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Kratzer Plumbing

Kratzer Plumbing

Plumbing Service
Los Altos, CA 94023
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Description

Established in 1986.


Abco was started in 1986 in Belmont California. In 2005 the business was sold to Lee Kratzer. He merged the existing business with Kratzer Plumbing. Lee Kratzer is a native of Los Altos and has worked in the trades since graduating high school in 1983. In 1987 he joined Triple A Plumbing and slowly advanced his way through the company. In 2005 he resigned as the general manager to open his own shop and has since provdided high quality plumbing service to the bay area peninsula. He is the father of two children and is active in teaching them the same pride of workmanship and strong work ethic that his father taught him. It is not uncommon to find one of his children working on the job with him. Kratzer Plumbing takes time to provide the customer quality work ,by a skilled craftsmen, at a reasonable price.

HISTORY

I am not only the owner but am also the sole employee.  I hope to add a few more employees in the future, but am not interested in sacrificing the quality of service for a large quantity of calls.  I strive to give each customer the best service they have had.  My years of experience have provided me the ability to succeed at troubleshooting problems that may stump other plumbers.  I am an avid surfer and feel strongly about protecting our oceans and waterways.

Reviews

Tom R.
Tom R.
3/29/2023
We have used Kratzer Plumbing for repairs and new installations over the past decade or more, and they have alway delivered 5-star work.

Just yesterday the Katzer team repaired a leak in our 20+ year old radiant heating plumbing -- not a common repair. The leak sprung from a copper pipe welded to a flange that screwed onto a small pump. Thanks to their handy repair (see photo below), we now have heat in our family room and kitchen.

Happily, Lee Kratzer is joined by his son, Dakota, on most calls -- and Dakota is a chip off the old block. He has emerged as an outstanding plumber, and like his Dad, his repair work is done both skillfully and beautifully. Whether Lee or Dakota take the lead in making repairs, you can count on proficient work that looks like a hood ornament!

Best to text to their phone number at 650.279.1834  to ask for an appointment as they are often at work or the road to a customer. They are busy, but worth waiting for.
Leong T.
Leong T.
2/23/2023
I recently had the pleasure of working with Lee from Kratzer Plumbing, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From start to finish, Lee was professional, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond to ensure that my plumbing needs were met.

Lee arrived promptly and assessed the situation quickly, explaining what needed to be done in a clear and concise manner. He worked efficiently and skillfully, ensuring that everything was done to a high standard.

What I appreciated most about Lee was his attention to detail and his willingness to answer any questions I had. He took the time to explain the process, and even gave me tips on how to maintain my plumbing to prevent future problems.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with the service I received from Lee and Kratzer Plumbing. If you're in need of plumbing services, look no further than Lee - he truly is the best in the business!
Mason U.
Mason U.
01/07/2022 12:00:00 SA
Well, it all started when the shower handle broke off ...the stem actually broke!  I didn't even know that could happen.  To top it off, it was Dec 31!  

After calling a few places we were fortunate enough to find Lee.  He understood the issue and was able to replace the shower cartridge even though there was no stem left to pull on.  

Great knowledge and skill, appreciate the great service!
C L.
C L.
05/01/2022 12:00:00 SA
Lee is a great guy and a great plumber!

Los Altos Hardware referred TA Slack Plumbing for my leaky pipe issue but TA Slack Plumbing was booked a week out so they sent me to Lee. Luckily, Lee had a last minute cancellation so he was able to come later that afternoon and fixed the issue in 2.5 hrs )which saved our crawl space from getting flooded). His rate ($200/hour) may be higher than other plumbers' rates but he is able to fix the issues in shorter time so overall, his fee be the same or lower than others. He explained the issue to me and answered all of my questions. For sure, Lee will be my go-to plumber in the future! It will be a toss up between Lee and Kirk at TA Slack Plubming since Kirk was the one who recommended me to Lee in the 1st place. Kirk spent a lot of time helping me shut off the water, the gas to the water heater, etc...even when he wasn't able to come work on my issue.
Laurie H.
Laurie H.
10/29/2022
I've been reading great reviews for Kratzer Plumbing for years. Finally had the chance to meet Lee and his son today when we had our sewer line back up. He answered my text within minutes and was out to the house in no time. He is knowledgeable, professional, dedicated and extremely experienced. He was able to address the problem. Ended up staying most of the day so we could use our plumbing again. You cannot go wrong with these guys!
Cathy W.
Cathy W.
9/14/2020
This review is long overdue - while we haven't had Lee come out for any projects in recent years, he was able to help us out on several occasions in the past. He was always very responsive and efficient - he's still on my list of contact in case we ever have any projects/needs in the future!
David N.
David N.
03/01/2021 12:00:00 SA
Lee is great! Super knowledgeable and helps explain things clearly. We have had him and his son come to our home for a few different jobs and it's always great to not only get things fixed, but to get his insight on things as well.  We feel like we understand our home better afterwards.

