Rock R.

03/04/2019 12:00:00 SA

This place overcharges. Got estimated around $712 to replace garbage disposal. I found a place to do it cheaper. Too expensive!

S M.

7/29/2017

Original review: i've always been happy with their service. prices are a little on the high side is all; they have the overhead of estimators and coordinating a big operation. i recommend them.
Updated: more recent experiences disappointing. They sent out someone who tried very hard to find a replacement part so I wouldn't have to replace a whole sprayer faucet assembly but ultimately failed. I really appreciated the effort, but after he gave up he forgot to screw the hose back on, so the next time I tried to use the kitchen sink, instead I got a cabinet full of water. They tried to make it right by sending somebody out right away the next day to install a replacement and signing me up for their Diamond service program. The replacement installation went fine, and I took advantage of the whole house inspection. However the plumber they sent was just not very knowledgeable. He didn't know about sacrificial anodes in water heaters. He recommended repairs to address vibration issues in two showers, one for $200 and one for more like $2000, which my own subsequent research eventually tracked down were due to something entirely different (sediment or scale in the shower heads, which an $8 replacement head took care of). Also on another job, the estimator told me they could throw in another quick and easy thing I asked about for free, which I appreciated, but he didn't take measurements and the plumber who came to do the work didn't really have the ideal size, so the bonus work was worth exactly what I paid for it.
Planning to go back to single proprietor plumbers.

Noura E.

7/20/2018

Had a service call today that went surprisingly well! The repair person--Alex--arrived on time and was professional, highly skilled, efficient, and informative. He braved our crawl space and came back out with the faulty part and explained next steps and costs. We agreed, and within minutes, our furnace was working again! Alex was truly amazing and ran lots of tests to make sure everything was perfect before he left. You can trust this repair company--they show up, offer a correct diagnosis, and fix the issue at a very reasonable price. Thank you, Albert Nahman! Thank you, Alex!

marilee s.

10/30/2022

I had a terrible experience with this company. (wish I had read the reviews here first!) I requested an estimate and information from them. Unfortunately, my inexperience resulted in my giving them a large deposit to begin work on a mini-split the following day. I immediately had questions about it, but I was not aware they had already deposited my check with a phone. I asked for my deposit back and was told it had already been used for permits and equipment, although it hadn't even been 24 hours and I never saw documentation of how my money was spent. I continually asked to speak to a manager and that never happened. I was only able to talk to someone in bookkeeping who I found disrespectful and impatient.

I have lived in my home for 22 years and have never experienced this kind of treatment for any service or repair I have used. I received only half of my deposit back with no explanation in writing for how it was used. No other heating company required a deposit upfront. Further, the estimate from Nahman was the highest estimate of all the ones I received.

I paid a high price for my inexperience! All the other companies I interviewed
educated me and allowed time for me to ask questions. No money was required upfront by any of them.

Doris F.

02/06/2017 12:00:00 SA

I also want to commend and thank Levi Williams Jr. Because of the professionalism displayed by Levi and Stanley I will definitely be a return customer. I also want to thank Diane for keeping me updated on the status of my project.

Neil D.

9/23/2018

When our hot water heater died on a Sunday, I was very pleased to be able to reach someone on a Sunday! They scheduled for Monday morning, assessed heater found it unfixable, contacted company and advocated for me on warranty, came back Tuesday morning and installed new hot water heater. Not the cheapest company(wish they were less expensive) but sometimes you get what you pay for. Hoping this hot water heater lasts, will update if it doesn't.

Michelle L.

11/08/2017 12:00:00 SA

I had the Albert Nahman estimator come out to my new house to give a quote on fixing a dozen little plumbing issues. They were supposed to send me an estimate in a day or two after he visited the house but I didn't get the estimate until a week later, after I emailed them to ask about it. The estimate was unclear, not itemized, and missing some items that we talked about. I don't feel comfortable agreeing to such a quote and have them do the work. I will have to look for a new plumbing company.

Liz D.

4/16/2019

Everything about Albert Nahman was professional and technologically convenient. All invoices and quotes were sent via email, which was super helpful. Prior to having a technician come out to give an estimate, they emailed and texted his photo and name, which, as a woman, made me feel more comfortable with letting a stranger into my home. We worked with Michael who was professional, creative, and responsive, quickly getting back to me via email. We had a weird situation where a second bathroom had been added on by the previous owners who flipped our home. It was done by an unlicensed contractor (not a plumber) and was not done to code. Ever since moving in, the toilet wouldn't work properly, but it was installed over a beam and seemed challenging to fix. We had several people come out to take a look and give estimates and Michael with Albert Nahman had the most creative solution that also seemed like it would be an actual fix rather than a patch job. The price we were quoted was mid range, not the most expensive quote we received, but also not super cheap. Now that the job is done, I'm glad we went with the professionals. The end result is very professionally done and I'm hopeful that we will have fixed this issue once and for all. :) Would definitely use them again in the future when we plan to fix some other botched work done by the previous owners.
Also to all of the people complaining about the high rates, do you expect people to work for free? Most people in the Bay Area claim to be progressive and yet we expect to pay people less than minimum wage. This is a large company with overhead, and I'm assuming they're paying their obviously very smart plumbers a fair wage. If you want cheaper rates, you will probably have to go with a much smaller company that is doing things under the table.

Karen H.

12/17/2013

Let's face it. Plumbers' hourly is as much or more than a lawyer or doctor. So you might as well get your money's worth. These guys are THE BEST. Our remodeling contractor used them when we had our bathroom redone and we brought them back to solve the lack of water pressure problem in our kitchen.

Lonna S.

12/24/2015

They have been in business a long time but my experience will be my last with them. I had a bad furnace and possibly a bad water heater (in one of my rental units) so since they were a Heating and Plumbing company, I thought that would be a perfect fit. (My tenant was cold and my regular company was busy) The first visit diagaosed the problem and the second visit was for installation of the furnace and to fix the water heater. The furnace was installed at $1000 more than my normal company charges and they forgot to do the water heater. The tech said he didn't read the work order. During the third visit they also forgot to do the water heater so I called my favorite company and they completed the project in a few hours for a resonable price. Later Albert did adjust the price for the water heater repair that they didn't do. Sorry. I deal with so many contractors that this is a normal experience.

C. L.

7/14/2015

Our tankless water heater failed, and we had no hot water. Albert Nahman Plumbing sent Carlos G., and we were very impressed with his level of customer service. It was not just good - it was great! He diagnosed the problem, and while he was taking care of it, he found another separate problem. It took an extra day to fix everything, but we can see that he really cared about making sure that the job was done right and that we would have hot water ASAP. We especially liked how he kept us apprised of everything that was going on and how courteous and clear he was when he answered all of our questions. We only wish that the people we hire in the future to repair things in our house will be as top-notch as Carlos.

Maria Q.

7/21/2018

I highly recommend Tad. He came to fix a leak in the kitchen sink pipe of the house we are currently renting. Since the beginning he explained everything on detail. He is very professional, trustworthy, friendly and arrives on time!! He discovered while he was fixing the leak that the problem was bigger and needed more work. He responded quickly, came back two times after to finish the job. When he was here he listened to our questions and made sure that everything was covered informing the landlord about the situation. The best plumber we've known! We are very satisfied with his service and work! We will definitely call him again if we have another issue. Thanks Tad!!

Gail D.

9/23/2016

Said Opeyani came to condition our furnace today as we do every fall...He told me many things about our heating system and I only wish we had him 10 years ago when we bought this house...He fixed a small gas leak and looked over the whole system and explained how it could work more efficiently...Thank you Said.....You are great!

B K.

5/22/2018

I requested a very straightforward kitchen faucet install, but could not get an estimate over the phone. When the fellow arrived, he announced the extremely simple install would be $460 flat fee. I asked why I was not told the flat fee when I requested an estimate over the phone, but he had no answer. They could have told me the flat fee amount with a caveat pending on-site inspection, but they would not do that. Amazon would have done the job for $130. As it is, we got it done for $180. Which is fair.

Peggy M.

01/11/2021 12:00:00 SA

I've been using this company since 2013 but no more. I requested an estimate to fix the low flow of hot water at my kitchen sink. The person that they sent was not able to communicate exactly what they would be doing or the costs. He Did not understand my explanation of what was done to fix the problem previously. (Long story .) I contacted the office and asked that they send a more experienced plumber. I was contacted by a customer service person who promised to resolve the issues. Some back-and-forth and excuses and eventually he just never responded. They wanted to replace a pipe because a toilet had low water. Several hundred $$. Handyman fixed at the water line for $20. I emailed the owner and did not get a response from him either. So I won't be using them anymore. I contacted another company and they fixed my problems easily. I did get an estimate from Nahman for a recirculating pump which was hundreds more the second company charged. So bad service and outrageous prices. Bye bye now.

Joe B.

11/08/2022 12:00:00 SA

What a Rip Off. I've had a terrible experience with the plumber my fireplace retailer recommended. They gave me an estimate of $2,000 to do the gas line installation. I understand that the word estimate means just an approximate maximum that the job would cost. They use the word estimate to mean a contracted price. The job took less than 3 hours, and they charged me the full $2,000. This adds up to nearly $700 per hour. I complained, but they refused to do anything. I would avoid using this business or any business that uses this tactic to overcharge the customer.

Bruce F.

1/21/2015

3 year old Rheem 40 gallon gas heater and no hot water on the MLK weekend Sunday morning and no one available until Monday afternoon.

Technician arrived late in the day and quoted $300 and two hours for the repair. By the time he's left at 5pm it's still not fixed. Another tech arrives the next day (again late in the day) and is now saying $500 or replace for $1900 because he can't reach Rheem in Tennessee for support (gee, do you think he'd have been able to reach them if he'd come early in the day?). All the way through, the techs are pushing an $8/month support contract.

To the credit (?) of the company, after I called Mr Nahman, they abandoned all charges, but say they won't do business with me again.

Very very poor service and I suggest not calling them for anything

Clem B.

02/10/2013 12:00:00 SA

Our hot water heater failed on a Sunday morning, and A. N. had Wilber out to see us in under an hour. We didn't have a standard unit, so Wilber went out and hunted, found one, came back with Nathan, and they had it installed in a couple hours. Great service all around.

Bart G.

10/31/2018

I have found Nahman Plumbers to be extremely helpful and responsive. Recently the tank on my toilet cracked on a Sunday night leaking water everywhere. Despite some challenges on their end Nahman got a repair person to me the next day and everything was quickly fixed and working. I am always impressed by the professionalism of their people.

Robert B.

12/30/2016

Our second occasion for service with Albert Nahman Plumbing. They have done an excellent job both times. Nathan helped us this time. He was punctual, neat and efficient.
Highly recommended!

Richard S.

04/12/2017 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman installed a new HVAC system in my home. They came in middle-of-the-pack in terms of their quote. More importantly, they did the work on time, were clean and respectful of my house, and did things the way I wanted them done.

Part of their work involved submitting an application to BayREN for an energy-saving rebate. At least part of the rebate amount depends on how well they seal their ductwork. They must have done a really good job, because the rebate actually came back $700 higher than their estimate.

I can recommend them without reservation. They did a solid job.

Ed Y.

6/19/2017

Pretty expensive for one time drainage fixed. All he did was drive a snake through my kitchen sink for $350. Also no 30 days warranty like other company.

ML H.

12/28/2020

From the first call to the last, the plumbers, techs and support staff are so helpful. This wasn't the first time I'd had them do work but this was the first time I felt like I might have a situation on my hands. These folks took my concern seriously, told me what was going on and explained, clearly and simply, what my options were. On time, on budget, following pandemic guidelines and always mindful of my home and health I would recommend this business without hesitation. The fact that I could pay online was another fantastic service, and one I appreciate in these keep your distance times.

Jessica B.

7/30/2023

The sink was stopped up on both sides. I tried Drano twice, however, it did not resolve the problem. My neighbor suggested Albert Nahman Plumbing since they are located in our neighborhood. I'm very happy with their work. The service and friendliness of the two employees was excellent. Would definitely call them again if I needed a plumbing rescue. I also appreciated the office personnel keeping me posted regarding their estimated arrival. Excellent experience all the way around.

Jack M.

4/16/2020

I can't be more complimentary of the service we received from Albert Nahman Services, especially given that we're in the middle of the COVID crisis. When we determined that our 15 year-old water heater needed replacement, I called Albert Nahman and was immediately put through to Gabriel who suggested that we could do the initial site visit via Facetime. Within 15 minutes he determined that the replacement would be straightforward. After an hour or so of follow up texts and e-mails, we had a signed contract and an appointment for 9 am the next day. Gabriel and his colleague Fernando were on time. (Actually a few minutes early.) They were friendly, professional, communicative, competent and thorough, and meticulous about leaving the area clean.

Just a great service experience all 'round. Thanks guys!

David Y.

08/04/2015 12:00:00 SA

I've used Albert Nahman Plumbing for two separate jobs and received excellent service both times. On the second job, the inspector was even impressed with the work and the materials that were used. I consider Albert Nahman plumbing my plumber and will use the again without hesitation.

Eugenia Bowman C.

06/05/2015 12:00:00 SA

After several service calls, including follow up calls after the service, the day of, I received an email from the owner of the company who invited my feedback. Here is a few of the commendations I wrote in the letter:

Hi Albert,

You may recall me. I was Executive Director of the Berkeley Community Fund when Dave Kruse pressed you into a Berkeley Business 100 in support of the important work of the Fund. When Dave told me your relative size and your level of gift, I was impressed. I chose you after repeated issues with shoddy warranty work, because in spite of how small you were compared to others, you pitched in for the cause!

I now can commend your staff for thorough, kind, courteous and competent work. I'm particularly pleased that most of my technicians have been men of color. Your phone staff are to be commended as well, and the level of follow through and professionalism that you are your staff demonstrate is sorely lacking in most of the service industries. You not only have a personal follow up phone call regarding our experience but then, tada, I get your private email in the event that I need to provide direct feedback to you, the boss!

Bravo, bravo, bravo is what I say. I purchased your $99 member subscription and it's been the best $99 I've ever spent.

Thanks for creating a great business and wonderful team. I applaud you and am glad to have chosen Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating!

Rob C.

10/03/2011 12:00:00 SA

Well, they are not cheap. But they are available when you call, so great for emergencies. They also have flat rate pricing. I got my toilet water valve fixed on a Sunday night for $200. I previously had a sewer scope and the guy did a good job of making me feel like it was thorough.

Charlotte H.

7/28/2018

Their motto about peace of mind is really right on, as they are professional and conscientious, and you feel that all will be well in their hands. I am now going to only use Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating for my property. They are very organized, responsive and well staffed. We all know that You get what you pay for, and their pricing is right considering their professionalism, from the office staff to the workers in the field.

Karen R.

4/22/2019

Called for a check up on my 4 year old HVAC. Man came over and went on and on about how he saw rust on my big pipes and I would need all these new things to make it better and make sure my new HVAC would last.
He took photos and said he changed my filter to the HVAC. I didn't ask for anything but to just check it out. Then I received an estimate for all the things he would repair and gave me a quote for $9,000. I knew this was some type of scam so I never responded to this outrageous estimate. My HVAC worked fine last time I used it. Never had a problem.
So tonight it is very hot so I put it on and it is still hot in my house.
Some air is coming through the vents but it is not cool at all. Hmm. I listen for the hum of the HVAC since it is near my bedroom window and I don't hear a thing!
I looked on Next Door and all I read is what a rip off they are.
So, needless to say, I believe this guy screwed it up! I'll get a lawyer after I find someone to tell me what he did.

Raymond C.

04/03/2023 12:00:00 SA

We have an old Carrier system that has not been inspected for years, and contacted Albert Nahman plumbing. Marcus came out to inspect the system, check for leaks, and give us information on how it was running. He was very clear and professional and gave it a thumbs-up. I would gladly work with him again as he talked through his process step by step and gave us pointers to check. Great job!

Will K.

5/20/2020

We had a new water heater installed today. Deepak was our technician and he did a great job. He was professional and thorough. He and his partner were at our home for the better part of the day working hard to remove and install the water heaters. Although the cost was higher than I expected it to be, the overall product and job they did, was high quality. I'd highly recommend this company for their fast efficient and high quality services. Thank you Deepak!

David S.

3/29/2018

Just finished up my shower/tub remodel project with Albert Nahman Plumbing. The final results are excellent: great work, fully functional, every aspect completed exactly as stated.

Gabriel did a very good job with all aspects of the project: explaining work and costs involved, providing detailed explanations for various aspects and challenges as the project unfolded, coordinating all the various workers involved, answering all my questions as they came up in a very timely manner, and putting in the extra effort to get things done in general - often during odd hours which most others would consider off the clock, whenever needed. All this done always with enthusiasm, which really helped me cope with the unexpected (such as finding out I had to part with my beloved - but as fate would have it rusted out - 70's style avocado green bathtub).

One aspect of the work done and the company doing it which really stood out was the consistent good character of all the workers involved in the project - even though there were many of them. These included Fernando, Chris, Chuy and his helper who's name I didn't get, as well as of course Gabriel - all of whom consistently showed friendliness, courtesy, professionalism, patience, trustworthiness... of course along with consistently good work.

An example I especially appreciated: I have two sets of entry doors and a dog in the house. Over the many days and much traffic back and forth this project entailed, each and every one of them always closed the inner door before opening the outer door - making sure that my dog wouldn't get out on the street. They did this consistently without my even having to ask them to. I think they each had the attitude that, being personally responsible individuals, this is what they would do at their own house, so of course they would do the same at the house of their client.

Another example: there were several times when one of them would give me a call before leaving my house - whether for a short time or at the end of their work day - so that I could come home from work to lock up the house so that it wasn't unattended. And each time they waited for me to get back home before they left! This is the kind of thing you really want from a work crew, each of them represented the company very well and helped build trust all around.

They aren't cheap, but this outfit has shown that with them you really do get what you paid for - and that they are well worth it. This pattern of exemplary conduct continued even after I had already paid for the project in full: there was a slight detail after the project was completed which needed a touch-up to bring everything to perfection, and there was no problem - the guys were sent out again to do what was needed, they were as friendly and respectful as always - and that took care of things. It is clear they stand behind their work, and will come out again as needed if there were to be any more problems related to the project.

This is the second major project I've had the Nahman folks work on - the previous one also went well, so I can give them my full endorsement based on repeated experience. Great company, great work, great people!

Rick T.

11/15/2021

I have been a customer for years and will no longer use the company.

I have just called to make an appointment to have my kitchen plumbing be disconnected in preparation for a new countertop installation. The service would also include reconnecting everything back up after the counter is installed. The job would involved a 2 steps process - disconnecting the water source to dishwasher, fridge, faucets and disposal and then coming back a few days later to reconnect everything back up. Simple right?. No! The person who answered the phone seems to be clueless of the job that needs to be done. She informed the company can only schedule the disconnecting portion of the work and would not be able to schedule the reconnection until the disconnection is done. I finally told the company their process is complicated and uncertain to get my kitchen back up and running. Their piecemeal approach could leave me stranded should they unable to come out to finish the job. This has been my experience with this company.

Janie F.

03/05/2019 12:00:00 SA

I have used Albert Nahman Plumbing for sump pump repair, plumbing problems in my rental units and in my home. The staff is very proffessional from the office to the technicians. The technicians know their jobs. They are pleasant and swift. Jose Avila exhibited all of these traits today. I highly recommend this company.

Biljana H.

4/16/2023

I scheduled a plumber for a specific task of changing water pressure cartridge. Scheduling was easy, they came out the next day. I purchased the cartridge myself and had it available. The plumber was on time and polite. However, the estimate for a job was over$704. With a coupon and senior discount I got it down to $621. The plumber was on site 90 min. He volunteered that he was an estimator, basically expected to provide a price for the project charge $100 for that and then send someone else. At the end the cartridge did not fix my shower pressure problem but at this point I could not afford more of their services. I was able to replace the spout myself. My error was not to have looked at Yelp before scheduling (I did not have the name of company) as reviews are clear that their pricing is high and unaffordable to many customers.

Greg D.

7/30/2009

These guys know plumbing. The job assessor Gabriel came to my house and actually spent 10 or so minutes giving me tips on how to make the plumbing for the laundry center I planned to install myself better, much appreciated. He also gave suggestions on how they could install my new gas line to meet code requirements.

They didn't bid the lowest but I felt they were the most reasonable. You always want someone who knows their stuff but does not bid to low. In my experience,most of the time you get what you pay for. The job included parts and labor (many other companies were by the hour + parts) and was done quickly and professionally. Its also guaranteed for 5 years! I would definitely call them again for any other plumbing jobs.

Thanks again Yelp!

David C.

04/08/2019 12:00:00 SA

Great service but overpriced in comparison to smaller local shops
Also great service and guarantee though

Keri J.

1/16/2022

If I could give no stars, I would. Plumber Chris came out and looked at my broken on demand water heater and assured me they would order me a part. I stressed the importance, because I didn't have hot water. After no word for a few days, and unreturned phone calls, I hired a different plumber. They charged me almost $300 for the service call and did nothing. Never even sent me the promised estimate. To add insult, they called me back over a month later to schedule the repair. Don't waste your money.

Suzanne E.

12/03/2016 12:00:00 SA

I've been without heat for a week and I was ecstatic to see Carlos! He diagnosed the problem, checked out all the connections on the furnace and showed me how to reset the furnace if I have another issue. I appreciate your professionalism and taking the time to show me the basics. Thank you!!

Furnace went out again within 12 hours of the visit. I'll have another visit in 2 days. I'm hopeful the real problem will be solved.

I've used Albert Nahmen many times. They do a great job with tankless water heaters, copper piping and other plumbing issues. I trust they will give me accurate information and not sell me something I don't need. I will continue to call them my plumbing company.

Todd C.

12/31/2018

I have a love / hate relationship with these guys. On the plus side, they have amazing customer service. They always pick up the phone, always have an army of plumbers available, and can make time often last minute. If you have an honest-to-god plumbing emergency (and we've had many) that is SO useful.

What makes this 2 stars is their pay rate. Today it was $69 just to show up. That doesn't get applied to the cost of the bill. It is literally just to show up....then the clock starts. After that I had to pay another $200 for them to spend literally 15 minutes clearing a drain (and 12 minutes of that was the plumber, who was legitimately very nice) standing waiting for my dishwasher to complete a cycle). He gave me a $25 coupon but it still came to about $250 for 15 min of work...not fucking bad.

What sucks is I'll probably still go back to them...b/c they do what 5 out of 6 plumbers don't do...answer their phone and show up on time. That is how low my requirements have become.

Ryan M.

3/13/2019

We wanted to install a stove hood and when it was delivered, we realized that the existing ductwork wouldn't work, and a new duct would need to be added. Gabriel came out, took a thorough look at the inside and outside of the house, and let us know what we'd need to do and what complications might arise. He also came out first thing in the morning to accommodate our childcare situation, which we really appreciated.

Amber and Gabriel were both super responsive and helpful when scheduling the walkthrough and the actual work, which is a nice change from other experiences we've had with service providers who we've had to call multiple times to get a response from.

The work itself went super smoothly, was done ahead of schedule, and looks great! Julio and Jesus did a fantastic job, and we're super happy with the new hood! We'd definitely use Albert Nahman again in the future.

D C.

06/12/2016 12:00:00 SA

I've used them a couple of times. They are not cheap but good plumbers are never cheap. Their yelp coupon helped. It was easy to schedule, they were prompt and on time, very knowledgeable and clean. I would use them again.

Mark K.

11/26/2022

I had a small gas leak in a fireplace. Called PG&E, they came out and capped the shutoff valve to the fireplace, but the leak persisted. Called Albert Nahman, they came out the same day. Plumber did not bring all the tools needed and it took him 3 hours to replace the shutoff valve (using my tools and I needed to hold the grate open and hold a flashlight for him). He charged me $480. I paid the bill and called AH office the next day and asked for an explanation: I was told that I wasn't charged per hour, that this was a set rate! I politely expressed my disbelief, and then was offered the opportunity to make adjustments to my satisfaction (meaning, they recognized that their fixed rate was way out of line). Six months earlier I had a kitchen sink drain re-sealed and the seal is breaking apart and I expect it will start leaking again soon. Completely agree with Karen F.: price gougers.

Randy C.

8/22/2022

The manager called my cellphone right after posting the review about the situation and I was told directly that he would fix the issue and offer some type of refund. He too felt that the service and payment was overcharged, but has not got back to me after one week or a callback. Take my situation for whatever it is but this what happened to me and I don't recommend them.

Catherine P.

11/23/2009

Twice a great experience! It is so hard to find a good plumber, one who comes when you call and who fixes the problem at a reasonable price. This has happened twice and I am referring everyone in my homeowner association!

Benson V.

12/07/2021 12:00:00 SA

The interaction with this company made me pretty upset. I called about flushing my hot water heater, which is a quite simple task. They said they could do it, but they could not provide a quote...and it would a $75 fee for the technician to come to my home and assess the situation. The technician was very kind, knowledgeable and professional; but the quote just to drain water out of the tank was $283. Yes, you heard that right, $283. I was shocked and refused the service. Now I still need to drain the tank and I'm just out $75. Why can't they give a quote over the phone? I feel like this a dirty tactic to prevent people from changing their mind after they've committed to the $75 fee.

Jan R.

1/29/2023

I have called on Albert Nahman Plumbing to help any time I have had a problem for many years. They have always been professional and took care of the problem using quality parts and products. I know I can always count on them to do the best job.

Steven T.

4/16/2013

Wilbur arrived, right on time and got to work. Our washer drain was clogged, I tried a weekend warrior repair......to no avail.

Wilbur promptly and efficiently corrected the problem.

I have used Albert Nahman Plumbing several times in the last 10 years. They are a very reputable and fair company with great customer service.

Sam G.

12/31/2022

They took the door to my hot water heater off to replace it. Door worked fine but when they left it wouldn't closed. Called many time and got nothing but a run around. The only person who called me back was Lisa who ASSURED ME it would be fixed. Neither she nor John the service tech who she swore would get back to fix it never responded. Then the person who answered the phone refused to direct me to Lisa and got very snotty. Very expensive price to replace the heater and I had to hire someone to fix the door. This was Feb 2022. STAY AWAY FROM THEM.

Maureen K.

5/20/2014

Michael, the plumber sent to us by Albert Nahman Plumbing today, arrived within the hour of calling their office with the issue. He was courteous and knowledgeable and treated our facility with respect. He was thorough in his investigation, and gave us a clear proposal of the work to be done BEFORE he started it. The work costs were reasonable as well! We do need to replace a large appliance and I have asked Michael to give us a proposal because I fully intend to work with this company in the future!

Erin R.

07/06/2020 12:00:00 SA

I am so disappointed in the service (if you can call it that) from Jose. My mother has been a customer for a long time, and now that her medical condition prevents her from managing her affairs, we were happy to help out.

We waited weeks for the appt, and we were charged $75 for Jose to tell us we need a new hot water heater, which we already knew as it is leaking, and we knew we needed the same size. He had no idea when anyone could come back to replace the hot water heater.

Also on our list was a leaking hose under the downstairs sink. He said he couldn't repair or replace the leaking hose, but would sell us a new faucet for $888.00 (??!!) even though the faucet works. We had a similar hose replaced in our own home recently, so I know these hoses are replaceable.

Also on our list was a new seal for the downstairs toilet- and again, all he had to offer was the opportunity to buy a new toilet. The toilet is not broken, and is a modern toilet, FYI.

Last, we asked that he clear the pipes from the downstairs shower as the two bathtubs (on one stack) are draining slowly. We have needed this in the past, but he said it would not fix the problem- despite our 45 years of homeowner experience to the contrary. He was not willing to try.

Also, he had to tell us about a membership opportunity before he could tell us about anything else he found.

Jose said he would send photos and estimates, and asked if he should send to the email address on file- an email address that is no longer active. I gave Jose the correct email address to use. It's been more than 24 hours, nothing yet. I fear he either did not send it or he sent it to the old email that no longer is accessible.

Finally, despite my confirmation with their office on Friday, he said he was not authorized to allow us to use the Family and Friends card we got after our last service call.

So disappointed that we waited, and that during the pandemic we have exposed my daughter, who met him to let him in, to this plumber who had nothing to offer for our repair needs but was very willing to sell us things we don't need.

Abigail G.

10/16/2015

I called 6 different companies to get a quote on replacing my AC unit for my business. I highly recommend Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating because they were accommodating, easy to work with, and professional. I was in touch with Said and he was able to provide me with information that the other companies did not mention. Also, Said was looking out for my company's best interest as he mentioned that I didn't need to replace the unit. All I needed was a repair. As a small business owner, I was very happy to hear his recommendations as cost savings is very important for my business. I will definitely call Said for any other issues I have with my AC unit. He was able to provide quick service, thorough diagnosis, and great pricing to repair it. Thank you for all your help, Said. I look forward to working with you in the future.

Charlene W.

01/02/2023 12:00:00 SA

Our basement was flooding with the 6 dump of rain on Dec 30, our sump wasn't working, and our water heater was breaking down, and Jarrod was super helpful in getting us to a manageable place until we could get a new water heater. He was prompt and worked hard to get us a water heater appointment asap, even though it was late and the day before a holiday.

Croquette C.

4/24/2015

After my PG&E bill doubled, I call PG&E and after checking the water heater in the laundry room of my 4-unit building in west Berkeley, they found the pressure relief valve on the water heater needed replacement. Since I work in the real estate field as a sales agent, property manager and investor, I made three calls to plumbers to get an estimate for this job. The first company wanted a fee for coming out so I crossed them off my list; the second was Albert Nahman and they wanted a fee for coming out ($49) but when I said forget it they agreed to waive the fee; the third company agreed to come out at no charge. Albert Nahman quoted me $650 to replace the valve. The third plumber said it would cost one hour of labor ($160) and $20 for the part. Of course I had them make the repair on the spot and also asked them to quote me a price to replace the sewer lateral. I have used Albert Nahman once before and felt they were high but I didn't have a chance to call around since my tenant had no heat and I had to make a quick decision. I also had a coupon. Now I know why Albert Nahman offers coupons as an incentive to get business - they are ridiculously overpriced. I don't know how they get all their positive reviews but I would never use them again.

Roxanne G.

11/12/2014 12:00:00 SA

I can't say enough about them! We are renting a home in Berkeley, and our kitchen sink was draining so slowly it was impossible to do dishes or even wash our hands without the sink filling up with dirty water. Our landlord called up Albert Nahman, and they sent out Ben, who was outstanding! He explained the problem, and fixed it incredibly fast. I was worried about having to sit around the house all morning with my toddler, but he was in and out in less than an hour. I appreciated that he took the time to explain what he was doing, and what I could do help the situation in the future. He was able to replace the pipes from the drain to the wall, as they were all original to the house and installed incorrectly to begin with. I also appreciated that he respected our home by putting coverings over his shoes and on the floor while he worked. It just seems like this company knows what they are doing when it comes to plumbing AND customer service!

Lena T.

2/24/2009

I found Albert Nahman Plumbing from the Good Service Guide that I received in the mail. We had a problem with the pilot light going on on our hot water heater, I called to set up an appointment and told the service writer that I had already replaced the thermo-couple conversion kit and it is only 4 years old and I would like to have a plumber come out who is knowledgeable and who could test other components. She said no problem we can do that for you. The plumber came out yesterday and I told him that I already replaced the thermo-couple, and he said that is what he was going to do. So he proceeded to take a look at it anyway, he called his supervisor on the phone to ask what else could be wrong and then said it could be the gas valve. I could hear his supervisor talking over his cell phone and he was yelling at him when he told him I put in the part myself. I have been an automotive tech for 18 yrs. Another $45.00 wasted for someone telling me (not testing anything) that it could be the gas valve? What a joke! This is the second plumber that I have used out of the Good Service Guide, the first one from Pipeline Plumbing tried to sell me a new water heater because he didn't know how to diagnose anything either. I called the manufacturer and it ended up being a reset button. Doesn't anybody know how to repair anything anymore? It seems now days they just want to replace because they don't have any skills or knowledge to test anything. So I had to end up fixing it myself. So much for calling in the Professionals! I wouldn't recommend anybody to use the Good Service Guide seems like all of the reviews were written back when people really repaired and had a brain or they wrote the reviews themselves. It's sad when you can't trust people anymore. Never would use again!

John G.

7/23/2023

Several years ago our kitchen faucet failed. Albert Naham replaced it with a Grohe. That faucet failed within a few months, and they then replaced it again. That second faucet also failed within months, and was once again replaced. This third faucet then failed after less than two years. I called Albert Naham on July 3. Since it was not an emergency, they scheduled me for Friday, July 7, but cancelled right before and rescheduled for Saturday the 8th. Their technician arrived, and after about an hour declared the fault to be in an interior part that would have to be replaced. I was charged $119 for the diagnosis. The technician indicated that the manager would call me the same day to discuss the matter. No one called. On the following Tuesday, I called but no one returned the call. On Wednesday I called again and finally spoke with the manager, Alphonz. He said he knew nothing about the matter but would speak with the technician and call me back in a few minutes. He never did. On Thursday I called twice, but my calls were not returned. On Friday, out of frustration, I went to Albert Naham's office at 3333 MLK in Berkeley about 11AM. The door was locked and no one appeared to be there. It is now Sunday and no one has yet returned my call or given me any satisfaction. I have used Albert Naham many times over the years and never had a problem. I am afraid that their business seems to have gone down the toilet.

ELLEN N.

4/20/2017

Chris came out first and diagnosed the problem as a defective computer board, ordered the part right there and then said it would be a few days until a plumber could come back to install new board as part was coming from reno. Nathan came back out and had the new computer board installed in about 15 min. There was no out of pocket cost to me and the product is now back up and working fine. very happy with the guys from albert Nahmen will continue to use them when necessary.

David R.

2/21/2017

Jose arrived on time, was friendly and helpful, and got the job done. Was a relatively small job, but we've never had a problem with Nahman.

bob h.

01/03/2017 12:00:00 SA

JASON! Jason came out to light the pilot on our old boiler on a holiday, and that is the reason that we are now brand-new Albert Nahmen customers! It was such a pleasure to meet him; he was just as nice and friendly as can be and he had our furnace working again in about 3 minutes. Next time we need service, I will ask for him!

It is never convenient to have your boiler go out, and getting someone to come on a holiday is a pretty tall order. I called probably 15 places, and this one was the only one who responded. The very nice and helpful person who answered the phone (she answered!) actually worked for the company. Every other company I called had either no one answering, just voicemail, or an answering service that really was only able to take messages. Of course, this is completely understandable - it was a holiday!

But, Albert Nahmen came through for us. The person I spoke with on the phone called me back to say that Jason was finishing another job and would be at our house between 3 and 5. He came at 4, and soon we were all on our way. I was glad to hear we were his last call for the day so that he could have some of the holiday left! And, what relief to know we would have heat on what was going to be a very cold night.

Fantastic experience yesterday!

Jeremy W.

05/01/2016 12:00:00 SA

These guys are super. Really great customer service, very professional and knowledgeable with a friendly staff.
The only reason they are not 5 stars is they are on the pricey side, but it's worth it for piece of mind.

Tea K.

5/28/2015

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. I feel like I need to right a wrong here -- I looked on yelp for ratings and had a terrible experience with this company. I had a drain backup in my basement and the service person was clearly a scammer looking to charge a lot of money for cleaning a small pipe which wouldn't have even solved the problem. Of course, knowing it wouldn't work -- he would have to do even more work - which would cost more $$. It's a slippery slope with these people. I would get a second opinion before agreeing to any service -- they look to charge a lot of money to people who are in a vulnerable position because of leaks/clogs.

wells l.

12/08/2010 12:00:00 SA

I called Albert Nahman Plumbing to fix a problem at the base of my toilet that allowed water to leak in the wall in the floor below. They sent a plumber and a plumber's apprentice to do the work (the later was a female, the first female plumber I'd met). They did an excellent job. They clearly explained what was happening, what my options were, and worked efficiently when we agreed upon a course of action. They were communicative, hard working, didn't leave a mess at all, and solved the problem. There was a little confusion with the dispatchers in the main office: one guy scheduled me for service between 10:00 and 12:00, whereas the person working the day of my service saw that it was scheduled to occur between 11:00 and 1:00. That was mildly annoying but, having said that, the dispatch people were courteous, responsive, called me fifteen minutes before the team's arrival (to let me know that they'd be there soon), and called again right after they left (to make sure everything went OK).

So, other than the very minor glitch with the dispatchers, I had an excellent experience with Albert Nahman plumbing and will definitely use them again in the future. I wish more contractors worked like they do!

Judith F.

10/28/2020

I am pissed! I've been using Albert Nahman Services for 20 years because I loved their professional and friendly services. However, they seem to have become greedy. First, they gave me an estimate for the installation of an electric bidet which seemed unusually high for a 15-minute job. I accepted it because I trusted them. Then, this morning, they added $147 to the already steep cost simply because they had to speak with more than one person and the fact that they would have to turn off water. It felt like they were looking for any excuse to add fees. I won't be using their services anymore.

Andrew B.

09/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

My new mini split single room air conditioner was no longer providing cold air after one year of service, I suspected a leak at one of the hose connections needed fixing and a refrigerant recharge would take care of the problem. I had had good luck with Albert Nahman on two previous occasions so I gave them a call. They responded quickly but the service person gave me a quote of $1,875, way too high for this work. I got Melgar Mechanical to come out and take a look. They fixed a loose flange connection and recharged the unit in under an hour, total bill $412. This shows that Albert Nahman was overcharging by more than 4 x
I can no longer recommend this company.

Doug S.

3/23/2015

I want to send a big thank you to your team and especially Tony Contreras for a great job installing a new hot water heater for our business, Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe in Oakland. Tony originally had hoped to repair the existing unit but when it became clear that wasn't possible, Tony took ownership of the installation of the new unit. This was a difficult installation. Tony & team were professional and got our business back up & running. Thank you!

Douglas Smith
Managing Partner
RCFC

Big Baby Jesus C.

08/10/2018 12:00:00 SA

These people are quick to respond, offered a free estimate, but other than that they're a joke.

I needed a valve on a wall heater switched from mechanical to electrical so it can be controlled by a thermostat rather than manually. Guy shows up, looks at it, and says you need a new heater. Hilarious. Other company that's supposed to come is bringing a universal replacement valve kit with them and are supposed to finish the job on the first visit. I guess they're going to show up and tell me I need a brand new heater? I'm just going to take off the valve and go to the HVAC supply store this weekend and take care of it myself.

