Allen Plumbing & Heating Inc

Granted, it was emergency weekend service. However, the fellow who was on-call and came out in the dead of night did not have a clue - I could hear him on the phone trying to figure out what was wrong with one boiler. But that's not what really peeved me - I later discovered that he opened the cabinet on the second boiler (it is a two family), and he proceeded to bend the door off in the process. He had no right to open the boiler that was working. He also never did figure out what was wrong with the first. That second boiler has since stopped working. While I cannot link his behavior with the later malfunction, it is suspect. In any case, the Boss came out the next day and repaired the unit quickly, but I was really bothered that the apprentice opened my working boiler without asking and caused damage to the door. In addition, these guys are not cheap - The main guy, Michael, is competent, but he knows he has most of us overly educated liberal white folks in Cambridge and Somerville over the barrel, in that we have pretty much no practical real-world knowledge of how plumbing and heating works. So overall, not terrible, but for the on-call guy and the high prices.

They did a really good job. It is a new product, but they had done some research on it and were knowledgeable about it.

They did an excellent job: provided a written estimate when I requested one, arrived on time as scheduled and completed the job very quickly. They also billed me for $300 less than the estimate. Given that I'd had a bad experience with a previous plumber, and this was essentially a do over I really appreciated the lowered final cost.

We called Allen Plumbing with a no-heat emergency and they were extremely responsive and a pleasure to deal with on the phone. They worked directly with our tenant to arrange for access to the gas furnace. Within a few hours, the problem was diagnosed and the heat was back on. The price was fair for the quality of service rendered.

Horrible! It has taken me months to get enough distance from the experience to write about it. They were great when I first called to schedule. Appt. was promptly scheduled. The guy they sent was on time and on the young side but polite and eager. But it all went down hill from there. (Let me say my family owned a hardware store for 65 years, so I am more comfortable around plumbing than most women and have a good basic knowledge.) When I showed the Allen guy my bathroom issues he started to talk to me like I was an idiot. I had to stop him and point out that I wasn't stupid just because I was a woman. Things got worse. I barely know how to explain what happened. He proceeded to try and pressure me into additional work that I didn't need. The pitch was relentless. He also asked to see the basement where he gave me a list of what else I needed! He was making me totally uncomfortable, I just wanted him out of my house and gave him $150 just to get him to go!

They responded quickly to come out and replace it.

Very courteous and prompt. The total bill for somewhat more than an hour's work was $325, which does not include the disposal, which I purchased separately. I have not obtained quotes from other plumbers, but I believe this amount for labor only is excessive.

Very responsive, thorough, and got the job done!

They're very very good. They're responsive and they do good work. They clean up after themselves. They are a little more expensive but you get what you pay for. They really know their stuff and they are incredibly responsive. I would highly recommend them.

Michael Allen replied by e-mail the following day. He sarcastically noted that he'd be sure to include my "critique" of his employee in the employee's file as "the first complaint" ever lodged against him. He went on to paraphrase something the employee had obviously told him about rudeness he'd perceived on my part, accepting it unquestioningly. I don't think this company deserves all of its accolades on Angie's List. It shouldn't have been such a strain for the employee I spoke with on the phone to have acted slightly interested in my problem. Michael's abrasive e-mail reply was also unwarranted, I believe. Since I'd been a customer within the last few years, he could have at least done me the courtesy of asking for "my side of the story." Not only is "The customer is always right" a moribund concept to companies like this one; they are seemingly unconcerned with alienating customers (maybe especially one who has no high-paying work?), as there are always more to take their place.

I woke up to a cold furnace. They came the same day and charged $150 to figure out what was wrong and another $150 to fix a broken switch. I don't know enough about plumbing to know if this was fair, but I've heard enough about plumbers to know they're never cheap. They were pleasant to deal with and I don't have any issues with their work. The guy even fixed some shoddy wiring that the previous repairman did from 3 years ago. I appreciated the fact that he did that.

They came out on the weekend and we were totally panicked. We did not to do because everything was flowing everywhere. They actually dug up the basement and fixed the problem for us on the spot. I was very appreciative of the whole situation. They did a great job.

