A-1 Speedy Rooter

After having Tony from A-1 Speedy Rooter do some major plumbing repairs back in September (see prior Angie's list report), I noticed a few things that weren't quite perfect. Namely, the plug drain stopped working properly (wouldn't open and close anymore when I tried to lift the knob). Also, I noticed that the hot water was labeled 'cold' and the cold water was labeled 'hot.' Separately, I noticed a leak under my sink so I called Kei. She sent someone out the same day. He fixed the tub faucet handles and drain plug for free, then explained that the water I saw under the sink was actually not due to a leak in the plumbing, but water was actually leaking out from the bottom of the faucet, which was quite old and decrepit. He went to Home Depot and bought me a new faucet and installed it.

It was wonderful! Kei was extremely accommodating when scheduling the appointment. (I tried to bend around my schedule to give them more options, and she politely stopped me and said, "we work for YOU, just let us know when is convenient and we'll be there!") Tony came the next day to give me a quote for the work. I had a LONG list from my home inspector of things that should be done, but Tony pointed out several items that he said were not necessary or which could be done at a later time. I had already gotten a quote for another plumber, who recommended work (like replacing the tub valve), that Tony said was not necessary ("you just need to replace the stuck tub faucet - the valve looks like it is in good shape"). The work he recommended for the kitchen waste lines was more substantial than what the other plumber proposed, so I was surprised when Tony's quote came in cheaper, even if you ignored the items that he said weren't necessary from the other quote. Tony came to start the work on the day after I closed on the house. He was professional and reliable. He also was very nice and patient with the chaos that was going on that weekend (other folks working on the house, and two dogs running around while he was working). During the work, I ended up very glad that I had gone with him, as it became apparent that the extra work in the kitchen was absolutely necessary. Unlike the other plumber, Tony recommended replacing the lines in the back of the sink that go up toward the roof. When he cut into the house, he showed me the lines were completely corroded and fell apart as he removed them. He had to cut much higher than he anticipated to remove all the corroded pipe. Same deal with the waste piping under the house. Given that there were several 'surprises' during the work, and that Tony had to come back from Santa Ana several times to get it all done, I expected him to exceed his quote, but he amazingly came in slightly UNDER the quote. Also, the work required cutting into the side of the house, which I was certain I would have to hire someone to close up, but Tony had his assistant carefully replace all of the siding that was removed so that my house didn't have a gaping hole in the side.