WATSON'S PLUMBING & HEATING

Unfortunately, Watson's Plumbing is a very corrupt business. While the plumbers' services were adequate, the invoice was borderline fraudulent. The plumbers disappeared for roughly 8 hours, supposedly to buy the relevant materials, and then charged us for the full 8 hours at roughly $129 per hour. The location where the plumbers claimed to be buying the materials is about a 1/2 hour away from our apartment. When we called to dispute being charged for these 8 hours, the staff at Watson's Plumbing was extremely rude and non-responsive. They ultimately agreed to shave off only 2 hours off of the 8 in which the plumbers disappeared. Beware of doing business with them.

I am a health care worker writing this email in the middle of the COVID crisis -- as you might imagine I am very busy at the moment so if I am taking the time to write a review then I must consider this to be a pretty egregious issue, which as you can see from the email below is indeed the case. We have lived in the same house in Hamilton Heights since 2008 and we have always used Watson Plumbing for any of our plumbing needs. For example, in Fall 2019, we called Watson to install a new kitchen faucet and to reset two of our toilets and they did a great job. So, we did not hesitate to contact Watson for the relatively straightforward work of (1) replacing the flapper mechanisms in our toilets; and (2) unclogging some drains. We fully realize that this work could have been done by an experienced handyperson, but we had previously had some great experiences with Watson and we did not hesitate to call them to take care of these relatively simple problems . Boy, were we wrong…. What a disaster. To make a long story short… They sent a clearly very inexperienced person who spent most of his time chatting on his phone rather than replacing the flappers on our toilets. When he could not figure out how to replace the mechanisms in one of our toilets, he tried to talk us into getting a new toilet! Can you imagine – instead of replacing the flapper he told us we needed a new toilet. When I complained to the compandy, they sent the supervisor as well as some more experienced technicians. However, 8 hours later – and 8 hours that they charged us for – we still do not have functional toilets. In fact, here we are now in a house with 2 college kids back home and 2 other adults and in a house with 4 toilets only 1 which is working. AND we paid $1000 for their incompetent service. I would like to emphasize that BEFORE Watson came NONE of the toilets were running yet now 3 or the 4 toilets run continually after their “service” -- so now we can use only 1 toilet. We had to shut the other three toilets off because we got a letter from the City indicating that the water flow is excessive – so this is not our “imagination” the City is also concerned. We called Watson back twice to try to address the issues yet the problems persist. And of course, we cannot call a “real” plumber at the moment because we cannot have anyone in the house during the COVID crisis. And by the way, I am not sure what they did to snake the drains, since the same drains are now clogged again – so, clearly, they did not even snake the drains properly. Having said all of this, I would have chalked it all up to experience and had planned to call a “competent” plumber when the COVID crisis is over but APPALLINGLY they sent us a bill for the visits that they came back to deal with their incompetence – can you imagine the gall of that – plumbers who after three visits cannot change a toilet flapper competently and then try to charge us for it….Can you imagine…

I was on the phone with Watson's after they were unable to provide an estimate over a week after their visit and their "professional" said, "Well, I find that customers often fudge facts. Alternative facts. You know, like Kellyanne Conway?" His response to my taking deep offense was to laugh and say he was "just bringing it home." Who speaks to a potential customer like that? If you don't care about integrity and you're looking for a rude plumber Watson's is the place for you.

I was on the phone with Watson's after they were unable to provide an estimate over a week after their visit and their "professional" said, "Well, I find that customers often fudge facts. Alternative facts. You know, like Kellyanne Conway?" His response to my taking deep offense was to laugh and say he was "just bringing it home." Who speaks to a potential customer like that? If you don't care about integrity and you're looking for a rude plumber Watson's is the place for you.

The work was done timely and professionally.

