Jennifer S.
11/01/2021 12:00:00 SA
Update: Carlos has reached out in multiple ways. I was unable to connect with him until today. He extended his sincere apologies to how we had received his recommendation of service. While his did refund more than the original fee, I returned the overage so that we are square. This is not about his service fee or his rates. It was how we had felt pressured to spend a great deal of money, rather than addressing the problem and coming up with a plan.
I have changed my review because Carlos reached out, understood completely how that situation made us feel pressured, and did all he could to make it right.
I was initially disappointed, and was bummed to have to give a poor review on YELP. But, I do feel strongly that my experience might help others when presented with a similar situation.
I had contacted a different company first, but they were unavailable to come out on this particular day because they were booked solid. Totally understandable.
I found this company with great reviews. Carlos was great and immediately responded, and was able to go out to our home in Whittier on the same day. Our tenants had noticed a foul smell and we knew it was sewer related. The fee for going out was $225, and if he could resolve the matter that would be the total.
Carlos went out to the house and was not able to locate the clean out. Turns out it was on the west wall outside of the master bathroom. There is also one on the opposite side of the house, but that one is for the kitchen, which he had located.
Carlos and I spoke on the phone and he described the issue, confirming that it was a clog in the main line. His suggestion was to manually excavate an area in the front of the house, unclog the main line at that location, and rebuild it with a clean out. His quote started at $3,800.
When I explained that my husband and I have to review any purchases over $500, and that I would have to discuss all of this with him, and we would have to have someone else out for a second opinion, he lowered the price to $3,200. If they didn't have to use the pressure jet, that it would reduced by $625 to $2,575.
I explained that I still needed to review this all with my husband, and I would follow up with him. I did pay the $225 via VenMo following our conversation. It wasn't that I didn't believe Carlos...I did because he is a professional. But I don't know enough about this at all to KNOW that his recommendation was what was necessary.
The next day, we contacted our contractor and he was able to go check it out. And, upon reference from a friend and a neighbor, we contacted the original company I had found on YELP, and they were able to come out the same day this time. My husband met each of them up at the property. I mean, really, if this was a $3,800 project, we needed to have a second opinion. Our contractor is a general, and doesn't do plumbing directly. But he was happy to be there to give some thoughts.
The plumbing company immediately located the necessary clean out, unclogged the main line, did a clean out on all the lines as a precaution. Total charge was $199.00. They were in and out in less than three hours. They did provide an estimate for adding a clean out in the front of the house for $2,188.00. This is not a necessary item, but more for convenience in case we need to do this at any time in the future.
I understand Carlos was trying to be helpful and he understood my concerns for this situation.
If the other company had come back with similar information to Carlos' and the estimate was within range, I would have absolutely gone back to Carlos for the work. No doubt about it. If Carlos had done the immediate work of unclogging the main line at the $225 rate, and also provided an estimate for the addition of the cleanout in the front as an investment down the road, I would have not been concerned in the least.
Carlos is a good dude and was just doing the best he could in this situation. But, its a long range between $225 and $3800, and I am sure I am not the only one in a position where that is a lot of money.
In all matters of your home, I tell everyone dealing with anything, unless you know the trade, get at least two estimates and even four if you feel it necessary. This is YOUR MONEY and you work hard for it. You should have every question answered and if it doesn't feel right, stop and reassess. There is always more than one way to resolve an issue