Empire Plumbing and Air Conditioning

Southwest Gas referred me to this place after the pilot light on my fireplace went out.  I'm glad I called them.  They were able to come out within a couple of hours.  

I was quoted a service fee and was told if they found something wrong there would be an additional charge.  These guys are honest.  I paid a service fee and nothing more.  

After they left, I thought the pilot light went out again.  They came right back and didn't charge another service fee.

I will recommend this place to my family and friends.

I have always shown my appreciation for the courtesy Jason and Helper service calls by giving just a little bit extra in the way of gratitude and appreciation to those that perform and exhibit competence and productivity in all endeavors of their skills.
Your people have always put forth the natural effort to always smile and treat Empire Plumbing & Air conditioning customer like they really care. And that includes deep down where we could see each other with or without the mask(Covid mask)!
Kudos and great training job of marketing and sale performance on behalf of your team at Scottsdale location of customer service. Both
Your representatives at your company fulfills that need.
I have had a friendly and nice chat with Jason while he was working the issues of H2O Concepts plumbing and I consider him a company man, and for what it's worth, you need someone who keeps up with technical skills so that the customer does not have him come back again for something that should have been right the very first time.
His technical skills will leave the customer pleasantly pleased to have him working on your property while doing what he knows best:
Walking away from any job knowing his work is as perfect as it gets and his customer is 100% satisfied. Jason and co worker proved that again by walking away today knowing that this writer and Empire Plumbing & Air Conditioning customer both know that Jason will not have to repeat another service call simply because Jason and co worker both did it right the first time.

I called them for gas leak repair and the service repair person was very rude and disrespectful to our house.  He was walking all over the house without asking for permission.

Empire taught me that I'm the biggest sucker in the world...and it's a costly lesson.

We originally called them because our septic backed up and it was 11pm on a Sunday night. I thought I did my due diligence researching and finding a company that handles emergency repairs in the middle of the night.

The guy came out and fixed the problem and quoted me one price that was like without the service agreement and another price about $200 lower with a $16.50 service agreement for one year. I opted for the service agreement and paid about $375 for the plumbing (they snaked the line to unplug it). They also came out and checked my AC later in the week and said it was fine.

The next time they came out to check the AC they replaced the outside blower and added a kickstarter to the unit and charged me about $700. I just found out from my new AC guy that the blower would have been under warranty so they really took me on that job.

Next my plumbing backed up again but this time snaking it didn't work. They had to open up my back patio to replace a pipe and also had to have the septic pumped. Two guys did the job in about 6 hours, a subcontractor pumped the septic and the only part was a wide PVC like pipe. The final bill was just under $4000 and this didn't include patching the patio cement so now there's a giant 3'x1' hole with an exposed pipe in my patio. $1100 of this amount was for the septic to get pumped, about triple what I would have paid had I picked up the phone and called someone myself.

My advice to you, don't buy the service agreement and avoid Empire. And anyone that is saying that they saved a ton with all this preventative maintenance is just a big sucker like me. They come out twice a year to figure out what they need to sell you and replace things even if they're under warranty.

Last Saturday we left our house at 5:30pm with the house nice and cool.  When we got home later that night it was hot inside.  We have animals so we couldn't just do nothing.  So in a panic I got online to see what  we could do. That is when I cam across Empire.  When I called I was really afraid of what the price was going to be given, a service call at midnight on a Saturday.  I asked the very polite girl that answered the phone what there emergency service fee was.  Her reply made me giggle, only $69 for them to come out and diagnose my a/c.  I asked her to send someone out, they where at the house within 5 minutes of the time she gave me and had my a/c blowing cold in less than an hour.  

I couldn't be happier with the level of treatment that I received. The operator and the tech where both super professional and courteous. I highly recommend this company.

Our A/C went out last night at about 11:00 pm.  We didn't know who to call because, unfortunately, there aren't that many Yelp reviews for A/C places.  (Get on it, Yelpers!)

We called this place because they are 24-hours.  They told us it would be 2-3 am before they could arrive.  My gut said to run then, but it was hot so we scheduled an appointment.