As a bonus, not only is he an excellent plumber, he is also a genuinely nice and friendly person who is easy to talk to. Given that plumbers are often hired to fix what can be stressful issues for the homeowner, we consider this to be a significant bonus.

Highly recommended!
L Y.
L Y.
8/26/2021
Kratzer Plumbing responded to my call right away via text messaging. He fixed the hot-water-only problem in our shower and got our three toilets to flush like new.
Lee Kratzer is knowledgeable, efficient, kind and honest.  (Tidy, too!)  We will definitely keep him in our files.
K G.
K G.
2/17/2022
We highly recommend Lee for all our plumbing needs. We have had the benefit of Lee's services over the years and appreciate his efficient and extremely knowledgeable expertise. Lee came over more recently to get our toilet performing better.  He is most personable and ethical - always giving great advise on comparative products and tips on keeping everything functioning properly.
Lance n.
Lance n.
12/05/2019 12:00:00 SA
I would give them 100 stars if I could. Lee and son are phenomenal. The selfish side of me doesn't want to write a positive review as I don't want them to get too busy. However, Kratzer Plumbing is truly exceptional and deserves every possible positive recommendation. I have now used him for three projects and he goes above and beyond at a VERY reasonable price.
     (He was also a track star (so I hear) back in the day.)
Ray K.
Ray K.
01/08/2021 12:00:00 SA
I had to call Lee as we needed him to update our bathroom for a new shower, faucet, and toilet. He and  Dakota showed up on time. What impressed me first off was that they were both wearing their masks and wanted to be sure that we were not experiencing any Covid sympotms. They both began their work and as this is an old house there were challenges.  As in the past, no job is to difficulult for these guys. It is such a relief to be able to call a plumber and have a job done on time and within budget rather than hear the excuses it can't be done unless we do this ...... for $$$$$$.
Save yourself a lot of headaches, and calll these guys. They are the best.
Virginie M.
Virginie M.
10/12/2020 12:00:00 SA
I highly recommend.

It was easy to set up an appointment (through texting) with Lee.
He showed up on time.
In 50mn, he fixed the problem I had called him for and fixed another problem I had not noticed.

No wonder Lee has 5 stars in all his Yelp reviews!
Esther D.
Esther D.
4/23/2021
So happy when we can book them; they always fix our plumbing problems.
Second best is that he will recommend another company should he not be able to do the job.
Great guys to work with.
Bob J.
Bob J.
09/03/2020 12:00:00 SA
Recently Lee and Dakota showed up, wearing virus masks, and took out our old tankless water heater and installed a new commercial one.  They had to work in fairly cramped quarters but never complained and did a very professional installation.  As a former engineer I am a fanatic on high quality parts and labor.  I watched closely as Dakota, the son, did some very intricate soldering and it was perfect.  When they were finished they cleaned up the area completely.  I highly recommend these gentlemen for your plumbing needs.
Dan G.
Dan G.
9/17/2020
Lee is very responsive and honest and does good testing of the issues.  Highly recommended!
Angie P.
Angie P.
10/14/2017
Lee is now my go to plumber.  He just came and snaked my clean out because our pipes were backed up from tree roots.  This was the second time I used his service, first time was two years ago also for tree roots. This time it turns out the tree roots problem is pass our property and actually in the city pipes where it connects to our property.  He told us anytime we have this problem, we should contact the city first so we can save money.  How awesome is that?  He also cleaned up nicely after the job.  He even sanitized the side wall of the house where the snake spattered.

Lee is great at what he does and very knowledgeable.  Many plumbers I contacted through Yelp don't have an hourly rate and they just say it's job/situation dependent.  He charges an hourly rate of $150.00, which is one of the cheapest rates I have found.  I highly recommend his service.
MJ W.
MJ W.
8/17/2020
Lee is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. There is a good reason he has all 5 star reviews - he earns it.  Lee provides so much additional helpful info beyond the project in question n- he is just the BEST!!!
Vicki W.
Vicki W.
07/07/2021 12:00:00 SA
Just had a wonderful experience working with this company. I texted Lee and received quote information regarding replacing a toilet. I was given a window of arrival and they showed up within that time frame. Dakota was a pleasure to work with. He was friendly, informative, and super polite. The process took about 1.5 hours and he cleaned up the area and removed the old toilet (for a modest charge). So far everything is working smoothly. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them again in the future.
J W.
J W.
04/04/2019 12:00:00 SA
My first encounter with Kratzer Plumbing was a real no go. I called for service on two water heaters and Lee gave me free advice over the phone. Who does that these days?? He turned down the job because he said we didn't need it. (I'd had other plumbing companies out to do estimates - and got either grossly inflated quotes - or a skeevy vibe like they were casing the house. No thanks!)

