out and that it was working. I took his word for it and put in a load of laundry. 30 minutes later I returned to the dryer halfway across the room and everything that was near it and plumbing connections all tossed about. It was a mess!

I called and they sent Randy, Jr. back on Monday, Aug 26 to put everything back together and investigate why the washer was shaking so much when operating. He left without a resolution and explained that he doesn't typically install washer/dryers. I would have loved to know that wasn't in their expertise up front so I could have called someone else! He didn't charge me extra for the visit, but I still didn't have an operable washing machine.

When I posted the question on Facebook about the shaking, someone suggested that I check to see if the shipping bolts were still in place. After a Google search, I figured out where they were located and lo and behold they were not removed! Anyone familiar with washer/dryer installation should know to verify this during installation and it's spelled out in the user manual that he Randy, Jr, had for reference.

I had used this company before, but after this experience, I don't trust their ability to do the work.

I was disappointed with my overall experience with Zachow and Sons and will not use them in the future.  
I first called to get an estimate for the work.  I explained the issue over the phone to which they said they couldn't give an estimate without seeing it.  Understandable, so he came out to look at the showers.  He spent less than 3 minutes in the house.  He walked into the bathroom and looked at the shower, said "we have the parts and we can fix that" and started to walk out.  I had to ask him again how much it would cost to which he said the parts would be $78.  He didn't give me a full estimate for parts and labor, but I scheduled an appointment for 2 days later to do the work because our shower was broken and we didn't have a lot of choice.
The repair person came 2 days later.  The first thing he said was that he didn't know if the supply store would have the parts we needed in stock.  We had also asked for handles instead of knobs, but knobs was all they had at the time and we didn't want to wait another week or two and have to take off work for a third time for them to install handles.  I was very disappointed because this should have been figured out when the first guy came out and said they had the parts we needed.  The worker should have shown up on Friday with everything he needed ready to go or let us know when the parts would be in.
Instead, the worker called the supply company and spent an hour driving 5 miles to the supply store and back with the parts and came back smelling very strongly of cigarette smoke.  I wouldn't have cared about the supply run except their billing rate is $120/hr so I got charged $120 for him to go get parts and have a smoke break when he should have had the parts when he arrived at my house that morning.  They had someone out 2 days earlier, there was no reason not to have the parts when they got to my house.  Add on the fact that they charged $60 for a "service call" just to show up at my house, plus the $120/hr, and I was not happy about the price.  
The quality of the work was OK, but nothing any other plumber couldn't do.  Also, someone a little more prepared could have ensured we got the handles we wanted.

I was very happy with the service.  The valve was leaking all over, and they were able to get someone out within an hour.  He was very professional and did a great job.
That being said, I probably wouldn't use them again based solely on price.  They charged a $60 service charge, which is not unusual, but then billed their plumber out at $120/hr.  That seems very steep for a plumber in this area, and apparently it wasn't the result of a raised "rush" rate, that is just their normal rate.  They also tacked on a $5 gas surcharge, which is no big deal, but is a little irksome given that I was already charged the $60 service charge (seems like that should cover gas; I'm not counties away from their business).
Overall, I just felt like $300 was a bit excessive for re-routing a small section of pipe and installing a new valve.  It's a shame, because the work was excellent.  If you take price out of the equation, I would definitely have recommended them based on work quality and responsiveness.