His estimate ranged between $400 and $1500, plus tax and the visit fee of $69.  We were told that $69 was the only extra charge, no premium hourly work rate or anything.

He finally decided it was a $400 part and that our total would be $500+ with tax and the visit fee.

He installed it, it didn't run.  Told my husband that if it didn't kick on in a couple hours he would be back and take the part and be on his way.  He also said, again, that there was no price difference between 2 am and 8 or 9 am, so we let him do it.

He installed a $40 part.  40 bucks.  40 smackers.  I Googled to the end of the earth, with the exact part number, this morning.  From NY to Chicago to Arizona quotes online were $200-$250 OUT THE DOOR, installation, tax, etc.

I called the business (very small!!!!) this morning to see what they would be willing to do.  I started nice and escalated from there.  He was 100%, flat-out unwilling to listen, to care, to help.  He kept citing their RIDICULOUS 90-day warranty (WOW!!!!) on the part, and stating that he was a certified technician that came out.

The question I have is this:

Do I care who your employees are?

The answer is:  NO.  You hired them.  I assume whomever you send can do the job, from a trained CHIMP to an HVAC tech.  WHATEVER.  

This place will rob you blind and take no ownership.

I wish I could upload my receipt.

$340 - part
$69 - visit
$whatever - tax

Such great, speedy service. Friendly and honest technician. Call them first if you want to save money and get speedy service.

I became clients of Empire a couple of years ago when I needed my AC tuned up. My husband and I signed up for the annual maintenance agreement which I believe was around $129.00 and includes two free unit (AC in the spring/Heating in the fall) a year. In my honest opinion, the service plan has saved us a TON of money.

For example, today I had an appointment for our free AC checkup. Greg our regular technician, came out and inspected the unit. Of course, with it being as old as it is, things are starting to go wrong with it. Greg suggested that we consider replacing the fan motor, motor capacitor and get a compressor hard start kit to keep things running smoothly. (his inspection turned up some issues with the compressor and motor and it was determined they aren't running up to full capacity.) We had two choices, wait and be at the mercy of the unit (and then fix the problem when it came time) or fix a potential issue now for MUCH less. My husband and I needed to discuss it so I explained I would call him if we chose to proceed. After we talked, it was determined that it would be in our best interest to replace the items Greg suggested. I called to make an appointment for him to return tomorrow.

The numbers for the parts are as follows and have been taken directly off my invoice (remember, I am a service plan member, so these numbers may not apply to everyone): Total cost of repairs before tax if I fixed today $502.75. Total cost of repairs before tax if I wait until something breaks: $951.80. HUGE savings to fix today rather than wait. Plus there is a TWO YEAR warranty on the items he is fixing...most companies only have a 90 day warranty.

In addition to the repairs, it was determined that my indoor thermometer had malfunctioned. It was reading 72 degrees but was actually 78.5 in the house. We will be purchasing a new one at Lowe's this evening (per the suggestion of Greg) and he will install for free when he is out here tomorrow.

As Greg has explained numerous times (he was out a handful of times last year when we had problems with our AC coil and eventually had to drop $2500 on it last summer to get a replacement) they are NOT the least expensive company in the valley but aren't the most expensive either.

We've always been impressed not only with the level of service from Empire but with their costs. Everyone I've dealt with at the company has been a true pleasure to work with. I would highly suggest them to anyone needing AC/Heating service.

***As a side note, about 1.5 years ago, we had their plumbing service come out to give an estimate on two toilets which kept running after being flushed and a leaky faucet in the kitchen. They wanted almost 400.00 to fix these things. I ended up fixing the toilets with these little round rubber bands that I got from my neighbor (she had the same problem) and fixed it for free! (the cost of the bands at Lowe's though are 1.50 a piece) As for the kitchen faucet--it didn't need the extensive work to it that was suggested by their plumber. I fixed the problem by tightening up a screw and it was fine. I would NOT recommend their plumbing department as the prices are WAAAAYYY out of line and I didn't feel they gave me an accurate diagnosis of the problem. ( again, I only had an estimate done though, I didn't have them fix the problem, I did so myself with barely any effort)

