The Ugly Plumber LLC

Review of Dave "The Ugly Plumber" Morton In May 2024, I hired Dave “The Ugly Plumber” Morton to replace a corroded and leaking hot water tank in my home. During the initial visit, he stated that no permit was necessary beforehand, as the job was deemed an emergency repair. He assured me that the work would be done first, and the permit could be filed afterward. On the day of installation, he took precautions to protect the walls on the stairs from his dolly but left scratches and marks at higher levels when removing the old tank. Although the installation was completed in a day, the final inspection process stretched over six months (from May to October), primarily due to repeated permit issues, inspection failures, and inconsistent communication. Throughout this period, there were several challenges: Permitting Delays: Although Mr. Morton was responsible for filing the permit after the job, this process took approximately three weeks with repeated follow-ups to ensure it was properly submitted to the town for inspection scheduling. Inspection Failures: The installation failed three inspections. In each instance, the town inspector cited specific issues and provided clear guidance via email, outlining what was required to pass. The main issues included: Installation of an undersized expansion tank, not sufficient for the 75-gallon tank. Improper placement of the expansion tank, which required multiple relocations to comply with code. Visible cracks in the flue’s mortar after one repair, potentially causing safety concerns like CO leakage. Communication Challenges: There were frequent lapses in communication. For example, between July 24 and August 4, Mr. Morton did not respond to my calls or texts, requiring intervention from the town inspector. Afterward, he would sometimes miss scheduled appointments or fail to follow up as promised. Ultimately, the final inspection passed on October 2, 2024, following the fourth attempt. While Mr. Morton seems personable, I found that his handling of this job did not reflect his pricing or the expectations for professional plumbing services. He mentioned at times that he did not frequently handle installations of this type, which I feel would have been helpful to know upfront. For potential clients considering his services, my experience may serve as a useful reference to determine if his approach aligns with their needs and expectations.

very knowledgeable, did a good job