Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Plumbers entered our home and called our home ugly repeatedly. We caught this on our security cameras. ----------------------------------------------------------------- We just closed on a new home, and per the home inspector's instructions, we needed to add a drain, as the current output from the water heater and softener was draining into a self-installed sink from the previous owners. I called many places and received bids from several. The basis of the job, according to all of these companies, was this: From another plumbing company: To remove drywall, furnish and install pipe and associated fittings for waste and water pipe for stand pipe for washing machine for $1800, OR From a handyman: To break concrete, repipe it, and add a vent - all of which I (the handyman) could do, but I cannot pull a permit per Omaha plumbing code because I am not a master plumber. The estimate I received from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing indicated that they would re-pipe an ADDITIONAL drain for $998. Naturally, I went with them because the receptionist seemed to fully understand my needs and the plumber showed up promptly for the bid. Today, the work was carried out. The plumber brought along his partner, I assume, because it would be a big job that involved cutting drywall or concrete. While they were there, they conversed and made fun of our house, saying "This is such an ugly house. Oh yeah, it's such an ugly house," which we caught on our security cameras. That says enough as it is. The plumber, instead of adding an additional drain, decided to move the two tubes (the output from the water heater and the water softener) that was previously draining into the sink, and simply moved it to the floor, aimed it at the floor drain, and nailed it down. Over the phone, he asked me if I wanted him to install the sink for us. I figured, why not, since he's already there. I was willing to pay him more. He told us it would be a bit more expensive, and I obliged. When he left, we were charged $1,600 instead of the original $998. He did NOT break concrete or drywall to install the initial additional drain that was quoted for $998, but did break drywall so he could move our sink, which is still incomplete, because we need to find someone to fix the drywall before he can come back and attach the sink to the wall. At the heart of the matter, the idea is that they charge $998 to move two output drains that were hanging in a sink, to the floor. All they did was move the two tubes to the floor - something my handyman told us he could've done, and charged us $998. When I asked him about the placements of the drains on the floor, he told us, "every house has this," which is just untrue, because we've lived in at least 5 different houses in Omaha and none of the laundry rooms have looked like this. All this while making fun of our house, humiliating us, and saying how ugly it was. If anyone is dubious of this fact, I have the video downloaded from our security camera, and I'm willing to share it with anyone who is interested. I called the front desk and have not heard from the manager, nor have I received a receipt detailing what exactly cost us $998 as part of the $1600. I'm highly disappointed in this company. I cannot believe their plumbers would enter my house, act like I don't know anything about plumbing, and call my house ugly repeatedly. Truly a heartbreaking experience.

$441.00 for 20 minutes of work- non-emergent appointment. Replaced one valve on the water line to the refrigerator, and he also looked at a pipe in the basement, but didn't climb the ladder to look close to the pipe to see if there was a leak. Tore drywall unnecessarily, while replacing the box and used a much smaller box style, so now I need a repair drywall. Plumber was not there as scheduled, so I had to call again to see why, but he did show up later. I advised the call center I had a online coupon and was told to tell the plumber. I advised plumber I have the $50.00 online coupon and he never mentioned he needs a hard copy, so I wrote the check- for the amount he said - The call center would not honor the coupon nor allow me to bring in the printed coupon-

Made an appointment but never showed up.

The job was completed on time, as bid, and in a professional manner. The workman came prepared with parts and left the work are spotless.

Prompt. Very professional. Very personable. Was way more expensive than I expected but I was in a hurry to get them fixed

When dispatcher called to say plumber was on the way - the prices changed. $185. was just the service call charge. Any work done would be in addition to the $185. I explained what I had been told and the dispatcher had no interest. I cancelled the appointment.

First plumber took the entire day to replace above. Individual shutoff valves weren't necessary. Left house. I had to shut off water to toilet that ran constantly. (Individual shutoff valve was handy but not necessary; did not ask to have all the shutoff valves replaced). Second plumber complained that I should have replaced the toilets instead of repairing them. He repaired with a new toilet tank valve that the first plumber should have replaced. Repairing saved several hundred dollars over replacing toilets. I thought the first plumber should have checked his work before he left. I thought the second plumber should have kept his opinion to himself. I hate to write a review critical of people without knowing their reasons for their actions, but am tired of Angie's List asking me to write this. I gave them C's because this experience has been TYPICAL of past plumbers. Among ALL the repairmen I have had work on my house, I give PLUMBERS an F.

The technician was the best we've ever had. Was fast, friendly, and took the time to explain additional details about our sprinkler system which was not directly part of the repair. They were able to come out the day we called. I'm not sure if the price was good or bad so don't let my grade influence you.

When we started losing hot water. John came out on a holiday weekend free of charge and gave us a price and date of installation. This was as opposed to a different company which came out with an initial service charge of $169 (later dropped) that quoted us three times the amount of Ben Franklin. Unfortunately due to supplier problem Ben Franklin had to come at a later date but when they did they were extremely professional and efficient. Overall we highly recommend Ben Franklin plumbing and John for your plumbing needs.