Impressed by Lee's honesty and integrity, I made sure to keep Kratzer Plumbing's number on file. When one of the water heaters finally died due to old age, we called Lee up. He made time in his schedule, came out promptly, did great work - and left the job site neat and tidy before he left. Lee and his son are professional, friendly and, best of all, love big dogs.

We plan on having Lee do all the plumbing work for our upcoming remodel. We're so impressed with Lee and the quality of his work we don't want to go with anyone else.

Hopefully, with all the five star reviews, he'll still be able to fit us in. Thanks Lee and D!
Jenny J.
Jenny J.
7/31/2018
Lee and his son Dakota came a few months ago to install a new kitchen faucet. This may sound like no big deal, but it was the first home improvement project I had ever undertaken so it was quite exciting.

Not only were they punctual, efficient, and friendly, but they also happily answered many paranoid-new-homeowner questions about various plumbing-related things around my house. I learned what a sewer cleanout is, where the main water shutoff is located, why certain items flagged in my home inspection were no big deal, and what items I should keep an eye on like leaks from my instahot.

Communication was a breeze via text - I sent Lee photos of my existing faucet set-up and my new faucet, and he confirmed that he had installed many similar faucets and that I wouldn't need to buy any additional parts in advance (except something to cover the extra hole in the countertop). He also told me his hourly rate and gave me an estimate of how much time it would take (which was very accurate). I would not hesitate to call the Kratzers for any of my plumbing needs in the future.
Mori B.
Mori B.
9/28/2020
Professional, knowledgeable, and quick! Glad to do business locally especially when it is high quality.
Mirabelle L.
Mirabelle L.
7/31/2020
Our go to plumber! Informative, reliable and capable. You cannot go wrong . Lucky to have found him!
M S.
M S.
05/06/2021 12:00:00 SA
Great response. Came out and professionally took care of my broken shower.
Frances T.
Frances T.
4/24/2019
Sometimes, it just all works out.  Our 20+ year old garbage disposal finally bit the dust and I needed to have it replaced with a new one that I bought.  Yes, you have to text to communicate with Lee, but as long as you know that upfront and it doesn't bother you, then you will be rewarded with great work.  It turned out that he had an opening the very same afternoon that I contacted him and both he and his son arrived on the earlier end of the time slot (perfect for me) and proceeded to install the new garbage disposal and also replace the sink flange.  An hour and a half later, all was done and working like it should.  I couldn't be happier!  I think my only advice, though, would be to get his opinion on which garbage disposal to get before buying it yourself.  Ended up the model I got was a little bit more difficult to install than expected.
Jack S.
Jack S.
2/17/2020
If I could give six stars I would. They are excellent.
Professional. Respectful. Smart, good problem solvers. Fair pricing. Great work.
Highly, highly recommend them.
Gilbert W.
Gilbert W.
12/27/2020
Our toilet was leaking slowly into our bathroom floor and we couldn't figure out where it was coming Fromm based on the reviews here, we decided to text Lee and setup an appointment. He responded with a two hour window and arrived right on time. It took him about an hour to find and solve the problem. Highly recommended!
Tony C.
Tony C.
6/27/2017
I have a 15 year old water heater that I thought needed replacement.  Invited Lee over to give me a quote.  While he did give me a quote (it happened to be a little bit cheaper than all other competitors), Lee also gave me alternate advice.  He told me to replace it once the water heater no longer worked as the newer tanks aren't as reliable as the newer models.  He gave me some things to look for to know when the heater is about to fail.

He's an honest guy, wouldn't hesitate to call him again.
Steven T.
Steven T.
5/16/2017
We had a clog that was causing dirty water to overflow all over the kitchen. I called at 5pm and Lee showed up at 7pm. He put on booties without even us having to ask and quickly fixed the issue within 30 minutes. He was super helpful and even offered us tips on how to prevent the issue from happening again.

