Walker's Sierra Plumbing Co

I had to put at least one star as they did show up. Firstly, I am a retired General Contractor and very knowledgeable and skilled in the plumbing trade. A very good elderly friend (past client) contacted me and advised that her mainline sewer was backing up. I use to rent a rooter and clean her lines. Generally I was very successful. Sometimes, a better machine was required. I had a good friend who had a plumbing business who would bring his (better) machine to clear the back-up. Doing the job for $150. But; like me, he was old and retired. Knowing my friend was stressed about the back-up (she had a tea party scheduled for later that day); I made a couple calls. The receptionist at Walker's Sierra Plumbing gave me the best option, She could send out a plumber and take care of the blockage. She told me it would be $180 ... not an estimate or rough quote; she specifically said $180. I accepted this for my friend as I knew she really wanted it done now! I always am there for her and made sure I would be there when they worked on clearing the back-up. The tech showed up and immediately started to root the line. I noticed right away he as not using the right cutter for roots, he was using a bit that is normally used for pulling out toilet paper, et al. ( I explained to him that having done this many times, that it was a root problem ... he would need the root cutting bit). He took my advice and placed the needed bit on the rooter. It took him several attempts (I told him it would take a few passes). While he worked we chatted. He told me he was not a Plumber; he was the company maintenance person. The company was training him to take on plumbing duties. It took him quite awhile (over two hours to do a simple rooting). I additionally told him that we had a smaller clean-out that would need a pass with a smaller machine, as it would choked as well. He stated he would. He finally got a good flow out the mainline after several attempts with me doing the Gopher work. I assumed that he ran the smaller drain I had directed him to. After his completion; I was handed an invoice for almost $400! I was shocked, I told him that he would have to present the invoice to my friend; which he did. Of course she paid, but she was shocked as well. But happy the backup was mitigated ... the tea party went on as scheduled. Later that evening she did some dishes and the sink backed-up. The trainee Plumber never cleaned out the small drain. She contacted Walker Sierra Plumbing via email to advise that they had not completed the job. She also contacted me; which I told her to contact the company via phone the next morning ... she did. A different technician (I have no idea of his skill level) showed up at a reasonable time to complete the job. Know that I was not there to observe at this time. I got a TEXT from my friend who told me that the technician had broken his "rooter" and the bit was stuck inside the pipe. She was told that her plumbing was probably cracked; which caused their tool to fail and break off. He told her that the previous employee probably cracked the pipe. I personally have seen these break from fatigue. Additionally, I have had cutters de-attached inside the pipes. [He] attempted to send a camera down the pipe to locate the bit and see what may have caused the bit to break off. He was unsuccessful. He then stated he would have to dig up the pipe to get to his bit. I said go ahead (know that I was assuming this was no-charge to my friend). However, I was sketicle enough to contact their main office and check. I was immediately told this was her responsibility. Regardless; without evidence, my friends plumbing was to blame and they were determined to rescue the lost bit at her expense. I immediately shut down the digging; knowing they were probably charging over $150 an hour. I explained to my friend that we could get this done without them ... and for a lot less. My friend was billed another $257 for nothing ... AND the plumbing company has not retrieved their tool. Needless to say we will not be using this company again.

Always late. Unethical pricing.

Zac, the service technician, took about 10 minutes to diagnose and fix the problem.

Arranged through Sears when purchased dishwasher. Called day of scheduled install to confirm 2 hour window. Called when 15 minutes out. Very knowledgeable, friendly tech. Described what he was going to do. Performed service quickly. Removed old unit. No damage to wood floors. Very impressive provider.