Cristina B.
07/08/2016 12:00:00 SA
I wish I could leave zero stars for Option One Plumbing.
I originally found Option One online a few years ago when my drain was running slow and needed to be snaked. They have been out once or twice per year since to do routine snaking. This review pertains to my last encounter with them on July 5th, 2016.
I called Option One to come snake my pipes after my shower water stopped draining. The technician arrived on time and was pleasant enough. After spending about 20 minutes doing what I assume was snaking the line, the technician stated he had hit a blockage and needed to perform a high-powered, $485 hydro service to unclog the line. I decided to go inside to deliberate my options. Upon returning outside, the technician stated I should - at the very least - send a $185 camera down the line to see what the obstruction was. I agreed and asked him to proceed. The technician stated he did not have a camera on-site, and would need to have another technician come out, as well.
After another 45 minutes or so, I went back outside to check on the progress. Another technician who stated he was the manager was there and asked to speak to me. He showed me the camera image (which looked like a blank screen to me) and stated that even though the image didn't look like anything, to trust him on what it was. He proceeded to tell me I had a severe root infestation, which was so severe that it had broken my main line. He stated that at the very least they would need to perform the $485 hydro service to clear the root infestation, and that would buy me some time before I had to replace the broken main. He stated he could give me a cash price of an additional $3200 to dig down 7' and repair my broken main.
At this time, I agreed to the hydro service to clear the root infestation. I left the technicians to themselves to complete this service. After another 45 minutes or so, I returned outside to see a third technician and a third truck. At that point, I was approached by the manager again who stated that the root infestation was so severe that they were not able to even begin to clear it with the hydro service. I was told I needed to immediately have the broken main repaired and they advised I should have them start first thing in the morning (it was around 10:00pm). I was feeling very upset and uncomfortable at this point. I decided to sleep on it, so I let the technicians know I would be contacting them in the morning.
After the Option One plumbers had left, I placed a call to a friend of mine who works in the Property Management field to find out who they use for plumbing services. The recommended company (review of this exceptional plumbing company soon to follow) is not your typical, same-day-$50-service company that Option One is. They are significantly more expensive, and you typically have to wait a few days for service. Quality isn't fast or cheap. As a personal favor to their long-stating client (my friend), they stated they could squeeze me in the following afternoon.
The new plumber showed up the following day and let me know he would be sending down another camera, and would proceed accordingly. After about 20 minutes he finished and knocked on my door, half laughing. Not only did I not have a break in my line, but there was no root infestation and there was simply an easily cleared blockage (as stated on my written invoice). He did note that I had some very small, very minor roots, but they were easily cleared. He recommended a yearly snaking to keep everything working perfectly. Under $200 later and everything is now perfect.
Either Option One Plumbing tried to scam me out of a lot of my hard-earned money, or their technicians are completely incompetent. Either way, I would have paid the very hefty price. Do yourself a favor and stay far away from Option One Plumbing.