Bill the Plumber, Inc.

Bill the Plumber quoted $679.34 (inclusive of $80 inspection) to repair two backflow preventers that had failed inspection. Howz It Flowin Inc did the job (including the re-inspection) for $250.00. Come to your own conclusion...

Also, $65 had been quoted by phone for inspection of the two backflow preventers, yet $80 was charged on the invoice.

I paid the $65 to Bill the Plumber and had Howz it Flowin do the repair.

I called Bill the plumber after getting the run around from a competitor. After scheduling, a technician named Amram came and assessed what I needed, offered a fair estimate with options and performed the repairs in an expert and very clean manor. I recommend this company as a straight shooter...no games...just honest work for a fair price.

Exceptional, professional service in all aspects. High quality equipment replacements including kitchen disposal, water heater, exterior shut off valve, and bath plumbing parts.

On May 19th, 2016 I called "Bill the Plumber" to ask if they serviced "Tankless" Hot Water Heaters as mine was not working. The pleasant and professional person on the phone said yes and scheduled me for an appointment the following day. She explained that there was a $59.95 service trip fee that would be applied to the final bill if I chose to have them complete the repairs.
The following day when the Service Technician arrived there was no mention of the service fee just the $250 flat fee to diagnose the problem with the heater.
The Service Technician, Byron, was also pleasant but appeared a bit unsure of the equipment I had. After about an hour and ½ and phone calls to the Manufacturer of the Heater the Service Tech indicated that the problem seemed to be the Gas Regulator but he wouldn't know until it was replaced and that there was no guarantee that it was the issue. He asked me to authorize the replacement with that caveat which I did.
A few hours later after the regulator had been replaced he explained that it did not solve the problem and that there were now new and multiple "Error Codes" showing on the Heater.
At this point he suggested that I purchase a new Replacement Heater for $4812.00 or install a Regular Electric Tank Heater for $1854.68( plus electrical rewiring costs) explaining that there could be multiple part replacements to fix the existing Heater as the problem was not yet known.
He then presented me with the written quotes for new equipment and a Bill for $844.15 due immediately which included $594.15 for the Gas Regulator and the $250 Diagnostic Fee.
Result: A half day spent with the Service Technician communicating with the manufacturer of the Heater, no determination of the problem, A payment of $844.15 due immediately and I was left with a still non working Hot Water Heater.
I researched the Gas Regulator and found that I could have purchased the same one myself for about $150.00. The $250 "diagnostic" fee was to determine the problem which was NEVER determined.
The next business day, Monday, May 23, I spoke with the Service Manager, Tim, who was polite but somewhat condescending with a lengthy explanation of how "complicated" diagnosing these types of units are and that mine had reached its "Florida" lifespan anyway. He offered no consideration or sympathy for my situation, expressed a somewhat accusatory concern that I hadn't serviced the unit properly during its life and seemed only interested in justifying the charges and results (or lack of).
I tried to let this go but it just doesn't seem right that I would pay over 3 times the cost of a part along with a $250 fee to determine the problem when the problem was never determined. At the least I would have thought a customer oriented company would have offered to discount a bit my initial result less costs toward the installation of a new unit.
I am going to go in a different direction as I have lost confidence in Bill The Plumber Company's integrity and am posting this event for reference and consideration by future customers.