Dominion Plumbing

Louis Groe is a Dishonest, Unethical, Unprofessional, Incompetent Plumber who took my Money and Ran We were going through a complete, down to the studs remodel of our bathroom and our tile installer referred Dominion Plumbing for our bath plumbing. He was tasked with modifying the shower plumbing (supply lines, shower rough-in, etc.) & drain for a new shower system, modifying tub plumbing (supply lines, rough in, etc.) & drain for a freestanding drop-in tub, trimming out the finished shower, installing the freestanding tub, installing the tub filler and trimming out the vanities faucet & drains and installing the lavatory. I showed the owner, Louis Groe, all the hardware including the tub, tub filler, faucets, and the Grohe Shower system which is different from the traditional Delta/Kohler systems. He reviewed everything and said that he would charge $1,300 - $1,400 for everything. I asked him to provide a detailed quote which he did not provide. Since he was known to my tile installer, who I have known for the past 7 years, I permitted him to start the rough-in immediately (on 2/18/20) since I trusted my tile installer. Initially, the work of re-routing the water lines seemed to go fine, but when it came to installing the Grohe Shower rough-in, Louie and his helper couldn't make out how it worked from the instructions. I had read the instructions and showed them the two options for installation so that they could install it. I also had to show them how to install the cartridge since it appeared that they could not follow the instructions. Though disappointed, I chalked this upto not having familiarity with newer tech. They told me that they would have to come back the next day since they didn't have a copper ear elbow for the shower. I allowed them access to the home and they completed the work. Due to Covid protocols we restarted tile work in April and had scheduled a week ahead of time for Louis to come on 4/29. I reached out to confirm on 4/28 evening and he just blandly told me that he cannot make it the next day and will reschedule for the week after. I was mad, but kept my cool. I also asked him to send me the quote that he owed me. I kept following up with him the following week and he kept postponing till he finally agreed to come on 5/5. I pretty much did the shower trim on my own since they were not ready to read instructions and brute-force the install (In hind-sight, I am SOOO glad I didn't trust them!). They installed the shower arm & shower, but when they went to install the elbow for the hand-shower, they realized that the hole was not big enough - they asked me to get the tile installer out to chip out more tile. They then tried to install the tub filler, which is where they completely screwed it up. They were given the tub filler before they did the rough-in and they did not plan on how they were going to install it. So now they have a finished tile floor and they were trying to find a solution! Duh! They asked me to have the tile installed come out and cut the porcelain tile so that they have better access. While leaving, I again asked him in a very frustrated tone for the detailed quote. The tile installer came back the next day and completed the work. I scheduled for Louis to come by on 5/7. After he didn't show or call till 9 am, I texted him and he responded that he wouldn't be able to make it that day and would come on 5/8. Internally, I was frustrated with his unprofessionalism, but wanted to get the job done and over with. He showed up on 5/8 and finished the shower trim. He was still having difficulty installing the tub-filler and since the connection was below the floor and he hadn't planned on how to make the connection ahead of time. He finally managed to connect it and then we got the tub installed - and yes "we" included me because they again failed to plan on how they were going to install the drop-in tub - since two people have to hold the tub while the third ensured that the drainpipe inserts accurately without bending, breaking or damaging the floor drain. Post-install they turned on the water and there was no flow. The reason was that he had not permitted sufficient space for the supply line and it had folded up constricting water flow. He remarked that he knew it was going to happen. A few minutes later I saw him come down and start looking at the ceiling right below the tub and he said we have to cut it open as the water was leaking. He asked his helper to turn the water off and they cut open the ceiling and leaking water gushed out of it. They removed the faucet and capped off the supply lines. He then came to me and said that the hose was leaking and I needed to get a warranty replacement since there was a pin-hole leak in the hose. I told them I would do it and let them know when the replacement came in. At this time Louis asked me to pay for the work done till then, I told him I would give him $1,000 but he insisted upon getting the entire amount of $1,350. I asked him that there was still work pending and I would pay him after. He said in a very gruff voice, "No, I need $1,350 now!" I was not happy but didn't want to start a confrontation so gave him the entire payment. After getting the check he said, I would have to pay him another $100 to install the tub filler when I got it. I asked him why the additional amount since it was part of the original estimate - he had no response. I told him I was not comfortable giving him the entire money while work was still pending. He shook my hand, asked to trust him and promised that he would come and complete the remaining work. I took the tub filler to the local dealer the same evening and these expert plumbers said that the hose was leaking due to being twisted over and over again. They said the damage was not a warranty issue but an installation issue - and that is why these kinds of installations need to be handled by a professional. They did not believe that a professional plumber actually did that install - they thought I was trying this as a DIY project. Basically what Louis had done was crank a compression fitting - which should be hand tightened and turned an additional half turn - with two wrenches way more than was required. This had caused the hose to twist and he had used the wrenches to unravel the hose by twisting the hose-crimp which caused an abrasion on the hose and caused it to leak. I socialized all this information with Louis and all he could say was it was a manufacturing defect. I told him to take the faucet and get a replacement for me - which he promised but never did. He knew he had damaged my $700 tub-filler. He then asked for photos so that he could replace the supply-hoses, but since they were fused into the tub filler he couldn't find any solution. He then became belligerent blaming everyone but himself - the manufacturer, the designer, me, etc. I told him that the damage was his fault and that he should look at his insurance to pay for my tub-filler. He said, "that will never happen!". He then told my tile installer that I was trying to gough him for money - that the tub-filler cost about $200 and I was trying to get $700 for it. I was very frustrated by them and so I bought the exact same tub-filler from the same dealer and sent him both receipts - the original purchase from Dec '19 and the new receipt from May '20. I installed the free-standing tub-filler myself and it has been working fine for the past month - how incompetent was this guy? My tile installer was shocked at Louis' unprofessional behavior and even advocated on my behalf. But Louis was adamant that he had done nothing wrong. The cherry on top was that Louis was now claiming that the vanity faucet & drain installation and the lavatory installation was not part of his original quote. The tile installer was completely taken aback - he agreed that those two were included as part of the original estimate. This leads me to believe that Louis had refused to provide detailed quotes for this exact reason - so that he could renege on his commitments. My final message with Louis was an estimate of the remaining work (vanity & lavatory install), the repair for the damaged ceiling and the cost of the tub-filler. In an attempt to be fair and not place all the burden on Louis, my tile installer said he would give me a discount on my next project, and I told Louis that I would absorb the cost of the vanity & lavatory install and the repair for the damaged ceiling if he would pay for the tub-filler. I also told him that the $700 cost was much lesser cause I had already paid him approx. $250 extra for the vanity and lavatory install anyway. In response I got a threatening text saying that I was dishonest because the dealer would not warranty the faucet because it was past the 30-day "return" policy. Louis Groe, who has "supposedly" been in the plumbing business since 1992 does not understand how a warranty works. The limited lifetime warranty for my tub-filler is here -[*** Link removed ***] If it was a manufacturing defect they would have replaced the tub-filler no questions asked, but the terms clearly state "Mirabelle is not liable for, installation or any other labor charges or products which have been damaged as a result of any accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, improper installation or maintenance.." I have started my complaints process with the BBB, the Chesterfield county board, the Henrico county board, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) and will pursue legal action, but I thought I should warn others to steer away from Dominion Plumbing and Louis Groe. I am willing to give people an opportunity so that they can earn their livelihood and mistakes happen but the minimum I can expect as a customer is a professional who takes responsibility for his errors and is a decent human being - but Louis Groe shook my hand and lied to my face - which no reasonable self-respecting person can tolerate!

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We received a call back in a very timely fashion. They set up an appointment and were there on time and completed the work in a very professional manner. Would highly recommend this company.