Having used them several times before I called with an issue with my toilet.  The water shut off could not be turned off and needed replacing and I wanted the water leveler to be replaced.  Appointment scheduled and technician arrived on time.  That is where the good review ends.  He proceeds to tell me that he does not have the equipment to replace the shut off line nor does he have the part to replace a Kohler toilet water leveler. He proceeds to tell me that he will have to remove the toilet from the floor to replace it and while he is doing that why wouldn't  I like to replace the toilet.  I told him there was nothing wrong with the toilet and no I did not want to replace it.  The leveler he said he would have to order and come back another time.  What a waste of my time.  All he wanted to do was to make a sale of a toilet.  Never again.  Additionally when I started using them they did 24 hour emergency service as stated on their card.  Don't think so as they have no plumbers for weekend work.

OWNER WILL NOT TALK TO CLIENTS ACCORDING TO SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT PROBLEMS !!!!!    RUN  WILL NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM AGAIN !!!!

i was very discouraged with the over priced plumbing that I had done on a rental in Avondale Az. I was charged then I had a time frame scheduled from 10 am to 2 pm for air conditioning check.
They did not show up or call until after 330 pm.
I called back to the office and the secretary stated that the technician had gone out earlier in the day then I told her that she was wrong and she said that yes he did not go out until after 330.
She then said she had emailed me a copy of the air conditioning proposal I looked my email after I got off the phone and she then said that they couldn't send the email until after the $69 service fee had been paid. I told her that I had already given her the credit card number and been charged for the plumbing. She said that they sent it and it was denied.

I then talked with Jason the service manager he said that they had made 'several calls to me.  He then admitted that they had made two calls. He then said that two calls were several to him.

I asked to talk with the owner and he said that the owner Anthony Livermore does not talk with clients.  I asked with question that the owner will not talk with clients and Jason said no he will not.

If the owner will not talk with clients why would any one do business with them?????????

We were convinced to become preferred customers at a monthly rate. They would check our a/c and water heaters and we would receive a preferred service rate with no night or weekend extra charges. We needed a new pressure relief valve on a water heater and called them the morning of 12/23 for an afternoon appointment. Not after hours. They would not quote a price on the phone. The job took about 20 minutes and the part was supposedly covered by the water heater warranty. Charged- $235+ which before tax is about $666/hour. The work was acceptable.
I would call around before paying over $600 an hour for plumbing labor and strongly advise anyone else not to start with this company. Especially if you are to become one of their preferred customers. Other companies typically charge $110-150 for the same work I was sad to find out afterwards.

I found a leak from the bottom of my 10 year old water heater yesterday.  I knew enough that at that age, the tank liner was likely leaking and a new unit was needed.  My google search turned up Empire.  I called and the service tech got out promptly to inspect the unit.  He confirmed that it needed replacement.  However, his quote for everything was over $2,000 plus tax.  A 15% discount on that if I signed up for a service plan.  I paid him $31.14 for the service call and sent him on his way.  I got ahold of someone today that wil provide the same for less than 700 all in.

To be clear, I have no issues with the guy who came out personally.  It's the margin they wanted for the work.

A totally unethical business.  Jason Hart, Service Manager at Empire Plumbing & Air Conditioning came to my home to give me an estimate for an ADA toilet (1), new tub handles and shower wand, and a hot water heater.  I'm sure when he came in he saw an old white haired woman with no man in sight and dollar signs flashed through his mind.  I had been doing business with Empire for the last several years and I don't think anything I previously had done was so out of line and felt I could trust I was getting everything at a fair price.  I signed to have the work done for a whooping $4,119 which was more than double what it should have cost.  At the time of installation I mentioned to the installers that I felt there was a mistake and an adjustment should be made.  Of course the signed contracted was flashed in my face.  By email I pointed out that I was being charge for TWO toilets (not one) for almost $2,000 and the toilet that was installed cost about $400.  For the tub handles and shower wand I was charged over $1100 and cost about $120.00.  For the hot water heater, which had a dent in it, I was charged over $1,700 and cost about $650.  My supposed discount brought it down to the $4,119.  What I should have been charged, allowing a generous five hours of labor at $150 an hour, was about $2020.  I requested a refund of $2000 which I feel was a more than a fair adjustment.  I filed a complaint with the ROC and because I signed the trumped up estimate I am SOL.  EVERYONE dealing with Empire Plumbing and AC do you homework BEFORE you sign anything.  Just because they can doesn't mean they should.  I'm a big believer in KARMA and I hope when something bad happens to them they think of me.