Happy to see such professional high quality tradesmen in our area. We will definitely will support this local small business in the future and refer friends.
Jessy B.
Jessy B.
03/07/2019 12:00:00 SA
I have my electrician (Duke Electric, see review) and now I have my plumber.  Everyone needs their peeps and Kratzer plumbing is mine.  I first called them a few years ago when I had a flood behind my fridge.  Turned out it was bad plumbing that had slowly eroded and they fixed it.  Over the years they have installed toilets and done other plumbing jobs for me.  They respond to texts which is the best way to communicate.  Professional, fair, responsible and nice.  What more can you ask for???
Jim C.
Jim C.
12/12/2020 12:00:00 SA
Highly recommend. Most recently, Lee serviced our clogged shower drain. He has also helped us correct toilet problems in the past. Prompt, clean, fairly priced, knowledgeable and friendly. Kratzer has become our go-to plumber.
Chills E.
Chills E.
6/26/2017
Second time calling Lee for plumbing problem. Had contractor remodeled 3 bathrooms about 6 months ago. The master bathroom shower  seems not enough pressure for a soothing shower. Contractor try multiple times to increase the pressure but still not satisfactory.
Finally decided to call Lee and have him look at the problem. Lee ask to message him with a photo of the shower and he diagnosed the problem from the photo. He told us to call Delta and explain the problem and said they probable will send us the new part no charge. That is exactly what Delta did when we told them the problem with the shower. About 5 days later, the new Delta part arrived and Lee came by for the installation. Done in about an hour and a half. Now, we can all take a relaxing and soothing shower whenever. Great job Lee!
Valeria G.
Valeria G.
5/21/2019
These guys are simply the best. So incredible honest. They came right on time, super responsive, super clear with the scope of the work. Highly recommend. If they are busy wait until they have an opening, you can trust they will take care of the job for the long term and not do a temporary easy fix. I thought you couldn't find people like them these days.
Ari S.
Ari S.
09/09/2019 12:00:00 SA
Kratzer is reliable and honest. We live in a tear down that we are passing off as a fixer upper, so I have plumbers on speed dial. I have used many, but Kratzer is my number one pick. He has established himself as the go to guy in Los Altos and the Hills. Everyone loves him.
Lisa B.
Lisa B.
09/03/2020 12:00:00 SA
Lee is a fabulous plumber!  Every time I've ever had him come out, he's been able to fix my problem, explain everything in detail, answer questions, etc.  He's courteous, on-time, and very reliable.  I wouldn't ever use a different plumber--he does quality work for a fair price.
C A.
C A.
05/10/2016 12:00:00 SA
I don't know how they got their 5-star rating. A hall toilet clogged up in mid-April. They used a toilet auger (the same one I have), and were gone in 10 minutes. I was charged $150. Less than a month later, the toilet clogged again. I checked my receipt, and the warranty is for 10 days. So I'm out $150 and a few weeks later I'm snaking my own toilet again.

They also do not return phone calls.
Christian L.
Christian L.
03/03/2016 12:00:00 SA
Pleasure to work with and HONEST.   These are two qualities I value, and I have never had a problem with the work they performed.  Lee actually showed me how to properly adjust and maintain my toilet valves which were costing me a small fortune with the leaks they had.  :)

There are too many companies that will absolutely rip you off (like Economy Plumbing - do NOT use them).
Jim A.
Jim A.
9/16/2016
My septic tank inflow was backed up today and needed to have someone come out ASAP.  After looking at all of the great reviews of Kratzer Plumbing I decided to give them a call.  It was great that Lee, the owner, was able to come out within two hours.

Lee unclogged the pipe, and also gave me some great advice as to options to avoid having this done in the future.  Very nice guy too - wish I had heard about him years ago!  Will use him for all of our plumbing needs from this point on.

Highly Recommended!
Leonid B.
Leonid B.
7/24/2019
Lee did some work for me for the second time in the last 5 years. He is very professional, passionate and honest. I am satisfied with his work and explanations.
Tracy K.
Tracy K.
11/27/2019
I had been having problems with a toilet in my home and it was causing very large water bills. I had had people out here at least twice but they did a quick flapper repair and were gone. Problem resurfaced. Lee and his son came out and thoroughly diagnosed the issues (several of them) and repairs the toilet. It works like new!! Lee is friendly and very knowledgeable. You can bet that if I have other plumbing issues Lee is the one I will call.
Jeremy S.
Jeremy S.
2/20/2016
Quality: 6/6
Service: 5/5
Value: 3/4
Total: 14/15 = 5/5

We've found our go-to plumber!

We needed to redo our water service entrance and main feed lines under the house.  Sam took a look at our situation and immediately knew what to do.  It is obvious that he has pride in his work and wants to make sure a job gets done right.  He said that he refuses to do work if the customer or GC asks him to cut corners, and I really value that mindset.