If you want anything done right, do it yourself.

These people just prey on idiots in Berkeley that can't change a lightbulb for themselves.

Update: I always get warm fuzzy feelings when a business owner flat out lies to keep making the almighty dollar. The heater works fine, but you want to say it's in a state of disrepair--lie. Potentially unsafe? A stepladder is potentially unsafe, your car is potentially unsafe, breakfast cereal is potentially unsafe. Replacing the valve with an electrical valve makes the unit SAFER which Al knows. Modern valves have automatic shutoffs if the thermocouple isn't kept hot by the pilot. Then you want to talk shit about me being a landlord, implying I am putting someone's life at risk, conveniently omitting the fact that I live in the other side of the building. Gee, if half the building blows up, guess I will be uneffected? The truth is, there's not enough MONEY in this small job for Al, so once they estimator couldn't upsell me the most expensive thing possible he broke out like a rash. Enjoy the 1 star review you lying bitch, you deserve it.

CJ X.

4/22/2019

We were given an appointment window of two hours during a workday. As is the case for most working people, it's difficult from me to take time off from work, and what accumulated personal time I have I don't like to have wasted.

At the close of our 2-hour scheduled window the company was a no show. I called to ask for an ETA and was told that the tech called in sick, wouldn't be making it, but could come tomorrow. Which is also a workday.

People get sick, I understand. Not communicating it is unprofessional. That the company didn't call to let me know they wouldn't show is frustrating and feels disrespectful of my time.

clement p.

10/05/2015 12:00:00 SA

So I have a leaky toilet. Has happened to me several times in the 26 years I've lived in this house. Periodically I've had a plumber come in and make a repair which, as you've heard lasts maybe a decade... Total cost, under $100; typically between $60 and $80 bucks.

So Nahman technician was scheduled for last Friday but cancels day of and can't get to me until a week later. Okay, sure...

Today technician arrives w his assistant. They look at my toilet and estimate a fix for between $700 and $900 plus. Essentially they want to sell me a new toilet.

For the privilege of informing me of this gouge they charge me $49.

...Guess who is $49 lighter and still has a leaking toilet? I can't think of a better way to sour customers against repeat business than this. C'mon guys, your assessment is insulting.

Just say no to these guys.

Addendum
10/5/15
The owner reached out to me and offered to credit service fee. This seemed fair and appropriate to me; was appreciated...

Paula K.

08/02/2017 12:00:00 SA

I would give Albert Nahman Plumbing six stars if I could. Salvador is the best technician and went above and beyond to solve my complicated issues. He calmed me down because of the stress over my plumbing problem and hunted down the equipment and parts I needed. He called Arc Restoration for me for cleanup issues and they came over in a couple of hours. Sal stayed until every issue was resolved and installed my equipment the same day. I have already recommended Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating to my co-workers.

Craig O.

12/02/2020 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman replaced my 25 year old 40 gallon water heater with a much upgraded and energy efficient 50 gallon water heater. The entire process, from coming out and analyzing the issues and providing me options, to the installation (which was done in a super professional and customer friendly manner on a very timely basis), impressed me immensely. We have been customers of the company for several decades, but this water heater installation represents a definite high water mark for us! Thanks again!!

Katherine F.

12/10/2013 12:00:00 SA

They got me a same-day appointment for a plumbing problem (I don't want to go into the yucky details but it was bad) - the technician was supposed to come at 9:30 and he managed to arrive an hour early. Wilber spent five hours here, much of it in the freezing cold, and was very good natured about the whole thing. I'm very grateful!

Mary M.

11/14/2018

Wonderful, prompt, thorough, polite, and impressive

After I got a letter from the city telling me that my sewer pipe hadn't passed their smoked test, Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating replaced my lateral sewer pipe using a trenchless method, which meant they only had to dig two holes in my property instead of tearing up my sidewalk, garden, and front yard. They came on time, worked fast, and are clearly professional in every way. When I had questions they answered them promptly. They pulled all the permits, dealt with the city requirements, and had PG&E come out and mark where gas lines were about a day before they started.

Before they started working, they gave me an estimate. I did some comparison shopping and found that it was reasonable for the work they were planning to do. But here's the best part: I thought my plumbing facilities, including water and use of toilet, were going to be out of commission for 2 entire days, but as it turned out they were able to keep everything up and functional except for the three hours when they were actually installing the pipe. This was a pleasant surprise and saved me time and money because I didn't have to leave my house and find somewhere else to stay during the installation of the new sewer pipe.

To top things off, Albert Nahman himself came by to check on the work to make sure everything was being done correctly. When the work was done, Nahman plumbing had the city inspector come out and certify that my sewer line was now in compliance. I now have a warranty good for 20 years plus certificate from the City of Berkeley testifying that my sewer line meets all standards and requirements, both of which will be valuable should I wish to sell my house.

I am very happy with the service I received, and highly recommend Nahman Plumbing Heating.

Kees D.

01/06/2023 12:00:00 SA

Extremely fast, professional installation of my water heater. Team worked through problems adapting to my particular installation with ease. They were friendly and informative.

Jayme M.

7/13/2022

WARNING If you are looking to do business with this company BEWARE..This company Is Useing a DBA doing business as Albert Nahman plumbing. Which had 30 years of experience excellent service and Diamond Certified..But you are not doing business with Albert!!. On 11 2021..Dan Laufer of alameda purchased company and its now !Pipe Dreams Venture llc.!.;(Using the good standing of previous owner.. Is a huge lie I contacted Better Business .We never would have used a less than year old company not diamond certified. I reached out to owner Re all the problems we have had with his company. This company acting as Albert Nahman..has not shown up for work..Showed up late..Our sewer didn't pass inspection as we were here Monday with inspector. NOT A WORD FROM COMPANY I CALLED YESTERDAY CHEWING EVERYONE OUT EACH PERSON NEW OR RUDE..THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME OWNERS name phone..And added 13k to finish a job that was supposed to take 3days today is day 14..If you want a company that's inexperienced and rude.Then use these people But trust me I wouldn't have used them to fix a toilet if I knew who I was really doing business with.Im extremely pissed that they found a loop hole to get customers using old owners name..Pathetic..

Hedy S.

3/22/2019

They did a great job on my sewer repair last year, so when the Home Depot Pro screwed up my toilet replacement, I called Albert Nahman. They did take care of it, but the prices are outrageous. Even the tech who came out said I would be better off with a mom and pop plumber. $250 for a water intake valve. $750 to install a toilet. I really need to find that mom and pop plumber.

Kathi M. R.

8/16/2022

I would give zero stars if I could. I called this company today early to find out if they could send a technician to my home to help deal with the kitchen sink which was bubbling up a bit with water/food particles. This happens from time to time. It is usually a quick fix(snake). The technician was lovely and did a good job. However when he presented the bill I just about fainted. For 45 minutes of his time he charged $472.50. This company has new owners and is PRICE GOUGING. Will never use them or recommend again.

Wilson Y.

12/30/2019

I paid almost $40,000 to Albert Nahman for a substantial amount of plumbing work during the renovation of my home.

More than 6 months after the job was complete, Albert Nahman sent me a bill for an additional $2000. I told Albert Nahman that I didn't agree with those charges, and I said I would be happy to come in, and provide evidence for why I think the charges were wrong.

Albert Nahman agreed to schedule a time to have me come in and told me they would get back to me. They didn't get back to me. When I called them back to remind them about this, they apologized and told me they would get back to me. Despite multiple phone calls to Albert Nahman, they never got back to me.

They eventually referred the bill to a collection agency.

If you disagree with Albert Nahman, they don't bother talking to you. They will insist you owe them money, and then they'll ruin your credit by selling the 'debt' to a collection agency.

These people are lazy and without honor.

Pollo T.

9/16/2021

Talk about customers service......!!! They got it down to a.. I would say science but that wouldn't justify customer service, more like a religion. If you are looking for a professional team of experts that is going to check out your 30-70 year old wall furnace heater they know there stuff! Thanks guys! I will be using you again.

Suzanne N.

04/11/2018 12:00:00 SA

Nahman Plumbing & Heating did an excellent job replacing our water heater and 68 year old furnace. Gabe was extremely helpful, advising that we mount the new, much smaller furnace in a large crawl space under our house. This left us with extra storage room in our basement where the original, very large furnace had been. The crew was always on time, cleaned up thoroughly, and finished on time. Additionally, my husband and I both came down with the flu when there was no heat during the week of duct and furnace removal and installation -- Gabe provided electric heaters so we could stay warm. Much appreciated!

Mike M.

6/30/2013

Our hot water heater wasn't working, so I decided to call this company (see the FYI at the bottom of this review for reasons why I made the call).

A guy named Jeff answered the phone and was quite nice and customer serviced oriented. He was upfront with the costs (which were reasonable). He arranged for a tech to visit me the same afternoon, but called back in about 30-minutes to let me know another technician was available sooner if it worked for me. It did, and in about an hour-and-a-half later, Mario arrived and went straight to work.

Mario was like the other technicians I've seen; a very nice gentleman who seemed trustworthy to leave alone in our home and work (I didn't feel the need to be present for any reason). He gave me his assessment and proceeded to replace the components identified as the culprits. Shortly thereafter, he let me know he was finished, and, wala!, we now have hot water again.

I would definitely recommend this company. My overall customer experience was a solid 5 stars... from the guy who took my initial call to the technician who serviced our unit, two thumbs up.

FYI (why I called this company)
- I've seen their trucks around town
- They look well maintained with professional graphics
- The technicians seemed like competent gentlemen
- I checked them out at the local Better Business Bureau site
- They are a BBB Accredited Business since 03/01/1995
- No complaints made to the BBB
- I checked out their license with the CA State Licensing Board
- License is current, they are bonded and insured
- Yelp reviews were nearly all positive (no one can be perfect)

Suzanne M.

2/21/2015

Today we had two heaters installed. For some reason, one electrical circuit was not working. Ziad came out from Concord to Berkeley at night and ran some tests and discovered that one of our circuit breakers was out. He very patiently put it back (even though we could have done this ourselves), and cheerfully wished us good night. Great service, great company.

Nola B.

12/15/2022

Thumbs down. Nahman was quick to answer the phone and make it easy to book an initial appointment. That appointment cost $200, to be applied to the eventual repair. Fine, except in my case they didn't have the replacement part, so I waited.... indefinitely. They completely dropped the ball. After the initial visit I called Nahman's office 4 times to inquire about the status and learn whether the part had been ordered. I never got a return call, despite (on my final try) being assured that someone would definitely return the call within minutes. At that point I looked elsewhere and found a smaller, very well-reviewed local company. (They gave me a longer wait time for the appointment, but their serviceman fixed the furnace on the spot.) My suggestion: Do a little more research and find a smaller company that isn't run so poorly.

David C.

7/31/2018

Nathan came by, he was very knowledgeable, honest and professional. While one company wouldn't take any more appointments because they are too busy and another couldn't come out for two weeks, Kevin moved things around for us and came out the same day. He found the problem right away , gave recommendations, and checked the entire system and line for leaks. He gave lots of options for alternatives or repairs.....
Nathan arrived, crawled under the house to get a full sense of the problem before providing an estimate. The estimate seemed spot on (he focused on laying out what it would take to solve the problem the right way rather than just slapping on a bandaid). He showed up on time, was friendly and easy to work with, and completed the work in exactly the promised window.
I will say that I wish the company would provide a credit for the high Service fee(in comparison to other companies) towards the other services provided. Seemed pretty steep for the service call and detection, but I was on a time crunch.
I will call Nathan again for my HVAC and plumbing needs.

Stefan K.

03/10/2020 12:00:00 SA

I called Albert Nahman with questions about the performance of my hydronic floor heating. They have a tech which specializes in this type of heating, but his schedule was full for weeks. I signed up for a date. When he got sick, they called to reschedule the appointment before hand. On the day when he was rescheduled for, another job went long. I called to ask when he'd be here - they wanted to reschedule as it was late in the day - I pushed for them to come anyway. They texted back to say he'd be here in 15 minutes, and he showed up. In spite of it being a long day, he was very generous with his time. He walked me through all the issues, talked me through possible solutions, and answered all my questions. I felt very well taken care of. The amount of work needed was significant and expensive, so I haven't yet been able to greenlight the project, but I really appreciated commitment to ensure I had a thorough understanding of the issues and my options.

Trudy W.

4/20/2017

A big thank you to Rafael and his team from Albert Nahman for the swift and expert work fixing the broken drain pipe from our clothes washer on 23 March. Because the pipe exited through the concrete floor of our garage, they erected a plastic tent around their work to contain the concrete dust. And when they replaced the concrete, they left space around the pipe so that earth movement would be less likely to break it in the future. They took the time to install a missing vent as well!

Jean K.

07/09/2014 12:00:00 SA

Should be one star, but extra star for sending nice people. I echo the complaints about their $49 minimum fee just to assess the situation.

I had a clogged main line, which would take 5-10 minutes with the heavy duty snake to clear, and the quote was $493, i.e. $542 total. Sure, a video of the sewer lateral is supposedly included, but that's basically ridiculous upselling...won't be calling again.

I said thanks but no thanks (and had to pay the $49) since I had Pelican Plumbing do the same thing for $165 for a far longer clean out (80 ft vs. 25 ft) at another house.

I had Mauro's Plumbing out the next day...5 minutes and $115 dollars (since I paid for the hour, he replaced a flapper on a leaky toilet too).

They were recommended in the Good Service Guide, but I should have checked Yelp to confirm...btw, also had a problem with their answering service not passing on my info (as reported in other reviews) so I had to call twice to make the next day apptmt...

M. A.

03/07/2017 12:00:00 SA

I hired them to install an automatic seismic shutoff valve on the natural gas line. I'm satisfied with the work, but the price was much higher than I thought it should have been (almost $700). They also estimated $738 to replace a simple sump pump and check valve, which seems unreasonably high.

Craig I.

10/16/2012

Wilber responded recently to a weekend overflow and was polite, courteous and very efficient. he had us back fully functional in no time at all with no mess or fuss.

Gina M.

03/04/2008 12:00:00 SA

We've been using this company for approx. 7-8 years since Mr. Nahman did all the work himself and were very happy with it when it was him doing the work. We continued to use the company while it grew and liked everyone that came out to do work. I used to get this great 1950's feeling when their guys would come out in their uniforms with nametags, service oriented, customer-pleasing, etc. But we've had several problems recently and have decided to stop using them.

They couldn't fix our slow drain in the kitchen, they couldn't install a reverse osmosis water filter to our satisfaction (we had to trash it, what a waste of alot money). We've been getting the feeling from the guys, that they're just trying to sell their expensive products. When I called recently to get them to install a new kitchen sink & garbage disposal, they said they couldn't install our garbage disposal because it was missing a part. ?? We bought the disposal new directly from them just a couple years ago! They wanted us to buy a new one! Then the faucet they tried to sell us was so expensive, I explained to him, that that must be a great faucet and I'd love to have it, but our kitchen remodel was all done super cheap because we don't have the money, so I'd just want to get a home depot model for now. He was so reluctant and said there'd be an extra fee,,. I just decided it was too difficult to deal with them, to get around buying their products. I didn't want salespeople, I wanted service. So sorry to say, this veteran is going elsewhere.

Robert K.

12/13/2017

We were unable to light the pilot on our wall furnace after the gas was accidentally turned off. We called Albert Nahman for help and they were able to fit us in within a few days. The technician quickly assessed the issue and checked the rest of the furnace components saying that only one part was needed to the solve the problem. I was prepared, if necessary, to install a new furnace at eight times the cost, but Nathan said, If it isn't broke, why fix it? That's the mark of an honest company. The furnace was repaired in short order and is back up and running nicely. Thanks, Nathan and Albert Nahman.

Sara H.

11/25/2016

Chris arrived at the end of the 2 hour woindow- brought the likely needed part, installed it, made adjustments and fixed my wall heater in 15 minutes.
No fuss.
Not cheap, but who wants to risk stuff with gas ?

Melagranita D.

6/18/2019

Excellent service. The lovely woman who schedules and answers phones is smart, courteous, and very organized. The service call tech answered all my questions in detail, gave me an estimate, and immediately scheduled a crew to come out. The plumbers were on time, friendly, knowledgeable, thoughtful, and hardworking. They worked non-stop till 8 pm to install my new hot water heater to code, and then cleaned up every stray bit before leaving. The building inspector approved the work and commented on what a good-looking installation job it was. Thank you, and I appreciate everyone's hard work. Great employees like these make a business trustworthy.

Anne F.

4/26/2022

I had an appointment for an estimate, and two emails confirming the appointment time. Waited during the two hour window, and then was told, when I called, that my appointment had been rescheduled to May 2nd--although no one had told me. Don't do business with a company that treats their customers like this!

Jeff S.

6/18/2007

These guys are great. I have enjoyed their service and expertise many times. They put in my on-demand water heater a few years ago. And that was great. The only reason why they didn't get a 5-star rating was because one of their guys broke one of my crawl space metal screens and denied it! But, overall, the service was great and their staff is very knowledgeable.

I've used them for smaller jobs since then. But, I like how they can tell you an easy layman fix or how they can do it for $. We always call them for plumbing problems now.

And it's always great to support a local business!

Kristen W.

2/23/2015

We had two recent plumbing problems and called them. They answer the phone right away, and call back within a few hours of an email message. We got both appointments within 1-2 days and their staff showed up on time - or earlier: on one occasion, they called to ask if it'd be alright to show up 30 minutes early. Both times, the plumber who came was professional, polite & efficient. We're happy with the service & products.

Danyelle A.

2/19/2015

This company did contact me offering to provide the free estimate. I added a star for customer service. I did not take them up on the offer.

Jacques H.

11/21/2022

I had written exemplary reviews of the services provided by Albert Nahman in the past. My recent experience with Albert Nahman forces me to reconsider. What has happened in the interim? Is this a delayed Covid effect,
the general malaise in the country, chip or part shortage or just I don't give a damn anymore?

I contacted Albert Nahman on November 4th as my 31 year-old furnace decided to call it quits. Of course, this corresponded to a significant drop in temperature in the Oakland Hills. Marcus showed up on the following Monday and confirmed what I suspected: the furnace was beyond repair and it was time to replace it. He told me that it had exceeded its expected longevity. Nevertheless, the estimator had to come and do the evaluation regarding the new estimate. Bryan did show up the following day and confirmed Marcus' evaluation. He gave me a ball park figure and explained that my ducts might not pass muster for the permit. I asked whether we could proceed with the project anyway. He said yes.

I waited one week and checked my e mail regularly. No estimate. I finally called and asked for the estimate. It showed up the following day. i called to fax the signed contract and made paid the deposit on-line. No instructions had been provided initially how to pay the deposit.

I called to make sure they had received the deposit. I was told that they had to order the furnace and that this would take some time and I would be informed of the arrival. No information about the furnace other than it was a 95% efficiency furnace as opposed to my old 80% furnace.

I have been heating my house using my two fireplaces and logs purchased at Lucky's. Still not the warm home that I have come to take for granted with my beloved old furnace.

This morning, I called and the call was answered by Lexy. I asked her if she had any information regarding ETA of my furnace. No, but she would put me in touch with Jeff. Initially no answer from Jeff. i called Lexy again and she told me she would personally ask Jeff to call me back.

Jeff did call me back and to summarize our conversation: He had no information about the ETA of my furnace, he didn't know what furnace had been ordered and only Bryan the estimator could provide this information. I then asked Jeff if he and Bryan worked for the same company. I believe he said yes but not convincingly. Jeff told me that delays were commonplace and to appease me he told me about a client who was still awaiting his furnace with an order placed in February of 2021.This did not appease me, rather infuriated me. I asked him if Bryan could give me a call. He said yes...

I am still waiting for Bryan's call and still piling logs into the fireplace.

What has happened to Albert Nahman's? This is a complete reversal of the
excellent customer service received in the past.

Jacques Hirschler (still cold)
Oakland

Christian B.

02/10/2021 12:00:00 SA

I am writing this review to caution against Albert Nahman due to the incredibly bad customer service. We are having a problem with heavy noise in a pipe installation Nahman did 13 years ago. At the time they did a good service. We called back to address the noise. A service tech came back 3 days later, and after 45m could not undestand or fix the problem. He said his regional supervisor would need to come by, and requested payment for the service call, $74. The noise in the pipe actually got much worse during his troubleshooting, creating problems in several bathrooms and floors of the house, instead of the original bathroom and pipes in the basement.

After one week waiting for Albert Nahman to contact to setup the visit with the regional supervisor, we called back. They said they would address immediately and to stand by for an appointment. After another week, we called back and received the same response. Yet another week and we had to do the same.

It has been almost 5 weeks since the initial service call. I have called again today and will await a response. I have no expectation that Nahman will do a good service anymore. It is clear the service technitians are not properly trained, and they do not have enough staff or interest in good Customer support.

BTW when you call a third party answering service responds and asks for your contact info, and then someone calls you back. So everytime you are trying to find out what is going on, you need to spend time putting them up to speed. So a lot of front shop support that claims to represent good customer service, with dismal technical follow up or actual customer focus to finish the job you start, properly.

Brenda G.

3/20/2017

This plumbing committee is great and committed to service. Ive hired many plumbers and once I found these guys my search was over. They finished off a major remodel for me and are always there when other issues come up. Every Tech Ive had come out has been great and very thorough.

Anthony T.

5/14/2012

This company is a rip off. They don't stand by the contract and nickel and dime you into paying extra. Very poorly ran company and the quality of work is lacking. Would not use this company.

Bill Y.

5/28/2014

This is an edited review, changed after the owner contacted me offering to reverse a portion of the site visit fee. I appreciate that he makes use of Yelp in this way, and made efforts to fix the situation.

The Work - totally competent, professional, friendly, and arrived when they said they would. Sal and Chris were great...even walked me through the repair and showed me how to avoid it in the future. +5 Stars to these guys.

Booking - The booking process was easy (though the online chat seemed unnecessary - it was much easier to just call them). They were able to come to the house first thing the next day.

Price - the cost of a replacement valve (the part is $15-$20 online) was $149, including labor...that seems a little on the pricey end, even considering margin/labor.

Site Visit Fee - there was an additional fee of $144, just for coming to the house. I understand why a site visit fee is essential to a business like this, but to simply add that fee to the total cost of a project seems unnecessary. In fact, every other plumber we've used had a minimum visit fee, but that fee was absorbed into the cost of a project.

To be 100% clear and fair to Nahman Plumbing...I was aware of this fee and booked them anyway. I was leaking a lot of water, and wanted to get the issue resolved asap...also - they are the only Tekagi authorized service rep in the East Bay according to Tekagi. Given that, I bit the bullet, and overpaid to get it sorted. My criticism of their site visit fee is more of a warning to yelp users, rather than a claim that I was in some way misled.

My recommendation would be to negotiate the site visit fee down, or demand that it be absorbed into the cost of the project (assuming the total cost is more than the site visit fee...if that's not the case, then I would also understand a 'minimum' total fee of $144).

If you're unable to negotiate it...i'm sure you're quite aware that there are other plumbing companies in the East Bay with great Yelp reviews that will bake the site visit fee into the project.

Rita H.

12/29/2022

We had what seemed to be a very high estimate for work on our toilet and shut off valve from Big Blue Plumbing. We called our usual plumber, Albert Nahman, and saved ourselves $400. Work was expert and technicians were friendly and clear about what need to be done and what it would cost. We are sticking with NAHMAN!

Caryn R.

09/02/2007 12:00:00 SA

I called them twice over the weekend for an emergency water leak that was flooding my basement and they never called back. I heard that they do good work, but responsiveness is an important part of this and they totally dropped the ball.

Lora B.

09/08/2021 12:00:00 SA

So many issues. One tech says they can install the toilet, so I order and pick up. (showed him the specks) Then the second tech comes and says they can't install the toilet. Two different charges for the kind of work done on different days. Now they trying to say two valves replaced and only one so that's the discrepancy in the charges but that's not correct. Two valves were replaced for both jobs. First tech was great, provided photos of work and correct invoice. Second tech was terrible and unfortunately I had no time to call anyone else for the second visit. Tried to contact and fix and now I'm just getting the run around and they are trying to explain justify it. Now I wouldn't be surprised if they try to charge me more for the first job they did and claim me they under charged me.

Tony K.

12/22/2016

These guys are so good that you sometimes have to wait your turn but when they get there (always when they say they will), they are professional. They do the job done the way it's supposed to be done and they are respectful of being in your house. I'm sure there are cheaper plumbers out there but if you want it done right the first time, Nahman's the way to go.

Lorem I.

06/11/2017 12:00:00 SA

I've never had work done by them but have gotten several quotes over the past years due to their reviews. Every single quote I've received was at least 2-3x higher than the next quote. They may do good work but they are extremely expensive.

John E.

02/02/2013 12:00:00 SA

I called Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating around 1:00pm on a Saturday and by 3:00pm Michael Castle came by to fix our tankless water heater. What an incredible guy! Incredibly professional, courteous, intelligent, and full of good cheer. He diagnosed the problem in short order and set about fixing it. Within minutes we had hot water again. Nahman is usually very good but this was an extraordinarily positive experience. Michael Castle is the best.

jason c.

1/15/2021

The guys that came out were very nice and courteous, but the pricing was very steep.

Norma F.

6/22/2010

THese guys are good! I had a mysterious leak under my hot water heater that another contractor fixed but it was just a bandaid fix that quickly rebroke. Albert Nahman identified the true problem, that the pressure coming into the house was too high, and fixed it and it's been great ever since. They also identified some other pipe problems and fixed those, too. I feel they are a great value because they are knowledgeable, experienced, and I didn't feel I was charged too much for what they did. they are a quality, integrity organization.

Rosanna P.

05/11/2014 12:00:00 SA

My air conditioner wasn't blowing cold air. Tony came out -told me what was wrong -got the part and fixed it. He was courteous and professional. Have used Alfred Nahman in the past and I have always been satisfied with the service

Roy T.

08/10/2016 12:00:00 SA

Jose installed a new garbage disposal for us. He was quick with the installation only to find another issue with our pipes. He gave me options and offered to try to resolve it with no additional cost of possible. He was very clear to explain to me the issues, how to fix it as well as how to prevent it from happening again. I felt Jose was very honest and really was there to get the job done to my satisfaction. At no point did I feel pressured to pay for any extra services that I didn't need.
This was the second time I've used this company. I'd do it again.

Jim D.

08/12/2013 12:00:00 SA

Nathan N., Apprentice Plumber, arrived right on time, minutes after my initial call, and was fully professional. All went well, diagnosing the problem quickly, providing appropriate background information so I could understand the issue(s). The repairs went well.

Michael S.

02/10/2023 12:00:00 SA

Quick to respond and knowledgable about the solution. A solid resource.

Robyn E.

3/29/2023

After posting this negative review, I had an immediate response from Alfonz to say that they had revised my bill. I had suggested an upper limit of $1,250 and they accepted that amount (along with the $250 prepayment).. I do not know what is a fair rating now, considering the two months and a bad yelp review that it took to get a fair response. On the positive side, the work was done well.

Diana X.

06/05/2014 12:00:00 SA

First things first: we're happy with how things stand with this company now, but will not be using their services again. One of their crews left a job half-completed in a place where we might have gone years without knowing anything was wrong. When we contacted the company to complain, they immediately responded and sent someone out to finish the job at no charge, which is why I'm giving 3 stars rather than a lower rating.

We called Albert Nahman to run the crawlspace hookup for our new fridge's water line. The crew arrived over two hours past the end of their scheduled window. They did make a good-faith effort to keep the interior of the house clean (no easy task, as it was a rainy, muddy day) and sent two men to do the work while charging us for only one. They also apologized profusely for their lateness.

The snag came up about 3 months later when our city building inspector went into the crawlspace to examine other work and told us that the copper piping for the water line had not been strapped to the beams as is typical, and was instead lying in the dirt where it would corrode and develop leaks within a few years. We contacted Albert Nahman that same day and they were back in touch with us literally within minutes with an apology and the offer to set up an appointment for someone to correct the problem. Their second representative came out the following week, and he was great: he even took iPhone pictures of the completed strapping so that I could see everything was in place.

So we appreciate how they handled their mistake, but will look elsewhere for plumbing services in the future.

Ron H.

07/09/2018 12:00:00 SA

Excellent work. They had to diagnose a pretty complicated problem with the water pipes in the midst of replacing galvanized pipes with copper, and they fixed it. Nick and Orlando arrived on time, and finished when promised. Definitely not cheap, but worth the price. They left the place cleaner than it started despite a lot of walls that were opened. The wall patching sub-contractor was also excellent, and came two days later and returned everything to normal.

Jeanette W.

11/18/2015

We waited a week for an appointment just recently because everyone needs a furnace repairman right now, and that was actually less time than other companies quoted me. The day came and turned out they couldn't keep the appointment. I was super sick in a house that had been 55-58'F for the past week. They felt bad and a repairman came after hours that evening. Thank you Sied for bringing warmth back to our home. So grateful for you and our creature comforts!

Yolanda A.

12/07/2018 12:00:00 SA

Gabriel was very informative about the work that needed to be performed above and beyond any other contractors that gave me quotes.

Jazmin R.

01/04/2017 12:00:00 SA

Chris was very kind, professional and willing to help in any way. Without even asking, he put on boot covers as he walked around our house. He carefully inspected three plumbing issues and one furnace issue, came up with a plan and charged us fairly to fix the problems. We unfortunately did not have a good experience with another plumber from a different company who attempted to address the same issues that Chris did, so to actually have a professional solve the problem before leaving our house was a breath of fresh air.

Leslie T.

05/03/2021 12:00:00 SA

I appreciate this business from the receptionist to the plumber (Ismael) they are patient & listen to the symptoms & do a good job efficiently fixing problems at a good value.

Cecilia A.

8/15/2017

Albert Nahman Plumbing has been our go-to company for any home repairs. A clogged kitchen sink was the latest call. Carrie was the tech who came out. She was knowledgeable, thorough and courteous. Fortunately it only took cleaning the drain. Carrie was very good about explaining what need it to be done. I learned a couple of things about my keeping the garbage disposal in check. Albert Nahman can be expensive but the quality of their work has never disappoint us.

Audtey C.

7/30/2015

An unexpected (isn't it always?) plumbing problem occurred in my condo that needed fairly quick repair. I contacted 4 plumbing companies and ultimately was referred to Albert Nahman. So glad to get the referral there! I had a narrow window of time that could be used for the service because a water shut off had to take place and notice given to the other residents. The company was very accommodating and worked with me to fit right into the window of availability. Carrie came right on time, quickly diagnosed the problem and replaced the necessary part.

This was all complicated by the fact that I was on the east coast and had arranged this by phone with no knowledge of local plumbers. So while I wasn't on site I can only attest to the fact that I was thrilled to have a woman do the job, call me with a quick accurate diagnosis and hear that everything was working just as it should after the job was done. Definitely recommend Albert Nahman and would certainly use them again if the need arises.

Gregory T.

4/16/2017

Jose D, my technician was great! He showed up on time, explained exactly what needed to be done, and took care of it with meticulous care. My house was kept clean the whole time, and Jose was very respectful. He was even nice to my young daughter who wanted to watch. Then I had questions about other projects, and he gave me a price quote instantly. The one star off, is that I had a similar project done for much less a few years ago, but I can't remember by whom. So I think the price is a bit high.

Donna A.

06/03/2011 12:00:00 SA

They charged for a service call I had cancelled $144.
They tried to charge $600 for a control panel that was
under warranty and was sent to me at No charge.
This is a Deceptive and Dishonest Company

Thomas H.

03/06/2021 12:00:00 SA

Some of the worst service I have experienced. I had a service to come evaluate a problem in January. It's now March, the problem
Is unresolved and they never contact me to update. It's all me contacting them.

The technician seemed inexperienced. He spent most of the time either on his iPad looking things up or outside smoking.

He stated he doesn't know much about modern fixtures.

Now I am left in a situation where they are waiting to hear back from a manufacturer. They say they are not responding. I am unsure what we are waiting for them to respond to. Weeks go by and I hear no updates.

These people seem to not care about resolving my problem and seem to hope I will just give up

Will go to someone else next time.

Etienne F.

01/04/2013 12:00:00 SA

Wilber was wonderful and professional. Very efficient, courteous, and helped get rid of some really icky stuff that was caused by a clogged pipe leading to our yard. Thank you, Wilber!

Barbara B.

04/02/2021 12:00:00 SA

We hired Albert Nahman during the pandemic to install an air conditioning system in our house built in 1924. We interviewed four firms, three of whom said it was not possible to add successfully add AC to such an old house and then Albert Nahman's team figured out an elegant and workable solution. I am happy to report we turned the AC on for the first time yesterday and it works GREAT! Everything worked out well - from the estimate, to designing the solution, installation, and post-installation questions. Highly Recommended!

Melinda M.

06/06/2019 12:00:00 SA

It's not just the professionalism, or the kind manner, or the on-time arrival of the workers, but the QUALITY OF THE WORK Albert Nahman Plumbing craftspeople do that makes me call them back again and again. Thank you, Javier, for installing a new kitchen faucet and cleaning up so tidily after the job. My daughter is SO happy!

I feel heard, appropriately kept in the loop via text about when the plumber is coming and his name, truly cared for by office personnel who want to be sure I choose the correct faucet for the job so call me back with good information for what to look for, and also so delighted that Albert Nahman supports community causes that help our whole city... like Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals who help those who have fallen through the health care cracks by pairing benefit recipients with Doctors, Dentists, and Optometrists who provide care at no cost.

Thank you!

Johanna L.

3/13/2017

Charged us $1025 to replace a toilet that had a pen accidentally flushed down it. My landlord authorized the replacement and then passed the bill on to me. I looked up the toilet online: it costs about $260. With about $92 for the inspection, that means that they charged us a crazy amount of money for a couple of hours of labor. I called the company but they refused to itemize their bill or tell us where these excessive costs came from.

Not happy to be cheated like this. Not only that, they didn't measure and so they brought a toilet that didn't fit the area so then they had to take off a board and expose the foundation of the house. A shoddy job, for excessive cost.

Hold onto your wallets, or better yet find a plumber who is going to charge an honest price.

Marsha D.

09/10/2017 12:00:00 SA

Our old 13-year old hot water heater finally gave up and I was able to get an appointment immediately. It was replaced with a new one by Mauricio and Sam...a great job! They were prompt, courteous and cleaned up afterwards. It's been 3 weeks and everything is still working fine..no problems. One thing about Albert Nahman Plumbing is that, along with being excellent, they are expensive. In 2004 they charged $1500 for a new water heater plus installation...in 2017 it cost about $2700.

Jerry P.

3/21/2019

Took forever to get them to provide a quote after visiting my house . Guy took a couple of photos with his phone (change out the kitchen faucet, replace small wall mounted corner bathroom sink, I had all the parts). After multiple calls the guy that came out finally called back and said $2500 bucks. I almost dropped the phone. I have done a lot of home renovations with and with out tradesmen and contractors and that number was so out of line. I had another outfit do the work and they had it all done in half a day for $600 ($160/hour rate).

The only thing I can figure is they just didn't want the job as it was too small. But hey, just tell me that up front and save us both the hassle.

Jay G.

4/16/2020

Water heater was dying a slow death. Not emergency. Tony came out next day, very professional (wearing mask, keeping distance during the COVID-19 plague), provided detailed estimates for 3 different solutions and offered pros and cons of each. Very knowledgeable. Also noted unrelated plumbing issues (water pressure 120 psi)

He then led the crew in complex installation in one long day. New gas line, earthquake shutoff, pressure reducer, condensing tankless system. They anticipated problems and planned for them. Enrique explained operation of new system and my role in maintenance well. White glove approach. I'm happy. And will save $$ in the long run

Price a bit higher than others but they added extras when asked and worked w me to my satisfaction. Owner Albert made himself available early am and late pm. I'm very happy w their quality.

Don T.

12/29/2016

We asked Nahman Plumbing for assistance with a blockage in our dishwasher drain. Nathan showed up as scheduled, located the blockage and cleared it in minutes. He also noted and replaced a cracked nut on the kitchen sink drain assembly. Very responsive, very quick, and I also note Nahman's policy of fixing without additional charge any work that fails. Hasn't happened often, but on the few occasions it did they've honored their policy.

m r.

1/21/2015

I am updating my review to reflect this company's stellar response to my complaint. The owner wrote to me and said he would be happy to send someone out to finish the job, and in fact the leak was taken care of with no additional fees. Sometimes mistakes happen in individual situations, but this kind of company service is worthy of referrals. Thank you very much, Albert Nahman Plumbing!

Mauricio C.

5/26/2023

I had a dripping wall faucet and no time to figure out myself. Technician replaced the faucet with a $75 faucet. But the bill is $987. This is unfathomable. Sure I was provided with the quote up front once the visit was made, but I'm already on the hook for the $95 visit fee. So I don't see how this is a sound business model, I feel ripped off. Definitely not calling again unless the house is falling apart.

Lauren N.

5/16/2017

Jose did a great job. He was here for about 2 hours and everything works great. He unclogged the Kitchen sink, Washing machine and the shower drain!

Jagdeep B.

12/23/2016

Fernando and Orlando did a great job. Very professional, diligent and got the job done timely. Then explained to me what I needed to know. I felt relaxed with them working away.

Cheri B.

1/30/2021

With big rains on the way, I needed the sump pumps tested quickly. Albert Nahman (Nick) came on short notice, were on time, tested the pumps and let me know all was in working order, including the drains. Educated me on how everything was supposed to work, in this home that was new to me. Only cost me the basic service fee. Trustworthy, in my opinion!

Tanny K.

3/16/2017

I needed to get my kitchen repiped from galvanized to copper. I got three bids. These guys were in the middle. I chose them because they were clean, professional and easy to get a hold of. The estimate was given to me on the same day. I was able to book the job for the following week. Everything was done as expected with no surprises. My kitchen faucet now works beautifully. Fernando V. did a great job.

Larissa C.

7/20/2023

Very expensive for a simple, quick fix -- capping our gas. Wouldn't give an estimate over the phone and charged for the visit regardless.

Judy C.