We had an issue with our boiler which we thought was electrical and called to have a technician take a look. The dispatcher/front office person was extremely friendly and direct. We agreed on a time and the $39 visit fee (which is applied to the cost if you accept). The tech was friendly and professional and on time. He confirmed that the problem was electrical and replaced the faulty wire. We also asked his opinion of the state of our boiler and he said it was old and may last a couple of weeks of a few more seasons but we ought to consider replacement. He took the dimensions of the space and said he would send us some options. All in all a good outfit to work with.

The plumber was very nice, responded quickly, and solved the problem without making fun of the owner's father. I highly recommend them. We called them after 5:00 p.m. on a Friday and they responded within an hour.

The process was long and frustrating, because it was hard for them to give me a full quote since they were unable to diagnose the whole system at once. When I explained to the owner of the company that I thought one of the replacement materials was high (valve at $300), he was slightly condescending by saying that my explanation was 'somewhat logical.' Additionally, the person they originally sent was a relatively young plumber who was nice, but recently apprenticed and quite immature professionally. He would quickly get exasperated. Finally on day two they sent a much more experienced plumber who made the rest of the work go much more smoothly. In the end they offered to write me a very detailed bill.

It is wonderful to be able to find quality work. I like the fact that they will give you an easement before they start work. They clean up after they're done and they work quickly. I am very pleased with all of the work that they have done for me in the past. I would recommend them to anyone who wants good quality work done.

I have been using this plumber since I purchased the house in 1994 and have never been disappointed with his service. He is pleasant and accommodating. This job was really no big deal. He was here about an hour and there were no real surprises. He is a bit pricey, but it is worth it to know that all his work is going to be done to perfection and will last, I would certainly recommend them.

There was a leak and they came over and did a good job on fixing the problem. I think their prices are a little on the high side, but they did get to fixing it right away. They were very professional and answered all of my questions. I called them for the possibility of replacing something else in the house however the price they quoted me is really unreasonable. I am still undecided if I will use them again. If they are willing to talk about other options, then I may have them come back.

Even though the price was way too much, I thought that he did a really good job on the furnace. The guy that came to do the work was also very nice as well as professional. I found this company on Angie's List.

A technician came out to check the job. They charged $39.99 to come out, and three weeks later I still don't have the estimate. Other people give free estimates and can keep a reasonable time line, this company does not. They wasted my time and money.

Plumber was very professional. Kept me updated each step of the way - how much it would cost, etc. Very prompt and professional - would definitely use them again.

The first visit was A all the way. He was polite and friendly. Jason not only addressed the problem but made sure the units were level and operating properly. The second visit was not so good but it was different plumber. He tried to charge me over $500 for the call even though nothing was found to be wrong. He quoted me a price of $350 to install a new faucet that I had already purchased. Calls made to the company since the last visit have been less helpful. I don't feel I have received good customs service since the dispute over the high cost of the second visit.

I felt this was an urgent job and then came within a day of calling them. The owner (Michael Allen?) came with a less experienced plumber. It seemed as if he was training him. In his interactions with the young plumber, I gleaned that the owner is very knowledgeable and dedicated to his craft. He seemed genuinely interested in imparting his wisdom onto his trainee. That was high marks in my book. Even with the plumbing lessons, they did a very efficient and professional job. They did not dilly-dally as some contractors tend to do. It took them less than an hour - maybe even 30 minutes to finish the job. My only complaint is that the price seemed a little high. Caveat: this lacks basis or comparison since I've never dealt with a plumber before

While electricians were working in my cellar they bumped into old, brittle brass pipes and a substantial leak ensued. They shut the water off at the main and on Monday morning (6/22/07). The technician, James, arrived and diagnosed what needed to be done, gave me a repair estimate, also discovered a leak in a toilet, gave me an estimate on that, and repaired the toilet and replaced all the brass piping in the cellar. He was prompt, efficient, friendly, careful to inform me what I was paying for. I was very pleased and called them again the morning of Friday (7/6/07) when another toilet in my home stopped working. Again, they came out that afternoon, (their technician, Michael) found the problem, gave me a price that I felt was reasonable and repaired the toilet. I have an old house, and of late I have had plumbing problems arise. These were very positive experiences with problems that arose suddenly. I will definitely call on them again and recommend them to my friends.

High quality work. Good customer service approach. Polite, helpful, honest. Price seems perhaps a little higher but you get better service. Not clear what is the basis of price since they bill "by the job" not by the hour. You can rely on them to do quality work and to be courteous.