Take caution or it could be a costly lesson! I recently had a minor gas leak that was identified by SWGas as a leaky key valve in my indoor fireplace. SWGas completely disconnected my service and gave me a number to call to get the names licenced plumbers to repair the valve. Empire was on that list. Jason came to our house, evaluated the situation, and told us we needed to have a building permit that Empire would pull for us ($350--which were told from the building inspector who came later was priced high), a pressure test  ($330) and the fix would be to cut into our wall and repair the leak in the valve($970). $1650 not including repairing the wall they would have to destroy to replace the key valve. They collected 50% immediately even before any work was even started. Jason then sent Aaron to actually do the work.He capped all gas lines, ran a pressure test, cut the hole in the drywall and then announced that it wasn't the key valve that was leaking but rather a $20 flex hose that was easily accessible from the panel on the fireplace (no need to cut into the wall). It was repaired within minutes. Cost? still $1650!  I asked for a reduction in the $970 repair cost since the valve was not replaced or repaired in any way. They refused to give me any credit for work they DID NOT DO indicating that I signed a contract to open the wall  and fix the leak  so the $970 repair still applied even though they didn't have to repair/replace the valve. We later found out from SWGas that a building permit and subsequent inspection ($350 charged by Empire) would have been eliminated with a simple waiver from Empire indicating the key valve was not leaking and the flex hose was repaired.  Empire unnecessarily ruined my wall which now has to be repaired. I was charged for work that was not done. We have notified SWGas and they have indicated they will be opening an investigation into this case.

This is one of those companies that specializes in service via annual contracts. Get your wallet out . . . dealing with Empire is extremely pricey.

We made the mistake of calling Empire when our air conditioner broke. Being new to the area, we didn't have any local contacts and just used the yellow pages. When the Empire guys came, they found out what was wrong and replaced a small part that I later found was something like $60 or $70 when ordered on the Internet. But for some reason, by the time they added their service fee for the appx 20  minute appointment, it was considerably over $600. Then, they try to get you to buy an annual contract so that you can get two free tuneups. All in all, I wouldn't trust these people to come back to my house EVER. They give me a creepy feeling just talking to them on the phone.

I called Empire plumbing at 230 am on a Wednesday. I expected to here a groggy 70 year old man on the other end, but was surprised that the operator was very friendly and not the least bit annoyed by my call. He arrived 20 minutes later .  The fix didn't require any new parts and I was only charged the service fee of about $70. This was the best experience in the situation I could imagine. If you need emergency (or any) work on your AC, call these guys right away!

I had a toilet that kept running so I called Empire. The plumber looked at the toilet and gave me an estimate to fix the problem, When he showed the cost to me I almost passed out. His first price quote was $387.00 to repair the problem. I have replaced toilets in the past, but had no time to replace this one. I checked on the cost of the parts to completely replace the toilet parts plus a new suppy line and a shutoff valve. It came up to $35.78. It looks like the labor to do this half hour project was around $350.00, which is not only ridiculous but probably illegal and a complete ripoff.  I had them do the repair since it had to be done then but it was at a lower price.

However, NEVER will I use Empire again and anyone thinking of using them should consider an alternative, unless you want to get held up.