3/16/2013

Otis came to troubleshoot our low water pressure in a bathroom sink and shower. He clearly communicated how he would approach the issue and what the fees would be depending on what the underlying cause was before he began. Rates were pretty high, and it's a bit crazy that they charge a service fee in addition to the repair fee, (plus I had forgotten that there was a yelp deal until after I had already paid :P) but bonus points for being available on a Saturday and for Otis being very neat, courteous, and quick.

Celestina D.

04/10/2017 12:00:00 SA

Our water heater stopped working after a long power outage. The pilot wouldn't light. I called Albert Nahman because they had given excellent service years ago at my previous house. Alex called back promptly and set up an appointment for which he was on time. He tried to relight the pilot and then diagnosed pretty quickly the problem and how much it would cost to fix it. He asked me how old the water heater was and when I didn't know he researched it and told me 13 years and asked if I wanted to see where he discovered it on the tank. I thought that was great that he wanted to assure me that his facts were correct. He then told me how much a new water heater would cost, and since the repair of the old one would be half that plus the parts might not be available, we went with the new one. He then called to change his schedule so he could do the work himself immediately. He wrote up the contract with all the things to be done and I signed. He replaced the water heater in a couple of hours, without a trace of any of his work, except a shiny new water heater. He showed me all the things he had done and replaced before he wrote up the receipt. He also told me that my sump pump, located beside the water heater, was one of the best and I shouldn't worry about it, after I asked him some questions about it since I've never had one. He gave me a lot of useful information about sump pumps. He was great! Very helpful, knowledgeable, efficient, better than on time, fast. And also, he was a friendly, straight-forward person to talk with - not something to take for granted these days.

George H.

12/20/2016

A few months ago, we had a gas leak in the basement. I called PG&E and they turned off the gas, which meant that we had no heat or hot water. To fix it, I called Nahman, and they came, capped the gas so it did not leak and no longer went to our cabin. This too them about an hour, and though the heater and hot water heater worked, the range in the cabin was no longer connected to a gas supply. They charged me $1300 for an hour's easy work, I think because we were desperate to have our hot water heater working again. I feel they took advantage of me.

Katie H.

09/03/2018 12:00:00 SA

We had two simple issues that needed to be fixed in our toilet. Nahman charged $59 just to come out, and then they quoted a crazy high price for the repair and tried up up-sell us into replacing the whole toilet. Feeling pretty ripped off that I had to pay $59 for nothing.

J. B.

04/03/2018 12:00:00 SA

I've known of Albert Nahman since he joined the board of a nonprofit agency I once worked for. Since he gives back to the community and has a good reputation in the trades, we gave him a call.

Our home had the original gravity heaters (2 separate units) that are officially 100 years old this year. We decommissioned one of the units a few years ago, and finally accepted that the last unit was both a fire hazard and carbon monoxide hazard, so we shut it down three winters ago.

Since then we've been making do with portable electric radiant heaters, but in the winter they would result in $300 to $400 a month utility bills, and the house was still cold.

So we finally gave Nahman's a call. Gabriel came out, gave us a quote, and between Christmas and New Year we became the proud owners of a new forced air system. But that's not all! The water heater was getting a bit long in the tooth, so now we have a lovely on-demand hot water heater. Finally, they also replumbed the water supply to the bathroom sink so we, for the first time, have hot water at the sink (50 year old galvanized plumbing will do that). We always had hot water at the tub-we aren't animals!

Anyway, the crew, under the conscientious supervision of Gabriel, was professional, considerate, prompt and easy to be around (we had a full house as the work was done over the holidays). They left us with hot water every night the 4 or 5 days it took. Got the permit signed off and insulated the new lines. It's all good and we don't have to wear 5 layers any more.

We are very glad we went with them and can't recommend them more highly. And we got a couple of their awesome meditating plumber shirts and a beanie as parting gifts. We wear them proudly!

Nelson K.

9/14/2016

I wish I could give zero stars.

I know plumbing is complicated, but this is ridiculous.

I had a leak under my sink. I called Albert Nahman because a neighbor recommended them. A plumber came out and replaced the stem in my faucet. $275. It didn't fix the leak. A few years on, I called them again. This time the plumber replaced the entire faucet. $575. Not only didn't fix the leak, but he broke the door of my cabinet under the sink. Third call, plumber came out and replaced the hose to the dishwasher, which apparently was the problem. We'll see. Two months and I'm still waiting for the cabinet door to be replaced. Today I stayed home from work because they were coming out to replace the door - finally. The guy arrived with an unpainted door. Do you want me to paint it? he asked. I've paid close to $1000 so far and I have a missing cabinet door under my sink. This is the shittiest service I've ever received from anyone. I call and am told someone will return my call the next day and no one calls. If I call in the afternoon and ask to speak to a manager, they've always left for the day. Once this is fixed, I will be looking for a new plumber. Not sure what the deal is with Albert Nahman, but their service sucks.

Update - my cabinet door returned, stained and painted to match the others, but guess what? It didn't fit. He tried and tried to make it fit, but it just wouldn't. I even spoke to Albert Nahman himself (who was not very sympathetic to all I'd been through). So, off went the door to now be resized.

A few weeks later the new door returned, this time cut down to size (clearly looklng like a cabinet door that had a part cut off) - they tried to make it fit, but still, no dice. Finally, exasperated, I told them just to but the broken door, which I had glued, but wouldn't close completely, back on. So now, after paying almost $1,000 to fix a leak, I have a cabinet door that doesn't close completely, but no more dealings with Albert Nahman. Again, I know plumbing is tricky business, but my issue is with the incompetence, the promises of phone calls that were never received, and the overall messiness of the job. Will definitely look elsewhere next time I need a plumber.

Joyce B.

5/19/2020

We have used Albert Nahman plumbing for many years and they are excellent. They take pride in their work and treat your home as their own and are very respectful. Deepok has been to our home before and remembered where things were and provided expertise in resolving our problem. They took special precautions during the pandemic and we felt very safe having them come into our home. We recommend Albert Nahman to all our friends. Joyce and Arnie.

George M.

11/26/2016

I had two leaks one under the bathroom sink and one under my kitchen sink and after searching I called Albert Nahman Plumbing based on their reviews and they had Saturday hours. I had a great experience and it was due to the excellent service from Carrie who diagnosed the problems and took care of the issues and fixed the problem in a very professional and timely manner..There was a tiny little glitch which necessitated a return visit. Carrie returned quickly and corrected the minor problem and there was no extra charge. Carrie is an excellent representative of her company , an expert in her craft and I will definitely use Albert Nahman Plumbing in future for my plumbing needs.

Wilma R.

11/13/2012

Fernando and Enrique installed a new high-efficiency water heater for us. They were personable as well as efficient and were able to answer any questions I had. This was the last step in our efforts to replace our old defunct water heater. Nathan, a different technician, initially installed a new water heater for us, but it turned out that there was a venting problem and we had to decide on an alternative. Nathan made sure we were provided with a temporary fix so we had hot water while we decided what to do next. Albert Nahman walked us through the pros/cons of various options and we decided on a high-efficiency hot water tank which was expensive, but solved the venting issue. I felt secure in making my choice after discussing all of the options with these very knowledgeable professionals. I have used this company for plumbing fixes in the past, and have always been highly satisfied with their service.

John K.

10/17/2011

I went to them to get an estimate for a sewer lateral replacement. They were very polite, had me go right over and give them the DVD of the sewer lateral, called me with a couple of questions.

They never gave me the estimate. If you're too busy to do the work, just let me know - don't waste my time.

Sue S.

2/23/2017

Fernando from Nahman Plumbing installed a larger gas line into my house yesterday. He also installed my tankless water heater two years ago. He is obviously experienced and efficient, and he was helpful in explaining how the new systems work.
I have used other plumbing contractors for other jobs in the house, but in my opinion, Nahman can be counted on for integrity and for employing excellent people like Fernando.

Jessica D.

10/27/2013

Quick, kind, and affordable! What else can you ask for? My water heater was leaking from the drain valve, and I asked my neighbors if anyone had a reliable, affordable plumber they could refer me to, and that's when I heard about this company. I called on a Thursday, and by Saturday morning someone was at my home, on time and ready to help (I was also offered times on Friday, but couldn't commit because of work). Stanley was quick to diagnose the issue, and I appreciated his honesty. He was informative, and explained what needed to be done. He was also amazed that my 15 year old water heater was still functioning, and rather than convince me to buy one right away, he simply suggested to let it keep plugging along and to give him a call if/when it goes kaput. The visit and repair was VERY affordable, and there were no extra charges--the transparency was much appreciated! This company will definitely be my go-to whenever I need help!

Jay C.

01/01/2019 12:00:00 SA

This rating is for heater services (not plumbing). I found the Nahman company to be very quick to respond, excellent at communication, and a pleasure to work with. The initial examination and quote for replacing our two gas heaters was done by Gabriel. He listened to our needs and spec'd exactly what we needed, without pooh-poohing our wishes and trying to sell us a larger more expensive system as some other vendors did (I'm looking at you, Home Depot/Hassler). Gabriel came by and checked on the prep work and removal of an old floor heater, as well as being around for the start of the day the work was done. The one technician I worked with, Mario, was equally conscientious, friendly, and communicative. We were very happy with the whole experience.

Beverly P.

02/06/2020 12:00:00 SA

I called out Albert Nahman to give me a quote on a new electric heater in a vacant rental. It took them days and days to come out finally on Jan 22 - and now on Feb 6 - we are still in a go-around . . . I called today to request that I get TWO new electric heaters for TWO apartments and I was treated very very very rudely by Albert Nahman personnel . . . Avoid this company . . . they are slow and they are rude and they are a BIG DRAG!!!!!!!!!!!

Khadija R.

06/12/2015 12:00:00 SA

Stanley was Great!! He worked quickly and informed me throughout the entire process. On top of being courteous and professional he was extremely knowledgeable..I truly appreciated his suggestions on improvements for my home. Thanks.

Jim W.

8/17/2021

Recent PG&E power outage in our neighborhood fried the electronics (and a fan) on our Takagi tankless water heater. After calling the manufacturer and doing some initial troubleshooting, we determined two major parts needed replacing. Our original plumber who did the install was unavailable, and Albert Nahman was listed on the Takagi's website. There was some initial mis-communication on their first visit (whether or not they already had the parts), but after that, the repair went smoothly after I had to order the parts myself. It took 4 days to get the first appointment, then 3 more days for the second appointment (when the parts were in hand). Thanks to Chris, Jose, and Lisa at Albert Nahman. Now, to file a claim against PG&E.

Rae L.

10/07/2011 12:00:00 SA

Highly recommend this company. We were having some problems with water pressure and temperature. Initially we called another company (big mistake), who were brusque/did a cursory examination and then said we needed a new water heater. The price quoted made me wince. Then we called Nahman. They came to the house and spent time actually listening to us and figuring out the problem. In the end, we were told a small piece needed to be replaced. I asked how much to do that -- they gave us a flat rate that was under $300....and explained what part of that was for labor and what part for the piece. I agreed to that price. . .and they fixed the problem without any hitch.

I had a wonderful experience with this company. Very straightforward. Very professional. Very knowledgeable.

Kim C.

11/13/2012

As a first time home owner (of an older home) there are many times that you need to call someone for this or that. Every time we have needed a plumber, we call Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating. Every technician that they have sent out has been very knowledgeable, skilled and friendly.

Today, our toilet would not flush even after plunging. William C ( who was actually the first tech that came out when we bought the house) came out right on time and spoke with me about the issue and showed me a different way to apply the plunger and some possible causes. As he was getting ready to leave, I remembered that our bathroom sink was having issues draining. He was willing to take a look and offered suggestions on how to fix it. Not only did William offer a couple of options and prices, he also disclosed all of the appropriate information that could happen. We agreed on a procedure and TA-DA the sink drained again. I also really like that William takes the time to explain what he is doing to educate me on how plumbing works.

I am so glad that I have discovered Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating and I will continue to call on them and William C for service in the future. I will also recommend them to whoever needs the services that they offer.

Longsheng W.

02/03/2022 12:00:00 SA

TL;DR: This is the most expensive plumbing service you can find around Oakland. Sales are worst. Technicians are better.

I called them for a gas leak. This is urgent since gas was shut off for the whole unit. I called them after seeing the good reviews across multiple platforms.

They dispatched salespeople (I realized later) to my door. They quoted 500 for a simple pipe change and 3k in total for what they called custom pipelines which is not even necessary.

Technicians came after a few hours. They are even questioning the sales about the pipework. Sales shut off the topic immediately. Technicians are capable. The main guy has 20+ yrs experience based on our conversation. They finish the job within 1.5 hours even tho the quote is for 4 hrs. The only thing about technicians is that they carelessly cut off the doorbell wire which is next to the gas pipe. I found it weeks later and fixed that by myself.

I still end up paying and letting them do the job only because it's urgent and we can reimburse the money for some reason.

Ra C.

12/13/2018

Professional, smart, and thoughtful plumber- couldn't ask for more! Our heat and hot water went out a week ago when our boiler started showing an error code. We have a complex radiant heating system. Chris came out and was able to quickly diagnose and fix the problem, and make recommendations for future maintenance. He also took the time to explain things to look out for, which I really appreciate as a homeowner. I'll definitely be using these folks in the future!

James B.

09/11/2021 12:00:00 SA

When we bought this house, it came with a couple of terrible (low-efficiency) Gerber toilets with integrated powerflushes, which have failed repeatedly over the years and had to have various parts replaced.

Our downstairs powerflush finally gave up the ghost last Saturday (the Saturday of Labor Day weekend) and we decided it was time to just replace the toilet with one that meets modern efficiency standards and doesn't sound like it was built by Pratt & Whitney. We gave Albert Nahman a call and got a callback from Albert himself a few minutes later. The toilet was a 10 rough-in (which is a little rarer than the usual 12), but they were able to get a new toilet lined up from their distributor that matched our requirements on Tuesday (the first business day after the holiday).

The installers who showed up on Tuesday were great (Jose and another guy who I think was an apprentice and didn't give his name). They got the toilet swapped out in about an hour and also replaced the slightly leaky shutoff valve.

The service was pretty expensive, but they showed up quickly and the new toilet is great. I look forward to calling them back for future plumbing work.

Lance D.

9/25/2019

Wished I had used this company first!!! The other company did not check their work and caused some unecessary return visits, as well as my loss in confidence in them. I feel the price was fair and their work was excellent!!! We have a winner!!!!

Daniel I.

12/22/2017

Very professional and reliable and accountable for their work. They will also do things the right way: prior owners of our house had apparently done some of the piping work through a handyman who, though he may have been less expensive, cut corners and did less thorough work. Albert Nahman plumbers were able to assess and correct these mistakes. They'll have your back for the long run.

Carrie M.

3/26/2017

When I suddenly found myself without hot water on Thursday evening I called PG&E for help. Although two reps from the utility came the following morning neither were able to fix the problem and they suggested I contact a contractor. After a brief Internet search I called Albert Nahman, a company I hired years earlier to fix a leaky faucet. Nathan N. came, checked out the situation and immediately found the problem and assured me that he could fix it. And he did, to my relief. Nathan went to work and about 90 minutes later reported back to me that he had completed the repairs and told me everything he did, that he checked what he did to make sure the water heater worked. He watched as I turned on the kitchen faucet and I determined that yes, the water turned from cold to hot! Yes! A hot bath took place soon after!

Carole T.

11/29/2016

Chris was on time for a 7:00 a.m. appointment. After one look he advised me that my tankless water heaters were outdated, and there were no parts available. He immediately contacted Bosch Technical support who confirmed his statement.

Chris was very friendly and knowledgeable. He took the time to check the water temperature problem, and provided me with possible replacement solutions, an estimated cost, and the need for electrical work.

Christ deserves five stars for his great service, however one star was dropped because during my initial call to the company, I advised the representative of my waterless tank brand. She could have saved me the $59.00 service call by telling me the system was out dated, and offering a free estimate to replace the unit instead.

I really appreciate Chris for his honesty, patience, and attention to detail.

Pam C.

8/15/2018

We needed two toilets replaced and another plumbing job done. We called Albert Nahman's because they had done good work on a previous small job. Michael came to give the bid, was helpful with brand and style suggestions for the new toilets, and returned the quote within a couple of days. Mario did the job with a few other fellows, and completed the whole job within a day and a half, including replacing one of the toilet tanks that had arrived from the factory with a hairline crack. He was prompt, professional and efficient. It was also very nice that the owner stopped by to check on the job. We will definitely call them again for future plumbing needs.

Yvette G.

3/18/2013

We needed a gas line extension to our fireplace. From the estimate to the service date Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating were professional, on time and clean. The job was finished and wall re-patched almost like new. Fernando and crew provided great service and bonus in Spanish for my mother to understand. We will definitely hire them for other projects.

Me Y.

5/21/2016

Do you want to pay DOUBLE the hourly rate for plumbing services? I think not.
Do you want to have a tech state I can't guarantee it won't leak. I think not.

Yah, $250 for a sink installation is ridiculous. If I had the proper tools, I could do it myself in MAX 30 minutes. Then to have the tech say he wouldn't stand by his work, that was the last straw.

I soooo wanted to use someone local, but unfortunately this is a very big company with very big overhead, as their fees suggest. I'm guessing all the guys have the BEST health coverage possible, or their Worker's Comp expenses are extraordinarily high. Either way, it is better to go with a smaller company who cares about the individual customer.

PS. Please note that there are +100 invisible reviews that you can see by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page. Most of those are ONE STAR. Make sure you read those before calling them.

T N.

07/02/2018 12:00:00 SA

Very bad customer service. Don't waste your time with this company. It's been weeks for me to get a quote for replacing the toilet and still I haven't received one yet as of today. I called several times but the customer service said that technician Carrie is still working on it. Wow, I didn't realize that it's difficult to write up a quote. I don't understand why Yelp reviewers giving a 4 stars for this company. I would give a zero star if Yelp offer.

Robert B.

6/15/2022

Albert Nahman saved the day again. Stanley King Jr (great name) came out and unplugged a stubborn outlet drain keeping my washing machine from getting rid of the rinse water. Meaning I had to dry all the clothes out in the sun for many days until I figured out what the problem was. I was reminded why the washer and dryer are the #1 and #2 time-saving devices of the modern world. Anyway, Stanley was great. He and I also are big Warrior fans so we had plenty to talk about with the warriors up 3-2 in the finals. Thanks again to Albert Nahman Plumbing for helping me out! Go Warriors! Robert

Allen R.

03/08/2016 12:00:00 SA

I contacted them through Yelp (based on their great ratings) to see if they could add more freon to my boss's portable air conditioner. They said that they'd be happy to and were helpful and nice, but then things got weird.

I guess they've had issues getting paid by apartment renters, so when they service something in an apartment, even a portable air conditioner that isn't built in, they require that the owner of the apartment building confirm that the renter is responsible for paying. I understand in theory, but if I'm waving money at you in a desperate attempt to pay you, why make me jump through hoops to do it? After two weeks of back and forth as I attempted to meet their requirements which didn't make sense in my situation, they sent me a curt e-mail stating that they don't repair portable air conditioners and I should look elsewhere.

I know this wasn't going to be a big job, but why make me spend all this time and get so many people involved and then just back out when it was your own silly rules that made this transaction so much work. This whole thing was a waste of time.

LadyFire 6.

11/01/2020 12:00:00 SA

Okay company but overcharge for their copper piping.

Way too much money.

Now wanting more money to repipe a small bathroom (5k).

Nope.

Liz O.

12/09/2015 12:00:00 SA

My initial call to Albert Nahman was returned within 24 hours. My appointment was scheduled for within days -- would have been sooner but for my schedule. The technician arrived at the beginning of the 2-hour window. He put overshoes on before entering my home. He obsersved the problem, developed a theory, returned to the truck for tools, and repaired the problem quickly. From the outset it was clearly explained that the visit would have a threshold fee with work required in addition. The final amount was very reasonable. The technician, Jose D., could not have been more professional, courteous, skilled and pleasant.

I see the company trucks more and more frequently. With service such as I experienced, I know why. I will definitely call again.

Sam D.

12/19/2021

I called these guys to replace washer hot/cold faucets. Their plumber showed up, looked it for about 2 minutes and said it would be over $2300 to replace because it required cutting a hole in the sheet rock. I prompty gave him $75 house call fee and sent him home. Another plumber did it for $400.

I dont think it is worth calling them, might as well start with someone who is realistic to begin with.

Ronald D.

11/01/2015 12:00:00 SA

Had some delays and difficulties with sewer repair service but Nahman made good on everything in the end.

Lisa D.

3/30/2018

Thanks to Albert Nahman Plumbing and most importantly Orlando and Damien we now have a new water heater! Orlando and Damien arrived this morning on time and did a beautiful job! I would recommend them and Nahman whole heartedly!! Thank You for a job well done Lisa D

Christina S.

06/11/2023 12:00:00 SA

My shower drain was plugged and I needed a new shower head. Angel came and snaked the drain and replaced the new shower head. The work was done efficiently and fast. He cleaned up the mess which was considerate. Angel is cheerful and explained everything he did which I appreciated.

Sharon T.

11/03/2018 12:00:00 SA

I couldn't be more pleased with the service offered by this company. Deepak Sharma was an extremely knowledgeable and competent plumber, resolving the problem at my home in a professional and efficient manner. He explained everything clearly and left everything clean and in good order. I will call upon him again with any future needs. Thank you for your excellent service.

Margaret D.

04/11/2017 12:00:00 SA

I am very satisfied with the service provided today by Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating. The young man, Javier P., was very professional, on time, and explained all that needed to be done. The problem was resolved quickly. No mess. No Fuss.

I was so satisfied with the service that I decided to sign up with their service for any future plumbing problems and also plan to have a new toilet installed (which was the crux of the problem, as I had anticipated). I have had to call out different plumbers this year for the same problem (not enough pressure, insufficient flush). Javier P. explained the problem and provided the different solutions/options. I made my decision (no pressure here) and now will have a new toilet installed on Saturday. This company is also available Saturdays. Yea!

Also, the price for service was right and fair and actually lower than some other companies I had called, and in the mid-range. I recommend this plumbing company to anyone who has a plumbing issue. And, if one is lucky, Javier P. will go to your home and solve the plumbing issue.

J Jay D.

4/14/2015

Tony Contreras is THE best! He came out to fix a leaky pipe and did it really quickly. He also answered all of my annoying questions and made helpful suggestions about our house. I will always request him for any future plumbing needs. He is extremely knowledgable, super nice, and careful about his work. Thank you, Tony!

Pritesh S.

10/21/2021

I called to ask if they provide services in Alameda and I was told they don't understand my question. I genuinely thought they didn't understand my question and repeated this 3 times with the same response. Thanks for making me feel dumb, I'll take my business elsewhere. I wish I could give you 0 stars.

Dave P.

5/20/2010

A technician named Chris came out to find and repair a pin hole leak in the hot water line inside the wall behind my kitchen sink. He measured the locations of all the piping inlets and drain outlets and found that cutting into the wallboard under the sink would not expose enough of the piping to be sure to find the leak. So he removed a portion of the exterior redwood siding to gain access, found the leak, then skillfully spliced in a section of new pipe to fix the leak. He had to go into the crawl space under the house in order to solder the bottom end of the replacement pipe into place. At the end of the job he replaced the redwood siding. Fantastic work! I was so pleased I didn't even use the $20 off coupon from the Montclair Neighborhood phone book.

George N.

06/06/2019 12:00:00 SA

I had them install copper pipes in my 1921 craftsman bungalow home several years ago, and they did a quick and efficient job. I have just started a new project with them to replace the water heater, make some structural repairs to the kitchen sink, and replace the vanity in my bathroom.

Gabe did a great job of understanding my needs, coming up with a good estimate for all the work that needed to be done. He was also kind enough to include several subcontractors for electrical and carpentry onto the project and manage those relationships for me.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Albert Nahman in person for the first time today when he came out to look at the work on my house. I've been Facebook friends with Albert Nahman for 1-2 years, but never met him in person before. It is a pleasure doing business with Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating, they are professional, fast, do quality work, and seem to have great workers - family and friends.

Bookingood H.

11/09/2017 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating is amazing, from the customer service to the skilled plumbing. I had a leak coming from the hot-water tank, and I thought I had to replace the whole tank. Tony came out and advised that it wasn't the tank leaking, but the pipe above it, which made it look like it was the tank leaking. He did a very careful job replacing the pipe, and he thoroughly cleaned up the area.

Customer service is the best: I looked at the website to get their phone number, and before I could call in, Benjamin initiated an online chat. He was sympathetic to my current leaking-toilet problem, and he got someone to call me quickly and leave a voicemail to set up a visit. I called them back, and Sarah was also wonderful to deal with on the phone.

I actually look forward to having the technician come in and fix my plumbing next week.

Erin M.

12/13/2014

Everything was great. From scheduling the appointment, to the work being done, the professionalism of the serviceman, the cleanup afterwards and then following up with an additional product purchase which was delivered in person. All great.

Ilah J.

5/31/2023

The water pressure in our house was low and our hot water heater was 20 years old, so it was time to have it replaced. The Albert Nahman service person tried to convince me that the problem was our 20 year old copper pipes, and told me they all needed to be torn out and replaced. He pointed to the small amounts of patina on our copper, 20 year old uninsulated COLD water pipes, and told me, that the rust inside was preventing the water from moving through the house. There was no involved inspection, just a call with his supervisor, who probably encouraged him to upsell us. He even said we needed to replace our connection to the street. Again, our only problem was HOT WATER, not cold. He quoted us 15K to replace all of our pipes, including the shower, and we would have to hire a separate contractor to replace the shower wall. They would throw in a new hot water heater for 3K as a special deal. I turned down the offer, hired a smaller family own business who replaced our water heater and only charged us $2600, $400 less than this Albert Nahman's Special Offer and no run around with unnecessary, expensive work. Wanna feel like a chump? Albert Nahman Plumbing is the company for you.

Beth Alyse S.

12/13/2013

I would give these guys 10 stars if I could.

I called Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating in a time of great need: it's freezing out there, and my ancient exhausted wall heater up and bit the dust on me. They went above and beyond and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience of working with this company!

They got their initial consult guy out there within 2 days of Thanksgiving (impressive stuff.) Will showed up on time, was easy to talk to, explained everything I needed to know, came up with creative solutions for a couple of tricky elements in my space, and gave me a great range of differently priced, safe, efficient products to choose from. He did not leave until every single one of my questions was answered.

I mention this next part only to illustrate how wonderfully they handled a hiccup in the proceedings, because it's a big part of why I'm so impressed with the company. Will had already shown me my different pricing options online (very helpful) so I was informed and wanted to get scheduled in case it was going to take a couple of weeks to fit me in. But the office kept saying it was going to take one more day. After a week someone got me scheduled in for a firm date and time so that I could plan to get the day off work, but when I called back a couple of days later a different guy I spoke to said there was nothing on the books.

The resolution of this problem was awesome. The very professional front-office guy got the owner of the company on the phone. He was extremely receptive and immediately began to resolve everything personally for the rest of the duration of the job. Mr. Nahman got me scheduled by the end of that first call, wrote up a proposal within the hour, handled payment with my landlord, personally confirmed my appointment over both phone and email, and even came to the job site himself a few days later to check that everything was in control. So. Impressed.

Mario was the guy who did the heater installation--that guy is a superstar. He was there at the crack of 8AM, had everything he needed to do the job, took a look at all the tricky spots and let me know how he wanted to proceed, checked in with me at every step to see if it was to my liking, and got it all done beautifully and cheerfully. His team was pleasant and efficient, and the whole lot of them were wonderful craftsmen who produced solid, nicely finished work.

Bottom line, my home has heat! Everything is gorgeously installed and looks great! I experienced terrific service from an awesome local business that was a pleasure to work with! I feel great about this company and I will not hesitate to call them again if I need to, and certainly to recommend them to anyone I know with a heating or plumbing need.

Deservedly a 5-star establishment. Thank you so much, guys.

Linda M.

03/05/2019 12:00:00 SA

I am having a horrible time with Albert Nahmann Plumbing and Heating. They charged me $164 to diagnose a circuit board problem in my Takagi on demand hot water heater. Although the part is under warranty they want to charge $648 labor to install it. Other plumbers have said it will take less than an hour to complete so will charge $175. Then after spending many hours here they left and now my furnace does not work. I am now without hot water and heat after the Albert Nahmann plumbing techs were here. Really?!

Tasha I.

02/05/2017 12:00:00 SA

Tony is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and thorough. I will only have Tony work on my on demand boiler. He recently installed a Navien boiler and it is working wonderfully. Thanks a million Tony!!
You are the best!

Christine B.

4/20/2015

Today was the second time in my three years in the area that I needed a plumber to fix something a bit more complicated than a clogged toilet. Albert Nahman helped me out effectively last time, and did so again today . They figured out the problem with my undersink water heater, as well as two issues with drains and fixtures that had been annoying me for some time. Specifically, the person who came was a young apprentice plumber, Nathan N., who was prompt, resourceful, and friendly and got it all done in a short time. This was a different young man from last time, but the experience was positive both times.

Courtney J.

2/21/2015

1 star for the manager coming out same day and fixing the mess that one of the original employees did. About three weeks ago, a new in sink erator was installed, everything seemed fine, except about two weeks ago, while washing dishes, the in sink erator fell down from where it was installed and there was dirty water everywhere. to make matters worse, i had cooked some meat the night before and so i'm sure that there was a lot of gross stuff in the water. thankfully, the manager came out and fixed it the same day but cleaning my whole kitchen was a pain. would not recommend this company for plumbing needs as it seems like the basics of installation aren't a priority for its workers.

Thomas H.

2/21/2017

After finding our basement flooded from earlier rains, Rafael installed a sump pump. Just in time! Rafael did an excellent job with the installation and the pump is working very well. With the current deluge, the pump is keeping our basement clear of water.

Leslie J.

01/03/2013 12:00:00 SA

Saturday December 29 (yes the weekend between Christmas and New Years) the dishwasher backed up into the ktichen sink which also backed up. After trying unsuccessfully to find and fix the problem, I called Albert Nahman Plumbing at about 2 pm. I reached an answering service who said someone would call me right back. A man named Carl called, got all the information (I told him I was a past client), put me on hold for a brief time, and asked if it was OK if someone came between 3pm and 5pm. I said absolutely. Stanley, the techncian, arrived at about 3:15 pm ( about an hour after I called. Amazing! He put on his booties, diagnosed the problem (clogged drain) and told me how much to fix it. He had to clear the drain from the pipes outside the house. So professional. Success! Great service from Albert Nahman and Stanley.

Patrick G.

12/26/2019

Just an FYI as it's now been another 3 years - Water heater and systems still in place and functioning as normal!

Natalie A.

8/16/2021

Really wish there was a 4.5 star option because the install team was A++. The glitch was with misinformation at booking.
Monowar and Ahmad went above and beyond to right a bit of a mistake on the part of the chat team that booked my appointment. The online chat customer service rep indicated that they do not handle toilet orders and that I'd have to buy my own toilet before the installation date. Fine enough generally except I (like so many in the Bay) live in a quirky old Victorian house where it seams nothing is a standard size and it's often worth the up charge from a contractor to have an expert purchase hardware in case of irregular specs. My apprehension was correct. Several weeks, one broken and exchanged Home Depot toilet later and the installation team arrived to take one look at the toilet (I'd now had to pick up myself twice!) to realize the sizing was wrong. Thankfully, Monowar is a determined problem solver. Noted I was *very* pregnant and recognized this needed to be a job done ASAP. He managed to find a suitable model to pick up same day and even looked for discounts on my behalf. Ahmad removed the old unit while Monoway picked up the new one. Despite a HUGE hiccup, this pair pulled off the job not just same day, but still within the inicial window of time planned! They even offered to help load the Home Depot toilet into my car for me!!! Needless to say, they earned back all trust on their employers behalf. Albert Nahman Services, never lose these two. In fact, give them a raise. Because of them, you now have a loyal customer - and I'm sure I'll need a lot more work considering the aforementioned quirky old Victorian I live in. ;)

Kitchen Rebel ..

2/26/2016

Professional, fast, friendly service. And punctual!! I got a 2 hour window and was already dreading having to wait 2 hours, but Nathan N arrived 3 minutes into my 2 hour window.
He fixed our blocked kitchen and bathroom sinks. He was very patient - we had difficulty reaching the landlord and we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to get the work done same day because we were heading out of town. He made several calls and was patient enough to sit and wait with us.
He explained exactly what needed to be done, and showed us a pipe that was about to leak. I was so grateful because you know busted pipes never happen at convenient times. Work was quick and clean and professional, and came with a 2 year warranty.
Nathan was without a doubt the most professional and nicest plumber we have ever met, not to mention the most well dressed and neatest plumber ever. I would highly recommend using this service, ask for Nathan!

tracy J.

07/07/2015 12:00:00 SA

I feel like they are fair, reasonable and efficient! I had tried to replace a non-working part on the toilet that the other plumber had left me with (he didn't have the part). I could not for the life of me get the piece fully removed. Albert Nahman sent their plumber (*a female plumber at that) who finished up my frustrating job. She charged me the on site fee and all works now. Thankfully! That is 5 stars in my book. Thank you Team Nahman!

Chatty C.

6/16/2019

Oy. I wish I had read through this more thoroughly before calling them. Initially it was all good. Called on a Sunday got a quick call back and then the plumber came within the window I was given. They sent notification of him coming with a picture. Then the estimate. We paid 600 bucks for an hours work with $100 worth of parts. We could have just sent him on his way and paid the $69 estimate fee but our shower was not usable and we just decided to eat it. Really disappointing since other than the price everything else was fine and it would have been nice to have a plumber we could use. We have never found one and the search will continue.

Edit to add in response to comment from owner
Yes it was a sunday and fathers day to boot. But we would have waited a few days but the person answering the phone said she had someone today and it was no extra charge so of course we said yes. It is not just that we felt the price was high it was outrageous. We expected to pay $100 or so an hour which is what most places charge. Plus the call out fee and parts fee. Even if it was 2 hours plus a mark up on the part that would be 350 plus the 69 which is 419 which would have been a lot but would not have warranted a bad review. But this is $200 more than that. I now know to ask a bit more explicitly about pricing on the phone though I am not sure if it would have mattered if the ipad just bases it on whatever we can get from a customer. And since I am one of many complaining I don't think it is just me. I think this aspect of your customer service sucks which is sad because the rest of it was excellent.

Alex D.

3/23/2017

Professional, timely, friendly, good work. They are a bit pricey, but worth it.

Terry T.

12/22/2017

I needed a plumber to unclog a bathroom sink, so I called several plumbing businesses and chose Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating based on their Yelp reviews. It was 4 days before Christmas. They said they could send someone in 2 days, so I accepted the booking. They called back within the hour saying one of their plumbers had been freed up and could come right away. BINGO. Tad arrived soon after, very friendly and professional, providing advice on sink maintenance as well as excellent service. They called me the following day to make sure all went well. These people ROCK.

Greg K.

11/20/2012

Contracted Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating to give me a quote on a leak we had in our commercial warehouse. They came out the next day when they said they would and gave me a written quote that I could submit to our landlord. I got approval and scheduled for the following week. Tony C. was my technician both times. He explained things very well and did a great job repairing the leak, being very professional and unobtrusive while working around our employees and totally cleaned up afterwards. I've also used them once before for some gas piping for our furnace and they also did a great job. Very dependable and good work.

Charles S.

11/23/2015

We have used this company for some years now, and this year we used them for multiple problems at our house. The issue I have with them is their lack of experience and in some ways common sense in dealing with a recurring pipe clogging problem we had this year.

In February, we had some raw sewage backwash come up through our bathtub and toilet. Apparently a pipe was clogged somewhere. Checking with their snaking camera, they found that we had a pipe clogged outside our house - between an area about 15 feet away from the house to the connection with the sewage main at the street. They found that there was a break in the pipe, tracing it down to near the street connection. That part was just a ceramic pipe connected to the street main. So, $7000+ later, they had dug up the ceramic pipe and replaced it, and connected it to the street main.

So, fast forward 6 months or so. Again, we had backwash come back into the toilet and bathtub. We called Nahman, and they sent out someone to check it out. The diagnosis of the problem was that it was our clothes washer was depositing some oil/grease that was collecting in the pipes. He did not charge us for this visit. But, what should have been done is another pipe check (with the camera) to see where the problem really was.

The following month, again, a BIG sewage backwash into the house. This time if flooded the floor. Very gross. So I called Nahman, and they sent someone out to check. The plumber checked with the snaking camera this time, and found that we had a blocked pipe upstream (towards the house) from where the first problem was (still outside the house). So, for close to $3000, we had them dig it up and replace the pipe section that was clogged. The pipe they showed me was completely clogged with a root - 5 inches in diameter. (We had to hire someone to come in and clean it up the mess inside and outside the house too for another $700.)

My issue is that a month earlier, if their plumber had diagnosed the problem correctly and found the root cause (via camera check or other method), we would not have had this awful, expensive mess just a month later. And frankly, I would have thought that when we had the initial problem in February, this root problem should have been recognized then and fixed at that time.

It's too bad, because they were generally pretty responsive and competent. But this time quite the opposite.

Sean B.

12/14/2022

$555 to snake a kitchen sink? Absolutely ridiculous. And on top of that they charge me $95 just for showing up.

Richard B.

04/07/2015 12:00:00 SA

I used Al Nahman heating and plumbing because of their quality of work; from the numerous jobs that they have performed for my mother over the years in Berkeley. From installing tankless water heaters to sewer laterals they can do it all. All of the plumbers that I have met from the company have always been professional, knowledgeable and courteous. We just moved into a home where we replaced our toilets with three ADA, water efficient toilets; to include a garbage disposal (all of which were completed in a half day). Particularly noteworthy was Mike P who was dispatched to my house to provide the initial proposal. He walked me through all of our available options--knowledgeable, helpful and timely. Additionally, I was always able to get in touch with him and even the owner, Mr. Al Nahman for answers to my questions. Services are reasonably priced--you get what you pay for. I will not hesitate to use their services for any future needs. Simply the best.

David G.

4/16/2016

We hired Albert Nahman to do a bunch of work on the house we bought last year -- first our Berkeley sewer lateral, then a full replacement of our furnace, asbestos-ridden ducting, and water heater. They were consistently a pleasure to deal with, getting work done on time or early, and were one of the best contractors to communicate with. I was especially happy that they actively signed us up for an energy efficiency rebate program and helped us jump through the regulatory hoops which ended up with us getting almost $3K back! We'll use them again for sure.