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Very well, clean -up should have been available afterward

unknown

I called the owner and he sent his people right out. They were right on top of it. I am a Harlemite so we try to operate with local African-American folks when we can and they have been outstanding for years. It was in the winter and we had pipes freeze. When they freeze they break and when they break they flood. I run a head start program and if I can't get that cleaned up fast I can't get kids at school, which is not good. They have done some pretty heavy duty work here. They had to dig up my basement. We did a renovation a number of years ago. They dug up the cast iron pipes, repaired the floor and did a heck of a job. That was a tough job. They are good guys who explain what they are going to do. They are responsive and are not unreasonable. Any plumber is going to be expensive in New York City, but there is a point where it becomes unreasonable, and they are not unreasonable. They are about average on price. When they say they are going to be there they are there. If I can't raise the boss himself on his personal cell phone I call the company and I talk with someone who is responsible who can tell me who is going to come out to services. They are pretty good. I always use them.

John was first rate. He got here quickly, did the job the right way, and the price was right. A backed up sewer is no joke! But they took care of things quickly.

My building handymen discovered that water was not entering my washing machine because the 18 year old automatic washing machine shutoff valve needed to be replaced. I ordered a new valve and the required retrofit kit but then my building handymen would not do the installation. I found Watson in Angie's List. Watson followed up promptly, sent plumbers within 24 hours. They could have sent plumbers within a few hours but I opted to have them come in the following morning. Ivan Ramon and his helper were very courteous, professional, thorough. The $300 cost of their service did not include the cost of the valve. I would hire them again.

They were fast, courteous and professional and the price was fair.

They are very courteous, and very neat. I actually worked with the master plumber. I have peace of mind that it was done and done properly. They are reasonably priced. They also followed up with me to make sure I was still happy with the work!

I had a bathtub that was leaking and they replaced the rusted pipe, installed a new shower and cleaned up and repaired the area in one day. They have also worked on other things for me including emergency heat issues, broken toilets and running water lines for a washing machine.

We came home and found a leaking radiator. There was no functioning shut-off valve, so I had to shut off the water to the whole building. I called Watson Heating and Plumbing. They were there within 90 minutes. They found the source of the leak, and did the repair. The plumbers who came were efficient and professional. A minor leak at the repair location was found after they left. Even though it was the end of the day, the same workers came back immediately and stopped the leak. The price was reasonable, especially considering it was an emergency repair. Would definitely use Watson again.

Scheduling a plumber here could not have been easier, and Steve arrived on the early side of the agreed upon window. Without prompting, Steve took off his shoes and left them outside, which I was very impressed by. He looked at the job and told me that we needed a new diverter for the bathroom shower and that our kitchen faucet should be replaced. He quoted me a decent price right there. I asked if I could get the parts on my own, to maybe save some money, and he didn't get territorial in the least. He sent me to 94th and Lexington, where I was able to buy the parts on myself. Steve then returned later in the afternoon and completed the job within an hour. I have had such problems with plumbers in the past who price-gouge or who can't seem to return a phone call, and I will only be calling these guys from now on.

very good they are very reliable

Not the cheapest but prices within reason, they always come in a timely fashion and get the job done professionally and efficiently. I think its called just Watson's Plumbing and Heating now.

It was ok. I didn't have any problems. They were professional.

They did a very good job. They were good, and they were worth it. They come out promptly on schedule like they say, and they get it done. Their prices are pretty reasonable, and they work with me. If I don't have it all dealt with, they will let me split it up into a couple of payments.

I thought their price was reasonable; this company was efficient and did good work. They were not here long and made sure the system was working properly before they left. They were prompt and I will use them again in the future.

They are very trust worthy and did a good job. They estimate the job accurately and stick to the same. They are very responsive and punctual for the job. I liked their services and will use the same in future.

The girl on the phone was wonderful; she was very professional and nice. They came out the next morning. He arrived early, quoted me a fair price and went right to work. He was also very professional and able to get my sink drain running. I was never so happy to do dishes.

This seems a small matter, but not returning calls is, to me, a good indication of how the business is likely to treat its customers once hired to do work.

I THINK THIS COMPANY RESPONDS WELL TO ANY REQUEST. THE SERVICE IS FAST AND THOROUGH. THEY ARE NICE, KNOWLEDGEABLE FELLOWS. THEY NEVER LEAVE A MESS FOR ME TO CLEAN UP.