AAA Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter

Mike Counsil Plumbing is a well-run company. They sent Victoria out the day after we called. She gave us two estimates for two options, described what she needed to do, went to get a part she needed, came back, worked diligently, and had everything done in a few hours. She walked us through the contract we signed and left us with materials including a monthly service option we could purchase. Victoria was really pleasant and the job looks great. We had hired another firm to replace out water heater and they mislead us, overcharged us, and did a sloppy job that didn't pass inspection. We hired Mike Counsil to fix it. Victoria pointed out problems that I hadn't noticed and fixed them.

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They wanted way more money than I had to my name just to do a "stopgap" procedure. The guys kept making snide remarks about my house (I have a rodent problem that started when my next door neighbors began construction of a second story; the exterminator I used did nothing and charged me several hundred dollars for it).

They cleaned the drain line and replaced the piping with a catch section to prevent future clogs. They were very professional.

Freddy and Angel worked together to install our new Rheem water heater. Extra effort made by both to clear out water damaged materials, and modify pipes to satisfy the inspector (yes, we did ask them to get a permit), and complete installation. Site was cleaned up nicely. We were with them constantly throughout the process, which was fortuitous because they had brought the wrong model of water heater, and almost started to install it before I noticed that it was wrong. In general, they were very communicative and thorough. They did have to make some unanticipated modifications to the existing gas line, because the inspector did not like it so close to the heater, but the end result was a very clean and less convoluted gas line. Total cost was almost $2700 (which was actually their middle choice, cost-wise), but the end result exceeded our expectations. It was certainly a job that a non-professional could not have done adequately, given all the new regulations that Milpitas inspectors require.

I did not get the work done because of the $89 trip charge, even for an estimate. I live in an HOA, so all exterior work needs to be pre-approved by the HOA. I cannot get the work pre-approved without a written estimate and $89 is too high to pay for just an estimate. Otherwise, I was very impressed with the service given over the phone (bonus points because they actually answer the phone, unlike so many other plumbers I've tried) and I was hopeful that this would be the company to help me out. Unfortunately, the $89 trip charge is preventing me from trying them out.

I paid $89 to learn that Mike Counsil is extremely high priced, they use fear tactics, and take advantage of the situation to charge double what other plumbers charge.

We liked them. It went very well. The technician knew what he was doing.

called on a Friday morning . A time window of 3-5 pm was set up, which was really appreciated on short notice. However, 15 minutes before 3 pm we received a call saying they wouldn't be able to make it. They gave a number for another plumber but at 3:00 on a Friday, that didn't work out. It seems from other reviews, this company needs to work on their time management so they don't leave people out on a limb. Their service could be great, but they have to get there as scheduled.

Charges $89 for an estimate, refuses to divulge hourly rate.

I was great in the beginning, they scheduled to come out and look at the problem on the same day I called them at 5:30pm. I received a call from them a couple hours later stating that today ws not going to work for them, and the appointment was pushed to Thursday. Several hours later I received a call telling me that they could not accommodate me on Thursday, it would be a couple weeks before they could take a look at my water heater. I consider this poor service, not because they rescheduled me, but they should have informed me up front of their lack of availability so I would not have wasted time.

Their motto is "We'll be there for you" - but if you're a residential customer, be prepared to be dumped in a hot second. I made an appointment with Mike Counsil Plumbing to fix a leak under my sink - I had used them before so it seemed like a good choice. They were supposed to come today at 11 so I stayed home from work to wait for them. I got a call at 9am saying that they were too busy at the commercial job to deal with me and that they couldn't give me another time. Now, I've lost a day at work, have black mold growing under my sink, and have to find another plumber.

I totally recommend this company. I called another plumbing company to fix our clogged kitchen sink and they told me they were booked and if we wanted them the same day, it would cost an additional $180 fee. I called Mike Counsil Plumbing and Mario & Angel showed up in just 30 minutes. The job was more difficult than we thought it would be, but they got our clog fixed and replaced some pipe to make to easier next time it happens again. Plus, they not only did a great job, they were professional & courteous and did the job for less than I expected after all of the problems they encountered. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

My water heater start leaking and making loud noises. Then a pipe connected to it busted in the wall! I totally freaked out and didn't know what to do! I looked on Angie List and found this company named Mike Counsil Plumbing. I had seen the trucks on the road and thought I give them a call. From the moment I talked to the office lady that I booked my appointment with I felt like a was family to them. So insured me that the Plummer will come to my home and look at my issue and explain everything to me. She literally calm me down. The Plummer arrived and he was very friendly and professional. He explain everything that needed to be done and what options I have to make the repairs. They really strive for customer satisfaction and the workers take pride in there work. I would definitely call them again!

We were very happy with the service provided. The plumbers were very helpful and experienced. We would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them to our friends and family.