Christine G.

10/23/2017

Wow. Mauricio is by far the most attentive, skilled service professional we've had at our house. He is the model of what a professional should be. He was attentive to details, took pics of places we couldn't access and wasn't rushed in explaining our situation. I really felt like he was advocating for our needs, not trying to sell me on anything. We are very grateful to have met him and appreciate his style, skills. Also, price for fixes were competitive, yay.

Scott K.

1/23/2018

Albert Nahman Plumbing are great to work with! From my first phone call to the service being completed for our kitchen faucet emergency they were professional and courteous. They gave us a service window on a Sunday with no extra charge for a weekend call. As soon as I made the appointment they followed up with an email confirmation. We had a service window of 1 PM - 3 PM and at 1:00 they called to tell us that Jose was running long due to his earlier calls. It's great to know at the begging of your window that he would be there closer to 3 PM. At 2:45 Jose arrived.
He inspected and fixed our problem in just a few minutes and made sure to clean everything up. He was very professional and gave me free advice on another plumbing issue.
I would not hesitate to use them again and will recommend them to friends and neighbors.

Elaine B.

1/31/2013

I called Albert Nahman because I know they have a fine reputation. Yesterday my water heater went out. Wilber came in the evening and replaced the thermal coupler. When he turned on the gas after the repair, there was a very strong smell of gas, which he said was normal. The odor got worse and spread throughout the house. I called PG&E, and they detected fumes in all the rooms and discovered a leak right where Wilber had worked. They also said that he had reassembled the pilot line incorrectly, so that it couldn't be reattached. PG&E said there should be no smell of gas if the tubings are correctly replaced.
Today William came and was wonderful about examining everything. He will find a new pilot kit to replace the one that no longer works. Wilber put my house and my life in danger by not acknowledging the gas leak he created!

kyle m.

10/12/2020 12:00:00 SA

I had an issue with a mini split that wasn't installed well by some contractors, and called Nahman to come out and give me an estimate to correct it (I mainly needed a disconnect put in where the contractors had hard wired the unit). I wound up not hiring them for the work, because their quote was incredibly dishonest on multiple fronts.

1) They claimed the mini split could not legally be sold to a customer in CA, it had to be sold to a licensed installer (no idea if this is true, but it doesn't seem to be sin you can buy these units anywhere)

2) They said the unit I had was too big for the square footage (untrue)

3) They said it could not be installed on the back of my structure because it did not have 5 ft clearance between the unit and the fence (I spoke with the inspector in Berkeley, he informed me this is untrue. It's only true if there is an egress in the structure on that wall in the back, which there is not)

4) They said they couldn't move the unit to the side of the structure because they were unwilling to work on a unit they hadn't installed. Instead, they suggested buying a new unit from them and having them install it.

Their quote for this work? Upwards of $6k.

Instead, I called another person I found on yelp (who I will leave a great review) who came out, looked at it, said yeah and charged me $800 to move the unit, put in a disconnect, and even threw in some covers for coils.

Nahman, I'm sure, does quality work. Many people in Berkeley use them. But this quote was blatantly dishonest and an attempt to scam a large amount of money from me for no reason. For that reason, I question their integrity.

Steve S.

8/31/2018

I discovered a leak in a recirculating hot water line just beyond where it exits the hot water heater and recirculating pump. Albert Nahman Plumbing has done a number of jobs at our home. (I believe Albert himself may have been here the first time we used them -- we've been in the house 22 years.) The service tech who did this job was Nathan. He was prompt, professional and efficient. He explained the repair that had to be made and then showed me the work when it was done.

Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating can at times be more expensive than other plumbers. It could be that they have higher overhead; their trucks are always clean, they have uniforms and employ a number of operations and communication systems that are focused on excellent customer service. They also train their field service techs well; they have done work here during which an experienced tech was training a new hire while he did the job. They confirm appointments by email and phone, give you a heads up shortly before they arrive, and guarantee their parts and labor.

That said, they are not always the most expensive. Three years ago I replaced our hot water heater, installed a hot water recirculating pump, emergency gas shutoff valve, and two low flow toilets. Nahman was the most competitive of the three proposals I received.

In short, Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating is thoroughly professional, has the capacity to schedule non-emergency service within a couple of days, and is focused on consistently high quality work and customer service.

Joe G.

07/10/2023 12:00:00 SA

I had a problem with my toilet, and I figured it might be cheaper to buy one than to fix it. The plumber quoted $1,100! Are you kidding? Amazon has tons of them, all in the $200-250 range.

when I decided to get the missing parts, he told me they could get them and install them the following week. Well, the following week is over, and I never heard from them.

Someone told me the new owner put all the plumbers on commission, which might explain the ridiculous quote.

Kimi O.

5/14/2021

Nahman Plumbing is an outstanding group. We have used their services twice and both times we have been very pleased. I highly recommend them!

Guy Z.

01/05/2023 12:00:00 SA

Appointment was rescheduled twice. I had suggested to send photos of the shower handle & kitchen faucet that needed repair, in advance but was told that technician needs to see for himself.
Therefore, was not given an estimate b4 the visit.
Once here, upon examinations, the technician - he was very nice & did a good job - quoted a price of OVER $1,000 for both jobs, including parts!
Shocked, I opted to only get the shower handle fixed.
For 2 total hours, including the trip to Home Depot to get the new part, we were charged SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS.
That comes to roughly $300 HOURLY RATE for the technician.

This company used to have reasonable rates.
Now, they r overcharging wildly.

We do not plan to use them ever again.

Monica D.

8/28/2018

Amazing, respectful, classy, truthful...these are words that come to mind when I think of this GREAT East Bay plumbing company. We had a few quotes on a tricky job, and they were all very high. Then my partner found this plumbing company! Chris came out, explained everything to us, spent 4 hours working quietly and focused. He even came out a second time, for free to make sure all was done correctly...(we thought there was an issue)...he made some adjustments and helped us understand our questions!!

The owner personally called us to make sure we were doing ok, and if we had any other questions!! Albert Nahman is an exceptional plumbing company...

Loren E.

5/14/2022

We needed to repair our tankless water heater which was throwing an error code. I told the scheduler what the error code was ahead of time. When the technicians arrived they frantically started looking it up in the internet to try to figure out what the error was. I also felt like they were trying to get me to leave and not look at what they were doing. Then they took off the cover looked at the heater and told me it was going to be $170 on top of the $95 dispatch cost. They didn't even touch the thing to see if what they thought the problem was , could actually be it. I left for a few minutes and came back to tell them I didn't accept the quote. They put the cover back on and then proceeded to lecture me and tell me that they were educating me (I'm a woman so maybe they felt they needed to...). The next day I had another company come over. They had the job done in an hour, for 2/3 of the price and didn't mind me standing next to them. They also found a screw that this company had left loose - which just goes to show the level of quality this company has.

jeffrey g.

4/30/2011

competency, efficiency, sane solutions - all describe what nahman plumbing does best. on two occasions, they have come up with the easiest resolutions that were executed with the best possible results. moreover, their guys are friendly, fast and have rates that do not resemble extortion. i would call them again as well as referring the company to anyone without hesitation.

Cary L.

7/17/2018

After reporting to them that their assessment of my plumbing situation was incorrect, they refunded the fee that they charged me. I can at least say thank you for your company's integrity and good business practices.

Ramkumar V.

5/13/2017

Through and professional. 2 minutes into my conversation after Jose arrival I realized these guys are for real and not for up sell. After trying many plumbing companies in the past I found this very honest and customer first type attitude. Job was perfectly done. Jose explained what went wrong and what are our next steps in future with recommendations. I don't want to look forward for another plumbing issue but if it is time for another service I would call them first.

Aaron H.

5/16/2016

Did not choose them to do the work. The only upside was he showed up quickly. The tech tried to overcharge me by at least 50%. He then proceeded to play the car salesman game of calling his supervisor and seeing what he could do. Then he tried to sell me some sort of monthly insurance package. It's no wonder they are so timely and punctual, they probably do very little work and spend most of their time driving around looking for suckers. I don't see how they could have expected to charge me $1,000 when I had other bids for $500-$600 in front of me that I showed them. The only reason I would go with them is if I had no other choice.

Kathleen B.

04/04/2017 12:00:00 SA

We had a problem with sewage backing up and causing it to be released through the overflow. Stanley came and said we should have the outflow drains cleared. He did the work immediately. He said that the problem is due to old clay pipes which should be replaced probably before the next heavy rainy season. He will be writing up an estimate for that to be done. I was very impressed by how thorough and knowledgeable he is about this type of problem. I was also glad that he was able to provide a relatively inexpensive short term fix while we plan for the more expensive long term solution.

David H.

04/05/2016 12:00:00 SA

Hired Albert Nahman to come install a Rinnai tankless / on-demand water heater at my home. Since that moment, we have had nothing but issues and I can't believe that these positive Yelp reviews are primarily made up of fake accounts as there were just too many issues to assume that they normally get it right.

The price to hire Albert Nahman was literally twice as much as other plumbers but they promised they could do the job right away, so I hired them. Unfortunately, they didn't honor their word and I could have had the same exact job done by another Rinnai authorized plumber for half the price.

Here are some of the many issues we encountered (I should note that to date the system is still not functioning as promised and the owner has been on vacation):

- Job promised to happen on a Friday. Due to emergencies at Albert Nahman, they cancelled on us and rescheduled for following Wednesday.

- Job was promised to take no more than 2 days. It has already taken 3 FULL days and their are still issues.

- Job was not done correctly. Plumbers didn't know how to properly install the system and made a few very big mistakes.
#1: They didn't connect the system to my existing hot water recirculating pipes. Oops!
#2: They forgot to take out some of the packaging plugs/caps and the system kept turning itself off. They had to send a tech out the following day and he found they had closed up the device without properly installing it. We had no hot water from afternoon of one day to following day when they figured out what they did wrong.
#3: Yet another day we had no hot water (for 2 days total) because of a faulty earthquake shutoff that they installed on the side of our house.

- Plumbers were promised at 8:30am on 2nd day of install. I received an email confirming it. Then the night before I received a call saying it would be 9:30am arrival. At 9:45am I contacted the company and finally at 10:30am (1 or 2 hours late, depending on how you look at it), the plumbers finally arrived. Needless to say, this negatively impacted my work day.

- The plumbers literally drove their van into a garbage can that was in front of house for trash day, and they didn't bother to pick it up. They also dragged our recycling can on top of our plants so they could better park their van. When I saw the can knocked over and the other one killing the plants, I reviewed our home surveillance system and verified it was them.

- We now hear the machine turning on & off and I am awoken in the morning to the sound of water continuously rushing through my walls. From my home office - where I sit now - I can hear the machine humming and can also hear water rushing through the walls. Our previous recirculating system was quiet and I can't help but wonder if they messed up yet another component during the install of the machine. I should note they told me I would not hear the machine.

- Recognizing the job was not (and still is not) done correctly - and issues were still outstanding - we received an email asking if they could charge our card for $7,000+ to pay the balance for the install of the system. I wrote back in no uncertain terms that they were NOT authorized to charge my card as the job was not complete. Regardless, they charged my card. When I called the company to ask about what happened, they apologized and promised to refund it. A few days later it hadn't been refunded and I called again and was told that the owner Albert did not authorize them to refund it and he should have called me last week, which he didn't. Apparently he is now on vacation.

So...long story short, I would strongly advise getting another reputable plumbing company to give you a quote for whatever job you're looking to do. You'll definitely save yourself some $$$ and you may also save yourself from a headache.

Good luck!!

K P.

12/12/2022 12:00:00 SA

I did suffer a bit from sticker shock since fortunately I don't have to call plumbers often but Angel Isai Luna Cable from Albert Nahman came out and fixed at the issue quickly. He was absolutely wonderful; punctual, professional, efficient and did a great job.

L L.

06/03/2015 12:00:00 SA

Had my 17 yrs old water heater replaced by Sal yesterday and he did a great job. The price was a bit steep for me but there was a 5/6 yrs warranty on the parts and labor. Make sure to check for additional coupons from their website and sign up for the service agreement to get better deal.

Kitty C.

4/20/2019

Our furnace in our new house would shut down after running for 5 min. We asked AN for a quote to fix the heating problems. They tried to sell us a whole new heating system to downsize the furnace for over $11K even though the furnace was new. My jaw dropped. The man actually wanted us to scrap a perfectly new furnace only because it was oversized - in his opinion. We never actually received the official quote. The second company looked at the system and thought the furnace just a bit oversized but devised a solution with new duct work for $2K. The job is complete and the solution from the second company works great. The second company Elliot Air Systems.

P K.

05/02/2022 12:00:00 SA

Called to find out if another plumbers estimate was relatively inline with the cost. I have the exact scope of work, the exact materials, etc.

I asked for a technician to call me back to get that information and give me a general idea If the estimate was fair and If not I would ask them to come out and give me a full estimate.

They were not willing to do that they will ONLY send a tech out to do an estimate and CHARGE you for the estimate.

This company is a scam. I don't need to pay someone to tell me wha I already know I'm terms of what needs to be done. I need to know if the cost is fair and if not give you a chance to bid for the same work.

Ann B.

03/03/2016 12:00:00 SA

This is a true story. A man from Nahman's came to give me an estimate for a 65 year old furnace that works intermittently. He told me the furnace was broken--that he could get no heat from it and it couldn't be fixed. He said that he wouldn't be able to find the parts and even if he could it would cost as much to fix them as it would cost to buy a new furnace. He told me that there was asbestos on the vents--I had just paid to have the asbestos removed. He said I had wasted my money on that.

I paid over a hundred dollars for the house call. He said he might refund that if I had the work done.

I called another company. The man who came showed me that the furnace was not broken. He showed me that the intermittent heat was the result of improper balancing of the heat as it came out of the vents. The people in the unit where the heat was a problem told me there had always been some heat but none in one room. So the furnace could not have been completely broken. The service man also told me that the white residue was tape, and there was no evidence that I had an asbestos problem. I learned not to trust yelp. I learned that as I get older I need to be more careful. I have heard that often the person who is sent out to get an estimate gets a commission based upon the cost of the project. I do not believe the service person was ignorant.

I did get my service fee back. What a fiasco! Always get a second opinion.

Ada Louise H.

1/14/2018

Nahman Plumbing solved a major problem immediately and effectively at our Berkeley house last September. Fernando was dispatched for an emergency water heater replacement. We went from discovering the basement filled with steam--water dripping from the ceiling and shelves--at 10:00 AM to having a new water heater in place and functioning perfectly by 2:00 PM that same day. A miracle of responsiveness and competence. Fernando, furthermore, provided a calm, capable presence in the midst of disaster.

This was not a water heater flood from the cylinder's base, due to rust or age, but the failure of the stainless-steel braided hose on the top of the unit (Ace Hardware label). A system is only as strong as its weakest link. The plastic lining of the cheap hose had disintegrated, forcing steam into the room for almost two days.

Fernando understood my request to equip the replacement tank with a true-quality hose. Some companies favor contractor expedience over durability for the homeowner. Nahman chose to protect our interests first. Thank you!

ND. R.

9/21/2017

Just a note to tell Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating that we are pleased with the service . A big thank you to Stanley and his team for helping This Old House get back in shape!

David S.

2/24/2023

Beware!!!! They are overpriced. They told me I needed a new clean out for my sewer line to get a PSL certification and bid $10K to add one clean out. They wanted 2-3x that to replace the line. I later found out that the additional clean out they said was needed was not needed! And, I found another company who replaced the entire sewer line with 3 clean outs, with certification from the city, for $8,200!! These guys are rip off artists just out to make a buck. Beware!! Get other bids. Doubt what they tell you!!

Iden G.

4/15/2016

As always in my experience Albert Nahman Plumbing does the job effectively and pleasantly. I've never had anything but the best experience with them. Their workmen are knowledgeable, tidy, timely and efficient. I couldn't be more satisfied and confident with their service.

lee w.

2/23/2013

Dear reviewers:

We have a very old house in Berkeley, so plumbing system is not the current model. I had used Albert Nahman plumbing & heating many years ago. Lucky for me that I still remember them.

We had a leak in the bathroom tank, and called for service. They sent Mr.Standley King to the rescue. He was pleasant, professional. Mr. King was very nice and he really helped his company painted a good image. I will surely recommend this company to my friends and neighbors. Thanks for the service.

-Lee W
p.s. Our dog kizzie gave 4 paws prints too.

Carol C.

6/23/2022

Thank you Ismael and Steve for your hard work in getting the toilet clog open and taking such good care of us. We really appreciate talking us through what was happening and keeping us informed through the whole process. We really appreciate you!

marlena l.

01/08/2015 12:00:00 SA

I have used Albert Plumbing to get a recirculating water pump and most recently install a new furnace. The pump was installed quickly, efficiently and properly. Then of course our furnace went out around the holidays. SAID diagnosed the problem immediately while other companies kept changing the thermostat when that was not the problem at all. SAID was beyond amazing! His people skills, his commitment to service, and his technical skills are beyond terrific. He even brought some area heaters for a party I was having until we could get the furnace in - which was made priority and installed that Monday. Everything went smoothly and seemingly effortlessly i.e. with as little disruption to us as possible. The prices were reasonable, the product high efficiency and installation inspired confidence and total satisfaction. SAID knows what he is doing and is very well versed in the heating business. He was honest, forthright and when he needed to tweak things to our satisfaction was here as promptly as before the contract was signed and money delivered. He is a dream. Comes on time, and cares for your comfort and well being. I recommend him and Albert Plumbing without any reservations at all. If all companies functioned with this level of integrity and expertise - this would be a very different world... thank you again!

Julie G.

1/23/2015

I am writing an updated review upgrading it from one star to 3 stars. I contacted A.Nahman because I wanted to get an opinion of a well established company hoping that they have more experience in diagnostics of odd problems. We were not dealing with a broken or leaking pipe or something conventional like heating system installation but with a strange and loud banging noise that came from the ejector pump.

It was very frustrating to get the service appointment on the schedule, and I certainly do not recommend using the chat function from Albert Nahman's web site as it's useless but after many attempts my message got through and the business owner came to look at the problem himself. I appreciate that Albert Nahman responded to the yelp review and came to help us out and did not charge for his time. He also found nothing wrong with the ejector pump that we wanted to service. We are still getting complaints about the noise it is making.

I can't speak to the A Nahman work, just sharing my experience in dealing with this company. I wanted an opinion of a big company but it seems the solution will come from a smaller business where messages do not get lost and technicians are eager to solve the problems, even those that are hard to reproduce.

Sheila R.

06/04/2020 12:00:00 SA

We had a leak in our shower that was coming down into the kitchen nook on a Saturday night. We called Sunday, they came in on Monday, diagnosed the problem and was able to fix it! They were clean, polite and neat. The only criticism I had was the following: 1st the quote, we agreed on changed because they said the leak caused more damaged than originally thought, therefore Jose wanted to charge me quite a bit more than I felt appropriate. 2nd after we agreed on a fair price & I paid for the work, I didn't get the paid invoice via email as I was told would.
However, the work was EXCELLENT! Overall I am very happy with the neat, clean work! Nick was my technician

Andrea O.

08/03/2013 12:00:00 SA

My toilet clogged and flooded the bathroom very early on a Saturday morning. I called Albert Nahman, and the young woman on the phone was very courteous and informed me that someone would be calling me back with more information. Half an hour later, I received a call asking for more information on my issue. The gentleman informed me that he could have someone come out in another 20 minutes. Not very long after, Nathan arrived. He cleared the clog and was awesome about explaining what he was doing every step of the way. He fixed my issue (not enough water in the tank to properly flush) and was very thorough about making sure that it wasn't still leaking.

Relatively stress-free and efficient experience overall!

Joel W.

12/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

They followed up on a previous call at no charge and identified the problem. Extremely professional! I highly recommend this company!

janet g.

12/31/2015

Salvador was very helpful in explaining the water issues in our kitchen (why water backed into one of our two-drawer dishwasher when the other drawer ran) and he fixed the toilet in the bathroom. Said explained the issues about air flow differences between rooms and what some possible corrections were. He took the time to explain a complex situation so that I understood it. I appreciated the professionalism of both and particularly getting service at Christmas and New Year's eve.

Adam S.

6/24/2010

I was having an issue with my water heater with excess flames coming out when I re-lit it after it went out in a storm. I called Albert Nahman and they sent William out. William was a nice friendly guy, and explained my options to me, but he didn't make an attempt to see what was wrong with the water heater. He listened to what I said I'd experienced and said I either needed to replace the burner/valve or replace the entire unit which would have been $1300. I decided to get another plumber's (Montclair Plumbing) advice and estimate and over the phone he told me that what I'd experienced was because when i re-lit the unit I probably had the door off and that can often ignite any trapped gas for about 4-5 seconds if I'd been trying to light it for a while, which is exactly what happened to me. He told me the proper way to handle this, and when I re-lit it again it was working absolutely perfectly. If William had attempted to actually light the unit he'd have experienced the same thing. Instead he tried to sell me a new $1300 water heater. The only reason I'm giving two stars here is that William was friendly and courteous, and the company sent him out the same day I called.

Alex D.

3/13/2017

Alex at Albert Nahman was very thorough looking at our kitchen sink. He noticed a couple things we didn't know about which definitely improved our dishwasher and sink use. Overall service connecting with the office was great as always. They're consistently responsive and we definitely recommend them.

Shawn W.

02/01/2022 12:00:00 SA

John from Albert Nahman was the most professional, pleasant and helpful plumber I've ever come across. Couldn't be happier with the service we got, despite John having to navigate a few twists and turns due to parts shortages and backorders. Thank you, John!

David K.

2/22/2018

Jose who flushed our tankless water heater was very professional and friendly, and did a careful job.

As others have noted this plumbing company is extremely expensive. There was a miscommunication when I made the appointment and when I was told The tankless water heater service fee is $150 some dollars I assumed that included the service on the unit.

Day of the appointment I find out the service fee is not to perform service but to come to the appointment and give an estimate for the cost of the actual service. In this case their fee to do the work is $450 some dollars, for a grand total of over $600 for routine maintenance on a tank that retails for $989 at Lowes.

After explaining the miscommunication I was given a break or the choice for them to leave and me not to pay at all and schedule with another company, which is at least good customer service in my book.

Considering them for some other plumbing work we need due to the good work, but struggling to justify their pricing.

Alex W.

03/07/2019 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman claims to offer competitive pricing and charges $69 just to come out and give a quote, by which time you've already sunk money so you're at risk of falling for their exorbitant prices.

When I pressed, they quoted me $654 to snake the main line with an accessible clean-out, including a video inspection, whereas other plumbers quoted me $300.

So I went to the Berkeley Tools Lending Library, checked out a snake and goggles for FREE, and did it myself in under an hour (including watching the 8-minute how-to safety video online)!

Moral of the story: if you have a clogged sewer line (especially if you're a woman, ripe for getting ripped off by plumbers), save yourself several hundred dollars and days negotiating with busy plumbers, and do it yourself!

Janet A.

11/02/2015 12:00:00 SA

No crisis, just a wall heater checkup and cleaning, which I had not done for 5 years. Said was very helpful and informative, pointing out potential future issues with the unit, recommendation on what to watch for, and suggestions for when I will eventually replace it. He was also on time and in and out well within the 2 hour window.

L S.

02/06/2015 12:00:00 SA

They wanted to charge me $950 for labor to replace two flush mate cartridges which is about 90 minutes of labor according to the manufacturer. You got to be kidding??!!!??!?!! The manufacturer was dumbfounded - because I called them to ask what the #*$&#^ was up? And people are giving them 5 stars - I don't doubt their work must be impeccable to think someone is willing to pay them more than $475 per hour. I will NEVER make the mistake of dialing their number ever again. For $950 I could get two new toilets with solid gold toilet seats. I imagine Mr. Nahman must have gold toilet seats in his home - because I do not see people talking about the price for labor he tries to charge.

The next day we hired someone to do the replacement on two toilets in one hour and 40 minutes - about the time the manufacturer said it should take for the replacement: total charge = $340. A very straightforward job. That the toilet needed to be pulled out to do the job was ridiculous. I was told Mr. Nahman was going to call me - never received a call.

Chris S.

10/10/2021 12:00:00 SA

Worst service ever for an expensive shop.

I got referred to this company by the Toto Experience Center in San Francisco where I had purchased a Tot Washlet bidet Neorest NX1 toilet. I needed the unit removed and reinstalled into a new condo I bought a few doors down.

I emailed the company pictures of the toilet, the model number, and explained I needed it done ASAP as well I had 4 more plumbing jobs I wanted quotes for. 2 of which I wanted done ASAP. I was prepared to pay too dollar to get it done right and get it done soon.

We'll dispatch totally sucked. I emailed 3 times following up to confirm if they understood the job and giving them the spec sheets for the toilet and the Japanese ice maker I wanted installed and asking if they had all the parts or needed me to order anything. Finally on the 3rd email I got called by a very confused dispatcher (Dianne?) who didn't seem to understand that I was swapping the two toilets moving the fancy one from my old unit to the new unit, as well as the putting the other one back. She apparently couldn't be bothered to read the email thread and open the attachments on the email. None the less I patiently went through both jobs and explained they needed a two man crew and I wanted a plumber who had installed a Neorest before to do the work.

Two weeks later plumbed shows up - on time at least. But the guy is totally clueless and after taking a ton of photos and entering info into an iPad explained he couldn't do the work and it would be two more weeks for Fernando to come out. I was pretty annoyed and told him how come dispatch didn't sent two people, and two people that had experience with Toto bidets.

The plumber promised a quote, warned me it would be minimum $2100 to do the work if not more, then went on to tell me how great the company was and how Fernando is the only one within 200 miles that could install my toilet. No other company he said would do a good job.
Then he promised a quote by the end of the day which he never sent, as well he didn't quote me on the tankless hot water heater or on moving the washer / dryer hookups.

I emailed the next morning and said I was waiting on a quote. What I had gotten was a $0 invoice with no quote.
3 days and still no reply...

I ended up hiring Oakland Rooter to do the work. Whole job was $850 and that included checking my sinks and the quoted me all the other projects and got it done 2 days after my call sending two people who were great.

I am baffled why a company that charges more than double the going rate would have such shit service despite me spoon feeding them all the info and photos and spec sheets, and being willing to pay too dollar to just get it done. I'm losing $130 a day for every day my other condo is not being rented out and I explained this. Yet they wasted 2 weeks of my time only to not do or even quote me the work.

If you want the job done right call Oakland Rooter instead. They are far better, faster, and while they don't have iPads and sales scripts they actually treat customers well and do good work.

Cindy F.

5/17/2017

This was the first time I've used Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating. Tad was on time, very pleasant and got the job done. I will use their services again if I ever have a plumbing issue.

S. K.

9/26/2015

I am not super impressed. My husband called for them to come and fix a jammed garbage disposal this past week. My husband had previously worked to unjam the thing, but was unsuccessful.

When the plumber arrived, all she did was slightly loosen it, then reach in and remove a plastic bottle cap which had gotten stuck.

For this we were charged $120.00. $49 for the house call (despite the fact that we are not far from their headquarters), $77.65 for under 4 minutes of work. I can understand the charge for the house call, but almost $80 for plucking out a plastic cap?

Peter L.

01/09/2014 12:00:00 SA

I will give this company 100% recommendation. I had hot water outage yesterday and called PG&E but the tech will still come the next day. I saw the Albert Nahman company van along our street and talked to Nathan to check our water system. It's a minor problem but was resolved right away. Nathan is customer friendly, knowledgeable and not stingy in words and giving info.

Goolie G.

1/23/2015

Albert Nahman did our sewer lateral in June of 2014. Their bid was fair, and the work was done professionally, on time, and in budget. They did a good job with cleanup too.

The reason I'm giving them 5 stars is that starting about 2 months ago, the new access drain they installed in our paving stone driveway started to sink. It got pretty bad and soon I was looking at a 6 inch deep, 1ft wide pothole.

I called them yesterday, and much to my delight 2 friendly gentlemen arrived this morning and totally took care of it.

Exceptional customer service. Happy to recommend.

Mike S.

11/20/2019

Waste of time and money.
$972 quote to replace a P-Trap.
I am a property manager and sometimes need services for small jobs like replacing a P-Trap. But almost $1,000 for this is absurd. And I had to pay an $89 fee to find out this company is out of their minds.

Jan A.

11/06/2022 12:00:00 SA

Another great job by Albert Nahman Plumbing! My old water heater stopped working and needed to be replaced. They sent a technician the day after I contacted them. Steve, the technician/installer did a great job! He had to work in a small awkward room that was difficult getting in and out of and maneuver the old and new water heaters out of that room and into a narrow hallway. I appreciated his concern about being so careful of the property. The new water heater looks and works great! The cleanup was really appreciated too!

lisa h.

02/07/2013 12:00:00 SA

Absolutely RUDE! They said they would call 20 minutes prior to their arrival (gave me a 2 hour window). Never called but insisted they did. Accused me of lying about the call. LIke I would lie about receiving a phone call. Even showed him my phone to prove they didn't call and he still insisted they called. Said they would only wait at the place for 15 minutes and then he would leave. EXTREMELY unprofessional. Also, their original quote was around $350 but when they heard I was a realtor the price dropped to $149. $350 for a sewer lateral inspection? That is ridiculous. Nobody should ever pay $350 for a sewer inspection. I would never, ever use this company even to clean out a sewer. I don't need this kind of aggravation in my life especially from someone I am doing business with and I am the customer.

Lanie C.

3/24/2017

We called Albert Nahman because of the great ratings on Yelp, and we weren't disappointed. They responded immediately and was able to resolve our issues with the gas line. Alex was a professional through and through. He patiently answered all of our questions and was able to install a new ball valve and supply line to get our dryer up and running.

Howard S.

11/30/2016

Our kitchen sink drain, increasingly slow to empty, took a turn for the worse. After checking the trap and trying for an easy fix, I called Nahman Plumbing for a professional solution. I was met with their usual very polite and thorough phone response, then easy scheduling of a timely service appointment, all efficiently confirmed via phone/email.

Technician Carrie responded - friendly, personable, and professional - in the familiar blue truck. While respecting the house, she quickly figured out the best path to solving the issue, explained what she was up to and the costs - then made drain cleaning as pleasurable and efficient as possible an experience.

While totally satisfied with the job, note this is a top shelf company that reinforces the old you get what you pay for - my 5th star isn't shining in context of the cost.

Julie O.

10/08/2010 12:00:00 SA

We really appreciate their tech coming out and giving us a proposal for a new gas line...and on a Saturday. Unfortunately their pricing was double our other 3 bids so we had to go with someone else. However, they spent over 1.5 hours at our house and also phoned for a follow up the next day. So 4 stars for customer service.

Timothy P.

2/16/2023

Just don't. Yeah, you see their trucks everywhere so you think they must be good but they're not. There are so many other choices that have to be better. We used these guys for 20+ years when they actually were a locally owned company but that is no longer the case. We had 2 fairly major jobs performed by them in the last 8 months and this is not the same company they were. Nowhere close. I could go into great detail but really I have nothing to add that isn't already in many of the preceding reviews. Poor follow up, up selling unnecessary work, terrible communication, non-transparent pricing, etc. Don't be lazy like I was. Do a little extra legwork and find a better company.

Megan G.

2/17/2015

$493 to clean out a main line. The work was fine, but that's about double what other plumbers charge. You live; you learn.

K. A.

09/05/2017 12:00:00 SA

Whoa! Do they overcharge?! I'll give them two stars because the guy was polite. But, my goodness, he wanted to charge us over $600 for a new faucet and installation. I declined, then googled the faucet. I'll be generous, and say it was worth $180. But considering that I ended up installing a new faucet - which we purchased elsewhere - in about 20 minutes, and I am not someone with exceptional handyman skills, $600 is a little too much, wouldn't you say?

Philip A.

4/29/2018

Called on the services of Albert Nahman Plumbing. Anthony Berry was the plumber who showed up. What a great job. Kept me informed, did a great job. I would recommend Albert Nahman Plumbing
Philip Anderson

Choosy M.

11/06/2017 12:00:00 SA

Having any trouble with your Takagi Tankless h2o heater? Don't mess around or waste time, call these experts. Other plumbers who service Takagi will tell you Nahman is the best in the East Bay (and wherever else they travel). Their customer service agents from first call to last and Plumber Nate took an SOS call and made everything right with full diagnostic and suggested repair and installation. They worked over time (on day off) to ensure a travel weary and immune suppressed customer could take a hot shower after a very tiring trip. Bravo Nahman! Who ya gonna call now?

Mike O.

7/16/2020

We hired Albert Nahman in June/July 2020 during the pandemic to do a ductless AC unit in our mid century modern home. The process was very easy, they were extremely communicative, responsive, and polite at all times. Their reservation and appointment system is such a nice touch you always know who and when are coming. They were always on time and we always got reminders.

All staff wore masks and took great care of our property. Gabriel was our consultant and Mauricio was our project manager - both were great to work with and the quality of the work is excellent.

Was their price the cheapest; no. However when we talked with other HVAC installers, none were as concerned about taking care of our home and/or as responsive. We plan on hiring them for annual service agreements to service our unit and out radiant boiler.

Michael L.

11/30/2017

Is $426 to replace a garbage disposal (that I supplied) reasonable?

Maybe, maybe not. But that's not the point. What I have a problem with is the lack of transparency with plumbing companies in general. Ask them what their rate is : We dont have an hourly rate. Ask them what an average job cost We cant give you an average cost without a $56 visit And the service charge is non refundable and will not applied to the actual cost of the repair.

However, when the plumber arrives they are more then happy to tell you almost immediately what their basic rate is for that kind of job. $426 sir. So basically, while the company knows exactly what the cost will likely be, they will not publicize their rate to the public. I find that completely disingenuous.

The replacement took 1 hour and the plumber did the job correctly. You can decide if its worth $426.

JR R.

3/13/2015

If their results are as good as their front office, they are terrific. I called for a vacuum truck. They called back to say they did not have that capability but would have someone call back to recommend another service. After about one hour, Diane called back with a recommendation and followed up that with a confirming email...all at the time I was not using them. A class act. When I have a plumbing issue, they have just created a new enthusiastic customer. Thanks Diane.

Wensheng S.

02/06/2023 12:00:00 SA

The 95 dollar charge for an estimate is sometimes not fair. In my case, the technician just came and looked, no effort spent except gas.

Knute F.

2/25/2016

Nahman called the day before to remind me of their time window. Said ( his name) arrived right on time this morning, and put on blue shoe covers before coming in (an important fact since my wife owns a cleaning service)! He quickly solved a heater duct problem that had plagued us for years, and showed us how to do it. Plus he measured CO levels at all vents & at the heater. Said was relaxed and pleasant yet thoroughly professional and competent. A totally positive experience!

Semany G.

02/05/2016 12:00:00 SA

Said was great! He repaired our furnace and it is wonderful!! We will definitely be using Albert Nahman again for yearly servicing!! Thank you again!

Kerolyne M.

1/28/2016

Some difficulty getting our pump issue resolved. It's still a work in progress.

Leonard R.

4/17/2012

I have been very satisfied with Albert Nahman plumbing over the years. Had a massive problem with a 50 year old radiant heat system and naturally called them. As usual, communication was excellent as was the promptness and service. I was director of quality for a large organization for many years and was known to be a nit-picker. Could not find any negative things to report regarding business practice and performance. What a pleasure to experience in this day when so many workers just do the job and don't look back for their personal satisfaction.

Susan L.

12/16/2014

NO stars, do not call this company if you need them quickly. I called their emergency number at 10:00 last night and they returned my call at 7:30 a.m. In the meantime, our sump pump died and we had major flooding in our basement. True we had the worst storm in the last ten years, but they (their service) promised me a call in less than an hour. Meanwhile, trying to stop the water kept us up all night. They are not reliable.

Bruce R.

1/24/2012

Albert Nahman and his crew are great! They have done much work for us over the years and they never disappoint. Very professional and courteous. They clean up after their work and are very communicable. They are also great for emergencies. We had them re-plumb our house, install earthquake safety gas valves, install toilets, fix leaks, and install a central heating system. Highly recommend them!!!

All C.

05/09/2023 12:00:00 SA

Came out the next day and did the job first thing the morning after - a Saturday. Easy to deal with on the phone and otherwise - they actually answer the phone. And respond to texts and emails. And call or text you before they arrive. Cheerful, positive workers.

Tom H.

09/10/2016 12:00:00 SA

Stanley and Javier were outstanding! Friendly and professional, they quickly took care of toilet repair and clearing drains. I will recommend them personally, and will request them in the future.

Ilhem A.

4/24/2023

Don't go there for plumbing service. the plumber broke the cartridge by force pulling, while he is supposed to use a special device that he didn't have on him. I emailed their info email asking for a manager to discuss the matter, they ignored it. the cost of repair went from $375 to 2100,, and they will have to cut off the tiles . This company is to avoid at all cost.
Now I have to submit a complaint to cslb.ca.gov

Update: After submitting a couple of reviews here and on Google, a guy called me. He totally denied a conversation he had (or a different manager with the plumber. He said I called for a solution, and when I asked what solution he had, he said he didn't have one. he hang up on me while I was asking for his name.

Ken M.

3/15/2021

They wanted over $500 to fix a slow drain which they did not communicate until the technician was there. Utterly absurd.

CinthyaAnd G.

7/28/2015

Excellent and timely service. Staff are extremely friendly and professional. Highly recommend.

Patrick J.

08/05/2016 12:00:00 SA

Great service, great work. Can't recommend them strongly enough. Also responded to a Yelp request with incredibly speed, which I deeply appreciated given plumbing and its nature when there's an emergency.

Thomas D.

5/28/2013

Fernando and his team did an excellent job hooking up a gas line to our fireplace. Thank you very much.

Carol S.

5/14/2016

So after a conversation with Albert, he agreed to refund my estimate fee, and explained to me what went wrong. I do appreciate his attention to this issue, and have agreed to reconsider using his company in the future. My rating is based on the fact that other than this experience, I haven't had any work done by them.

Cat L.