My a/c went out on 6/22/11, so we made a service call for the next morning.  The technician came while I was at work, spoke with my wife.  Technician said that there was a leak and the unit needed replaced, but he could go ahead and fill it with 3lbs of freon.  My wife told him to go ahead if it would get us through the summer, and we could start looking for someone to maybe replace the unit.  So, $367 later, the technician leaves and 6 hours later the a/c unit completely dies.  I called them back that evening when I got home from work and their response? What do you want us to do about it?  Why would he fill the freon and charge us if he knew it would die?  Screwed again by an a/c company in Phoenix.

During the recent unusually cold spell, I had an exterior water line freeze and burst on a Saturday morning. I called Empire, spoke to a pleasant male, and was given a 4-hour window for the after-hours service call. The technician missed his window, but I understood they were busy.

Upon arrival, the technician correctly diagnosed the problem, cut out two sections of copper pipe and installed replacements. Knowing we were due for another cold night, he advised we cover as much exposed pipe as possible, which we did. He also gave advice on leaving water dripping overnight, which I did.

I was charged $480 for the repair. A little high, but emergency service so I had no issue paying it.

The next day ... you guessed it ... pipes froze again and burst in a different spot despite following the given instructions. I called Empire back and as it happened the same technician was on another job right around the corner. He arrived in about 90 minutes, again diagnosed the problem correctly and told me he would fix it for ... another $380.

I balked. Now, I expected to pay for the service, but based on the totality of the above, had hoped to have it repaired for, say, the cost of parts plus the emergency service visit. I think that would have been fair for all. The company refused to reduce the price, so I declined the repair.

Fortunately, a friend was available to help. $18 worth of parts from Home Depot and about 40 minutes time, the issue was fixed.

Empire had the opportunity to make a lifelong customer by being fair. They chose to attempt to gouge me and take advantage of my problem. I will never again use any of their services.

Don't recommend calling after regular hours because you will get a lower level of service according to the supervisor rep that came out the following day.  We had someone come at 9:30 PM and fixed the issue and charging an arm and a leg only to realize that he just charged us money and didn't fix anything.  Someone came out the next day and fixed the issue and gave us a discount (although I still think we got ripped off).  Would not recommend after hours but were ok during normal business hours during the week.

As someone who manages a rental property, I get pretty comfy with service companies.  I called Empire when for my own residence last year for air conditioning problems.  Essentially, the breaker kept kicking for problems that I finally found out a year later were purely a result of the breaker installation (not relevant) but Empire basically took our service fee, reset the breakers, and said it was due to inconsistent output from the AC unit and put a thingiemagie on there.  All I know is that it cost $250+.  It managed to control the problem until the end of the year by coincidence because it was the end of AC season and the AC was running infrequently.  A year later, I found out it's an electrical problem on the breaker and the fix they made was necessary and didn't solve the problem.   This is where my amnesia kicks in.  I completely forgot about all of this/my dissatisfaction when I called them again 16 months after that fiasco for my rental property.  There was a hot water heater leak and I needed someone to check it out/diagnose.  They said we needed a new water heater (which we do) and quoted us over $1100.  I did all this via phone from work because it's not my house and I had to remedy something quickly (while at work).  For the life of me, I could not get the technician to stop selling me the service package (Which is how I finally remembered it was them!  The company from a year before!  They won't stop talking about the service package before giving you a quote!) and just give me the #$*(@#$ quote so I could make a decision (at work, on the phone) about how to proceed with the pricey fix.   After interrupting and even having to be a little firm and rude, I finally got the price quote and let him know that No, I was NOT interested in the service package or what the water heater would cost me with the service package. I want to know what it will cost me.  Today.  By itself.  Whew.  So, I finally got the quote.  Way too high.  When I stated I thought it was high, I was again sold on how they could do it today and the service package will save me $120 dollars! Good day sir.  Here's your $29.99 service fee.  I'll call you tomorrow.  No, no, I won't.  I got Home Depot to do the sale of the heater, the install, and the take away of the old unit for $800.  It's my own fault, really... the amnesia.  My advice?  Write down every service company you shouldn't use again... somewhere.

lost house on market then called to tell them not to bill us any longer for the policy we had and yet they continued to bill us for the last year. called today and was informed that we lost a years worth of payments to them plus we had a very rude lady on the phone