Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

I made an appointment for a Wednesday evening to get an estimate for plumbing work and received a call the day before saying they don't give estimates that late in the evening (not sure why they scheduled it in the first place) so I rescheduled to Saturday morning between 8 am-10 am. I received a call Saturday morning at 7:35 am from Derek which I wasn't able to answer but listened to the voice mail and called back at 7:38 am. This time I spoke to Rosemary who said the technician was sent to another job because I didn't answer the call and when the next technician is available they would give me a call. At this point I confirmed that would still be between my scheduled two hour window and was told it would. I also asked that the technician just come to my house because I am here and waiting and a phone call is not needed. At 10:15 am I called back because the technician still hadn't came and was told by Rosemary that a technician isn't available at this time and when one becomes available they would call me back. I asked for an approximate time but she wasn't able to provide one. At this point I cancelled the appointment. I will not use Roto-Rooter in the future.

It's everyone's worst nightmare? the basement sewer backed up!! The fact that it happened the day AFTER move in (there were clothes to wash and showers to take) wasn't helping!! A panicked call to the Roto-Rooter folks assured us that someone would be there within the hour (they were!) and that the issue would be quickly resolved (it was!). The Roto-Rooter service agent was professional and responsive. After analyzing the situation he proposed two courses of action? both of which made complete sense. He also offered a discount on the fee of the second service (I took advantage of the discount). Within 90 minute window the work was done! The service agent answered a few more of my questions and left us with a gallon of pipe cleaner to help maintain the work he'd completed. I have to admit, the price I had to pay was more than I'd hoped, but the professionalism and response to my dilemma made me feel my money was well spent. I'd hire the Roto-Rooter folks again in a heartbeat? which is what I skipped when this problem occurred! Thankfully, they kept my dilemma from being an all-out disaster! Thank you, Roto-Rooter!! Craig Evans

Drain and backing up. Called Roto Rooter, who sent Todd. He arrived punctually, asked me for details of the problem and went right to work. Took several hours and he consulted with his manager about how to handle problems. Thankfully, he persisted and solved the problem.

He told me in advance replacing all of the copper would run a flat price, $726. Fearing that was perhaps just the labor piece, I asked - is that just labor? He said no, that was bottom line, labor and materials. All-in, $726. Sold! I signed the estimate and left him to do the work. Later, he billed us $1236, saying the materials ran $510. When I complained that I had been assured that $726 was the firm quote and I would pay no more, he kindly backed off and accepted the $726. I cannot honestly say whether Roto-Rooter tried to scam us here. It certainly looked like a bait-and-switch, where we are quoted one low price but are later billed for something much, much higher. If the plumber was on the level, my apologies, though I do not see $510 worth of parts in the area he repaired. But if I am wrong and he did purchase so much on my behalf, why didn't he call and confirm with me BEFORE making the purchase? Once he determined his repairs would nearly double my cost, it seems to me that a reasonable person and a professional plumber would confirm that this is what I want to do. I left him my mobile phone number just in case something unexpected arose. He never called. Again, while this doesn't confirm a ripoff occurred, it smells funny and I will not use Roto-Rooter again. Actually, it smells like smoke - the water heater, ironically, overheated. It did work before the RR repair, and it didn't work after. We learned this a few days later when we received a cold shower because the water heater failed. Taking off the cover, the electrical panel showed the remnants of a small fire - the thermostat was charred and the insulation was blackened. I then hired another plumber to repair it, which cost me $158. This second guy was unable to tell me why the fire occurred, and he took pains not to blame the Roto-Rooter guy, but he admitted it could have happened during that earlier repair. Seems an odd coincidence, doesn't it? $150 later, it all works again. So my total repairs ran to $876, using two plumbers and about 4 hours of vacation time, not to mention the carpeting damage (clearly, no one's fault but my own) and a bracing cold shower. Meh.

Called Roto-Rooter just before 8:00 PM. The receptionist, or answering service, was pleasant. I was informed that the service tech would be out within 2 hours. Not bad for what I would consider after hours. (Roto-Rooter has no extra charge for after hours or weekend.) The dispatcher called around 8:40 to inform me the service tech was on his lunch and would then be on his way to my home. Received another call from the dispatcher at 9:50 to tell me the service tech was in the area and would be arriving within about 20 minutes. Roto-Rooter FINALLY arrived at 10:40. Brian, the service tech, was pleasant. He assessed the problem, and provided me a quote. The drain cleaning literally took only about 15 minutes. Once complete, Brian put all the extra drain (A/C, water softener, and dehumidifier) lines back together. Upon payment, you will be pitched, hard, to by their Roto-Rooter Pipe Cleaner. Brian's pitch was VERY well rehearsed, and he sounded like a robot as he recited his sales pitch. It was actually almost comical.