02/04/2016 12:00:00 SA

I've used Albert Nahman twice already with 110% satisfaction. First to replace a 30+ year old water heater and install a gas line in a home I recently purchased. Their quote was competitive and they even gave me a $150 credit for having both jobs completed in the same visit. Luckily, I had the cash to make it happen and saved myself some money.

Next, on literally 1 hour notice the were able to send out a plumber to come and replace my shitty kitchen faucet which had literally flown out of the housing and starting spewing water everywhere just the night before. The plumber had a quality faucet with sprayer in his supplies and was done within an hour or so. I used a Yelp deal and saved even more money.

They also keep a pretty good database of their clients and the calls they've made to addresses. In the beginning of the year, they mailed me a magnet calendar for the fridge with a bunch of coupons for discounts on their services. Top notch local business with customer service being their top priority. Thanks Albert Nahman!!

Cheyenne W.

5/26/2015

Albert Nahman Plumbing came to my rescue after a recent malfunction in my sewer line. Needless to say this was a messy project. Stanley came to give an estimate and carry out the work. He was communicative and diligent during the project and had our sewer line back up and running in a day - during the weekend mind you. I will be using them again for future needs.

Joshua L.

03/01/2022 12:00:00 SA

I hate to leave negative comments. My experience was bad enough I feel 100% confident I will not return here for future work on our place and other folks considering working with them should reconsider. It's a shame because we had a TON of work to do and a lot of missed business opportunities for them.

1 - the quoted cost for a water heater repair I needed was nearly the cost of a full permitted water heater replacement to a tankless water heater which I later ultimately went with. I compared 4 sources, and their quote was comically expensive.
2 - the diagnoses was wrong in a couple spots (I actually knew more than I led on when they visited). And most unfortunate the largest issue they didn't catch and I had to point out to them.
3 - the technician who came with the sales rep was knowledgeable friendly and engaging. His partner in not doing subtle ways told him not to say too much. The tech would say things like that's an easy fix and then the sale rep would immediately cut him off and correct him and mention all these things that had to be done in addition.

Here are things that really bothered me. They were late... really late to the appointment. The sales rep (btw I'm not sure if that's their title but it's how the whole experience felt like to me) was not only moving and assessing things slowly, he took two personal calls during the visit one I overheard about dinner plans, but also proceeded to act extremely unprofessionally cussing and talking about personal matters I didn't need to know about. He then proceeded to question me multiple times when I told him the office waived visit fee from my phone conversation for the consultation. I still gave him the time of day to finish and I asked him when I would receive the details on the verbal quote he provided... never showed up. I had enough so I didn't bother to follow up.

This sale rep on their website and separate web ranking supposedly has over 300 5 star reviews. Based on my experience I can't help but question if this rating site truly reflects reality.

Jeffrey L.

3/14/2019

Highway robbery. Nahman Plumbing came to our house today to replace the flush mechanisms in a toilet, and replace the wall valve. The technician worked less than one hour, and the retail cost of the replacement parts would have been less than $50. The total charge was over $700!! Their charges were outrageous and I would never use them again.

Brian R.

08/11/2016 12:00:00 SA

We had a need to get a plumber that wasn't an Emergency so went with Folks I trust who served me well when it was(replacement Water heater) during Holidays, From the Call Center to the confirmation of Appt. the day before is testimony to exemplary Customer Service.

Then I met Bart McCoy a knowledgeable consultative Service technician who went the extra mile to replace 90 year old rare valves that couldn't be rebuilt. Other Plumbers I'm sure would of required full replacement costing thousands. Bart did the job in short order and did what was only necessary , Bart drove to get the parts as were unicorns. He found them on the back shelf when warehouse said they were out of stock and was back within the hour with the water turned back on.

Pricing was fair and on a No Quiver agreed to in advance basis with no add on charges. Nahman Plumbing and heating is a reliable Service Company that while may not be the cheapest is predictable. If you have an older home Ask for Bart as he is a craftsman.

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Ayelet W.

11/11/2012 12:00:00 SA

Though the plumber arrived later than I would have wished (on the far end of what they promised) he did such a good job when he was here that I don't want to complain. He solved my problem, and though it was expensive, it was worth it.

J D.

11/30/2011

Albert Nahman has done two fantastic jobs for us. Replacing our old water heater and installing a gas line to convert our fireplace to gas (no more wood burning here).
In each case, the work was well done and at a lower cost than other companies. I highly recommend them. They are a good example of a business that hasn't forgotten the #1 rule of staying in business, great customer support and they do the job right the first time !!!

Robert K.

07/05/2018 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman's HVAC tech Mauricio and his assistant Sam did a great job for me. Last summer I had a mini-split A/C system installed by someone who was less than competent. This summer it failed to work and I needed someone to clean up the mess. I called Nahman Plumbing and Heating and they set up an appointment the same week. The tech they sent had a solid knowledge of HVAC and brought all the equipment he needed along with a good assistant. After about 45 minutes analyzing my system, Mauricio gave me a binding estimate on what it would take to clean up the original installer's mess. They finished up the job in about 5 hours and I am cool again. I fully expect their work to last! I intend to call Nahman in the future for any HVAC or plumbing I need.

Jeannine S.

12/24/2013

These guys came to fix my sink the day before xmas eve at 11:00 at night. Wilber was fast and professional, and also a super nice guy. Had a previous great experience with Nahman last year too.

Aliza M.

05/08/2017 12:00:00 SA

I have had a strange plumbing issue for years - black, oily flecks come out of the hot water in my tub. Multiple plumbers (costing loads of $s) have tried to fix it. I finally turned to Albert Nahman. Mario - who is a senior plumber on staff - came out and did what he thought was a fix. Unfortunately, the issue reappeared a few days later.
Mario just came back to try another fix.
Both times, Mario went above and beyond to make sure I understood the issue as well as the reasons for some other plumbing quirks in my house (cloudy water in the taps over the water heater, re-circulating pumps).
Though it was hard to get a response to my messages that the issue had not been fixed, once I was able to talk to a knowledgeable dispatcher, Mario was sent right out.
My fingers are crossed that the issue is fixed. If not, I know for sure that Nahman plumbing will stand by their work and come back until the issue is resolved.
Nice to have a company that is so reliable!

Mary F.

12/16/2018

I called to fix my toilet lever mechanism. I had replaced the flapper in the toilet flushing mechanism but replaced it incorrectly. The plumber fixed it but the whole mechanism was old and should have been replaced. A month later the whole mechanism is broken. I don't what the service charge is but 80-90 dollars is a lot to pay for someone to come out and shorten a toilet flushing chain modify the way the flapper falls across the plumbing pipe.
I work.... so to wait for a plumber to come and fix my toilet is not convenient He should have asked me if I wanted the whole mechanism fixed which I would have agreed to. Maybe this is a one off and he did what I asked but he is the plumbing expert...not me. He should have told me it would be better to change the whole unit instead of changing me upwards of $80 for 5 minutes of work.

James M.

5/21/2011

We have used Nahman about a dozen times for big jobs (install a sink in our basement including a new water supply and new sewage connection) to a small jobs (leaky faucet in our kitchen). Every time the plumber who came was competent, polite, and clean. Every job was completed perfectly. I would not consider anybody else.

Marisol P.

5/28/2015

I have never used this service, but I am taking time to write this because of how dangerous their driving is. On more than two occasions I have been either cut off by one of these trucks or vans or witnessed them driving recklessly- ie. Speeding around a garbage truck into oncoming traffic while another truck is driving in the same lane. Maybe you're good at plumbing and heating, but your driving leaves much to be desired. And ...Your tail light is out.

Ann D.

05/04/2023 12:00:00 SA

I paid their $95 fee just to get an estimates to replace a water shut off valve and install a water filter (already purchased). Their prices are exhorbitant! $5000!! Then I asked about installing another tankless water heater where the pipes were already installed--another $5000+ It is rediculous to have to pay for estimates. I will never do business with them.
I hired Mr. Rooter to change the shut off valve and install the water filter; it cost me $600+

Teresa M.

6/23/2016

Just had Tony out again to look at a new plumbing issue. He identified the problem quickly and got it fixed! He took care of a major issue last year (drain line). Another contractor misidentified the problem. I highly recommend this company and Tony, in particular. He is the best!!!

Carole L C.

9/18/2018

I had a great experience. I received prompt service when I called late Friday and they gave me an appointment first thing Monday morning. Alex Iglesias arrived on time and fixed the problem quickly. He was extremely pleasant & answered all my questions cheerfully & advised me on another issue I was having. I highly recommend this service.

Pam H.

05/06/2023 12:00:00 SA

if I could give negative star value, I would. We had a few minor plumbing issues which rendered our shower inoperable for 4 days. we complained & on day 4 finally had a different plumber w/Nahman fix the issue. We have been charged for the unsatisfactory service. I have called repeatedly & ask that a manager
return my call. Only once was I called and was told manager had to talk to technician and would call me back. I never was called back. I called again today and was informed my messages were all sent to mgt.
Doubtful I will ever get resolution on this matter. In the meantime, I strongly discourage anyone from using Nahman.

Pilates G.

7/25/2015

Our plumber Said. O was outstanding. He showed up early correctly diagnosed the furnace problem and charged less then the estimate.
30 minutes from start to finish !!

Ali C.

7/31/2017

I am so satisfied with the service I have received in the past year alone. Carrie and John are amazing and have both been to my house more than once - putting in a new toilet (John), performing a comprehensive inspection and explaining the results in detail along with a priority approach (Carrie), fixing a kitchen sink and replacing a kitchen faucet and garbage disposal (Carrie), and installing an earthquake safety valve (John). I highly recommend each of them on the plumbing side and am very satisfied with the service contract I have with Albert Nahman. I look forward to many years of on-going service.

Eve C.

3/27/2013

Excellent job, I had specifically requested Mike and Otis came (vs. Mike with no pre-notice) but Otis was very good too. Had a leak in an awkward place (2nd floor wall), Otis was good on diagnostic, possible options, possible solution, clear pricing, clean-up and attention to detail. Leak fixed-so far so good.

Suzanne S.

11/13/2016

We always call Albert Nahman when we have a plumbing or heating problem. Jose D. was just here and was on time, efficient, and clean. He double checked all the drains and cleaned up his work. Thank you again for great service.

jim v.

03/12/2021 12:00:00 SA

I've used them on a few jobs (kitchen faucet, drain pipe, etc). While they do good work and are generally responsive, they are **WAY** over-priced relative to other plumbers in the area. I get that do a certain extent you get what you pay for, but $350/hr of labor (**journeyman labor, mind you!**) isn't justifiable. The straw that broke the camel's back was a nearly $1,000 estimate to re-set and re-seal a toilet. An Oakland-based Rooter & Plumbing company came out the next day and did the repair for $200. A 5x cost differential isn't just price gouging, it's completely dishonest.

david b.

1/20/2014

The Albert Nahman Plumber who came out to my house looked at the pipes and gave me a whopper of a quote saying he couldn't clear my drain without punching holes in my rusty pipes. Well my new favorite plumber came and cleared the stoppage and quoted me LESS than 20% of the price... The pipes were rusty. That much was true. But I'd get a second opinion if I were you.

M S.

04/03/2014 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman Plumbing is a reliable and expert group of plumbers. Their charges are on the high side, but their work for us has been excellent, and friends and neighbors who use their services recommend them as well. They respond quickly, and communications are clear. We've had some major plumbing stoppages in our old home, and these plumbers have been fair -- evaluated the problems, given us clear information and options, and followed through. Nice guys too : )

Jehan V.

11/18/2016

Stanley K. came to help me with a clogged gutter. He was on time, professional, polite, got my input before taking anything apart, fixed the problem, put it back together, and left the space as clean as it was when he arrived. I would definitely recommend Stanley K. and Albert Nahman and will use them again if I have plumbing needs.

Greg H.

6/21/2023

It seems like new peope run this business.
I have used them in the past and they were fine. Last week I used a coupon they sent for heating repair and inspection. The technician was fine but here is what happened:
1. We have a common furnace but he did not have the filter and the office was closed (before 4:00 PM) so the technician called his shop and told me he would return the next day first thing (9:00 AM) and install the filter. Nevertheless, I was forced to pay the entire fee for service.
2. The next day they contacted me and informed me they had to order the filter and would have to return the following week on Wednesday after the Juneteenth holiday at 9:00 AM.
3. I called the office and told the manager I wanted a refund because I paid and did not have a fully serviced furnace and that they should offer a rebate for my inconvenience. The manager agreed and said I would be the first appointment on Wednesday.
4. I still have not received my rebate.
5. On Wednesday I called as I did not receive a confirmation of my appointment. I was not on the schedule. They just told me I asked for a refund and to speak with the manager. Apparently, what we discussed was not in their notes and they want me to be available tomorrow, (Thursday) with no time certain and no rebate.
6. At this point, I am frustrated at this conduct. No finished job, no rebate. I should have checked the reviews. I am very unhappy and want my money back.

Israel B.

03/06/2023 12:00:00 SA

After the $95.00 estimate fee, I was quoted $2,200.00 to change a shower valve connected to a cartridge that neither of the 2 plumbers who came to estimate had ever seen before.

They would need to cut a hole through the outside wall of the house in order to change the shower valve, because they believed the cartridge was beyond repair. The hole they would cut in the wall would be my responsibility to repair at my own cost.

I called another plumber for a second opinion, risking another $95.00 estimate. Long story short: The Estimate Fee was waived by the new plumbers, and after a 3-day delay and corresponding discount for the delay - I paid a total of $85.00 to have the shower cartridge changed in a 5-minute job.

I recommend getting a second opinion when dealing with Albert Nahman.

Donald R.

5/18/2023

Angel from Albert Nahman Plumbing was great. There was a complication in installing a new toilet and the work couldn't be done during the scheduled afternoon time, even though the old toilet (the only one in the house) was taken out. Angel was very diligent about coming back early the next day and getting things complete. And we had some great conversations!

Nicholas D.

08/05/2010 12:00:00 SA

I own a residential property management company and Albert Nahman Plumbing is my vendor of choice. I have been working with them for around 4 years now and I find them to be a good value. Their phone support and repair technicians are all friendly and knowledgeable. Plus they get the job right the first time and if they happen to make a mistake they do whatever it takes to make it right.

Joe H.

3/22/2023

This week, tenants at our rental property complained of sewer smell, so Albert Nahman came out and took a look. They came out last July on the same issue, and claimed they fixed the issue by capping a sewer pipe opening. This time around, they first charged me more than $600 for camera inspection work, and I only got 4 pictures (one is all black - see attached) showing me as evidence. And based on these, they claimed the pipe has been all corroded due to age and wants to charge me $12K to replace the entire sewer system. They had just worked on the same sewer just 7 months ago, and now suddenly sewer has aged beyond repair?

Additionally last July they also wanted me to do major plumbing work to address a water pressure issue that had nothing to do with the smell. Luckily I put a stop to it. That should have been a warning but I forgot. Now I remember how eager they are proposing major plumbing work with scant evidence.

Kitty G.

2/19/2013

We, unfortunately, had an issue with water coming up from our drain in our laundry room on a Sunday evening of a 3-day weekend. We tried to find an emergency plumber who could come out that night (it was around 7pm) but no one was available until the next day. We went with Albert Nahman because they were able to give us the most reasonable window of time (8:30am to 9:00am as opposed to something more vague like 8:00am to 1:00pm). We got the water to stop flowing, sopped up the mess and kept things at bay by not flushing the toilet and waited until morning for the plumber to arrive.

The service specialist, Wilber, was late arriving at 10:00am. By then we were pretty antsy to get the job done. Because we do not have a clean out he had to remove the toilet for access to the sewer line. We were quoted $429 for the clean out and $100 for the removal of the toilet which my husband approved. On the invoice we received there are ten items listed as StraightForward Pricing that the service specialist checks off and quantifies to come up with a total. There is also a line at the bottom of the invoice stating the total authorized StraightForward Price which Wilber listed as $529. However, Wilber did not check any items or indicate how our total quote was calculated. And nowhere on this list is the $100 for the toilet removal, so I have to ask, how was our quote in any way straight forward? Wilber also noted his arrival time of 10:00am on the invoice but did not put down the scheduled arrival time which earlier.

The seal on the toilet was so strong that Wilber didn't know how to break it and at one point my husband was on his hands and knees chipping away at the seal with a screwdriver and hammer. Wait, isn't Wilbur the plumber? We were paying who to do what now?

After Wilber cleaned out the line we paid him the $529 plus service fee of $49 and felt frustrated but at least the backup was cleared and we could go about the rest of our day. Not fun was when my husband had to go to Home Depot and buy caulk to seal the toilet to the floor when we noticed that had not been done. Maybe I don't know what it is that plumbers do exactly but I would think that resealing the toiler after removing it would be pretty standard.

All in all I would not recommend this business nor would I call them again for any reason.

Md P.

08/02/2023 12:00:00 SA

A serv. Rep came to the house and they were Literally 4x the price for a new hot water heater than any other quote.

Gary I.

7/15/2019

I solicited 5 plumbing companies for an estimate to install a seismic gas shut off valve. 4 of the 5 gave estimates ranging from $350 - $450. Albert Nahman quoted over $1,300(!) for the exact same valve. The guy who came out to provide the estimate tried (but failed) to justify the quoted price. I showed him the valve on Amazon was selling for $120 and the labor would have been about an hour per the other plumbers estimates. They clearly were exploiting the recent LA earthquakes. Stay away.

R D.

06/05/2020 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman Plumbers installed an earthquake gas shut-off valve for us. It was quick and efficient and I feel safer already.
This company also regularly donates to my child's public school fundraisers and is a business partner with the Berkeley Symphony. It feels good to do business with a company that's a contributing member of the community.
Thanks for your work and thanks for your contributions!

Dianna B.

12/18/2020

I've been using this company for years. They're a little on the pricey side, but get the job done right the first time. I had an electric wall heater that needed replacing. And the repair guy that installed it, Tony Contreras, was wonderful. Very competent, cheerful, great to work with. I would give him a 5 star rating easily.
The problem was with the front office. Every time one calls it's a different person and it's like you're starting anew each time. They never know any history. I'd schedule an appointment, then they'd call and leave a voice mail to reschedule. When I called back it was invariably to talk to someone who had no idea. So I'd have to schedule a call back with someone who did. Then they'd cancel, sometimes lying about the reason, then reschedule a month in advance. Then 2 days before the installation appointment, they called and said, 'oops, we never ordered the part.' Every time one calls you have to give your name, phone number, and address. Every single time. Apparently they maintain no database where they can look you up.
So, repair guys, excellent, five star; dealing with the company, less than one star

Tom W.

04/05/2019 12:00:00 SA

I needed to make sure my water heaters will pass code inspection. I thought this company knew the city codes as a local company. And I expected reasonable pricing and good quality of work.

I was dead wrong. Plubming work was suboptimal. They took the lazy way to route a pipe, resulting a tripping hazzard. To paint PVC pipe, they used spray paint that didn't match the color of my outside wall. The finish was a disaster! And I also seriously doubt these guys' qualifications. For one of my water heater. They couldn't light the pilot light after their work. They declared that it's dead! They even broke the little glass window and stick a match right into the burning compartment without succes. After they completely gave up. They told me that it's dead and they job was done! Seriously? I went to tried it myself. I was able to light it up with just two tries. I think they might have forgotten to turn the gas valve on. To say that I was mad was an understatement.

For another water heater, although I have stressed multiple times that we must make sure everything meets code. When the inspector arrived, he found problems!

For this kind of shitty service, I was charged at least three times of the reasonable rate. Their management was very slow to get me a quote. And I had a new born at the same period of time. So when they finally gave me a quote. I have no time to go get quote from another company. I had a deadline to meet. If their work was good quality, I wouldn't had been so upset. But essentially I was given $2000 worth of work and got charged for $6000.

One star because at least they tried to salvage the situation. Zero star for the work qualifty, altitude, management and pricing.

If you are an individual or a small business. STAY AWAY from this company! If you are a big corporation that doesn't care about price and quality of work, then sure go ahead. Oh, dealing with them is super frustrating that it can be a full time job itself.

Hope my two cents helps.

Reggie H.

6/24/2022

I've had this company repair my sewer lateral and its extension and additional plumbing lines to an ADU. Stanley is always the most professional, courteous and honest contract worker I've come into contact with since owning this home. The company worked with me on pricing when I had a gripe about something and took the time to hear what I was saying and understood things from a customers perspective. I will remain a pretty loyal customer so long as they remain a great company with a customer focus

Jordan M.

4/18/2016

These guys did an awesome job on a new gas line install in my old chimney for a gas fire unit that needed to be replaced. They were quick to call back, worked with me to get the job done in a hurry, and were so neat I think my living room was cleaner after they finished then it was before.
I'd use them again if I'm ever in need of a good plumber!

Ron S.

06/02/2017 12:00:00 SA

I've called the Albert Nahman plumbing company a number of times to handle piping issues in my home located in North Oakland. They're pricey but they do good, thorough work so I think it's well worth it. In particular I'm impressed with the quality of their plumbers. Recently I contacted the company to install a new faucet for my kitchen, fix some squeaky faucet handles in the master bedroom's faucet, check the water pressure, clean up gunk that collected on the inside of the shower head, and other smaller plumbing issues. Their plumber, Stanley, came out and accomplished the work quickly, efficiently and professionally. I'm very pleased with Stanley work and service, and honest, straightforward explanations of problems and advice. I recommend the Albert Nahman's plumbing services.

Alan H.

3/17/2017

I don't know whether to give Albert Nahman a 1 or a 5, so I'm splitting the difference.

We needed a toilet in the guestroom rebuilt on short notice, and I called Nahman given the Yelp reviews. They came the next day, on time, with a very competent plumber who fixed the toilet quickly, cleaned up after himself, very professional, etc.

4 weeks later, while we were out of the house, our cleaning person flushed the toilet and it started running--for 2 days! For some reason (I can't exactly explain this) the toilet leaked all over the floor (not running over, leaking elsewhere), and spread water over a number of rooms in the house. Luckily, there was no permanent damage.

The problem was that the flushing mechanism that they used was very cheap, and the clip between the chain and the flapper was poorly designed, so it would jam sideways about 1 out of 3 flushes (my experience). Obviously, most of the people who used this toilet caught that it was running, but when someone didn't it nearly created a catastrophe.

I called up Albert Nahman, and they came out a day and a half later, and installed a new chain and flapper that don't have the poor design. I expect that the toilet will work without a problem. And they did the repair for free under warranty.

So, 1 star for using badly designed equipment when they should have known better
5 stars for fixing the problem, no questions asked.

Michael P.

10/12/2017 12:00:00 SA

We had an emergency with water leaking in our basement. A friend recommended Albert Nahman plumbing, saying they are the best. Their dispatcher had a technician at our home within an hour. Tad was terrific. We have a home built in the 1930's and remodeled multiple times over the years with a mixture of old and new plumbing. This was a difficult fix in cramped circumstances. Tad determined the solution, got the needed old and new parts (some portions of what needed fixing was old galvanized pipe, some new copper pipe) and did the work. He was extremely conscientious, competent and professional.

Per S.

12/23/2015

Thanks to Said for coming out to my apartment and giving my heater issue a try!
I really appreciated Said's professionalism and demeanor. He put on boot covers before entering the apartment - thank you! He was also prompt and arrived at the top of the 1-3pm time frame. Unfortunately, I have a heat pump and someone else will have to come out for this involved fix.

Ari G.

3/30/2019

Great service. We had a water heater disaster where a different plumber did a sloppy repair and left us with a severe and dangerous gas leak. Tri from Albert Nahman Plumbing came in and thoroughly explained the situation, replaced our water heater same-day on a Saturday, and was incredibly informative the whole way through. So friendly and professional and efficient. From now on Albert Nahman is our go-to plumbing service.

Mike M.

9/18/2019

Absolute ripoff.

Called them out because water was coming out of my sink whenever I ran my dishwasher and thought I needed a clear out, and because my garbage disposal was not working. $69 fee to come out.

They came out, the scheduling process was good and efficient, they arrived within the 2 hour window.

He fixed the garbage disposal in about 15 seconds (I wasn't turning the alan wrench far enough to clear it). Then another 30 seconds to fish out a screw that had gotten in to the disposal that was causing a racket. Garbage disposal working, he told me that the dishwasher shouldn't cause the sink to overflow again.

45 seconds.

Charge: $90.

... ON TOP OF the $69 fee to come out.

Look, I get that I am paying a little bit more of 'Berkeley tax' (in that every service is a bit more expensive on its own because the bay is just generally expensive) but this is obscene.

Carol P.

02/12/2016 12:00:00 SA

We had an emergency plumbing problem.. Sal assessed the problem, helped with emergency cleanup company and coordinated with them. He and Sam finished the job last night almost at 9pm. So above and beyond. We've used them a number of times in the past, including twice for big breaks in water and irrigation mains. Their responsiveness is outstanding.

Mike P.

11/02/2017 12:00:00 SA

Contacted these guys based on the photos of clean looking tankless installations. However, being quoted $7,800-$8K+ for an outdoor Rinnai RU98eN ($1,540 retail) with minimal gas/water line work is not even close to industry standards as far as pricing goes. We've had 6 or 8 companies out to give us quotes and this place was $1,600-$2K over the highest quote we had previously received. This quote was so over the top, it was offensive.

Based on how straightforward our project is, Albert Nahman Plumbing clearly did not want (or need) our business. I'd urge anyone interested in using this company to shop around. Unless of course, you have unlimited amounts of money and don't mind blowing it.

Rick C.

10/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

Called at 530 am
appointment set up for next day

Technician came and sorted out leak issue

Very Professional and helpful

Second time I needed help
and Mario did a great job

Rick

damon e.

04/07/2019 12:00:00 SA

Minus 2 stars cause they're out of everyone I know price range. I'm sure they're good, but you're not paying for the price of the job. You're paying for the owner's yacht and child support. On the plus side, they're quick, professions can do any job. So if you got the coin call em n get your problems in the rear view. I'm not gonna hate on em cause they're making bank, I just don't have enough to pay them. They're nice n very professional.

Scott S.

7/18/2017

I am sad to say my experience this far with AN P&H is not very good. This was our go-to plumbing company but now I need to start to look elsewhere. So much for recommending them as I have in the past...

7/18/17 - happy to say that the owner of the company reached out to me personally to hear my concerns. He listened without making excuses and genuinely wanted to make certain the issue was resolved. Great service and I highly recommend!

Susan W.

09/01/2012 12:00:00 SA

I have used Albert Nahman twice now and Marlon did the work both times. The second time he did a difficult installation of a new water heater in a kitchen closet. He was professional and easy to work with. He explained everything to me and I now have hot water. I am very satisfied with his work.

Steve A.

8/16/2018

Updating because we had another repair done. Nathan came out this time to replace the faucet valves in our bathroom, and he was great! Professional, skillful, personable, and he went above and beyond by cutting down the valve stems to make them fit better in our sink. The price was fixed in advance, so he didn't have to do that, but it has made a real difference in the looks and operation of the faucets.

janet l.

8/25/2019

I called for a bid and they showed up on time gave a good bid with deals I will probably use them for phase one of my laundry room remodel. I'd give 5 stars but they have done the work yet.

Peter C.

07/10/2019 12:00:00 SA

I called Nahman's to have my heater replaced. After scheduling the estimate, they called several days later to re-schedule due to another customer taking priority. Great if your the other person I guess, not for me without heat in the winter. Anyway, when they finally made it out, they were professional and polite, but told me they couldn't do the job without major changes to my plumbing and at a cost $10,000-$12,000 higher than others estimates. I had another licensed/insured company do the job and saved $10,000. Maybe a good company if you have money to burn.

Les B.

09/04/2015 12:00:00 SA

After self diagnosing the failure of the igniter on our water heater, I was left to contact a suggested yelp plummer in our 94502 area. After reading several reviews I had decided to go with Albert Nahman Plumbing for there favorable reviews by fellow residents. They were very timely on arrival. The very courteous female plumber who was dispatched to our home needed to match up the igniter at her supply house in order to replace it. ?? After a short period of time I received the call that she was able to locate a universal igniter for our water heater and was asked if I would like to have the plumber return the same day to install it or to return the next day. I definitely wanted hot water in the house immediately. Arriving home after work to meet the plumber installing the new universal igniter did I get broadsided with the total cost of this installation. WOW
A total labor and travel cost of nearly $235 to install a $6.85 igniter. Really, I find this to be totally unreasonable and will not be contacting this plumbing outfit again.

Amy M.

03/03/2017 12:00:00 SA

Anthony B. Of Albert Nahman Plumbing did outstanding work in three areas of our home. He assessed the problems, offered solutions, and completed the work efficiently. Anthony is smart and pleasant. I highly recommend Anthony and hope to have him work for us again.

JoAnn C.

01/04/2023 12:00:00 SA

We had flooding into our home during the last storm and it became apparent our external drain pipe wasn't working properly. I quickly made an appt with Albert Nahman's for someone to asses the issue and let me know what work was needed. Stanley, from Albert's, showed at our home this morning right on time and although he was only there to provide an estimate to repair, he went above and beyond to get our existing drain pipe cleared out so we wouldn't have to worry about flooding with the next storm coming tonight. We will still need to replace the pipe and I will absolutely be going back to Albert Nahman's to get the work done!

June S.

06/11/2012 12:00:00 SA

I have been doing business with this company for several years. However, the last two years have been a disaster. They seem more interested in selling than in good plumbing. I have had two bad experiences with leaks not being repaired properly and have had trouble getting them repaired correctly the second and third time. They fixed a toilet that is leaking again about 40 flushes since it was repaired. I have a friend who tells me the only way to get the work done right is to ask for a particular employee. However, he isn't always available when needed.

No more Albert Nahman for me

Lori H.

8/31/2015

I haven't always had the greatest luck with contractors, so when we finally started doing updates to the house again, I wasn't exactly looking forward to that part of it. This time around we wanted to replace the old tank water heater with a tankless one. Also replace the two ancient floor furnaces that had been the only source of heat in our little Craftsman bungalow with a central forced air system. Big project and not cheap either. I did my homework. I scoured and studied all the various sites and reviews and came up with four top companies to get bids from. During the bid process Nahman stood out immediately. We were impressed with how responsive they were and that they actually paid attention to what we wanted and made an honest assessment about what could and could not be done. After the initial visit by Said to prepare a bid, Albert himself called me to answer some follow up questions I had. After we talked for a HALF HOUR he said it would require a second look. Then an hour later he came to the house, to look at it for himself! He let us know where a tankless would and would not fit (we wanted to move it outside the house and others had said no problem it can fit there or there etc . . . Albert said actually no it can't be there or there and here's why) He took the time to really look at the project and suggest the best options and figured out a different spot where we could put the tankless outside. He also saved us money, initially I wanted a recirculator pump for the tankless to avoid potentially having a long wait time to get hot water. He said unnecessary overkill, I'll just re-plumb it so it's a straight line between the tankless and the farthest point in the system, insulate everything and you'll be fine (he was right we now get hot water as fast and in some places faster with the tankless). The care and attention to figuring out and properly assessing our project really impressed us. After all the bids came in, his was not the lowest but very competitive. And for things like this what you want is not the contractor with the lowest bid but the contractor who will do the job right and well. Nahman was the clear choice for us. So we hired them and I am happy to tell you we choose right. They came in, performed the work on time, as agreed and for the price bid. All of the many workers who came through our home during the week to install the water heater, the ductwork and the furnace were great. They came on time (actually they were always early), kept all the areas neat and clean with tarps and mats, cleaned up after themselves, and very importantly communicated with us regularly. One of the things I really appreciated was the way they would advise us what they were doing and why as well as ask us questions when they needed to. Believe me when people are drilling holes into the side of your house, nailing and pounding into the crawlspace, and cutting more holes in your beautiful oak floors you want to be consulted! I really felt the Nahman crew cared about the job they were doing and went out of their way to make sure things were done right. Shout out to Said, Enrique and of course Albert for ensuring 100% satisfaction. There is so much other stuff I'm leaving out that we were impressed by and happy with but this is getting long, so to sum it up Albert and his crew were just plain awesome and what you want in a contractor.

Finally of course the proof is in the pudding, so after the install it was on to the heat efficiency test done by an independent 3rd party (HERS testers) and the City inspections. The HERS test checks for duct leakage, lower is better. This is to make sure that new ducts aren't just leaking the heat out before it gets to you. The limit is 6% leakage. When they ran the test it was 1.5%, they said they had never gotten a reading that low before. Amazing. Then the City came by, similarly impressed by both the install of the tankless and the furnace and ducts. Really great job. Honestly, this is one of the best overall experiences I've had with a contractor. I highly recommend Albert and his company. At this point I am wishing he would consider becoming a general contractor so he can take care of all my home improvement and repair needs!

Eric G.

2/21/2007

Small size operation, intelligent workers

He's not just a name on the truck. Albert Nahman is a working member of his company, not a dead family relation or some fat slob sitting behind a desk.

Nahman plumbing is the leading Bay Area installer for tankless water heaters. They've installed hundreds of them and have figured out what works best and are less likely to waste hours stumbling around trying to figure out how to put one in.

We opted for the traditional 40Gal tank. The installer installed in with minimal mess, fuss, and time. The relief pipe that's visible on the side of the house was crooked. I should have called them back. He was intelligent, was not a refugee from kasahzistan, and spoke English and Spanish,
He gave me a lesson on its operation, cleaned up, and it's been working fine since then.

So why didn't we get a Tankless?
I took a stopwatch to our busiest sink- the kitchen sink. This is also the furthest from the water heater. (The Bathroom fortunately sits right on top of it and you can flush the toilet, run the sink, and take a shower without burning your tits off or freezing your gonads. Yay for that!)

The Test
I timed how long it took for the water to run hot from the time I turned on the kitchen faucet to when it reached 100 degrees. It took 45 seconds. Add to that the 1 minute delay of a tankless system.
Let's say your cooking chicken and you want to watch off the raw chicken gunk of your hands. Picture yourself standing at the sink for two minutes waiting for the water to get hot.

And so,
Tankless water heaters save gas, but can waste a lot of water.
Whenever I'm in a house that has a tankless system, I always time the hot water. There's always a long delay. Damn shame.

Chris M.

12/21/2012

This my 3rd time using Albert Nahman Plumbing. Each time they have been really responsive and done good quality work. My technician for this visit was Gustavo. I needed to rerplace my sump pump. Unfortunately, it had to be accessed outside and it was raining pretty hard. Despite being a dirty, difficult job, Gustavo did great work and was very efficient. He couldn't have been nicer. He explained everything and was a pleasure to work with. I am happy to give this recommendation and will definately use Nahman Plumbing again because of the quality of their people.

Chase B.

3/16/2022

I received a quote from this company that was nearly THREE times the cost of the next closest bid for a very straightforward project. I am not sure that I have ever experienced pure unapologetic price gouging of this kind. The estimator was very friendly, but any company that has this type of ethical standards is not one I will be working with, nor should you.

Peter M.

11/11/2021 12:00:00 SA

Tony did a great job replacing our old problematic Baxi Luna tankless system with a new Navien system. Great attention to details.

Stephanie M.

11/18/2013

I got an appointment quickly (next day) and the serviceman arrived right on time. He informed me of what he was going to do before performing the work. He did a great job!

Chi D.

01/12/2023 12:00:00 SA

I called to have my furnace looked at. And, to be fair, that's just what the technician did. Looked at it. I asked about a cent that wasn't producing any heat, his response was oh I'm not touching that I asked if there was anything that could be done (I know my furnace is old, I don't happen to be able to afford to replace it at the moment, I was just hoping to make it thru winter) he shrugged at me.

Then he charged me $300 dollars.
Thanks for literally nothing.

flubadub A.

05/01/2017 12:00:00 SA

Tad is the MAN! Affable and professional, Tad fixed my toilet and clearly explained what he was going to do, and my options. He is an excellent representative for your company.

Eric F.

6/28/2022

I need a new garbage disposal installed under my sink. Scheduled a time window and date. On the date of installation between the time frame they were to be at my house I received a call the same they were unable to provide the service. In my book this is unacceptable and I do not recommend this plumbing company!

Eric (Danville)

Lynn S.

10/20/2015

The garbage disposal replacement cost over six hundred dollars. The unit they installed is not the same one on the receipt. The receipt gives no amt of time for the install. Just the dollar Amt. There is something not right about this company. Don't use them.

Kara F.

11/21/2019

We had a good experience with the service provided by this company, including honoring a price given by the first plumber that ended up being lower than they normally would have charged. Everyone who came out was prompt and professional and informative.

However, their services are incredibly overpriced. We had them look at a few items that came up in our home inspection when we bought our house, including one of our toilets that was running. They quoted $400+ to replace the fill valve in the toilet. (For reference, I just bought one for $25 at Home Depot and can likely do it myself in less than an hour)

I think we overpaid for the work they did complete -- $800 for ~1hr of two people's time -- but as I was less confident I could do that myself, I went for it. Likely won't have them back for other work, as I'm sure it can be done more cheaply elsewhere.

Angela F.

4/18/2016

I had a gas leak in my kitchen, so PG&E had to shut off the gas for my entire apartment. My landlords had Carlos from Albert Nahman come on Thursday, and he stayed for about 5 minutes and sounded uncertain the entire time he was talking about what needed to be done to restore my gas. Instead of giving definitive answers, he said he needed another person to move the stackable washer/dryer to repair the leaking pipe, and wouldn't be able to come back until the following Monday. Mind you, without gas I couldn't take a hot shower, use my oven/stove to cook, or wash/dry clothes.

After complaining to the company, my landlord was able to get two new guys, Stanley and Alex to come on Saturday. The difference between their visit and the first guy (Carlos) was like night and day. They turned a bad experience with their company into an outstanding experience. I seriously cannot say enough good things about these guys. They were professional, courteous, and so knowledgeable!

I had questions about other plumbing related things, and they were able to easily help me fix my kitchen sink drip and my bathroom sink faucet spraying everywhere. Because of Stanley and Alex, I'd highly recommend this company.

Barbara N.

08/10/2016 12:00:00 SA

Very satisfied with the work done by Jose D. Arrived on time, listened to me describe the services I was requesting. Took care of everything. Work was neat and Jose took care to keep things clean and to explain to me what he was doing.

I have used this company before and I trust the work they do!

Reza F.

12/27/2017

Newman says escrow knew nothing about the plumbing. Of course they didn't. It was being done by the owner. The escrow information was just additional insurance so that a demand could be filed in case of a payment issue. Clueless. Absolutely clueless.

