Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor...Plumber?
I was going to just add this to a comments thread, but they I realized that we are actually entering broken pipe season, and such info might be of use to lots of people. Does anyone know a good plumber? I'm looking to get estimates for a small shower issue that will involve replacing a diverter and some fixtures, at the least. Not a huge job, but I just need to make sure it is done right this time.
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26 comments:
As a rehab specialist, I recommend getting 5-10 quotes over the phone first. Average out the quotes to know what you should expect to pay for repairs. Then solicit interest from recommended plumbers.
That is good advice. One of my closest friends is a contract specialist, so he's always super anal about getting lots of quotes and asking plenty of questions before he chooses anyone to do work on his place.
I just had a roof leak to deal with and found Service Magic to be a great resource. You just put in what your project is and they provide a list of certified repair ppl. It worked a lot better for me than Yelp - and there are reviews - it was just really helpful. I got estimates, etc. - and the roofers were very pro-active in quickly scheduling said estimates. Good luck! house repairs suck
SAB
I'm familiar with Service Magic. I'd like to use someone super local, so I thought I'd ask here first. I've had a bad experience with Frye (who I previously used, and felt good about), as did a friend (a REALLY BAD experience).
Erin at Urban Referrals has always been great. Last week we got a great roofer, chimney company, and electrician from them.
Don't know anyone personally but I am a fan of angie's list. I gotten gret roofers, and welders from them.
www.angie'slist.com
Inked I'm actually glad you posted this question. I think it would be great if you posted the names of good local contractors on your site, much like you do with local restaurants and bars. If you are buying in trinidad 9 times out of 10 you will need a good plumber, roofer or hanyman sooner or later.
The issue is that i can't deal with possible bad input. Certain sites are set up for that. I' m not.
We've been very happy with Spartan. SpartanMan.com
Off topic: I just saw on the greater greater washington website that there will be changes to metro bus service which will effect trinidad.
Check it out:
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=4366&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GreaterGreaterWashington+%28Greater+Greater+Washington%29
Hi Elise, you could try my friend Konstantin, he's great and will give you a decent price. His number is 4437902083.
I used David Glick at Aspen Hill Plumbing (301.933.0801) this past spring when I redid all the plumbing in my house. He was the only plumber out of 6? that I talked to, or attempted to work with that was consistent, upfront, and willing to work with me on a complex plumbing job that I wanted done a very particular way. He and his partner did a great job.
Personally, I'd avoid Service Magic or Angie's List. The several recommendations I tried from SM were pretty bad, didn't show up on time, wouldn't return calls, etc. And WRT to Angie's List, 99% of people wouldn't know good work or workmen if they came up and slapped them on the face. Most of the feedback on AL is "they showed up on time and cleaned up after themselves!". Great. My cat does that too, doesn't mean I want it rewiring my house. Not to mention that AL is now taking money for ratings from contractors, so it's even easier now to game the system.
Bauer Plumber. Was recommended by my realtor for a moderate size job we did when we moved in. Competent, reasonable (we got a couple of other estimates), and responsive. Does a lot of work in the Hill area.
http://www.bauerplumbing.biz/
Also, Washington Consumer Checkbook's recent issue rated plumbers in their most recent issue. Bauer was well-rated (as were a bunch of others, of course).
Maryland Plumbing did a good job putting in a new sewer line two years ago. Fair price, and finished on time. I'd recommend them for smaller projects too.
I had Grayton Plumbing over and I would not use them again. Their ad states "happy today or you don't pay". I didn't pay because when my kitchen faucet seemed to be slowing down on the amount of water that came out, I was told by the service man that they would "rebuild my faucet". Well they were going to charge me over $200 for this service, and I thought ok. To them rebuilding my faucet meant that they removed the faucet, replaced a rubber ring and replaced the thing. Well, no more water came out than before. I don't call that rebuilding-I called it rebilling. They did suggest that I get a new faucet set from them for only $500+ and the $$$ I had spent on repairs would be a credit..Also, they make an appointment for a time specific, and they were so late (like 2 hours) the office wasn't sure where he was prior to coming to see me. I did see him in his truck for at least 30 minutes outside of my house talking on his phone...which by the way rang several times while he was inside and these were obviously personal calls.
I now use Luis Sanchez at (301) 440-2892. He has done work for me and I am sooo pleased that he will be doing more. He is most reasonable in his quotes and goes the extra mile to please. Tell him Diane gave you his name and number.
It may be larger than you think. Is your diverter accessible from a panel on the opposite side? Do you have a tile wall without access? Which fixtures are being replaced? Combination diverter or diverter with separate hot and cold?
If you really want local, I'd recommend contacting Sonny of Sonny's Plumbing at 10th and H St NE (202-437-7148). He's done several smaller projects for us and I've always been pleased with his work, response and moderate prices.
Home Inspector,
I've actually done most of this job with friends (replaced the diverter a few years back). For whatever reason (should have used better materials?, didn't replace quite enough stuff?), it is now failing again.
My diverter is accessed through a rear panel. I'm not a newbie. I know how to gauge the size of a job. I just want a pro to handle the work this time.
Sonny's rocks!!!
I use a guy called Cain. He's super nice, very responsible, and unbelievably cheap. He works for a company (plumbing and electric) and takes other jobs in his spare time. Not a big company, but a great guy for what you're looking for.
Cain - 202 207 5117
I want to second Dave Glick at Aspen Hill. We've used him for a number of things (small and large) in the last 2 years and he's been fantastic.
Good Stuff!!
You can always contact me by visiting my website. Don't worry All the plumbing related issues will be solved in rapid speed.
Bauer = not cheap. $125 to come out. Best to ignore the confederate flag tattoos
Also, Bauer screwed up and didn't fix our problem. A rip-off and ineffective.
One of my friend excels in professional plumbing and wiring. I hope this will help you out.
Great. My cat does that too, doesn't mean I want it rewiring my house.
Roof Repair Ellicott City MD
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