On 9/29 we discovered our water heater had a slow leak. To avoid an emergency call, we waited until 9/30 to call a plumber. We did some consumer reports research & determined a water heater with a 10+yr warranty is best, built better, etc. We had used Zachow in the past and were exceptionally pleased, so we called them again. I NEVER indicated it was urgent. I simply inquired about the cost for a replacement WH. I was told a 40-gallon 6-yr tank would be $825 & a 50-gallon would be $895. I asked if they had anything with a longer warranty. I was told "Bradford White offers a better anode rod that keeps the tank cleaner & it extends the warranty to 10-years". The cost is $275 more.  I told him I would consult with my husband and let him know if that would work for us.  I called him back within the hour and said that we'd like to go with the larger tank, and the better rod.  I asked him when would they be able to schedule the install.  He said they could be there later that day.  Since I work from home, I agreed.  When the plumber arrived, his brother also showed up with another car and our tank, since they didn't have our tank or the special rod in stock, he had to deliver it. He stayed to assist his brother, but it was clear he didn't have "field experience". Also, the plumber was NOT prepared.  I had to provide my own drop cloths, since he'd cleaned out his van and forgotten them.  He used some old cardboard in the basement to protect my white carpeting, but later on, I discovered a scratch on the column & wall from the cardboard. He was very polite, and did apologize. Near the end of the install, I was chatting with him, and I asked him about the tank / rod, and he stated there was no rod.  That it was just a sticker that he put on the tank.  They then "register" the tank with Bradford White.  Essentially, what I got was an extended warranty "sticker" and NOT the better rod that would help my tank last longer! Before he left, I talked with his dad (the owner) and tried to explain that they had not provided the anode rod I had asked for. He disagreed, saying he "told me that it was a rip off and not worth it, but I insisted", which is NOT true.  The words "extended warranty" were never used.  I was expecting a PHYSICALLY different product.  NOT a STICKER! WE do not purchase warranties.  I was shocked, since if I hadn't chatted with the plumber, I never would have know that I had been deceived!  I have also written a letter to the company, requesting that the extra $275 be removed from my bill before I pay, since they did NOT provide me the better product. They have written back stating that he didn't know that Bradford White didn't have a better product.  However, when his son picked up the tank & "kit" at the supplier, and discovered that there was no rod, I should have been IMMEDIATELY informed and given the chance to cancel the purchase, if desired.  Instead, it was kept secret from me.  In his letter, he also makes a big case out of how accommodating he was in his busy day, having to send his son from Brookfield to the supplier in West Allis and then to my home in Jackson with the "warranty". However, that is his issue, not mine.  I NEVER told him it was urgent.  I simply asked when they would be available.  He is the one that offered the same day service.  He suggests that I call Bradford White to have the warranty explained.  However, that is NOT the issue! I understand the warranty.  I made the purchase on the understanding that I would be receiving a product with a sturdier / better anode rod that would keep the tank cleaner and make my WH last longer.  The cost of the ROD was $275.  What I got was a 6-year tank with a $275 sticker.  Had I known, I would have continued my research and gone with someone who could provide me with a better tank / product with a 10-12 year warranty. I feel I was RIPPED OFF! This was an epic failure at ALL levels! I am willing to pay for my tank ($895), if they will waive the $275 cost of the "sticker".  Since the warranty is already registered with Bradford-White, it can remain intact, in the hopes that the tank does in fact last beyond 6-years, of which I'm not hopeful. I also want to be sure that I receive a lien waiver from this company, so that they do not try to "back door" the cost later on.  After that, sadly, I will sever ties with them.  A shame, since I once nominated them for a page of happiness! Sad how a company can fall so low and treat their customers like this!

Our tub clogged up Saturday morning, at the start of Labor Day (and Harley 110th anniversary) weekend, and no amount of plunging or drain cleaner would clear it.  Worse, the base of the tub's old drum trap was rusted tight and I could not open it with the tools I had available.  I called 5 plumbers that were A-listed by Angie's List (including 2 who I had used before) and left a request for emergency service with all of them. 4 had automated recordings (where I left a message & my phone number) and only one had a human answer.  Only 2 companies ever returned my call, and they were ones using automated message systems!
The first callback (about an hour later) said I would be 3rd on his trip list and he probably would not be able to get to until after 5 PM and then double-time rates would be in effect - with trip, time & materials charges he estimated $800 total.  I told him I would call back if I needed him,
Zachow was my second callback (shortly after the first), and gave me an estimate of $250 and he could be at my house within an hour.  I hired them immediately because the price & timing were right.  He arrived on time, quickly diagnosed the problem, tried opening the drum trap (even his biggest wrench could not budge it) and ended up cutting it out.  He then snaked the downstream drain line to clear it and replaced the trap with a PVC quick-release P trap.  He even cleaned up the basement work area nicely.