Anna H.

10/30/2017

I just called Albert Nahman Plumbing and received a very rude response, a woman kept putting me on hold, disconnected me twice gave me two different amounts for service call, disconnected me again. I called a third time this time speaking with a man who placed me on hold and once more I was disconnected.
I have never before experienced such inefficiency they seem to be completely disorganized and each person has a different story about the cost of a visit.
I will never again call them or recommend them to any of my friends.
Anna hinck

James K.

12/18/2019

Can not imagine a better response, starting with my call for assistance, response time and how the technician, Tad methodically diagnosed the problem. We have an obscure kitchen fixture that required service in Feb 2019. Under warranty the problem was easily diagnosed by me, a problem possibly caused by me and a replacement part sent and installed by Albert Nahman team. Problem: I broke the faucet cartridge. Current Problem: restricted hot water flow in this kitchen sink only. Turns out the new cartridge part is now malfunctioning. I called and Tad arrived taking a step by step approach ruling out possible causes: a clog here or there, build up of sediment, or blockage in the lines or cartridge. The company that sells the product got on the phone with Tad and they collaborated on the problem and the tech person gave Tad one more thing to try. After the collaboration it is agreed, problem persisted and therefore that new cartridge part is now malfunctioning and will be shipped free of charge in two days.

Thanks to all, who made this possible and I trust we will have Tad here again soon to finalize this fix. BTW, cost of service was less than expected given going rates for such a call lasting in excess of one hour. Another comment, spending time with Tad during the repair was a pleasure to have him explain, collaborate, listen and just chat. Questions on who to call next time, no question who I will call next time.

I have read criticism of costs:
In the Berkeley area
How much does it cost to hire a plumber?
Some plumbers have a minimum fee for a service call. They might charge anywhere from $175-250 to come out and give you a consultation. Plumbers may give you a general service rate of $128-148 per hour when there are a lot of unknowns about a project and they aren't sure how long it will take. Some charge a flat rate for their plumbing services. For example, you may get charged $175 for a sink or drain cleaning, while toilet installation costs $500.

Today costs are upfront, same as charges in Feb, $69 to arrive and assess the problem. Here in excess of one hour for $129 minus $25 coupon, total charge $173. I am ok and I expected these costs. If I was in Philly, where I grew up, I could call an uncle or cousin and get a better rate, a family rate. This is going rate for our area.

Paola M.

04/08/2023 12:00:00 SA

ELDER ABUSE. I called this company to help my elderly neighbor. This company tried to rob our elderly neighbor and quoted him for $400/hr in labor. Luckily our friend called me to verify the attempt. I'm reporting this company to APS through the California Department of Social Services to report abuse before they try this again with other elderly prospects. The Bay Area doesn't want this here!

Rebecca M.

08/08/2009 12:00:00 SA

Initially, the service call started out great. They came out pretty quickly to analyze the problem (no hot water), turned out a part needed to be replaced and this is where the difficulty came in. They had trouble finding the part as the water heater was no longer in production. fair enough.

Where I got frustrated, was with the lack of communication. I got a call on day 2 asking if i had the paperwork from original installation. Uh no, like I told the guy when he was here, it was in when I bought the house 2 yrs ago. I dont have any warranty or manual. Please help. Ok we'll keep looking Day 3, no call. Day 4, left a msg for their Service Mgr. Apparantly he is the only one who can answer whether the part was located. Day 5, no call. Day 6, I called again. They aren't going to be able to find the part. Originally they said they could replace the whole water heater it if need be, but at this point there was no offer of this service, just that they didn't have the part and maybe I could find it myself. I don't think they realized I NEED HOT WATER. I cannot sit around waiting for a part to show up. I thanked them for their help and said i would take it from there. Day 7, got a message from their service manager, very nice guy, but unfortunately still no part.

net net - nice folks but very poor communication. I dont think they realize that when there is no hot water, needs to be fixed pretty quick, not something that can wait.

Brenda R.

12/05/2014 12:00:00 SA

We had fairly extensive upgrade/repairs needed for water and gas lines on 100 year old house and needed service on our tankless water heater. Tony did the Tankless service and was extraordinarily quick, thorough and even helped me find ways to get an extra discount! The team that worked on the plumbing and gas lines were also extremely professional. They showed up when scheduled, did the work in the amount of time they said, and the price was as quoted with no surprises. They left our place clean and tidy. Best service experience ever!

Cecillia W.

2/29/2020

We had sink overflow on a Friday and water poured down a heating vent into the furnace in the basement. I left a message and Mr. Nahman himself called back. His colleague came out the next morning, called In a restoration company and they determined there was no problem and just told us to dry out the furnace filter. They were lovely and reassuring. Really excellent.

Siddarth S.

4/28/2023

We called to have an issue looked at with our furnace. They identified the issue as a faulty flame sensor and charged us to clean the sensor. However the furnace remained broken and they wanted to charge us again for another visit, despite the first visit yielding no changes or improvements.

Peri T.

03/11/2023 12:00:00 SA

Deceptive fraud! Do not use! False advertising, 95$ for plumbing call and that will be used towards work. Well they refuse to give any cost information over the phone. So you are trapped into making appointment. Then once he gets here he shows me my options starting at 550$ for a simple clogged drain. The guy came for a simple clogged drain, fixed in less than 45 minutes, no parts needed, no guarantee, 550$! Total rip-off! Go anywhere else, pay the usual 169$ hourly rate. You will be better off using another company! DO NOT recommend!

Eric R.

4/13/2011

Stanley came out to repair our kitchen sink. Unfortunately, our landlord didn't have the information he needed to complete the repair. Yet Stanley did everything he could, called the landlord, took photos of the sink accessories, and he's coming back out to complete the repair once the landlord gets him what he needs.

Last month, we had someone from Harry Clark come out to unplug our master bath sink. He made the repair in less than 45 minutes, and charged our landlord an astronomical amount for the repair. I wish I had called Albert Nahman in the first place.

Stanley was extremely helpful and kind. He was on time, and he wore plastic covers on his boots while in our home. We appreciated his visit and look forward to having him out again to make the repair.

Definitely 5 stars!

Bill J.

05/04/2021 12:00:00 SA

I was grossly overcharged. Sent an extra guy who was learning on my dime-- charged for 2 guys when the second just slowed it all down. Charged $400 to change the O ring on my bathtub mixer. Not recommended.

madeleine a.

01/06/2017 12:00:00 SA

A long overdue review. Nahman came out to inspect a water heater when the water suddenly wasn't heating. He said it needed replacing, and so without questioning him, i paid somewhere in the range of $1200 or more several years ago for the new water heater. Right of the bat, however, we were getting 12 mins of hot water in a shower, and then it ran cold.

We wondered if they put a smaller heater in, and called. Nahman told me himself that I should find a new plumber and that he did not install a smaller heater, and there was nothing wrong with the one he installed.

We have not replaced it yet as it was a big expense, and I was hoping Nahman would consider coming out to fix or replace it. I've long since given up hope on that happening, and have had two other plumbers tell me that the unit is probably faulty and that Nahman should have called it in as such and replaced it. (It would have been no cost to him for the unit.)

They said that was standard practice if a water heater was not functioning as expected. We used to get two showers out of our old trusty water heater, but the malfunctioning one Nahman installed (after insisting we needed one), gives 12 minutes of hot to warm water and then goes cold. In a house of several adults that means waiting a half hour for the water to heat sufficiently before the next person can use it. When I told Nahman this, he did not believe me. When I told other plumbers the problem, they said it was not unusual for water heaters to have problems, and they are not as well made as they used to be. (We wish we still had our old one.)

Having given Nahman business for many years with rentals and home, plus referrals, I was shocked and offended at his hostility when I told him the water heater was not working properly. He either did not think my complaint credible or he just did not want to be bothered correcting the problem.

I had referred him to other people also, and they ended up getting better quotes, a lesser scope of work estimate, better service, and more experienced technicians elsewhere.

I have a longstanding relationship of 20 plus years with many local trades people and and have been very fortunate with all of them but not so with Nahman - nor the non-working, faulty water heater he installed in my home. He did not replace it even though he knows as well as any other plumber (and I know now though a bit late) thats some water heaters are poorly built and may not function properly, thus have to be replaced. Some just fail early.

If you need a water heater service, or other plumbing, do your research on brands, the issue you have, (whether water heater or other issue) and get several quotes. When I buy the next water heater having endured Nahman's lousy one for years, I will be comparing brands and buying a superior product, plus getting someone else to install it who will guarantee their work.

Abigail F.

02/01/2014 12:00:00 SA

Stanley was awesome. He was knowledgeable and professional and super friendly. We had little kids running around and he was totally sweet with them too. The job was done perfectly for a great price and we will definitely be calling them the next time we need any plumbing work done. Also-- every time I called I spoke with someone super professional and friendly. This company seems to do a great job hiring..keep it up!

R P.

04/01/2021 12:00:00 SA

Thanks guys! We had a longstanding issue with our Williams wall heater turning off at seemingly random intervals during the coldest months. They diagnosed the issue and fixed it the same day. The vent had never been installed correctly, which caused heat to linger near the top of the furnace. The excess heat kept tripping the vent limit switch. I had replaced the switch on my own but this did not solve the problem. I decided to call in the experts and was very glad that I did.

Ian H.

1/31/2023

Our heater needed a new gas valve, and over the space of two months the company misled me as to the status of getting the replacement part while holding on to my deposit. They were never able to complete the service.

Update: To make matters worse, it turns out Albert Nahman actually got the diagnosis wrong. They were going to charge me $1,300+ to replace the gas valve, which would have not fixed the issue. It turns out all that was needed was a $350 thermostat replacement (care of another company). I'm still fuming over the service charge from Albert Nahman for a bad diagnosis and the dealing in bad faith for the replacement. I guess the silver lining is that it took them not being able to do the work to get the job done right.

Matt E.

11/29/2016

We've used Nahman over the past few years for a number of plumbing jobs both small (fixture installations) and large (re-piping most of our 70-year old house.) Most recently (May 2016) we had them put in some heating duct dampers. As we're now (November 2016) in the first cold season since the dampers were put in, I needed a refresher on where they are located and how to adjust them. They sent out Carlos G.,who also did the original work, for a no-charge follow up to review the dampers with me and to help me adjust them. Carlos was a pleasure to work with both times. From those small fixture jobs, to a couple emergency repairs, to the week-long re-pipe job, I've noticed that Nahman runs a very good contact/quote/billing/back office operation *and* that the folks in the field are 1) knowledgeable and friendly, 2) able to make fairly autonomous decisions, and 3) seem to have a culture of connecting amongst themselves for additional expertise/help on the fly. Highly recommended.

Karen F.

10/18/2022

Not recommended. The worst experience ever! Price gougers! Not happy with the lack of knowledge of water fill line of the toilet. Do yourself a favor and find a true local business that charges a fair price.

The technician was not aware that the the water level in your toilet tank should sit one to two inches below the toilet's fill valve and/or overflow tube. That is a cause of slow flush.

$358.68 to change a fill valve and flapper. $270 to hand snake a small vanity sink. It is really disappointing they would choose to take advantage of homeowners with their unjustifiable prices.

I paid $95 for them to come out. Now, I have to adjust the fill valve and clear out the sink pipes myself.

Elise A.

11/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

I'm sad to say that I've been a customer of Albert Nahman for more than a decade. They have always been on the more expensive side, but they showed up and got the job done. Recently, they charged me $787 to clear a clogged sewage line. The repair took about 2 hours. They asked if I wanted to pay an additional $100 for them to video tape the line. I said, yes, provided I could get a copy of the video tape. The video tape was done and was not provided. Repeated attempts to contact customer service were not responded to, including a suggestion that in lieu of the video tape they meet me at the house and show me where the root intrusion had occurred.

After I submitted a dispute to my credit card company, Albert Nahman agreed to send someone out to video tape the line again. The video tape showed the line was still blocked, though at this point water is able to pass through. Rather than provide me with a quote for the two spot repairs, Naham provided an estimate of $1,800 to redo the work they had previously charged me for.

Sheida A.

10/07/2022 12:00:00 SA

I had a very good experience with this company. I called the office and they gave me next day appointment. The technician I think his name was Ishmael came on time, checked all the pipes and it turned out there was no leaks. He gave us some constructive recommendations. I highly recommend this company for any plumbing needs.

Jaime J.

1/27/2022

We had an external water heater that was placed up high when it was installed 10+ years ago and not working. Three other plumbers inaccurately told us it's placement wasn't up to code (checked code myself And they were wrong) and that it had to be moved and replaced, with quotes of up to $14k. None of them actually opened the cover to look at it. These guys looked at it, accurately diagnosed the problem and FIXED it. Their tech even got there earlier than expected and couldn't have been nicer.

Jonathan F.

02/02/2013 12:00:00 SA

I seldom write reviews on Yelp, but these guys really deserve a shout out. I had trouble with my furnace and thermostat and Nahman was there every step of the way and then some. First, he phone staff are remarkably courteous. When they couldn't make my initial date and time, they called me an hour and a half in advance to let me know. Second, when they did come out, the technician Will was fantastic. He was patient, answered all questions and then, when he mentioned that the part he needed could be overnighted on Saturday, he came and did the install on a day he wasn't even scheduled to work. Lastly, when I had to call Nahman back days later and found that the problem was actually due to my thermostat, they even waived the service charge.
I'll certainly be calling Nahman from here on out. Well done guys, keep it up!

Khadija R.

10/02/2020 12:00:00 SA

Last minute appointment for a broken toilet handle. Thank you Mario you are a life saver. Thanks

Gail M.

09/04/2022 12:00:00 SA

Terrible experience with AN Plumbing. Recommendation- do not use them for large projects. They sell aggressively and then fail to manage project. Worse yet, lack of project management causes hazardous costly mistakes. I had five figure plumbing job done; they failed to dispose of sewage filled old pipes and created contaminated area in back yard that had to be cleaned by restoration company ( had to fight to get THAT cleaned up). The situation ruined my lawn and they put in some patchwork grass, unprofessionally (had to fight to get THAT done). Took a month instead of the week that was promised by sales because they mismanaged city permits and failed to manage subcontractor (I had to bridge the gap in communication to get him to come when the next stage was ready- not my job). Not happy. Won't use them again. Buyer beware.

Matthew H.

12/04/2013 12:00:00 SA

Despite being overcharged for a previous furnace inspection visit we decided to ask Albert Nahman to quote for installing radiant heat in the second floor bedrooms, mainly because they have a reputation in the Bay Area for this sort of work.

On the plus side, Mr. Nahman himself turned up to prepare the quote. The downside was his attitude - off-hand and rude basically covers it. He clearly had made up his mind straight away that he didn't want the work, or maybe we weren't his sort of people. After I wasted a half hour going over the proposal he said, well, a ballpark figure is $15,000, and if that's no good i wouldn't want to put any work into it - that's $15k for four radiators and a combi boiler. A ridiculous figure.

This firm thinks it's the premier East Bay plumbing business, to the extent that it can be disrespectful to potential customers without consequence. I am an architect and will make a point of steering clients away from this overpriced and arrogant outfit - I suggest you do the same.

Nieser W.

3/22/2013

Great company / great service. They were pleasant over the phone and got a technician out the next day (Saturday). Otis was quick to inspect, explain, and price a replacement toilet for us, and to give us a rundown of the two potential problems that could arise in replacing our 60+ year old toilet (and a price impact) - we felt like we understood the whole process. He also popped under the house to check the drain and shared a positive assessment of our current system - it was a nice bonus bit of info.

They scheduled replacement at our convenience and the whole thing took exactly as long as he had told us it would. And our bathroom was left SPOTLESS. Very happy; we'll turn to them the next time we have any plumbing issues.

John A.

03/02/2023 12:00:00 SA

Way overpriced. Prompt, efficient, available, competent, and 2-3 times the cost of a normal plumber. I've seen evidence of this from personal multi-provider bids and anecdotally from others customers.

If you can afford them, and their clean-room booties when entering the house, and/or need their persistent email/text updates, fine, they do good work. They cater to the rich.

Dave P.

12/08/2016 12:00:00 SA

My furnace quit working about a week ago. I called a different company; they sent a technician out. He told me that the blower was frozen, and since the furnace was made in 1969 I wouldn't be able to get parts for it. He said I need a new furnace. Wonderful.His company gives me an estimate of $4800-$5300. A second company gives me an estimate for $5800-$7400. I called Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating for the third estimate.

Tony shows up, I tell him I've been told I need a new furnace. He takes a look at the old one, starts digging around in it, and has it working again in about 30 minutes! Tony was professional, extremely competent, and knowledgeable about the replacement process (that I no longer needed).

To say that I am happy with not having to go through the hassles of a furnace replacement is an understatement! Tony saved me thousands of dollars and days of what would have been wasted time waiting for code inspections, not being able to leave the house, etc. THANK YOU!

William M.

06/08/2021 12:00:00 SA

While I wasn't happy with my original repair, Albert Nahman Plumbing reached out to me and sent a second plumber (thanks Mario) who took care of the problem at no additional cost. Now I have a functioning faucet again and I'm thrilled with the final results.

Eliza R.

02/09/2022 12:00:00 SA

We had a clogging drain which turned out to be not clogged but shut off - the valve was confusing and it looked open. Stanley came by, checked it thoroughly and then kindly and professionally broke the news to me. I was mortified but super grateful for his professionalism. He gave some ideas of how to maintain the drains for my rental property and was an all around great guy. I am putting him and Albert Nahman Plumbing on my house maintenance team for the long term!

Boris M.

12/18/2018

We needed to re-do our HVAC system. Called Albert Nahman, got someone to come, evaluate and send us the quote. Everything went great, they (Gabriel) came in, seemed knowledgeable and promised to send us the quote. We waited a few days, but received nothing. Called the office to remind, were assured that we'd get the quote very soon, and still got nothing. I guess they are busy, but it's a weird way to do business.

kathy m.

11/07/2015 12:00:00 SA

Plumbing emergency so I turned off the water in the house. They called back promptly but do not offer Sat. or Sunday appts. as they had listed on line. Wasted my time.

Cheryl M.

2/28/2014

Was initially dissapointed as a leak i had paid a significant amount of money to fix was not fixed. We had fixed the tub drain and recaulked and regrouted the shower. Turns out water was still coming out from the shower door when we took a shower. The owner himself reached out to me to inquire on a Saturday and the plumber came out to investigate at no charge and is determined to work with me to find a solution. I was impressed with their willingness to get to the bottom of a problem. Only glitch was an inadvertent cancellation of an appointment which caused me to lose a Friday and Saturday afternoon.

L P.

01/04/2017 12:00:00 SA

I called Albert Nahman Plumbing when my furnace decided to quit on one of the coldest days of the year. Like every other place I called, they were swamped and didn't have an available appointment for many days. But they promised to put me on their urgent waiting list in case one of their team ended up having some free time between appointments. I got lucky, and someone was able to come the very next day. They were certainly not the cheapest, but the price was within reason, and they were able to coax a little more life out of my very old furnace before it has to be replaced.

Consumer S.

3/21/2016

We've used ANPH for plumbing repairs for the past few years, but this was the first time we called for heating repair. Said worked on our old beast of a (1950's era) heater this month and got it running again! It takes a while to get an appointment sometimes, but I'm pleased with the service overall.

Edgar H.

12/18/2014

We needed to replace an old water heater so based on research, I asked Albert Nahman to provide a quote. Gabriel came in to provide an estimate (he was on-time and made some good suggestions). Based on their good reviews, competitive pricing and initial experience, I decided to move forward with them. Yesterday Gabriel and Enrique came to install the heater (also on-time). The whole experience was very good. They were very professional, did the work that was agreed upon very well (Enrique also took the time to explain some things as the work progressed, did thorough testing for leaks and left room the way it wasbefore.). Overall, I was very pleased and plan on using them again.

Thank you Gabriel and Enrique!

Patrick C.

8/24/2016

I had a terrible experience with Albert Nahman!  When their technician came out to inspect it, I was told that it wasn't salvageable.  Instead, he worked really hard on trying to sell me on something new.  It felt like he didn't work hard on trying to fix what was there.  A real haphazard effort.  It really just felt like he was trying leave.  He said it would cost $1000 and that it wouldn't last much longer. I had to pay $108 just for him to inspect it.  That that cost would be applied to fixing what was supposedly too broken to fix.

Golden Gate Sheet Metal fixed my furnace, told me it was reaching the end of its life, but that while it should get me through a few more winters.

Nahman quoted me roughly $24K for central heating and air-conditioning while Rudy quoted me $12K.  I will be saving my money, and will definitely stay away from Albert Nahman for any future work.

Sam J.

6/19/2014

My shower faucet was leaking, water running nonstop. Their crews came to my house to fix it. Everything was great. Two days later, the shower faucet started leaking again. I called them to send someone out to fix it right away because I didnt want to waste any water. They sent a guy out two days later (Saturday afternoon) which was the earliest spot that they had available. I believe the guy's name is Wilson. On Sat. afternoon, few mins after this guy showed up, he told me that he had to come back next time because he didn't have the part. I asked him to buy it in the hardware store which was not far away from my house so that he didnt need to come back next time. He refused! He then told me he already had a long day and it was Saturday and he needed to go home with his family. Seriously?! If you didn't want to work on Saturday, you should tell your boss, dont tell me! Plus, I already gave them heads up on the phone that when the guy came, he probably needed to replace the part again, yet he showed up with nothing and told me he had enough!

Sylvia P.

04/04/2017 12:00:00 SA

Nick was absolutely fantastic. He figured out what our problem was, gave us an estimate, and completed the work efficiently and with great expertise. He is respectful, friendly, and able to explain what he is doing in layperson's terms. Albert Nahman is now our go-to plumber!

Susan B.

10/19/2021

These guys are money-grubbing bullies.
My BIG complaint is that they came after me to pay for work they did not complete. I had signed their estimate, and evidently they though this gave them grounds to strongarm me into paying for work they did not do. I received call after call after call looking for payment on services not rendered. After several weeks of this, the calls finally stopped.
Terrible, terrible customer service - and this from an extremely expensive shop.

Kathryn I.

4/14/2016

I phoned this company because I needed a faucet installed in one of my bathrooms. There was a little twist that I told them about when I booked them to come out. The twist is that I needed the hole in my vanity enlarged by 1/4 in order for the new faucet to fit. No problem, they said. They were to come out on 4/14 between 2-4 and at 3 pm I received a call from the technician to say he was on his way but needed me to know that he doesn't have the skill set to enlarge the hole in the vanity top. So, I can cross this company off my list of competent and responsive companies. Very disappointing. Very inconvenient.

Mike O.

01/09/2017 12:00:00 SA

I've used Albert Nahman over the years for both heating and plumbing issues. This time, one of my furnaces went out. Nathan quickly identified the failed switch issue. The part was ordered promptly and the follow-up appoint was very smooth. I have always found the company to price their services appropriately, which is not the case with other Plumbing operations like Kruse.

Susan S.

02/12/2018 12:00:00 SA

Nahman Plumbing and Heating(Fernando V) came on time and prepared to handle the problem. Had an toilet problem and Fernando fixed it. He cited all possible problems that could arise and went out of his way to explain every detail. Excellent service, Fixed the problem. Will definitely ask for him if we have a plumbing or heating issue.

Ellen K.

03/11/2019 12:00:00 SA

I googled, yelped to find plumbing services in San Leandro. New to area, I saw that Albert Nahman was Diamond Certified which was major indicator of their quality and professional services. They aren't the cheapest solution, but I felt I got quality work ... and I don't need issues which require follow-up.

Technician, Jose, came right on time. Informative, professional. We reviewed what I needed done, against the check list I shared with his front office. Checked slow bathroom drain which turned out to be non-issue and was not charged for his time. The replacement of garbage disposal, installation of Toto toilet all went well.

I'm sure there are cheaper solutions out there, but we are all very busy and are time conscious. I have no issue paying people for quality service and professional solutions. Thank you, Jose

Russell M.

2/28/2017

I had a tankless water heater system that was slowly failing over the Christmas and New Year holidays. The system failings occurred at the in opportune times of December 23rd and December 31st. Albert Nahman had serviced this system approximately two years earlier. They came out the same day that I called and diagnosed a failed re-circulating pump. Even though the it was 4:30 in the afternoon, they made the effort and successfully found a replacement pump. I was put at ease by Carlos when he promised he wouldn't leave until the job was complete. About a week later the same system failed when a the cold water intake was clogged. Chris came out and verified that the system was cleared and that there was hot water through out the building. The system continued to slowly deteriorate over the next week and Albert Nahman put me in contact with Rinnai tankless water heater rep who made recommendations for a replacement unit. They ordered the part and had two of their tankless specialists install the system. Special thanks to Amber in the front office who realized the urgency of the situation with 25 upset residents having unpredictable hot water. She was able work us into the schedule when a cancellation became available. I recommend Albert Nahman for service and replacement of tankless water heaters. They are professional, responsive and thorough.

Tim W.

10/14/2019

Do not, under any circumstances, use these people for anything ever! Total cowboys and a complete ripoff.

I've tried them twice now - first for a simple plumbing job, then to service my furnace. For the plumbing the spent 2 minutes to completely misdiagnose the problem; my dishwasher waste pipe was clogged but they decided they needed to fix the waste disposable for some reason. Then for my furnace, they spent 2 minutes looking then told me it all needed to be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled (costing about $1000) or .. why didn't I get them to replace it? God no. They did change the filter, then left all their trash just lying in my basement for me to cleanup later.

Absolutely do not use.

Kinuko O.

12/13/2011

My sump pump to my laundry system gave out, plus a leak from a drain from the tub that a previous plumber said was not a problem (it'll leak into the garden) needed to be fixed The whole experience with Albert Nahman was excellent today. The two plumbers, Stan & Carrie, came on time, gave a reasonable estimate, fixed the 2 problems, stuck to the estimate and were professional and pleasant through the whole process. Usually I feel cheated and disappointed after a plumber's work but today I feel relieved and happy to have found a plumbing company I can use again. Finding a good plumber is like finding a good mechanic!

Gloria C.

5/15/2016

Consult Youtube First
This is about Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating pricing. It's high. It may be the norm, but here's my advise. If there're no safety issues, no potential immediate damage to the house and its surroundings, no severely clogged toilet in your one-bathroom home, calm down and think. Then, no matter how difficult you assume the job will be, definitely ask around and consult Youtube and other internet sites where professionals and lay-people share valuable advise. In so many cases, you can fix the problem yourself at a nominal cost. At the very least, you become more informed about what the repair entails.

You might wisely conclude, as I have several times, that DYI is not an option for a particular repair job. Time constraints, physical ability, the complexity of the job (professionals possess technical tools and knowledge that the unskilled will unlikely have), and availability of funds might dictate your decision. Also, DYI just may not your thing.
However, when the situation allows, a calm, researched approach to finding a repair option might help you avoid having to ask yourself, as I did last week, these nagging questions: Was that a real pricing schedule the technician pulled up on his laptop? Or did he pull a price from the sky based on what he thought I could pay? Is this price based on the complexity of the job? Or is he charging based on the bills he has to pay this month. Who knows really?

This is what a shut-off valve replacement and faucet removal cost me, because I assumed the problem was too complex for me. To my credit, though, I did refuse to have the new faucet installed by the plumber: Declined:263033T - ANPH:Delta 470 Brush Nickel Single Handle Faucet (1 year warranty) - $572.94. The installation was so easy, as I later found replacing the valves would be. Live and learn, and then choose when you want or want a professional

Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating
3333 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Berkeley, CA 94703 510-843-6904(GST/TaxID): LIC #: 414359
Invoice #: Date : Fri May 13 2016 Technician: Jason D.
Work Suggested
Declined:263033T - ANPH:Delta 470 Brush Nickel Single Handle Faucet (1 year warranty) - $572.94
Work Done
Removed faucet per homeowners request. Recommend replacing faucet. Provided and installed new angle stop for the dishwasher. 2 year warranty. Replaced angle stop for the hot water supply for faucet as a courtesy. No warranty.
Details

Item Description Qty Standard Price Your Price Ext Price
413050T(T) Charged To: R $49.00 Service Fee 1 49.00 49.00 Regular 49.00
284050T(T) Charged To: R ANPH:hot or cold shut off valve (2 year warranty) 1 234.12 234.12 Regular 234.12
259050T(T) Charged To: R ANPH: Remove Kitchen Faucet (30 day warranty) 1 175.29 175.29 Regular 175.29
SubTotal: 458.41
Total: 458.41
Payment Amount: 458.41
Payment Method: Visa
Name on Card:
Terms
Monthly interest and late charges may apply to unpaid balances. Unpaid balances may be referred to a collection agency affecting your credit score.
I authorize the above work to be completed and I agree to pay the above total.

I agree that the above work was completed to my satisfaction and I agree to pay the above total.

jonah s.

11/20/2012

I was told I'd be charged $50 for a house call but when the plumber came, and found I didn't have a plumbing issue (it was a foundation leak) he decided not to charge me, called in to dispatch to find some recommendations and just looked around for another 20 minutes trying to coach me on what I could do from here. I was very impressed.

Tom S.

11/30/2016

Jose and Jonny were on time, discovered a leak immediately, and fixed it in under an hour. Great service, very nice people, the repair was flawless and fairly priced.

Josh G.

5/22/2023

Can't believe someone from your office just called to accuse me of trying to get another $300 off Visa because I hadn't had time to call Visa and update my dispute. You backdated the refund to the day of service but the actual notice to me came on the 18th. Sorry I was too busy to call Visa (can't unwind a dispute online), but a polite call to remind me would have been in order, not the aggressive collection agency-like call I just got. After the massive waste of time dealing with your company, it would have been the least you could have done to just ask me to make the call. Which I just did, BTW. Get your act together you guys! BTW there are several low ratings here that involve the same plumber and supervisor, maybe you need to deal with those bad apples before they turn you into the Comcast of plumbing.

Linda H.

8/28/2021

Had a faucet leak in kitchen that I wanted to fix ASAP. No one returned my calls until Albert Nahman. Lisa was great and set up appointment and eventually we got my landlord to approve. The guy came in and fixed it, no problems. I highly recommend!

Jack N.

7/23/2021

heads up: this business is sending unvaccinated technicians into your home. if vaccinations are important to you, you may wish to choose a different vendor

samantha c.

1/17/2017

We had the misfortune of experiencing a backed-up kitchen sink during the last week of December, when seemingly every plumber was on holiday. Thankfully through a referral from NextDoor, we were led to Albert Nahman, who scheduled a visit within a couple days. They confirmed the estimated arrival time by email and phone, and Sal A. arrived within that timeframe. Sal was courteous and professional, explaining everything as he went along, and clearing that ancient clogged drainpipe within minutes. I appreciated Sal's positivity and efficiency, and patience with me as I attempted to comprehend the ins and outs of plumbing. I was so impressed with Sal's service that I signed up our ol' house for an annual agreement with Albert Nahman Plumbing, backed-up drains be damned!

M M.

1/24/2015

Have used them for years w expensive but good results. Failure to return two phone messages cost them a star.

Robert E.

01/04/2019 12:00:00 SA

Calling a plumber has always been gamble before calling on Albert Nahman. The plumbers have all been trained to offer excellent customer service in addition to knowing their craft. We have a toilet that needed to be replaced twice since we moved into our place 10 years ago. The plumbers from AN immediately realized that the subfloor was not lined up properly with the toilet ring, which was causing the leaks over time. Even our last plumber was from an established business didn't pick up on that. Nahman is also reliable and the plumbers show up on time. Overall I've found them to only be slightly higher than a yellow pages individual plumber per job but well worth the extra and a savings over time because they do jobs right the first time.

Caroline K.

7/26/2016

My new water heater was overheating and Bart took a lot of time to carefully check it and gave me other tips and information. In addition he was very friendly and patient. Though it took over an hour I was only charged the initial fee of $49. Also, when I called on Friday AM, I was able to get this taken care of by lunch time. Sometimes, it can take a day just to reach some plumbing services. I highly recommend Bart at Albert Nahman Plumbing.

Vince A.

8/15/2016

These guys were great. When I came back from out of town to a water leak, I knew things were going to be messy. After calling my insurance company and water remediation people, the next call I made was to Albert Nahman Plumbing. They were pretty busy, but they managed to squeeze me in at the end of the day. Jose was great in troubleshooting the problem. As we had water readings in the upstairs wall and attic, everyone initially thought the leak was somehow up there. Jose diligently searched around in my tiny (and hot) attic to no avail. He ultimately identified a leaky hot water supply line in the crawl space. The fix was around $15 in parts, $200 in labor, and a whole lot of insurance work.

Sucks to have your house gutted, but it is a great to have found such competent plumbers.

Charlie C.

6/27/2017

Just wanted to drop a quick review of Nathan Nijensohn to let him know that I appreciated the job he did for us. My on-demand water heater is a Takagi. I love this water heater, it has been a workhorse for us. I also know that a lot of plumbers won't work on these so it can be a little frustrating to deal with hearing that when you are looking to service it. After being rejected by 2 or 3 plumbers, I called Albert Nahman and they sent Nathan, This guy was professional, answered all of my questions, dealt with my attitude when he told me that the bill would be more that what I expected. To be fair, I have never serviced this thing because of what I mentioned above, he listened to me complain (thank you for letting me vent) and gave me some options. Of course, he was right and I knew it. I agreed to the job and the unit is working like a charm. Thank you Nathan for your patience & skill.

Marilyn W.

07/04/2023 12:00:00 SA

Technician Angel did a great job implementing sewer line drainage clearing. He was very courteous and professional. Thank you!

Deirdre M.

04/05/2017 12:00:00 SA

Very impressed with this company - they have highly skilled and experienced plumbers. We had a main pipe in our bathroom that had corroded and had caused multiple problems. Nick and Damien arrived right on time; were respectful our of home (they cleaned up everything!); and the qualify of their work was outstanding. Nick will troubleshoot a solution that provides lasting results and so you are getting more than what you pay for with him. Nick walked me through all the mechanics of the work he had done, showed me before and after photos and patiently answered all my questions. You can really trust this company and its plumbers. They only do the work that is needed and get in and out without wasting your money. It was time and money well spent.

Michael R.

12/28/2015

This is a hard review to write, because Albert Nahman does great work. Most recently they repaired a sump pump and discharge line for our french drain system. They did a fine job but their prices are unbelievably high. They are well enough staffed that they can respond to emergency calls, which is how we ended up using them. This is the second time we've used them for an emergency and both times they responded promptly and their work is just terrific, but, given their prices, I don't think I would ever use them for routine work. They're just too expensive by a factor of at least 50%.

Scott p.

9/27/2013

Nathan was great. He explained what he was going to fix, why, and what it would cost. Things got fixed.

Steven B.

05/11/2015 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman's did a fine job to replace our water heater punctually, and with a friendly team, too.

Scott F.

7/22/2011

Update (8/10/11):
I received a call from Albert himself. He took the time to listen to my concerns and explain in detail the costs and pricing involved. It seems that much of the problem stemmed from the way in which the pricing was explained to me by the plumber who originally did the job, combined with the fact that the first faucet they installed had several problems (that think were manufacturing defects). True to their policy, there was no charge for returning to fix (and ultimately replace) the first faucet. Because of the confusion and miscommunication, I'm not revising my rating higher than a 3 for this particular interaction. However, I can say now that I would feel comfortable using this company again in the future.

Update (8/2/11):
I received a reply to my original review from Albert Nahman, himself, the very same day I posted it. That gave me hope that I'd have my concerns addressed. Unfortunately, not.

The owner of the company tried to tell me that the $269 included labor (it did not) and that it was a Wolverine Brass faucet (I checked. It's the cheap Delta faucet I originally thought it was.). I replied that same day to let him know that I thought he was mistaken and to please let me know if I am the one who is mistaken. I also called and left a message on the direct line he suggested I call (which, oddly, had a generic mailbox message). It's now over a week later and he has not replied.

NOW, THE FAUCET HAS A GUSHING LEAK UNDERNEATH WHENEVER I TURN ON THE FAUCET. Sigh. I made an online appointment request, left a message on his direct line, and called the company and left a message in his voice mail there. After several hours without a response, I called back the main line to schedule an appointment with a live person, which I guess I should have done in the first place. They won't be able to send someone until tomorrow, and it's the same plumber. Crossing my fingers...

Original Review (7/22/11):
I've used these guys several times and have been satisfied, but my most recent experience has me choose to take my business elsewhere.

The service technicians I've used have all been completely professional. The work they have done has been competent. I'm not a plumber, so I can't say any more than that. I think their straightforward pricing is a bit expensive, but I appreciated knowing that there was a consistency to the pricing and knew with confidence what it would be.

What has me upset enough to sink their ratings is how much they charged me for a replacement kitchen faucet. Naively, I trusted that the faucet that they sold me would have a bit of mark-up, perhaps 10-15%, and agreed to the replacement. They charged me $269 for the faucet. A quick search online revealed to me later that the same faucet at Lowe's would cost me $88. That's nearly a 100% mark up - probably more since they likely get wholesale pricing.

If you use them, supply your own parts.

Avram G.

7/25/2019

Been using Albert Nahman for a long long time! They aint cheap, but they are there when you need them and they are the height of professionalism.

Claire D.

10/02/2020 12:00:00 SA

I keep getting calls from this business despite repeatedly informing them that they have the wrong number and to stop calling/texting. I did not order service, have not had service completed and would really appreciate it if you bothered whoever this Morgan person is instead of me.

Willinator S.

1/19/2018

My personal experiences with Albert Nahman have been very positive. The response is very fast and attentive. Words that come to mind are honorable, fair, excellent, professional, knowledgeable, informative, and decent.

I find it more than difficult to believe and accept as factual some of the negative reviews below based on Mrs. W's and my personal experiences.

We give Albert Nahman P&H our highest recommendation.

Wil A.

07/03/2017 12:00:00 SA

Mauricio was the tech that came out. These guys were on time, courteous, and reasonably priced (I first thought the price was high when i got the quote but my buddy that owns an HVAC said it was reasonable and then after he heard the time they took to do all the work, he felt the price was actually good because these guys are super thorough). I have a buddy that owns an HVAC company that I was able to discuss the work being done, and show him the readings just to ensure everything seemed on the up and up and he confirmed everything they wanted to do is definitely needed based on the readings and maintenance schedule.