Repair man did not honor Angie's List $50.00 off deal or use the Senior discount 10%. For the cost of the repair we could have bought a brand new heater. Our water heater is not that old. Less than 7 yrs old. I called 2 times after he left our house and was told they would get back with me about my complaint about the discount and that we belonged to Angies List. We told the operator this before we set up the appointment. Have not heard from them at all. Bad customer service. We will never use their services again and will not recommend them to anyone.

The repairman was timely but he was not very customer friendly. The tenant said the drain is fixed.

They came out and they gave me an estimate and they were too high on price. I ended up going with someone else. I had nothing negative to say about them.

The plumber was very professional and finished the job quickly. He cleaned up after himself and made some suggestions about work that will be done in the future.

Needed to replace toilet tank seal. Then found out that the pressure coming into the house was too high, so put in a pressure control valve.

Worker was right on time, very courteous, obviously experienced, and fixed my garbage disposal in less than 15 minutes. His honesty showed when he told me I didn't need a replacement, thus saving me money. He also checked some of my other plumbing, including the site of where I wanted to put another water faucet in the basement.

Here is the note I sent to the service provider yesterday explaining my complaint. They have yet to respond. I just called the contact center to schedule my appointment and had an extremely disappointing conversation. I explained that I had a few things that I need to have looked at - low water pressure in one faucet and a leak in the other - but that it was possible I might need new hardware, so I wanted to either speak to a technician or have someone come out and look to see exactly what is needed. She said that if I just wanted an estimate but didn't want to use the coupon, it would be free. However, if I want to use the coupon, and estimate is $99. So, in essence that reduces my coupon value for actual work to $0 (since the $99 I paid for the coupon would all go to cover the estimate. All the "fine print" on the coupon says is that it can't be combined be any other offers. But if giving a free estimate is part of your normal business practice, I don't consider that a special "offer". And nowhere on the coupon does it say you can't get an estimate done prior to the work. I have never had any service provider charge for an estimate of the work that they will then charge me to perform, assuming I accept the estimate. At a minimum, I consider this poor advertising and intend to file a complaint with both Angie's list and the BBB if it turns out that in fact my coupon is virtually $0 value unless I know exactly what is wrong and what I need to have done. I also wonder if this amounts to false advertising or unfair business practice. My hope is that this is simply a misunderstanding on the part of your staff regarding what constitutes a "special offer" and that I'll hear back from you confirming that I am entitled to an estimate of the work and then the first $200 of any work needed is paid for by my coupon. I appreciate your quick response and thoughtful resolution to this matter.

Right on time. In fact they were early. worked out great.

Well they called me to see if they could send the plumber early 10:15 to 10:30 left a message. I called back at 09:45 and told the girl that he could come early. Then another girl called me like she didn't get the message because I said your late and she said no we said 11:00 to 2:00 and I said yes but then you called to change it to an earlier time and I said yes. She tried to say she didn't say that but I told her I have it on my message machine and I would play it to her but she said she knew what she said and I said then I want to talk to the manager and let him listen to what she said then she said there would be no charge for coming out. The man came out and he was really nice and showed me that they couldn't fix it and he made me sign a work permit that said zero charge and he left. He was very nice. So now I want the $99 refunded to my account because they couldn't help me

We have been using them for about four years. Everything has been working out just fine. When you schedule an appointment, they give you a time frame. Then on the day of the appointment, they always call before they come. Everything has been working out very good with them.

Overflowing toilet occurred late on Friday night. Shut water off. Called Saturday - they were fully booked. Plumber showed up on time Sunday a.m. Changed part in tank and put new handle on shut off valve. Took about 1 hour. Plumber flushed second toilet (not at my request) - noticed it was slow to drain, asked age of toilets (30 yrs) and said they would need replacing (hmmm). Anymore when you have repairmen come into your house it seems as if they look for other problems. Had an Aksarben repairman come to replace a garbage disposal (he was contracted by HomeDepot to put in a disposal purchased there). He told me the disposal I purchased was of poor quality and the one he had in his truck ($300 more) was an industrial one and would last for years. After he installed he practically begged to look at the water heater all the while telling me horror stories about bursting water heaters. What happened to the good old days when someone just came in and did the job they were asked to do, and not try to up-sell?

I think the bid was really high. The guy who came out to give me my free quote immediately demanded that I provide the exact specification of where every pipe was that they need to remove as well as the exact location of where everything was going.

Very well with high quality work and products.

They’re very thorough and punctual. I also find them to be knowledgeable and professional. I’ve always been pleased with their work. They provide a copy of the checklist and there’s an area for their comments where they can communication any findings. Their communication is very clear and concise. They offer competitive pricing and I would recommend their services to others.

They were punctual and called 30 minutes before they were going to be out. They were in and out very quickly. I would recommend their services to others.

Halfway through the job, the electricity went out. Other than this it went smoothly. He was very patient. He seemed pretty knowledgeable and was efficient and cleaned up well after himself. The water softener is running smoothly and I would recommend his service to others.