FRENCH AND FRENCH SEPTIC TANK SERVICE INC

Do not employ them under any circumstances. They are neither honest, efficient, or trustworthy. And they do not stand behind their work.

Following a plumbing repair on a shower valve and a stopped up drain, the plumber decided their were difficulties in the septic line leading from the back porch and suggested we call for a septic tank clean-out. As we had renters in the house at the time, it was urgent to seek full repairs and obviously we were under duress. Quite possibly the restriction or damage was prompted by very severe local freezes at the time--and most certainly some work needed to be done--though once revealed, the septic tank did not appear particularly full.. What began cordially became complex very quickly--and the authenticity of this provider became to me unnervingly problematic . We were asked to pay in advance of any work--and this amount steadily increased over the course of the repair with several return hits on my credit card. This occurred in part because I asked for an upgrade to the tank's access--but also because one of two tank tops was broken. The worker on the job at that time insisted that he found it that way-- but that seemed hard to process since the top, when I saw it, was in several shards unlikely to have withstood even foot traffic--and it was evident that he had broken the piece moving over it and through it with heavy equipment. I was uncomfortable about this explanation, but all I could do was pay, since this was a rental house and my checking on the project, though frequent, did not result in my constant presence on the scene. (This worker was replaced the next day with another.) We had to order a new tank top--and because the wrong size was ordered and delivered, the repair process was delayed a couple of days. I was continually asked to sign revised, hard to read work orders that were the result of constant calls to the home office by the young men on the job. They were loaded with protections--added to the work orders along with my agreement to pay for both the new top and the upgrade that I had requested. When the work was finally essentially complete and the tank was being covered, I was asked to depend on the man's assertion that he had tested the drain field well and that everything was running and draining correctly--indeed the system should be good for "another twenty years." I'm afraid that I did not read the hard to make out document that I was asked to sign upon "completion"--I was so desperate to be rid of them! Only later did I ascertain that I had signed off on work which stipulated absolutely no guarantee! And as the worker was still cleaning up when I left the premises, I depended upon his assurance that the grounds would be ordered appropriately, that certain decorative field stones would be replaced--and that he would see to the repair of a deck support that I noticed, upon getting ready to leave, had been broken and just stuck back under the deck, dangling from the ground. None of that was done, as I discovered the next day. But they had insisted on my payment in advance and I had no leverage--except to call the office and request that the situation be remedied. After a call to a seemingly sympathetic employee who had worked on the premises, I apparently reached the "big boss." He was initially resistant to accepting any responsibility--tried to blame it on the carpenters who had removed the steps, which I knew was not true because I was there for that procedure--and rude to a level that I have never experienced with any service provider. After what became an absurd exchange, I said that I would file a complaint against him with the Better Business Bureau--and he threatened me with a suit for libel, which I guess I found laughable. And hung up. This provider may have had experience with individuals who had stiffed him for work in the past as he claimed--but I resented his surly demeanor and his focus on avoiding responsibility. We have had no difficulty with the tank subsequently, but I certainly would not recommend anyone's dealing with that outfit on the basis of my experience. Although certain of the complications of this job were not their fault, the ones that were were significant--and I was totally uncomfortable with their pay structure and their uncharacteristic insistence on having full payment before the work was launched. Had this been my own home and not a rental property where the comfort of tenants had to be a priority, I would certainly have sought and required more orthodox procedures.

They found a lot of "hidden" problems and the bill quickly went up. I think they made it a bigger deal than it really was. We hired another company to perform the same service 2.5 years later and they were half the price for the same service.

Although they did an adequate job, I felt as if their business practices were a little deceiving. I was quoted $205 over the phone to pump the tank. When they arrived, the $205 only included 6 inches of sludge to be removed. Each additional 12 inches of sludge is another $100 per 12 inches. Ther was also an additional charge of $45 for digging, which I felt should have been included. Their is also an additional charge if more than 50 ft of hose is required. Although I agreed to the price in advance of actual pumping the tank, I was in a bind to get the work done, and I felt taken advantage of. When I called their office to question something on the invoice, I was called back by owner Steve French and the conversation ended with Mr. French threatening legal action against me, stating that his Uncle is a judge. Since this experience, I have contacted other septic tank companies that quoted pricing much lower for the same service, with no hidden charges. I do not recommend this company.