Mauricio took the time to show me pictures, shared the readings with me, explained everything he was doing and really went that extra mile to ensure everything was great and working well. I can honestly say that when the AC kicks n now, i can actually feel the difference. The temps are dropping faster than usual so it has much less of a load on the system.

I will absolutely use these guys for our maintenance as well as refer them to everything I know. Great Company!

One thing that amazed me, the capacitor that commonly goes out and leaves you with no AC in the hot part of summer that most places don't replace unless it is bad, they replace with the maintenance just to ensure you don't run into issues since its a common issue.

R M.

10/04/2013 12:00:00 SA

Nahman, their office staff, and their technicians are the best. Mario came out to attend to my water heater, and diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly. He was punctual, professional, and friendly. I highly recommend this company - they always know what they're doing, they're honest, and they're very professional.

Karen L.

11/05/2021 12:00:00 SA

Techs Stanley King, Jr. and Colton (sorry didn't get a last name) came out today to repair (ended up replacing) our sump pump. They did a phenomenal job and we couldn't be happier with the service and kindness both displayed. I am a big dummy and forgot to hit an ATM to have some tipping cash on hand and I feel awful - would have loved to show my appreciation with some green, but I was told providing a positive review here will help them both. I hope so!!! They deserve whatever rewards AN Plumbing will provide. 1000% will call again when needed

Carolann H.

8/18/2013

Wilber was fantastic. He was earlier than scheduled, called me to confirm it was okay and to check what equipment he needed. He was friendly, polite and efficient and answered my questions about other plumbing issues with honest advice.

The work was done quickly and cleanly (snaking the shower drain). The scheduler was nice, polite, efficient and clearly set out prices and expected costs ($49 to show up, clogged drains $175 and up). I called Nahman because they were great too when I called for help with water pressure two years ago.

If you have to call a plumber, Nahman seems like the best choice for honesty, efficiency and a job well done.

Subhogini R.

4/30/2014

I called Albert Nahman Plumbing based on Yelp.The day before the appointment, they called to confirm.The day of appointment they called to let me know the plumber will be late due to traffic. Wow! this is the first time any service person has called me to let me know that they are running late. Very professional!
Carrie was great,. She was very knowledgeable, explained everything very clearly. Thank you Carrie!
Sorry had to change the stars from 5 to 3. Had an emergency, as we are a 'club' member called ANP and they ended up charging a lot for less than one hour job. The technician was great. They did fix the problem that day. But price was high, guess manager decides on the price. Way too expensive. Have to find a more reasonable plumber.

Mark T.

2/18/2023

For over 20 years, I always called Nahman whenever I had a plumbing problem and I have given them a lot of referrals. They recently charged me over $8,000 for a job that took them 20 hours of labor and with minimal materials. The quality of the work they did was good, but the cost of plumbing work these days is shockingly high.

Nick E.

03/12/2018 12:00:00 SA

These folks are great. Office staff is very polite and work with you on finding the right time to meet the technician. They send reminder emails as well as emails to let you know the tech is onsite. The gentlemen who came to my home Tad was fantastic! He was right on time and called ahead to let me know he was on his way. He went through what he was going to do and then put on booties to make sure my home didn't get dirty. After that he suggested a few maintenance items and provided a very prompt estimate. Easy 5 STARS for Albert Nahman Plumbing!

Bonnie J.

04/02/2017 12:00:00 SA

I needed a new toilet and tub spout. Stanley first came over to discuss which new toilet I wanted then came back after a few days to install both the toilet and spout. I found him to be very knowledgeable, efficient, respectful and patient with my questions (he would actually make a good teacher). I've used Albert Nahman in the past and will do so again in the future.

Paul R.

4/21/2023

Had Nauman out last week to check furnace and air conditioner for coming season. Unit is two years old and never serviced. They explained a minimum cost to come out was $204, but if service was done cost would apply against the minimum. Well, not quite. Tech in my house explained that only applied to the purchase of things (filter, thermostat, etc) Service fees were extra. So he's standing in my house, I'm already out $204 if he just leaves, so I asked him to check the unit. He says it's clean etc. Doesn't even need a filter. Took 15 minutes. Total bill almost $500. Called to complain and got a runaround. I'm never using them again.

MC F.

11/15/2020

Excellent service from the first contact to work completion. They called me back right away, answered all my questions and put my mind at ease and sent their service crew as soon as they are available.

Corinne O.

01/11/2023 12:00:00 SA

We have used Albert Nahman plumbing in the past and had a good experience, so I reached out to them to repair a leaky water hose on a toilet. I was told there was a $95 call-out fee, which was fine with me. The tech was scheduled to arrive two days later from 10am to 12pm. At 830am I got a call asking if he could come by at 9am. No problem! But, by noon, nobody had shown up. I called them and they said someone should arrive in 20 minutes. 1 hour later the tech showed up. The tech was friendly and knowledgeable and diagnosed the problem in under 5 mins. I just needed to replace the hose, I had thought it was in the pipe that was leaking. I know this part is less than $10 and takes about 5 mins to fix. He said he could repair it but his system was showing this as a $450 repair. While he couldn't directly say it, he knew it was a ridiculous price and he somewhat apologized. I declined to have him do the work and fixed it myself. While I know the high price included labor rolled in, which is to be expected for a service, it was still an unreasonable amount for a $7 part and 5-minute project. I will not be calling this company in the future.

Frances G.

08/08/2023 12:00:00 SA

I left an online message requesting an appointment to repair the tankless water heater I'd purchased from them 11 years ago. Someone replied immediately and scheduled a same-day appointment between 12 and 2. Carlos arrived at 12:45, listening to my sob stories about this water heater while he problem solved. Then he tested the outlet and voila, I had hot water, no bill, a lot of gratitude. For a reason I no longer remember, I hadn't used Nahman in several years but after today's experience they have moved to the very top of my list as my go-to plumber for promptness, competence and honesty.

stacey f.

10/12/2022 12:00:00 SA

Always have a great experience with Albert Nahman. They are my go to for all my plumbing issues. I am always able to get plumbers to our home promptly and they are efficient and courteous.

Jean D.

12/21/2019

A shout-out to Nahman technician Deepak Sharma for his quick response when my water heater of 20 years finally rusted through Friday afternoon before the Christmas holiday. Not only did he arrive to diagnose the problem, he came back the next morning and installed a replacement. Deepak was not scheduled to work that Saturday, but did so because we would otherwise have had to wait until Monday for hot water. Many thanks to Deepak and Nahman's for great service during a pre-holiday crisis.

Jackie B.

06/12/2023 12:00:00 SA

We decided it was time to replace our 22 year old water heater.
On Saturday, the technician came out and gave us a quote for the job. We scheduled for Monday and the same technician, Deandre Perkins, returned and did the job.
Deandre was very professional, answered all of our questions and did excellent work.

Leigh M.

01/03/2015 12:00:00 SA

After a big wind storm and power outage, my tankless water heater stopped working. Of course, this happened right at the start of the New Year's holiday, so I was without hot water for several days. I was referred to Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating by the manufacturer. Mike C came out this morning and had my hot water running again in no time! He was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly! I would highly recommend ANP&H, and will definitely use them again for any plumbing problems!

Genie C.

4/23/2019

My water heater was not working. Cold showers, etc. I was told it would be a free estimate. The guy who comes out to look at it said I need a new heater. I asked him if it was a problem with the wire, since PG&E told me it could be the problem. PG&E came out three times to try to light the pilot light with no success.
The guy from A. Nahman Plumbing said I could get the wires fixed for $150 but it wouldn't work and I would just be fixing it over and over for $150 each time. I did not like the way he yelled at me when I said it was supposed to be a free estimate. Then he called the office and found out it was supposed to be free. When I asked for a breakdown on pricing he got emotional again and impatient when I asked for the exact price minus the $50 coupon. He said it would cost $2485 which is outrageous to me. I am fortunate I have a friend who told me it was a ripoff and also read the reviews here.

Berkeley B.

05/04/2018 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman provided service within 30 minutes on a water heater it installed in 2015 (see 2015 review). Service rep Deepak was able to analyze and resolve the problem quickly. Also answered question about the gas meter which was probably the source of the problem.

Sam H.

04/08/2019 12:00:00 SA

I accidentally drilled a hole into a drain pipe behind our sink. They sent over a couple plumbers the same day, took out some of the wall, and fixed the pipe in under two hours. They were extremely professional and completely transparent with regard to pricing. I'm very pleased and will definitely call them again in the future.

Renee B.

5/31/2017

Service Tech Stanley King is a funny and friendly guy, but also very professional and understanding. He quickly figured out what was wrong, fixed what he could right then, and came up with a good plan for a long-term solution for our old building plumbing issues. I hope I don't have to see him soon, but if I do, at least I know he'll do a great job.

Dan L.

05/08/2023 12:00:00 SA

Had them come by to repair a bathroom sink. The technician came out promptly. When he arrived he took his time to diagnose the issue and walked us through our options.

Was very professional and friendly. Would definitely use them again!

Bill L.

11/20/2016

This was my second time using Albert Nahman Plumbing. This time Jose was the service tech who came. He quickly realized the problem, and also realized that the work (sink trap assembly connections) was relatively new. Once he confirmed that the work had been done by Nahman before, he noted that my 2 year warranty on the work had expired a few days ago. Jose request and was granted permission to fix the problem for no charge, quickly did the work, and was professional and friendly. I appreciate good service, and will call them again the next time I have a plumbing issue.

Carolyn K.

7/21/2018

Mauricio, the Albert Nahman technician who installed my new heat pump, has just returned to voluntarily fix problems that someone from another company caused. There was no charge. Mauricio is cordial, smart, and highly skilled. The job is now complete and I'm very happy. I'm never again going to hire amateurs. When Mauricio gets a job done, I know it will stay done. The company owner, Albert Nahman, actually came over to be sure everything was in shape (also because there's a great pizza shop next door!) But seriously, they were very concerned that I was satisfied with all their work, which I am. Thanks to all of you.

Natan K.

5/19/2019

Nathan from Albert Nahman was not only a lifesaver when our water had to be shut off on a Saturday. He was professional, clean, incredibly kind, flexible with our needs and went way above and beyond what was necessary in order to complete the service. I am so grateful to Nathan for his work replacing our kitchen faucet that was gushing water! Thank you! When I call Albert Nahman back for future work, I'll be requesting Nathan.

Cleo B.

9/20/2019

I will agree with other reviewer's here that this company is reliable, has availability when you need it, but is overpriced. I loved the work that was done and appreciated the high-quality faucet fixture that was put into our kitchen sink. We also got a two year warranty which is great. I was also relieved to get someone on the other end of a phone who could speak to me instantly and schedule appointment. The workman, Mario, was entirely professional and well mannered. Respectful and clean. Did his work efficiently and quickly. Also I saw that he was patient, and waited to see if the dripping had stopped, to make sure if there weren't any other problems.. But $800 for an hour work seems incongruous.

J. K.

11/15/2012

Will from Albert Nahman recently installed a furnace in my home. He was terrific at explaining the option of repairing the old furnace versus the option of buying a new furnace. I was able to hand over the keys to the house, he came and did a great job. The basement was left neat and clean, the house was toasty again, we are happy. Albert Nahman has been reliably keeping all of our plumbing and heating in good shape for years.

T F.

10/09/2018 12:00:00 SA

I've used Albert Nahman Plumbing twice now, once for a busted on-demand water heater and once for a new sewer lateral. They. Are. Awesome.
The heater broke on the weekend but they were open and were able to come out within 24 hours and knew exactly what they were looking at.
They just finished my sewer lateral replacement and even though they had to dig up a lot of landscaping, you would never know it. They replaced everything so that it looks exactly the same as before. They even patched the driveway where they had to break up the asphalt. Plus, their price was 2/3 that of the other estimates I got.
And everyone I have spoken with, from the first person to answer the calls through the final payment and paperwork have been friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.

uyen v.

08/10/2022 12:00:00 SA

This is an update to my most recent review from 8/9/2022. Marcus Mosley from Albert Nahman reached immediately the next day. We had an extremely productive and informative conversation. He listened to my concerns and assured that this was an isolated incident and will be addressed.

I would also like to acknowledge Levi Williams with whom I spoke with on 8/9/2022.

Albert Nahman is very lucky to have both of these men on their team. They exemplified what customer service should. With that said, I feel very confident moving forward we will have a good working relationship and will definitely use them again in the future.

Tomodachi B.

6/21/2020

Tad recently came by to help us out last minute and we were so thankful for his help. We were really in a pinch since it was the weekend. The leak was fixed and life went back to normal for the most part. Thanks to everyone at ANS!

Jane M.

03/01/2023 12:00:00 SA

Very considerate and timely. My tenants had no heat in December. The technicians did their best to get the needed part and install it properly. I use them for plumbing needs as well.

Michael G.

4/24/2017

Tony is an expert on boilers and hydronic heating systems and he has done superb work on my heating system during the past five years. Tony and the other plumbers who have worked on my plumbing are the very best. They have also installed outdoor faucets, several toilets and a garbage disposal. I've had no problems with the work they have done.

Marla W.

2/14/2019

Had an issue with my kitchen sink - the water was only coming out ice-cold and would never get hot - and so Sal from Albert Nahman came over to try to diagnose the problem. He told me he wasn't sure what the issue was but that I should replace the kitchen faucet, replace a valve under the sink, oh and... there was a slight leak down there too (he seemingly took a pic with his phone and then showed me). This all would've been $1,000+ of work. I paid around $75 just for that diagnosis, even though it seemed like more of a guess than a certain diagnosis. He said it would probably solve the problem. Hmmm.

I started shopping around for faucets, remembering that he had warned me not to get a cheap one - and kitchen faucets alone can easily run $500 to $1,200. I found one I liked, and I wanted to run it by Sal to make sure it would work before purchasing. I called Albert Nahman to reach Sal, asking them to have him call me. No call-back from him for a week or so, so I called back and asked for the same thing. He never called me.

So... do y'all want my business or nah? In the meantime, I grew impatient so I called another plumber. He walked down into my building's basement, twisted a knob slightly in one direction, and it solved the problem instantly! No $500 faucet, valve, leak repair, hundreds of dollars in labor costs, etc. No need to make a second appointment - he diagnosed the problem AND solved it in one fell swoop, and the whole visit was just $130.

Oh, and the second plumber couldn't find any leak under the sink. Did Sal actually show me a picture he took at another home to convince me I had a leak when I didn't, to run up an even higher bill for me? I'll never know, because he and Albert Nahman ignored me despite my following up with them twice to try to get in touch. All I know is that they were trying to charge me $1,000+ to maybe solve a problem that another plumber ultimately fixed in 5 minutes by twisting a knob to the right.

Needless to say, I won't be working with them again--and I'm so glad I didn't let them scam me.

Tanya C.

5/20/2009

We had an awesome experience with Albert Nahman. We bought a house last year, and the washing machine was erroneously hooked up the the hot water line, and our kitchen faucet also had lost pressure. Chris came over and did the assessment, with what seemed like a fair bid. He came back a week later, and ended up spending 8 hours completing everything (twice as long as projected), partially because things were more complex than expected and also because we asked for something additional at the last minute. But he stuck to the original bid! We were floored. He was also really nice and professional, and gave my husband suggestions on how to do some future work ourselves. I didn't think many people tried to do that instead of getting the work themselves!

Jeanie W.

6/24/2020

We needed a plumber on Fathers Day Sunday morning and because I've always heard good things about Albert Nahman we called him first. Even though Albert didn't have anyone to send immediately that day he called us and walked us through how to shut off our water heater to stop the leak. Very nice guy. Will still be the first we call the next dreaded time something breaks

Camilla P.

06/06/2016 12:00:00 SA

This plumbing company is the best ever!! I cannot think of enough superlatives to express how happy I have been with their service. They may be a little more expensive, but they are worth every penny. They arrive promptly and all the workers have been polite, considerate and very sharp. My 92 year old mother, who is partially blind, lives alone in her home in the Berkeley Hills. As I live an hour away, I am not always able to be there when the plumber arrives. So I feel confident that Nahman's will take care of her problem when I am not there.

We were lucky to have Sal on two occasions. The most recent time Sal came, my mother had a gas leak in her house. PGE came to turn-off the gas, but did little else. Sal came the next day to do detective work, searching every single pipe joint and everywhere else for a possible leak. I was unable to be there with my mother that day. So Sal called me at intervals, updating me on his progress. I felt my mother was very well taken care of and the problem was resolved.

Nahman's will even come on the weekend if you have an emergency. PGE neglected to re-light the pilot light on my mother's water heater. A Nahman's guy came on Sunday morning to re-light her water heater. She was relieved to have her hot water back on and I was too.

Tim B.

3/18/2017

Carrie was very helpful in explaining the problem with our clogged drain. She found a bigger problem which needed a crew to come out to replace some pipes under the house. If I need any other plumbing help, I will call the Albert Nahman company again.

Ron W.

4/19/2022

This company was almost impossible to deal with for a sewer later replacement. Contract was signed in Sept, 2021 and completed 6 months later. I lost a month by emailing them and filling out their web based contact form in Sept/Oct in order to start the project. I called and learned their was a 10% down payment required. I immediately provided it and was told that the required Oakland permits were filed immediately. By December, I became suspicious since there was no action at their end. There were at least 3-4 people I was dealing with using different phone numbers, emails. I asked specifically for proof for the date the permits were requested/filed. My question went unanswered--just something about problems with the website which I took to ultimately mean they screwed up on using the City's permit portal. So, I checked with the State of CA regarding their contractor permit and found that Nahman is actually owned by a venture capital company named PipeDreams Ventures and that it's CEO is a tech guy and by checking LinkedIn, used to be an executive at NextDoor. By now, I was about ready to ask for my money back and start from scratch elsewhere and they immediately took $500 off my balance. I also contacted the City and let Nahman know it. Lo and behold the work started within about 10 days. The actual work was very simple: a new sewer line, about 20') in my backyard that the workers simply dug out instead of using the trenchless method. The actual work took about 2/3 of one day, then city and EBMUD inspections, then fill in the work the next morning. The work cost about $8000 and took about 8 hours of labor time. Of course, that doesn't count several administrative taking months to get it right! POSITIVE: the work crew was outstanding, which is the only reason why I've checked 2 stars and not one. But keep in mind, THIS COMPANY IS NO LONGER LOCALLY OWNED BUT CAPITAL VENTURE OWNED. I assume the new ownership intends to reap the benefits of web based coordination and service but, based on using their website and trying to coordinate THEIR communications with each other, this firm is not ready for prime time.

Joe S.

1/15/2022

They're over price and does unethical business practice . Deepak the technician that came to fix my water heater ( no hot water) was polite and professional . After he replaced the Pilot Assembly on my water heater , he told me that it didn't work and that he will need to order a Gas Valve but it will take over a month to receive it..over a MONTH !! I will have to wait for the parts and no hot water for over a MONTH ?!?! So I told him i can't wait over a month without hot water so we should cancel the work . Problem is if I wanted the work canceled , he will charge me $200 for the Pilot Assembly he just installed plus the price of the Pilot Assembly ..my god this is so SHADY and a TRAP !! So my other option he said is to order a new water heater directly from him for $2700 .. I could find same quality water heater but way cheaper price somewhere else but I was stuck & trap so I had no choice but to buy it from him . They gave me $135 off later on but it's still overprice ..lesson learn, I will never deal with this company again and I well tell anyone and everyone how shady this company is

Brian G.

12/19/2012

Prompt, fast and fair. It doesn't get any better than that. Problem solved. Good guy.

Joseph M.

02/08/2017 12:00:00 SA

I have happily used Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating for a variety of jobs over 3 years. Today Fernando came to replace a toilet, a part on another toilet and washers on a bidet. Both Fernando and Nathan who initially priced the work know their trade well and are polite efficient I was totally comfortable with them too. I am totally satisfied with the work.

Chris S.

9/29/2016

I requested a quote three days ago. They not only have a description of the work that needs to be done but also a photo of the part. I have yet to hear back from them. The other companies I contacted responded within an hour.

Martha M.

3/13/2013

We needed a new on-demand water heater. We've used Albert Nahman Pluming & Heating before, so called them. From the quote to the installation, the service guys were completely professional, ethical and completed the job really fast, even cleaning up to my standards at the end of the job. We now have a new water heater that works as it should. Fabulous service! Fernando and Enrique did an awesome installation job on our new on-demand water heater.

A F.

6/16/2015

Terrible workmanship. When the plumber finished installing all new drainage for my kitchen sink because of leaking pipes, I pointed out that I could still hand tighten the new fittings. He said that was how it was supposed to be. I accepted that. After he left and $500 later, the new pipe connections were leaking. They sent another person out to repair that work, and it started leaking again the next day. They clearly have no quality control over their plumbers.

Nina B.

02/08/2019 12:00:00 SA

I have used Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating many times over the years. They have always provided good service. They are expensive, and their estimates are usually high.

Several years ago, I had them out to give an estimate on removing a gas wall heater. At first, Gabriel quoted $200 for the removal, but then revised his estimate upwards to $400. I was told that it would take an hour to do the work, but the technician had finished in 20 minutes.

I also had my water heater replaced with a tankless unit. Gabriel told me that Albert Nahman would insulate the pipes, but since it was not in his written estimate, the pipes never got insulated. This has contributed to my continuing dissatisfaction with the water heater taking too long to heat my water. I have had quotes for up to $3000.00 to fix this problem from this company, including one of $800.00 for the pipe insulation.

Recently, I had Albert Nahman out to complete the annual inspection of my tankless water heater unit. They charged me $549.60 for an economy tankless tune up. The technician did not descale the system, but cleaned a few filters and checked the gas and water connections. All in all, he took 30 minutes for what he did, and it still takes a minute to get hot water in one of my bathrooms. Previously, I have been unable to find a plumber to tackle this tankless water heater work, which is why I went with Albert Nahman. I calculate that for the water heater service, I have spent $18.32 per minute for the work the technician has performed. He did not replace any parts. This seems outrageously high to me.

My dissatisfaction with Albert Nahman is not with their actual plumbing and heating work. It is with their high estimates and charges for the work they do. Do your research and get different estimates before you contract with them.

Vincent C.

03/06/2021 12:00:00 SA

Called in to have piping under our house looked as it was making rattling noises. They asked for my full name, seemed reluctant to take this job, then said their system was down. I asked for a call back, which I never received. I don't recommend using this shop.

Ann g.

05/07/2023 12:00:00 SA

I called Albert Nahman Plumbing to have them fix a pump they installed years ago to get the hot water to my distant shower. I was told it would be far better to install a tankless water heater which would not only solve my hot water problem but lower my utility bills (that remains to be seen but I'm doubtful). But I did agree to have them install the tankless water heater to the tune around $7000. I was also told I would have to pay an additional $800 for an inspection and permit. I assumed that would be city inspections and permit, but instead an employee from Nahman Plumbing came and spent maybe 15 minutes in my house. He said he was going to put insulation on one of the pipes, but I never saw evidence of that. Then he went and sat in his truck for four hours until the permit man came who was from the city and charged $125, so I guess I was paying $675 to Nahman Plumbing to inspect (for 15 minutes) their own work. Somehow that just doesn't seem ethical? Am I wrong?

Chris G.

3/18/2021

Showed up and charged $74 to give me a price quote of over $800, which they could have given over the phone. Another company charged $180 for the same service.

Update: They at least refunded by service fee, but I would not recommend them. We ended up going with Oakland Rooter, who was excellent.

Paul R.

1/18/2017

Alex was very informative and worked quickly. Cost was reasonable, and I was happy with the service received.

Karen R.

4/19/2023

Used them previously to replace some parts on a shower. They were okay - expensive but okay. This time, I called them to replace the fill valve and the shut off valve on a toilet that was running - they quoted $475 for the fill valve (cost of part online is about $20) and $170 for the shut off valve (cost of part online is about $10). This is on top of a $95 visit fee. So that's a total of about $700 for labor for a pretty quick toilet fix. Needless to say we did not proceed with the work, but we're still on the hook for the $95 service fee. They are completely untransparent about pricing up front, so you have no idea what you're going to get when a person comes out. Highly suggest staying away from this business unless you're a fan of price gouging.

Debra S.

1/21/2019

These people did not follow my instructions, they lied about it and then tried to cheat me. They should not be in business.

Ariel P.

5/31/2017

SO EXPENSIVE! Do yourself a favor and get quotes from several plumbing companies before settling into one option.

I had a broken garbage disposal and called for an assessment -- they came quickly enough and came to the conclusion that I needed it totally replaced - FOR $680!! After calling other places to get a quote, all others were literally hundreds of dollars less. Plus, after I had someone else take a look, they determined there was only a blockage and didn't need to be replaced.

Basically, these guys jacked up their prices WAY too high and don't do the most thorough inspections/assessments. You've been warned.

K M.

11/08/2017 12:00:00 SA

The technician seemed very thorough, but this seems problematic: I was quoted $154 for a heating tune-up on the telephone, but I was charged $353. When I called to ask why I was charged so much more, the very nice lady explained that tuneups cost $353 and diagnostic service fees are $154, and that the person on the phone must have made a mistake and quoted me the wrong price. This just seems like important information to be aware of if you call them.

Oliver H.

01/07/2016 12:00:00 SA

Have used their services twice now, and both times I was very happy with their professionalism and quality of the diagnosis and repair.

Victoria S.

10/23/2018

We scheduled them on Saturday to fix our clogged and only bathroom sink. They said they could come Tuesday between 11-1pm. We were home that whole time. They called at 1pm to cancel and reschedule. No way.

Cynthia L.

1/16/2015

Excellent services-very reliable,prompt and responsive to my needs and concerns. Highly recommend their services for installing and servicing tankless water heaters.

Anna B.

3/16/2017

Sal and Damian did a whole day's worth of plumbing work at my house, and they did a great job. They fixed up my pipes, repaired some leaks, and installed a new diverter for my bathtub/shower. The work was expertly done, and Sal and Damian were professional and friendly. Sal was extremely patient and kind with all my questions and concerns about my plumbing. He made me feel like a valued customer, and thanks to him, I will always call on Albert Nahman for any plumbing needs I have in the future.

Patrick B.

12/30/2022

As other reviewers mention this company is a price gouger, even charging a consultation fee. The technician who came did not do any investigation to determine the source of my issue, but instead quoted scope of work 2x more than competing quotes, which would not have resolved the issue (the part to be replaced was fine in the end). The technician also claimed I needed electrical and plumbing work to be brought up to code (not correct). Always get multiple quotes for contractors, but don't waste your time on these guys.

kay d.

3/18/2011

After years of good service, I regret to say I can no longer unqualifiedly recommend this company. I feel they tried to sell me a $1500 to $6000 replacement instead of making an $80 repair as in earlier years.

My house has gas walll heater units, whose pilot lights occasionally go out, requiring a routine small part replacement.

This time, Nahman's sent a person I hadn't seen before. He didn't replace the part that is the usual suspect, but said it was fine, and that the problem this time was that the whole unit was old, unreliable, unsafe, and needing servicing if not complete refurbishing. He did clean the unit up a bit and got the pilot relit. When the pilot died again a few hours later, I called Nahman's, which did rescind their charge and rescheduled a visit,, by the same person. This time, he didn't do anything except repeat what he'd said, adding that he and Mr Nahman had checked, and parts for this unit were no longer available, hence a refurbishing couldn't be done. I was looking at replacement of one unit for $1500, both for $3000, or perhaps I should install central heating (for maybe $6000)? When I asked if Nahman's even did that, he said we're beginning to.

I believed him, but decided to get competing bids. One highly recommended heating company came over, and first I asked them to look at the dead pilot light. They replaced the small usual suspect: part, and the pilot has stayed on ever since. I also asked them if my units were unsafe, needed any major servicing, and, if so, were there parts available. They said the units were fine, and that they didn't need much upkeep.

JEFFREY G.

05/11/2013 12:00:00 SA

In what appeared to be a most difficult installation of a washer and dryer, Albert Nahman managed to get everything in seamlessly and quickly beyond my expectations. A lot was involved, but under the direction of Fernando who demonstrated the perfect example of courtesy and professionalism, the job was completed on budget and on time. Quick, clean and reasonable cost made this the gold standard I would use for any other contractor.

Phil C.

11/02/2021 12:00:00 SA

We have used Nahman over the years. Our kitchen faucet had a very low flow. Several plumbers from Nahman at different times said that the faucet was not fixable. New one was $819. Fed up, I called Oliveto and Steve came and fixed it in 15 minutes, with only a charge for labor.
They also recommended a new water filter ($1442) to replace the one they installed several years ago that quit working, rather than taking responsibility to find new filters. It seems that greed has gotten in the way of competence. We are moving on to Olivero.

Gail S.

2/18/2017

Stanley is an outstanding professional. I highly recommend this company. I live in a very old home in Oakland, and the drain was safely cleared, without damage to existing plumbing.

C G.

05/06/2022 12:00:00 SA

I have some very straightforward things to fix (e.g. faucet swap out, flush mechanism not working in the toilet) that are enough for less 2 hours of work and could not get a rate per hour or cost at all over the phone. They will come out for $95 and then tell you what the cost is then. This is ridiculous. Waste $95 to find out they will charge $300 an hour? Or $150? They will apply the $95 as a credit but you still don't know what you are signing up for. They certainly have a standard cost list somewhere but would not tell me anything.

If they don't want the small ticket plumbing jobs they should say so upfront instead of playing games.

Alan A.

1/28/2017

Our tankless water heater had stopped working on Jan 1st. I had called around to find a plumber/technician to see why it had stopped. Nathan had to come 4 times to diagnose the problem. After talking to the company's tech support and still not able to solve the problem, I agreed for him to do a maintenence service. So far, that seemed to fix the problem. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Nathan was thorough and patient, he explained what was happening. I was very satisfied with his work.

Scott J.

12/18/2017

Nick and Damien did a fantastic job repairing my toilet and replacing the shut off valve. Great office staff and follow up with scheduling. I am very happy that stellar customer service and highly skilled work is the norm for this company!

Jeff L.

06/12/2016 12:00:00 SA

This company and the plumber responded quickly after my call.

The plumber was very professional and peformed a great job on an extemely difficult job. My cartridge was calcified and fused with the brass pipe entirely. He patiently and yet carefully removed the center metal piece and scraped out all plastict and rubber piece by piece completely. He also answered every single question I have with expert knowledge throughoutly and even provided with more alternative and advices.

I'm 100% plus satisifed!

Rachel D.

04/11/2017 12:00:00 SA

Mario of Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating was prompt, capable, efficient and sweet getting our new water heater put in today. Tony had fixed it before and was very knowledgeable. They both helped with little other things, too.

Alan O.

10/23/2020

Good experience over the years and today.

With Stanley who was clearly knowledgeable about our problem with our roof rainwater run-off sump pump in a collection tank. Organized, had the exact replacement pump already in his truck, cleaned out the tank, tested the drains to the street, new pump in around 1.5 hours, nice. Communicative, clear, work done for a fair price.

Would definitely use them again!

Jim V.

4/14/2020

We had a drip in our office sink. I called Albert Nahman and 2 plumbers replaced the faucet (I provided) and 2 shut off valves and 2 short lengths of supply lines. They were here for less than 1 hour. The bill: $1,122.52! I could have hired 2 psychiatrists for an hour for less. I was stunned and amazed at this exorbitant price. The plumber quoted prices of $486.36 and $587.16 from his IPad, but he failed to mention, either as an oversight or on purpose, that these prices were cumulative. I got that nauseous feeling that you get when you realize that you have been had. I did get $300 refunded to me after I strongly protested to their customer service people. Beware this ripoff company.

Lea D.

10/18/2021

I was VERY happy with the help I got from Lisa (a dispatcher, I presume) at Albert Nahman Services today. I phoned this morning because my water heater was not working, and I did not have hot water at my house. I suspected that the problem was that the water heater pilot needed to be re-lit. I thought I may have caused the pilot to go out when I opened the door of the compartment where the water heater is two days ago. Lisa told me that PG&E would re-light the pilot on my water heater for free. I made an appointment with PG&E online, a worker came out around noon, and re-lit the pilot light at no charge. By 1 pm I had hot water again!! I really appreciate that Lisa referred me to PG&E so that I was able to take care of this issue, and saved me the cost of a service call. I will call Albert Nahman Services again for future plumbing issues!

Mike S.

11/25/2012

A little intimidating at first because we had a back-up and spill-over from our clean-out. Of course this happened on Thanksgiving, when you least expect it or when it is the least convenient. We called Nahman and someone responded, on Thanksgiving no less... It wasn't quite an emergency so we decided to let it go until the next day. Black Friday no one was available but Nahman was in touch with us letting us know what the issues were.

On Saturday Stanley showed up and had the situation well in hand. Roots had grown into our clay pipes causing the back-up. This is something we were aware of but after fixing the immediate problem Stanley offered a more permanent solution to the ongoing problem. We expect to see Stanley or a representative of the company return with an estimate for a permanent fix. We have an older home, built right after the '06 Quake, and it needs maintenance at every level. For this particular issue we feel that Albert Nahman can be trusted to do the job.

Hari P.

01/03/2022 12:00:00 SA

Had scheduled an appointment with this company in mid-Dec to move the gas line. Took the day off in Jan for the appointment. A text message from the company requested confirmation and a time window for the tech to show between 8:30-10:30. No one showed up. I called the company and the lady admitted that this was their error in scheduling. No one can come out today. They will need to reschedule.
Moral of the story: they didn't value my time; what makes you think they will value yours? Go with someone more dependable.

Daniel M.

10/17/2012

I had a clogged main sewer line and i was very worried because i had called other plumbers and they were not able to fix the problem. When i called Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating they were very helpful and they sent someone the next day. Their sr. plumber, william, was very knowledgable and he explain exactly what was going on and he fixed the problem. I am very happy with their work and customer service. I will contact them for future plumbing needs

B M.

02/10/2023 12:00:00 SA

Thank you for your response, which appears to be your standard response to others who have also complained about your pricing. Our management team will further review your service to ensure our transparency protocols are in place. All that means is that you are sticking to your price gouging. Seriously, $489 to replace a spigot is not a reasonable price, period! ...we hope to get the chance to serve you better in the future. I will NOT use your company ever again, and neither will my neighbor who referred me to you. Wish I had read all the negative reviews before I contacted you.

s o.

1/23/2017

this past thursday my hot water heater stopped so i went to angie's list and selected the top rated plumber for this area from angie's list. today--monday--these assholes called to cancel and tried to reschedule me for thursday. did i call them--assholes? yes, i did and more. the asshole to whom i spoke--john--was upset that i wasn't polite about it. it's winter here and we've been taking cold showers.

Mejia J.

11/10/2016 12:00:00 SA

I had the honor of meeting a genius already made. experience is all! Chris H.
came to my aid regarding a noise that was coming from my water heater
his process was spectacular. problem solved amazing! Albert Nahman has
technicians that do not spare greatness. I am immensly grateful for your company .
Thank You very much!

Stevan C.

4/21/2023

Simple replacement of Toto ADA toilet. Noman plumbing estimate estimated 2 to 3 hours for two plumbers. $2210, jazz plumbing outreach but, as Nomans Plumber seemed like a nice guy, understanding I could cancel within three days, I signed on all researching. Jazz plumbing estimate $880. One plumber. Two hours. Typical plumbing scam artists.

Laura D.

10/09/2012 12:00:00 SA

I was converting my kitchen to gas appliances and needed a new gas line run in a very tricky house. Gabe did the estimate (fast appointment, on time) and gave me a really reasonable flat rate for the the services. Mario spent the day getting creative about how to run the line and did a superbly skilled job. I'll be calling them when it's time for a new furnace for sure.

Etai W.

8/26/2022

Absolutely the worst experience we have ever had with a contractor of any kind. We chose them partly because they say you get what you pay for, and they were so much more expensive than anyone else. But what a disaster!

Albert Nahman did two projects for us. The first was to install a dishwasher air gap valve. As soon as they finished the job and we ran the dishwasher, it immediately flooded the kitchen. We called back and they said they couldn't come back until the next day, so we shut everything off. The next day a new guy came and said the previous technician installed an old part he shouldn't have, and he fixed it. Not what you expect from an experienced plumber! And a flooded damaged floor on top of that, that leaked into the room below.

The second project was even worse. We told them there was a funny smell in the bathroom and they were convinced it was because our double sinks were installed incorrectly. So they opened the walls, installed new pipes and patched the wall back up. As soon as they did that, we started hearing this loud banging in the pipes in the walls. I called many times to ask about this and have them come back and fix it but they just gave me a long list of excuses and lip service. First they said it was the water source to the sinks and not the drains they installed, then they said it was probably there before and I just didn't notice, and then they just ignored me. I called several times and the secretary kept blowing me off saying she was sick, then that she would tell Albert Nahman himself, but no one ever called me back. It was clear they thought of me as a joke and didn't want to take responsibility. Fast forward three years, and we are finally having our whole bathroom gutted and remodeled. And guess what! The smell had nothing to do with the double sink, but instead was a leaking toilet drain pipe (which they clearly saw as it was in the same place where they had opened the wall, but didn't say anything about). And as it turned out, the drain pipe they installed was pressed right up against another pipe and was banging against that pipe when the water was hot. So it was their bad install after all! And to top it off, now that we got to see behind the wall they patched, we saw that they had used 10 pieces of tiny random drywall patched together like a quilt. Clearly this was leftover drywall pieces they had from other jobs (rather than a normal single piece), which would explain why the wall was so rough and patchy.

So basically everything they did was poor work, cheaply done and failed. And they took no responsibility, didn't even respond to my calls and were completely unprofessional. I would NEVER recommend them to anyone and am considering complaining to the Better Business Bureau. DO NOT USE.

Jeffrey K.

03/08/2023 12:00:00 SA

The handle of our toilet broke. These guys said they'd replace it -- for $400! We went to a plumbing store and got a new handle for $40. No one rips off their customers like Albert Nahman.

Lily A.

07/09/2022 12:00:00 SA

We just had a week long crew in our home to install a new heat pump into our 101 year old house. This is life-changing for us and so happy to reduce our carbon footprint while have cold air and heat when we need it.

Our experience with the work crew was Grade A. Couldn't have had more hard-working, skilled and knowledgeable guys. Such integrity and thoughtfulness in their craft.