The provider gave the option upon purchase to give them 3 alternative dates for service. I gave them 3 dates and times. I included my phone number and indicated that I'd like the service done asap. I received no contact from them. I tried emailing them again through Angies List on 7/8. No response. I finally had Angie's List refund the amount paid today (7/26). I'd be EXTREMELY leery of this vendor. I was on the edge of my 60 day guaranteed refund from my credit card company. I would hate to have seen what would have happened if I had waited longer.

Jerry Biodo, from Mike's Plumbing arrived at 0900 on Sunday morning. He crawled under the house and checked how the water pipes were located to determine if they could be rerouted from the solar pipes. While he was under the house he also checked the septic lines and air conditioner lines. He went up on the roof next and checked where the water was coming from and if there was obvious damage to the roof. He counseled me to contact a Solar Company to have the solar unit removed and roof checked for water damage. As a temporary way to stop the leaking and still give me hot water he cut and capped the leaking pipes. He also checked but could not find a motor to the unit. He said he would be back to reroute the water lines to the water heater as soon as I get the solar units removed. It was a very hot day so I really appreciated Jerry's attitude and all the extra help and advice he gave me.

It worked out okay but other companies were saying they could complete the work for about $79.00.

I called them to fix a leaky water heater in my rental house. They took one look at the old plumbing and told me they would need to tunnel under the house to replace all of the plumbing for a cost of $60,000! Not to mention my tenant would have to be out of the house for a week or more, There was no discussion of alternative solutions, nor did they remove even one floor board under the old heater to see where the leak was coming from. Our electrician was so appalled he started asking why they weren't going to pull up a few floor boards to try to find the leak. Long story short we halted work and demanded they pull up a few floor boards so we a could all see what was going on. It turned out the leak was right below the water heater and could be repaired. The manager insisted this is not the way they like to do business. He said they don't want to repair a problem, they want to replace it. We understand repairing 90 year-old pipes is not a long term solution, but a good plumber discusses all of your options and allows you, the home owner and person paying for the service, the right to decide the best option for you. The he actual plumbers do a good job but I will not call this company again. I need to know that I can trust the service people I call to my home operate with integrity.

The technicians are always very professional. I have lived in this condo in Fremont for 20 months. I have had to call you out 3 times. You always show up on time and are professional. Last time we figured out that maybe the drain in the upstairs shower needs to be cleaned out professionally. I should of done this in the first place. I will have a friend do it this time with an auger.

They were able to accommodate me the same day I called. They arrived promptly and were friendly and professional. They used booties as to not damage my carpet/flooring. They fixed the issue quickly and even gave me instructions on how to fix it myself in the future. I was very pleased with the service, my only complaint would be cost. The service was a bit expensive given work and time required. This is the only reason it's not an A ranking but should not reflect poorly on the work done or the gentlemen who did it.

He ended up talking my wife into a larger project than I anticipated, and by the time I got home he'd had her sign a contract for $3000-4000 worth of work. He then raised the price on us. We only let him stay a day, wrote the money off as a bad job, and moved on. I would stay far way from him.

It went well after the water heater closet was repaired

They were able to schedule service the day after I called, to be arriving between 1 - 3 PM. When they hadn't arrived or called by 3:25 I called because I had a busy day and didn't want to stay home indefinitely. The receptionist said that there had been an equipment problem and it would be more like 3-5 PM. It would have been nice if they would have phoned me of the update when they found out they would be late. They arrived at 4:30. He cleaned out the sewer for about $400 then looked at the bathroom faucet and said he wouldn't replace the washer but would have to replace the whole fixture. He gave a MINIMUM price of $541. I told him the faucet was relatively new and the fixture cost only cost $89 but he said the cheapest fixture ( not necessarily a good one as I have ) was that price and they have financing. I told him no thanks. He did say that our Mountain View houses have a sewer line that runs up to the house not just out to the street. I remember that a neighbor said that she always gets the city dept. of public works to fix her sewer clogs and they are prompt and free so will do that next time. Also, Mike Counsil advertises that they warranty their work but he said that because the clog was caused by tree roots there was no warranty!!

The primary issue that I had when I purchasing the service wasn't addressed. I had an under mount-sink that had fallen in and I also had a bunch of other little smaller plumbing issues throughout the house, a leak here and a faucet there and things like that and toilet leaks. All the little things, they did just fine but the service was very much overpriced for the smaller items but I thought that would be acceptable as long as we had the major things fixed which was the under-mount sink that had fallen in. But they were not able to address that issue. It is kind of very frustrating because I got the impression that they were going to be very good, very professional but there was still one issue they couldn't resolve. I was willing to accept the higher price for the professionalism trying to get everything resolved but in the end they still could not resolve this issue.