Robbie (Tech #3430) was courteous and professional and helped my mother with a plugged drain downstairs which connected the washing machine with a bathroom. This was later in the evening. Robbie finished at 10 pm, Friday night. Commendations for a job well done at the beginning of a weekend night.

It went AWESOME! I was given an estimate of $5,500 to dig down to the curb valve and replace the main water line into my basement. The estimate was given to me on the 20th of July, and on the 21st, 3 guys showed up and started digging. They protected my lawn by laying down 12 or 15 large sheets of plywood to pile the dirt on, and using a bucket excavator, they carefully dug down to the curb valve to make sure it was good. While they were doing this, one of the workmen went down into the basement to remove the drain from the floor in preparation for laying a new copper line. When they removed the drain, they found a pinched line next to the basement wall underneath the drain. These guys saved me $2500 when they found that pinched line. They called in another plumber who could silver solder a new line on, and the whole thing was done in a few hours. The hole they dug in my yard was neatly filled in and the only thing I had to do was spread grass seed and water it. Roto-Rooter gave me the estimate and fixed the problem within 24 hours after I had been without water for 11 days. Then they amended the estimate I had been given originally for $5,500 down to $2500 since they didn't have to run a new line. I highly recommend this company for any plumbing needs, big or small. And they were all very nice people who were really concerned about the lack of water in my home.

It went fine. They wanted to do a very expensive replacement which we decided not to do. I have not had any problems since.

A lot of flooding in our area and it took a day for them to come because of the high amount of calls, they kept me informed along the process, came when they said they would, told me about a 50$ off coupon and preformed the work. Professional and caring service tech Brian.

Where to be there Sunday between 2 and 4 pm, where to call half an hour before arrival. Got a voice mail at 6pm. Said they had the wrong contact number ? Did the job monday as scheduled. $249.00 with out a coupon. $199.00 with coupon,seemed pretty high to me.

I had complete service less than 3 hours after my initial call. Service person, Brian, was very professional.

I made an online appointment at 9:30 pm Thursday 6/05 and they were at my home by 8:45 am Friday. 2-man crew - one veteran (Brian), one apprentice (Robbie). Knowledgeable, honest, candid, considerate. Explained generic charges up front; after analyzing the problem, Brian explained what was necessary and what it would cost, and included me in their process. To fix the main drain they had to remove a toilet, working in an area with very little space to accommodate the equipment they had to use. Nothing was disturbed - no furniture, no wall damage, no carpet damage. When additional product or service was offered, there was no hard sell, just information. They left all the areas they worked in clean when they were done. Work was completed in about 2 hours. A pleasant solution to a most unpleasant problem.

Was a very quick process, he had the clog removed in 15 minutes. My only issue was that is was $250.00 for 15 minutes of work. I was thankful they came out on a Sunday morning.

Floor Drain clogged. Scheduled an appointment on 5/22/2014 for 5/23/2014 between 8 AM and 10 AM. Received email confirmation of appointment 15 minutes later. At 0730 AM on the day of the appointment received a phone call from RR, the service tech is on his way. Ten minutes later the service tech arrived (Art) and got to work. Art answered all my questions and explained exactly what he was going to do to fix the problem Thirty minutes later the clog was removed. I was also experiencing a problem with my hot water heater; the pilot light would not remain lit and I was thinking of replacing the tank. Art suggested I replace the thermo coupler. I did so and the pilot light issue is resolved. Excellent service, on time, courteous and neat.

The plumber was very friendly, helpful and prompt and completed the entire job within about 30 minutes. He used booties and cleaned up after himself - even taking away the old faucet and lines. I have no concerns whatsoever for the service and quality of service; my less-than-steller rating was due to the outrageous price. I understand that I needed same-day service, but I think the price was ridiculous. I did not question the plumber since he does not set pricing.

The Previous experiance we had with this company was only OK, but the second time we got a fantastic service man who explained what he was doing and did it efficiantly and cleanly AND it was $100.00 LESS this time around. We will use this company again if we can get the same rep.

They were kind and friendly, but it was just too high.

Very efficient, friendly let us know costs upfront.

Excellent. I could not be happier with the service I received from these guys!