Thank you, David, Tony, Edgar and the rest of you!

Teresa R.

5/19/2014

If only ZERO stars were an option! Telephoned to schedule an appointment for a specific pipe replacement on Friday afternoon (from our cabin, so I will have a record of the phone conversation on our long distance bill!) and the woman took down all my information, repeated what kind of pipe I wanted an estimate to replace and confirmed my info. as the job location (my parents home) she said someone would be out Monday between 2 and 4 pm, perfect, I repeated it to her along with the job address and thought all was good to go. They NEVER showed up!! When I called them, the guy answering the phone said there was NO record of the appt?! but they would come between 5-7.., OH NO YOU WON'T - stay away from these guys!! NO shows and HORRIBLE SERVICE - NO service!!! BAD EXPERIENCE ALL THE WAY AROUND!

Iryna O.

9/23/2015

Very disappointed. Not helpful, not caring. Was a simple problem and the technical did not fix it and charges almost $300. We called another plumber in Alameda and they fixed it in 30 minutes and charged $80.

Susan K.

9/21/2009

I would probably give them 2.5 stars if that was an option. I needed to replace a hot water heater and was considering tankless. Gabe, the estimator met with me and was extremely helpful in explaining my options. He gave a great explanation of the pros and cons of going tankless vs moving the hot water heater from the kitchen to a shed outside for my specific installation. I felt really informed in making the decision to go with the exterior shed and traditional heater.

We didn't discuss exactly how they would install the heater and shed. I did not ask him to cut any corners to save money. He estimated the job at nearly $3000. I believe that when it comes to the trades, you get what you pay for in terms of quality work, professionalism and guarantees, so I gave them the go-ahead.

I dug up part of a flowerbed to make room for the shed. When they began the installation, the guys simply threw down a prefab concrete pad that was about 28 square and maybe two inches deep. They didn't compact the dirt or grade it, and it was below grade from the yard. (Although he said he'd come by when they started installation, Gabe did not show up.)

I had this done on another property about a year ago (with a plumber I thought was too expensive, so I tried Nahman), and they poured a four-inch deep concrete pad for the heater to sit on. My neighbors had a similar installation, so I assumed that this top-of-the-line company would do the same.

I was very concerned that the pad would settle, maybe get off-kilter, and that the heater would be sitting in water during heavy rains. When I called Gabe, he was no longer the nice, super-helpful guy. He told me the way they were doing it was fine, but I could have the poured pad for an additional $300. This is to nail four boards together and fill it with concrete. Then he complained they would lose money because the guys had to wait for the pad to harden. I ate it, because I did not want problems with the heater later.

The day it was completed, the office was on the phone to me asking if they could charge my card again. Evidently they want money to start, then most of the payment immediately, and a final payment after inspection.

They sent a guy over to wait for the inspection with me, and he wanted to collect the final payment. When I asked if we shouldn't wait until the inspection was completed, he started going on about how if they didn't get paid he wouldn't get paid and he wouldn't be able to feed his children. He literally said this.

The inspector found that they hadn't put a storm collar on the vent pipe, they'd just caulked it. This is on the minor side, but again, not the super-fabulous installation I would expect from a company that charges $1600 a day for a two-man crew.

Christine S.

1/23/2013

I've been fortunate to have never needed to hire a plumber but there's a first time for everything

Our shower has been slowly draining for a few months until yesterday, when it decided not to drain at all. I did a quick Google search for plumbers in Berkeley and Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating were at the top of the list. They were able to get a technician out to our condo the same day, which is convenient, since I need to use our shower tomorrow morning! Their hours were very convenient: Wilber was here before 7pm, which fits both my schedule and my husband's. He was in and out in under an hour. Wilbur also cleared our sink clog and found out our pipes were leaking. He carefully explained how to fix it, which is nice, because he saved us a few bucks.

Hope I don't have another plumbing issue any time soon but I wouldn't hesitate to hire them again. Thanks!

Ted B.

01/12/2023 12:00:00 SA

Our furnace died just as the weather was getting cold. The company that did the autopsy couldn't send an estimator until the end of November and the furnace would probably not have been installed until sometime in December.
I called Albert Nahman HVAC and Alex, the estimator came out the next day and said he would work us into his schedule knowing that I had health problems. Two days later, Brandon and Tony came out on a Saturday and did a great job installing a new furnace. I start chemotherapy Monday and it would be all the more miserable without heat. These guys are heroes and mensch. My highest recommendations for this company.

Ted and Jan in Alameda

M P.

11/28/2022

Is it possible to give zero stars? I have been trying to get follow up on a part for a repair for three weeks and no one will call back! Their receptionists claim that can't share any information and that a manager or technician will call back but no one does. It is pretty clear that this is not a local business despite the marketing. The management team is distributed and the phone staff are given strict instructions to not share managers' names/phone numbers. Be cautious, since they are quick to set up initial evaluation appointments but then the system falls apart

Chris P.

05/04/2017 12:00:00 SA

These folks are first rate. All of the service people I've had work on my house are exceptionally helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. Their preferred client program is a good deal, too. It will pay for itself in discounts if you need a few pieces of work done or equipment installed, and you get an annual safely/functionality inspection. They are the best. Not the cheapest, but the best.

Unhappy C.

05/03/2023 12:00:00 SA

I called them about having my garbage disposal replaced. I asked them for pricing. They told me that they couldn't quote anything without someone coming out to look and that the visit would be $95 which they would apply to the price of the job.

I reluctantly agreed. When the plumber showed up, he had all the pricing neatly organized on an app. There was no secret sauce where he needed to look at the sink or my setup in order to source pricing. The prices were all there in black and white. Why couldn't I have received the quote on the phone if they were all standardized?

But then came the sticker shock. The replacement was about 3 times what I would have expected. I think it was approximately $450 an hour for labor if you broke it down. Obscene.

And frankly, I don't begrudge people for charging what they want to charge. It's your business, you can set the prices and let the market dictate. But I have a big problem being asked to pay $95 to learn that the pricing is wildly inflated and I also have a problem with the lack of transparency where you make it sound like you need to get a custom quote when the pricing is 100% standardized and should have been available to the person who scheduled the appointment.

Alfio L.

5/30/2017

Excellent service and a great value as well. Very courteous staff and very experienced as well. I will call them again.

Laura M.

11/30/2015

A huge thanks to Said for fixing my heater on this very cold day! He was prompt, personable and actually took the time to help me understand what the problem was and to explain the maintenance I can do myself to keep it running as long as possible. I have also had the Albert Nahman plumbing guys out to help me locate and replace a hidden sump pump. Highly recommend them for both types of service.

Majid M.

5/15/2023

Our kitchen sink was semi clogged, it was still working. I called Albert Nahman Plumbing to do couple of jobs and one of them was to open the clogged drain. The plumber gave me an estimate of over $367.24 to snake the line and he said it takes 20 minutes to open the line. He was working on it for 45 minutes and the situation got worse, that is the drain became completely clogged. He charged me $367.24 for a job that was not complete and wanted to charge another $1000 to run jetter. I said no thank you but he still charged me for $367.24. I called the company to complain about the situation and the receptionist hung up on me after asking few simple questions!
This company does not guarantee it's job and charge more than other places. If there was a rating less than one star, I would have given it that.

Bob T.

7/26/2018

Had a hot water heater replaced. Office staff was very helpful and professional. Sal, the installer was very conscientious and professional. He went out of his way to get me the hot water heater I wanted in spite of the small space available. I would happily use Nahman Plumbing again.

Leonard G.

10/02/2022 12:00:00 SA

I got an estimate from them for replacing the toilet and sink in our bathroom. They were great. They showed up on time and finished the work quickly. They were very careful to keep the work space clean and took care of disposing the old toilet and sink.

Curtis F.

05/04/2019 12:00:00 SA

Prices are astronomically inflated, do yourself a favor and get 3 bids!!!! I had no problem with the competency of the workers, they were professional. Just the prices charged seem to be gouging!

John H.

06/09/2023 12:00:00 SA

Our shower drain clogged so I contacted Albert Nahman on Wednesday and soonest they we're able to book me was Friday morning. Confirmed an appointment window between 10-12. I moved all my meetings to make sure I was available during this window.

Friday morning 10am comes, I haven't heard from anyway re: ETA. 11, still nothing. 11:30 I call and they say technician still will be there during the window. 12, nothing so I can, they say that the technician is having an issue at another site, but can come to my house between 12-2. So I move my meetings again to free up this window. 12:30 call from someone saying technician had family emergency, can't come today.

Just find another company and save yourself the multiple headaches I suffered from dealing with this incredibly unprofessional service.

James S.

11/05/2009 12:00:00 SA

I had what looked like raw sewage streaming into by backyard from a vent a few feet from my house. These guys took great info over the phone. They found one of their people able to come within 45 minutes. He came on time and did a great job assessing the situation, and let me know that it was a city issue. For many that would have been the end. Instead, he had his company call the city and report the problem. He also got a hold of a hazmat company and worked with me to schedule time for them to come the next morning to clean up the mess. And then the city came while they were still here. I've worked with a handful of other pumbers in Oakland/Piedmont and this was the best service we've gotten.

Jenny S.

05/01/2017 12:00:00 SA

*Professional
*Service Excellence
*Fast
*Minimal Disruption
*Extra care taken to ensure best possible outcome
*Work guaranteed
*Albert himself came to check on the job (wow!)

What an amazingly talented, hardworking, and professional crew. I could not be happier with the work that was done, nor with the service which was top-notch from the first phone call, to every contact, text, and email in between.

They made short work of a dirty job (sewage pipes) and didn't gouge when an extra line was discovered and had to be replaced.

I will always rely on Albert Nahman's team for my plumbing and heating work and only wish I had contacted them sooner.

Thank you to Gabriel, Nick C., and Orlando, and the team back at the office who always made me feel like I mattered as a customer. Fantastic!

Hal D.

6/18/2019

We had them come to service our failed air conditioner back in April 2019. They were competent but expensive. After diagnosing and replacing the capacitors he recommended additional work that I agreed to and when the date came to complete the additional work they called at the last minute to reschedule because of their conflict. I agreed to the new date and asked for a discount which was never honored. After the second appointment of cleaning the entire system when he fired it up the condenser motor that was diagnosed earlier as fine was making terrible noises. He tested it and said we needed a new motor and that would be very expensive but would give us a quote to replace the entire system including ducts. Next week we got email quoting us $24,400! He also gave us a quote to replace the noisy motor at $1,500! I called to confirm and they said the price was correct. I bought the motor online for $200 and replaced it myself in less than an hour. I've had two quotes so far for larger units from the bigger brands at $12,000 including replacing the duct work which is original to the house. Beware of their extremely high prices and shop around.

Tai M.

10/02/2018 12:00:00 SA

Boy, was this a bad experience. First, they cancelled my appointment time twice. For the third reschedule, they agreed to waive the $69 technician visit fee (which I've learned is free from most plumbers).

My issue was simple hot water stem and a diverter on the fritz. Anyway, when the plumber arrived (who was very pleasant, by the way) he never even even unscrewed anything or looked under the hood but instead tapped into his iPad and came back with an estimate over $800! When I explained that I just wanted the stems replaced he did more finger magic and it was still over $600! I politely declined any more work from Nahman and I'm trying some others on Yelp instead. I count myself lucky that I only wasted time and not $$$.

Shoey S.

02/06/2012 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman is a reliable and trustworthy plumbing business. I've used them for years for big and small plumbing jobs for their skill and integrity. Example: they installed a water heater that over a few years required at least 5 service calls. All repairs were under warranty but it seemed like the plumbers and I spent too much time dealing with it. Albert easily agreed to completely replace the heater. No argument.

The plumbers are ALWAYS clean, tidy, polite. And the company stands behind their work.

Will S.

9/26/2017

I would leave more stars if I could. I worked with Michael Penate and it was the best experience with any contractor we're had in the Bay area. Our laundry in the walk-in basement was draining into a utility sink and connected to an old drain. It was somewhat complicated to run a direct drain and connect to our existing vent, requiring that we framed out the wall a few inches to hide the plumbing. Michael spent a good hour offering solutions and came up with one he thought would work to give us new hookups, abandon the in-floor drain, relocate an external water shutoff valve that the previous owner had put in the basement, and connect to the existing vent. It required framing and electricity, and Michael offered to manage Albert Nahman's subcontractors to get the job done - all within my budget. When I mentioned drywall, he offered a subcontractor who was available to execute that portion of the project as well. Michael got me a quote the next morning. It was very fair and contained a few items that were TBD. He was very clear with me about providing a final estimate based on a walk-through. It was a pleasant surprise, during the walk-through, to find connecting to our vent wasn't an issue. He was a little concerned about the placement of an HVAC vent, but because he'd warned me in advance, the small cost to move the vent during the project wasn't a surprise. Michael called me every day during the project to give me an update on work. His team left our indoor and outdoor space spotless, cleaning and organizing each and every day. The work was impressive. Professional and clean. The work was done a few days late - but it was only because his team was being meticulous about taping and mudding some of the more complex areas of the drywall. All in all, it was just a phenomenal experience with an impressive group of professionals. I'll call them for anything I need (and actually did, just today, to help with another internal plumbing issue). Do yourself a favor, call these folks and ask for Micheal - a true professional who takes pride in his work, honors his word, and cares about customer service. Thanks, Michael!

Damon K.

12/20/2017

i have had this company come twice to service my hydronic system - they are great - reasonable price, very competent, quick and great communication when setting up appts etc.

Kenneth C.

6/15/2018

I recently hired them to fix our slow leaking Takagi tankless water heater. They came out quickly, identified the problem and had it fixed the following week, which was great as other plumbers did not have technicians who could fix Takagi brand units. But what really blew me away is the service I received when we developed a subsequent leak after the initial fix. I called on a Saturday and they immediately sent out a technician to fix the problem free of charge (as it fell within their 90 day warranty period). I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. Thank you Albert Nahman plumbing! You guys are great!

Laura W.

09/12/2016 12:00:00 SA

Well, the positive part is that the extremely simple ten minute fix of a blocked pipe is done.
Literally, it was a plug in the shower drain, maybe all of a foot into the pipe.
If I had a snake, and didn't have arthritis, I'd have done it myself.
So the guy did snake it, twice, and it is fixed.
And they did return my call, and they did come when they said they would.

The negative?
Oh my, really, $283 to snake a pipe, literally in and out in under ten minutes.
The guy seemed embarrassed about it, and rightly so.
Not a late night call.
Not an emergency visit.
But regular appointment during their working hours on a weekday afternoon.

My tenants had already waited overnight for the repair, and I was not comfortable starting over and potentially making them wait longer.
So, though sorely tempted to just cancel on the guy, I went ahead and ate the cost.
But wow.
My usual guy (sadly out sick for a week or so following surgery) would have cost more like half this.
Maybe even a third.
Maybe even a quarter.

Bottom line?
I won't be calling them again.

Dave R.

11/28/2016

Yelp listing states, ''Call for a free estimate.'' I think this is very misleading.

After $59 service charge, $586 quoted to replace a sink pop up assembly.

What a farce. A few reputable plumbers just bid / quoted me $160-$175.

No wonder you refuse to quote prices over the phone. Eek! Methinks not.

Cecily D.

12/20/2012

SMART guys! (And they actually READ the installation manual!). I was having trouble with two Rinnai heaters (expensive products, too!) and after dealing with a few less experienced plumbers, and after the Marin County approved Rinnai service plumber blew me off (twice, both times on really whimpy excuses such as the roads are too steep when wet), I found this company on the Rinnai website. I am at the outer edges of their service area, but they scheduled me promptly, called the day before to confirm, arrived on time, diagnosed the problems, fixed them, were very clean, polite, careful and professional (Yea! Tony!). These are my go to guys from now on! Thank you very much!

Jeff H.

09/03/2010 12:00:00 SA

These guys do a tremendous job. I have been using them for 2 years. I am a Berkeley homeowner for 11 years. They have done some major work for me. They repaired a sewer line and put in a tankless water heater. Both jobs were done within the budget, done quickly and professionally. I will continue to use them exclusively and will recommend them to my friends. Many of my neighbors already use them.

Amanda W.

4/26/2017

BEWARE! We wanted to love these guys...their truck is always in our neighborhood...we had a leaky faucet in the bathtub, they fixed it but said that if the leak happened again, they would need to do a big job entailing opening up a wall and thousands of $s..eek! Needless to say, the leak reoccurred... we had them come back out and give us the quote for just the plumbing as we would arrange to open the walls ourselves... they requoted for just the plumbing.. again thousands of $... we had someone else come in to look at the job and they showed us the gaskets in the faucets...ONE had been had been replaced when they had fixed it and the other was utterly deteriorated.. and thus, of course, did fail as they predicted... and the fix was simply a new gasket..This is a long story short and I very rarely post reviews but felt I should...Nahman plumbing and heating is NOT to be trusted!

Heather L.

1/30/2017

I had a leaky bathtub faucet, and after reviewing a page
on Google about how to fix it, I decided I had better call
in a professional. I picked Albert Nahman based on yelp
reviews and am very happy with the results. Not only
has my bathtub stopped leaking, but Fernando also
noticed that the shower was not working right and fixed
that too. My sons are thrilled that half the water is no
longer pouring out the tap! Thank you, Fernando and
Albert Nahman.

Victoria H.

2/22/2017

Nahman people are great. They have done (or re-done behind someone else) most of the plumbing, hvac, and gas work in our house. You really do get what you pay for- attention to detail, thoughtfulness about the job, courtesy, consistency in their knowledge and opinions, cleanliness, promptness and a well organized office. They seem to stay with the company for long times, and they consult with each other when needed. I am so happy to be able to call them when we need plumbing work done. Good advice about products too!

Lance W.

05/07/2023 12:00:00 SA

It took FOUR follow up visits to get two simple repairs right. (Fix a leaky toilet and install a new water line to the sink). The repairman also busted a hole in the sheet rock on the wall beneath the sink and told us we'd have to get that fixed. No doubt! And never again...

Theodore H.

06/03/2018 12:00:00 SA

I called them for a second opinion on my lateral sewer Main. This is done with video camera. Most companies this inspection is free. They wanted to charge me $189.. I said. thank you for your time goodbye.

Reynaldo P.

1/18/2013

Wilber did a great job fixing my shower drain. He arrived promptly and made sure he kept everything clean and neat. He was very nice to chat with and provided helpful tips to keep the drain working in the future.

Ernie K.

03/06/2017 12:00:00 SA

Excellent service. Friendly, competent repairman versed in my units. Really knew what he was doing and got the problem diagnosed and fixed! Had all the parts needed in his truck. Verbal skills excellent and very personable. Scheduling person was excellent and I got two confirmation calls since I had to wait 3 days for the specialist who was certified to handle my Japanese made instant water . He was certified by the maker of the product and knew what the problem were (three leaky O rings
I will continue to use this company and recommend them.

Leo A.

07/08/2023 12:00:00 SA

Tech was great, on time, neat, and completed the job promptly. I would definitely use them again for my plumbing needs!

Stanley M.

02/06/2019 12:00:00 SA

Total rip off. Their plumber wanted over $1000 to replace a 12 inch drain hose under my sink and a flexible vent line for my dryer. Unbelievable!!

Linda G.

10/21/2022

Did a great job with minor water heater repair. Even though the heater had just passed warranty deadline (by one month), they were kind enough to recognize a grace period and not charge me for repair. I've had a long term relationship with this supplier and continue to be pleased with the result.

Louise S.

12/07/2018 12:00:00 SA

We were customers for a few years, and they did good work cleaning out our drains at least twice (older home, older pipes). Recently I noticed a pipe was beginning to rust through. I called Nahman, and the earliest appointment they had was in a week. The appointment came and went, and no Nahman. I called, and they were sorry, they made a mistake, and someone will come next week. I said they had to come sooner, so they set up a time for the next day. All this time, we have had the pipe area cleared, meaning boxes and stuff all over the place. This is bearable for a week, but no more. The estimator came, looked at the pipe and said he would send a bid Monday. Monday came and went, no bid. My husband called, and they were sorry and got someone to call him. By then, he was in Home Depot buying pipe to do the job himself. He did the job, easy, and we are looking for a new plumber.
1* because I have to
2* because they cleared the drains in the past
3* because they were slow and saved us maybe a couple hundred bucks

Reid S.

11/07/2017 12:00:00 SA

I'll add to the chorus here, hopefully ANP&H will listen and provide a better service to the community.

I called them to repair some damaged flex duct. They missed the first appt. not a huge deal, they re-scheduled quickly and dropped the quote fee what ever that is.

My issue is that they quoted me $3600 which is more than DOUBLE what the next reputable company quoted me. I'm guessing they would have done fine work, but I'm not sure where they get off charging that much more than the competition.

The next quote was $1700 which I still thought was high for the work and materials involved. I've done half the work myself so far, it wasn't that hard and only around $150 in materials

Put in the time to get quotes from more than ANP&H. If they quote a fair price I'd still consider them.

Lewis W.

01/10/2022 12:00:00 SA

Way to expensive for the job. Much less expensive firms available.

Marc M.

09/07/2015 12:00:00 SA

Albert Nahman Plumbing replaced the valves in both of our bathrooms, and did an excellent job patching up the wall, and replacing tile as needed. It looks wonderful. Five stars from that.

Before this replacement, another Albert Nahman plumber tried to repair the old circa 1970 valves that were in disrepair, with several false starts (incorrect parts when he showed up, and a lot of time driving to hardware stores looking for a correct replacement). 3 out of 5 stars for that attempt.

Average, 4 stars.

Richard S.

05/03/2014 12:00:00 SA

Brown water syndrome. Scanned the Diamond Certified directory and Yelp for a good plumber. Chose Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating for help with our problem. Mike from Nahmanns examined our 14 year old water heater and recommended replacement. Mike recommended a 50gal WH and gave us a written estimate. I did some internet searches on WH's and felt that the estimate was fair and they were highly recommended. Were they ever. I called on Monday to award the job. They said they would be here early Friday morning. Alan and Mario arrived as planned and by early afternoon we had clear hot, hot water. Alan and Mario would not leave until the hot water was freely flowing and all the houses fawcett airators were cleaned and the WH installation site was immaculate. Now I know where I can go for any future heating and plumbing problems. Thanks Mike, Alan and Mario.

Martin N.

1/19/2013

Service Tech Wilber K came out on Saturday of a three-day weekend to battle a nasty obstruction in the toilet drain. Wilber is a consummate professional. He let us know how much it would cost in advance, and that's exactly how much it cost. He had all the necessary skills, tools and equipment. He was courteous and a good communicator. It was a pleasure dealing with him. If we need a plumber again -- and here's hoping we won't -- our first call will go to Wilber K. at Albert Nahmann's Plumbing.

Oakie F.

12/23/2015

Just confirming what other negative reviews have said: Albert Nahman is not the one for an emergency. I called about a clogged kitchen sink drain. The soonest they could send anyone was 5 days later. Then, 43 minutes before the appointment, they called to say they couldn't come as scheduled, and put the appointment off for another 24 hours. We then got the clog out using a gadget Ace Hardware on Grand Avenue sold me. When I called to cancel the plumbing appointment, I got an answering service that was quite difficult to communicate with. Two stars instead of one because all the Albert Nahman employees were courteous, and because they called to reschedule rather than just pulling a no-show.

Bambi F.

3/17/2016

Jose was on time ,polite extremely professional,and did an excellent job and left the kitchen almost cleaner then when he stated.the estimate was on the money and the office staff was polite and very helpful

Eli Z.

5/27/2022

I had a pleasure working with Stanley, he was super professional, came with hi quality equipment and cared to give me a good fair of my options. I called them after I had a bad experience with plumbing ministry where I felt they were unprofessional and didn't know what's going on but still try to get you sign to pay high unnecessary processes.

Matthew W.

10/15/2019

Came out very last minute for an emergency pipe problem in the basement. Easy to schedule and they made it a priority to come out the next day to diagnose, then the following day to fix. The tech Rafael Yanez came out to remove the old piping and install and re-route a brand new system, as well as explain to me what the problem was. Tested while he was here and the new pipe was better material and a much better install job than the original pipe. He was very professional and made sure everything was 100% working and tested before leaving. Pricing a bit on the higher side, but you pay for quality, response time, and overall ease of knowing it wont break again. Quality of work speaks for itself.

Jane A.

12/24/2016

Toilet - FULL toilet - backs up Friday afternoon before Christmas weekend. House full of family.

After calling a couple recommended plumbers (sorry - we're booked), one suggested Albert Nahman Plumbing. 45 minutes later, Sal and Damian show up to save the day. Efficient, knowledgeable, professional, friendly and super, super clean. I can't come up w/ enough compliments.

Thank you, Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating.

Wes L.

1/13/2016

Nathan was great. Showed up on time, communicated throughout the day about what was happening, great followthrough. Highly recommended.

Thierry C.

05/01/2015 12:00:00 SA

Had an issue with the furnace they installed- something about a high limit switch. Siad came out and helped. He was punctual, courteous (put booties on without being asked), and fast. Thanks!

Brenda S.

7/31/2023

My sink stopper part became detached under my pedestal sink and water was leaking from the drain pipe into the pedestal base and overflowing onto the floor. The technician told me he would have to remove and reinstall the sink to replace the part, and drain the sitting water from the pedestal base at a cost of some $1000+. I sent him away and was charged $100 trip fee. Later, I soaked up the water from the pedestal base with towels and cleaned it out with disinfectant. Then I noticed a plastic part had detached under the basin and screwed it back in, closing the leak hole. My sink stopped leaking and the problem is fixed. I am 73 years old and fixed my own sink. This was a good company for me before it was sold. I am now an ex- customer.

Sarge S.

7/20/2016

WARNING - Do NOT use Albert Nahman Plumbing! Similar to another reviewer - they charged my card $1,100 when they agreed not to do so until my issue was resolved. Jose came out, didn't listen to anything I said about my tenant's shower head not working and misdiagnosed the issue as a costly pipe replacement. When that didn't fix the problem, they re diagnosed the issue correctly as a shower head replacement. Due to the urgent nature of this problem and their poor communication and scheduling skills, I had to take the initiative and replace the shower head myself for my tenant. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED $1,100 for replacing my own shower head and have wasted 3 days meeting with their plumbers and countless hours on the phone with no resolution. I will be pursuing every option available for my refund and I urge all prospective customers to STAY AWAY from these dishonest, incompetent thieves.

Laurence F.

2/23/2023

It is with mixed feelings that we are giving Albert Nahman just a two-star rating for installation of our new water heater. The installation and timing was great; their price and response to our concerns was terrible.
In January, during the storm our water heater suddenly went out. Online we inquired about water heater repairs, and Albert Nahman was the first to respond, came to our house that morning, offered to install the water heater that afternoon, told us the price was $4,400.
We were surprised at this high price, but had nothing to compare it to. Also, we were in desperate need of hot water and a little worried. So we agreed - signed the paper work, knew that $4400 was the price. That is definitely on us. We gave a deposited, the process went forward and the process went well. The technician was punctual, professional, installed the water heater, tested it and was done in about two hours. So two hours of labor - and perhaps another hour (perhaps two?) to travel, obtain the water heater, etc.

During the process, my brother, also the Bay Area, said his new water heater cost $1800; a friend's was $2,000. Throughout the day we got calls from other local plumbers who responded to our online inquiry (while Nahman was installing our water heater). I asked if they could quote me a price on the phone; they couldn't. But I told one the price: $4,400, and he said, man you got taken. Another just chuckled at the amount. The internet of course said the prices ranged, but $2600 was about the top price if the circumstances were typical - and ours were (it was easy to access the space, nothing was blocking the installation).

After that, in our eyes Nahman got worse. We tried to contact them and at least have them explain why they charged so much. We actually didn't expect them to lower the place (after all we agreed to it), but we did not expect to be ignored. Completely ignored.
We wrote two separate letters - one to the president and other to the general manager of the company asking if getting approximately $2000 for perhaps 4 hours of labor wasn't too much (assuming about $2400 in costs for materials - which was already high). No response.
Then, we emailed the company in response to their request that we post reviews of their work. No response.
I guess foolishly, we were at least expecting a courtesy call of the buyer beware, we're sorry but that was the price you agreed to type. In fact, Nahman previously had a reputation of being responsive to their customers' concerns (I understand this previously family owned business is no longer owned by the family - and it shows.
In our wildest dreams we thought they might consider the price of $500 to install a short piece of tubing, or that they are charging over the market rate, or, they might not want a negative review. But here it is. WE can't in good faith recommend them unless you are very careful about checking their prices and checking the competition.

Jack K.

7/14/2013

We hired them to clear a clogged drain under the sink. A week later the drain leaked. They came out and fixed it. Or so we thought. Now two weeks later it leaked again. We called them and they came out again. This time the drain which had been fine for years would only work if the entire sink was re-plumbed and a new garbage disposal put in in place of the top of the line model which has been working perfectly for years. They would give me an estimate. I threw the bastard out of my house.

fran h.

2/13/2017

Stanley gave excellent service. I was impressed by his calm friendliness, obvious expertise, and honesty. I liked that he went for the simple solution first; if that doesn't work, I have estimates for repair and replacement, should they become necessary. Rate was reasonable. I have just switched my business to Albert Nahman.

Oskar H.

09/01/2019 12:00:00 SA

Our experience with Nahman Services was frustrating. Due to a brief interruption of the main gas supply line of our house, the pilot flame of our water boiler went out and couldn't be lit again. So, we called Nahman Services. Since everything worked up until the gas interruption, we communicated to the plumber that the problem must be minor, and restricted to the pilot since the main burner worked perfectly well up until the gas shut-off. Yet, after a quick check of the heat coupler (which couldn't have been broken) the plumber decided he can't do anything except for replacing the *entire* water heater, for $3000. Shocked about the price tag we politely said no, but were still charged $200 for coming out and fixing nothing.
Watching some Youtube, I was able to fix the pilot myself in about 1hr: All I had to do was to bend the wire of the electric lighter slightly, so that the spark crossed the gas flow of the pilot.

Eileen M.

11/07/2017 12:00:00 SA

Not a good experience. PG&E found gas leaking at furnace valve and shut down the unit. They came found no gas leaking restore the unit. PG&E came back to recheck. Gas leak at valve. Called them back twice they say they're are going to call back however haven't done so yet after two calls and four hours. Piss poor performance.

Sumrana F.

3/30/2017

Highly recommend them! Anthony and another guy showed up on time and identified the reason for the leak in my bathroom. It was an emergency and they just got right to it and fixed it ! They discovered issues in the main valve which helped me save thousands of dollars on repairs! I would call them again any day!

Gilbert G.

06/05/2017 12:00:00 SA

They're very prompt and professional, getting out her the next morning, owner returned call at 10 p.m and came out to check on job, two workers worked all day to finish the job (gas pipe removal and installation), returned emails very promptly, and did a good job. Only slight problem was with the accounting invoices, but it wan't serious.

Jim B.

2/28/2020

This is one terrific group of plumbers. Couldn't have asked for a more efficient toilet installation. Ordered a low flush, new Toto because our current toilet was leaking. However, the shape of the base didn't match the shape of the old toilet, so there would have been marks on the tile if we had an ordinary plumber install it.

Albert Nahman's construction crew solved the problem. They cut the old tile, installed the toilet and retiled the floor surrounding the toilet's base, so you wouldn't see any marks. All this was done at no additional cost. Plus, the Toto toilet turned out to be $100 dollars less expensive than an American Standard toilet I was originally considering.

Albert Nahman is also a Diamond Certified company, which is a guarantee of high quality workmanship. I highly recommend them.

Matt T.

9/26/2016

Brad was amazing! He came so quickly and was done within an hour! He was able to diagnose the issue within 5 minutes and was just so lovely. I would recommend him to anyone. Easy and quick!!!

Honest R.

5/13/2018

customer service was top notch from the initial phone call to the technicians arrival. I was having some issues with my tankless water heater and called this company based on the yelp reviews. I'm an avid DIY man, so i hate to call others, but i couldn't figure this one out. Mauricio came by and did a great job. Many Thanks

Carlo S.

09/05/2017 12:00:00 SA

Nathan came on time, kindly presented himself and explained what he was planning to do to fix the water heater. Very open and clear communications, Nathan explained the additional work and costs before continuing the work. He only continued after my approval. The problem seems to be resolved after a lot of work. Very pleased with the resolution, with Nathan's professionality, and with the clear, no surprises communications/approach.

Robert G.

5/24/2023

Albert Nahman is our go-to guy for plumbing. Service is fast, friendly, and reliable. Most importantly, when Albert and company fix something, we know it's fixed properly . I wouldn't go elsewhere.

David C.

12/11/2022 12:00:00 SA

Excellent response time! Angel arrived 90 minutes after I called. Also, very knowledgeable and experienced. We could tell right away we were in capable hands. Would call them again in a heartbeat if I couldn't manage the situation myself.

david l.

4/26/2023

We had to have our kitchen faucet replaced. Steve was very responsive and did a great job in handling the job professionally. We are now luxuriating with a beautiful new faucet.

T C.

12/13/2016

I have used these guys for years (with many visits from Carlos G.) They are super clear about communication (e.g., sending texts and emails advising you of when they are coming.) They are also quick and efficient at their work. The quality is top notch. I think they are worth it.

Stella C.

9/17/2018

I was recommended Albert Nahman Plumbing by a friend and went to their website to take a look. From the online chat to the service representative that called to schedule an appointment and Tad, who came today to check out our shower, everyone was so professional, nice and communicative about what would be done and associated costs.

I needed help because our shower pressure was low and the handles, shower diverter was not working well and the general shower head set potentially needed to be replaced. Tad took a look at our bathroom and heard our various concerns, shared with us some info about how the bathroom was set-up (and how it affected what we needed to do) and provided us with an estimate to fix everything.

It was a bit more than we were able to spend at this time, so we continued the discussion with our priority fixes for now and Tad was able to adjust the work plan and keep us updated on the cost impact. Really great to work with and couldn't be happier with our experience. Thank you!

Susan E.

08/07/2020 12:00:00 SA

Just had a great experience with Albert Nahman Services. The plumber they sent out, Tad Snowden, was extremely professional, prompt and communicative. He fixed our two plumbing issues quickly and we are very pleased!

Rhoda C.

01/12/2012 12:00:00 SA

Delivered on what they promised - and more!

Great experience from beginning to end. Everyone was courteous, professional, on time and obviously knew what they were doing. A quality job from a quality company - I would recommend them to anyone in need of a good plumbing service!

Kevin M.

10/21/2017

I am extremely dissatisfied with the price gouging I received from this company. They arrived to give me an estimate to install a seismic gas valve. The technician explained that it was a difficult installation and quoted the price. I thought it was high but assumed it would take a while to install and they would earn their money. The technician left to buy the parts and came back an hour later. He started on the work and was done in less than one hour. Subtracting the cost of the parts, they charged me $300 an hour for labor including the hourlong trip to the parts store. The also still made me pay their $59 service charge and neglected to mention that they were currently offering $75 off seismic gas valve installations. I emailed the owner but did not receive a response. Wouldn't even consider using this company again. Would have given them zero stars, but didn't have the option.

Nancy W.

6/13/2014

Michael came and solved our plumbing issue with great efficiency. It was a good experience for us. I recommend Albert Nahman Plumbing.

Steven R.

2/16/2012

BEWARE!! if you are hiring them to do your Private sewer lateral cctv inspection! they will try to rip you off !!.
We are selling a property in berkeley, ca. Selling a property after 2006 triggers the Private Sewer Lateral Compliance Policy, which require a cctv inspection.
They charge $89 for the inspection(by comparsion, $30-100 cheaper than what other plumbing company charge). THATS THEIR TRICK, they try to get you hooked,thats just like some free consultations offered by some office.

They walk in like professionals, they did the cctv recording, which was done in less than 5minute.
NOW here comes the tricky part, they will turn off the cctv, finalized the disk, as soon as they turn off the recording, they will start bluffing you, by saying to the OFF recorder that they have a correction to made..your pipe actually got problems..blah blah..then they even pulled out a metal detector. Yes, a metal detector. They will tell you that your pipe will not pass the PSL compliance policy because they were clay. (When we got home to play the footage, non of these conversations are actually being recorded, even though, they are speaking to the recorder most of the time)
Cost estimation? $3500! After they saw that you are not happy about the result, they will make fake phonecalls back to the company and bargin the price down for you, so our final estimation is $3000.

Note:
The PSL policy can be obtain online here, there is nothing on it saying that you cant have a clay pipe.
cityofberkeley.info/uplo…

Remember always check with the actual CCTV footage before you believe anything they say.

Shelley N.

5/14/2012

This is a really reliable and good plumbing company. I have used them for several years for a variety of plumbing projects on my home. I have always found them to be responsible and performing quality work. The owner, Albert Nahman, is a hands on owner who is available and commited to customer satisfaction. I highly recommend them.

Dan R.

5/14/2015

I would not use them ever again. We had a coupon and they charged double what other companies quoted for the same job. DO NOT purchase any coupons or use a discount because they just charge more for services. The service man was at our house for approximately 40 minutes and charged $400+ for a simple line snake. I attempted to call and request an explanation and no one ever was available or would call back. The technician stated that he was going to charge $49 even if we did not have the work done. I have had the exact same work done before and paid $269 including a camera inspection.

Andrea V.

1/18/2018

This is an edit of my original review. My story ended well enough.

My 23 year old water heater had a small drip on the faucet near the floor. We were a little concerned, so we called Albert Nahman Plumbing. The scheduling staff is very efficient and the man who came to estimate the job was pleasant. The bid was high, but I decided to go with it, knowing the former reputation of this company. Within a few days, two men came to install the new water heater. I have to assume they did a good job, but when they finished one of the men came to my door and said, I have some good news and some bad news. You have a new water heater but it will leak because you need a new pressure regulator on your water line. The one you have isn't working. I had called them to look at a water heater that worked well, but had a very small leak, and I was told I needed a replacement because of the age of my heater. I ended up with a new and expensive water heater that would leak unless I replaced the pressure regulator. The quote for a new regulator was slightly over $1,000. I insisted on a discount, and I got 70% off the pressure regulator.

After posting on Yelp, I did get a call from a manager who reversed my $300 charge. He was quite concerned that I was happy and I was glad they took the time to call me.

Please get several bids.

Albert Nahman Plumbing Heating and Cooling