Basically I had a very old toilet flange. The base mounting screws were inset into it and were rusted to pieces. There was no way to replace the screws without removing the flange which is glued to the outside of the 3" ABS pipe. This was a job for a professional. I called Roto Rooter cause I wanted it done within the next couple days. Bill came out on a Saturday, which I appreciate, and looked over my problem. I had every cleared away everything with the old flange expose in the floor. I was expecting an estimate of 300.00 dollars, with maybe going higher but no more than 400 dollars. Thinking that a professional's time is easily worth 100 dollars an hour and with about 2-3 hours work from time he shows up to leaves then factoring in Roto Rooters overhead, profit, yada yada... So, there I was standing there when Bill gives me an estimate of 635.00 dollars. For a toilet flange replacement. I was gobsmacked. I needed the work done, and I wanted it done now. I was seriously contemplating sending him away, but in the end I have the money and I wanted to install the new toilet and be over with the problem. So I agreed. Bill took some more measurements and took off for Menards. He came back and got to work. I took him about 3 hours from arrival to leaving. The final bill was almost 700.00 dollars because 635.00 dollars doesn't include parts, which being so high I thought it would. Anyway, the work that was done was perfect. Flange was at the right height and when I installed the toilet and tested it out there were no leaks. Overall, the work done was great. I have no problem with that at all. The only problem I have is the price. 700.00 for a toilet flange is highway robbery. I should have been more patient and got a better deal. If I didn't have a roommate that needed the bathroom is full use I would have waited, but that just wasn't the case. If you have a simple job that can wait Roto Rooter is not the 1st business you should call. Update: I got a call from Roto Rooter and the manager went over my work order and found that the second hour was charge at the wrong rate. He offered to refund me 118.00 dollars. I was thankful and happy with the result. I changed the price from a F to C, while it still i bit expensive. I retro spec now I wouldn't count them on further service but I would shop around more and get a couple more estimates.

Roto-Rooter service man came down, looked at the drain and said: "OK that'll cost you $249.00." I said: "What?" and he said: "Well do you want me to do it or not?" I said: "Do I have a choice?" and he said: "Not if you want to do your laundry". It wasn't a big job to open the drain; a few tries taking about 10 minutes, and certainly not out of the ordinary for what this company does every day. But their price is absolutely ridiculous, and they know they've got you, when they're standing in your basement ready to start working. This is the worst rip-off I have experienced in my 50 years of owning three different homes. I should have told this guy to take a hike but I didn't. However, Roto-Rooter will never come to my house again. They have lots of competition out there and I wish I had checked "Angies List "before calling them. Hopefully, I can stop someone else from being ripped off by Roto Rooter.

I had it fixed right away. They came right away and replaced the faucet. They were professional and quick, it's just that the price was really high. They were very nice. I won't use them again because of the cost.

Our experience with Roto-Rooter was horrible! We called on the weekend because they advertised that they had weekend hours. We had a clogged floor drain in our basement that was from the pipe of the garbage disposal. Roto-Rooter told us they would be to our home between 5 and 7 on Sunday night; 7 came and went and still no call or update on when they would arrive. At 7:30 we called them and they said they couldn't tell us when they would be there. We waited another hour and called them again. They said it would be at least another hour before they arrived. At 9:30 we called them again and told them we would, at this point, prefer them to just come the next day, Monday. They were supposed to arrive between 9 and 11 and, once again, arrived late. Although the service was friendly and they got the job done, I would not work with them again based simply on the fact that they can't keep an appointment time. Being a working professional, that is incredibly important to me when I have to arrange my work schedule to be at home.

It seemed our upstairs bathroom was leaking down into our kitchen so they came out the same day I called. They did not make me feel like an idiot when they informed me it was indeed an ice dam and not a plumbing issue. Oops! And they did it for free! They were great.

Knew it was high and I should have gotten other estimates. He left to get a special faucet, okay I guess, I had to go get new hoses because his were very expensive, took me ten minutes, took him an hour or so. So I left him alone to do his thing, I ended up with shut offs for the washer only, none for the faucet. He said everyone was doing it that way, bull. The bill, I got charged for his drive to wherever he got the faucet and $50 for screwing on two 5 ft garden hoses. At some point soon I will have to have it redone to reposition the two shut offs he did do and have two more shut offs added for the faucets. |I got thoroughly screwed on the $600 labor, and shortchanged on what was done; oh yeah, in there somewhere was a senior discount or an Angie's discount.