Kratzer Plumbing was a tad more expensive than some competing bids, but we decided to go with them because of their attitude and professionalism.  I'm very glad we did.  They are 100% worth it.  There was one minor issue with something not being done to contract, and they came back immediately to make the change and even went beyond what was required by our contract.

Great attention to detail.
Great customer service.
Great workmanship.
Tamara K.
Tamara K.
1/22/2018
I echo all the other excellent reviews plus some. Lee was able to come out right away for a drainage problem we were having. He was prompt, polite, honest, reasonable -- couldn't ask for anything more out of a plumber. His son who works with him was also impressive -- very polite and professional. In addition to being an expert at his trade, Lee is a genuinely nice guy. We had a nice conversation about our dogs. :)
Sam P.
Sam P.
11/05/2018 12:00:00 SA
Lee is great.  Helpful, friendly, showed up exactly when scheduled, did a great job.  Only negative is he's so good he's very busy, so plan ahead!
Jon R.
Jon R.
01/06/2016 12:00:00 SA
Had a guy come out to replace 3 toilets, 2 sinks and clean out a shower drain pipe. He did a great job and was very quick. One of the toilets was broken upon delivery so he helped me pack it back up to be shipped back and replaced; at which time he came back out to install.

The one thing that he could have done to go the extra mile was advise/help with cleaning/painting the spot behind the toilet in between removal and installation. The originals left a spot that could be seen when the newer narrower toilets were installed which was difficult to get to after installation.
John R.
John R.
1/16/2018
Lee is awesome. I have used him for a number of jobs around our house. He is honest, punctual and thorough in his work and explanations about what went wrong and how he solved the problem.

***************
Updated (01/08/2018): Lee came to my house today to quote for a large job trenching and replacing a gas line. He noted there were other people who would likely be better for the job and even recommended another company. This is super rare/impressive when dealing with a service provider. His honest approach is why I would recommend him to any of my friends.
Sue T.
Sue T.
5/27/2018
This is a fantastic father-son team! I loved the way they worked-- professionally, quickly, skillfully. We are sooooo pleased with they way they changed the master bath faucets and drains; they had all the correct tools to modify the faucet openings. They offered very good advice for future work and use. We will use them again to work on the other bathroom. Communication by text only was fantastic!!! No waiting for info and answers to all questions.
Janie G.
Janie G.
01/02/2019 12:00:00 SA
Lee has been our go to plumber for at least a decade. He is 100% reliable; always returns texts or calls, is professional and stands behind his work. He has done both extensive jobs (added a new clean out) and minor (toilet and drain repair) and we've always completely satisfied. I recommend Lee and Kratzer Plumbing without reservation.
Mitch M.
Mitch M.
03/11/2018 12:00:00 SA
We've now worked with Lee twice and we're contacting him again for the third time. The guy is easy to deal. He's low key. He's courteous, honest, and very helpful. And he gets the job done right. We think he's very, very good at what he does and he's now our default plumber. Great guy.
Sivan W.
Sivan W.
05/05/2018 12:00:00 SA
Great experience - Lee was great with my kids and my dog and got the job done quickly!
Sidhartha m.
Sidhartha m.
7/30/2017
Came within an hour of being called, took a good look at all the hardware and saw that we had high quality materials already in place. Instead of replacing it as others may have he made sure to fix things while keeping all the high quality components in place.
Isaac K.
Isaac K.
3/21/2016
We have a sewage line that roots keep invading and clogging. Came on a Wednesday and cleared the line, but on Sunday the water were backing up again. Called first thing Monday morning and told they will come after 2pm, which they did. Cleared the line again admitting that the first time was not done properly. Showed me where is the second access point and how do know if it is the city's responsibility or mine so I can save some money next time.
I am very please with the service I got and will use Kratzer in the future.
Madan A.
Madan A.
9/17/2017
We have used Kratzer a multiple times- including fixing toilet problems, installing new hot water dispenser, and installing bidet seat. He was excellent to work with- always on time and did a great job. Will use them in the future without hesitation
David B.
David B.
11/27/2017
It's as good as it gets. Hire with confidence that Kratzer Plumbing can get the job done. I had a plumbing need, went to the local store to get the part so I could fix it myself. Little did I know only a plumber / someone who knew how to weld could do the job. I asked for a recommendation for plumbers by the plumbing store and they pointed to Lee who happened to be at the store while I was and in less than an hour from the time I met Lee at the parts store Kratzer  completed the job. Efficient and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend and will definitely use again.
K F.
K F.
9/20/2019
Recently my old water heater finally gave out. I spent some time reading yelp and the various reviews and decided to call Kratzer plumbing. Boy, am I glad I did! This father-son team can tackle any plumbing problem you may have and they are a delight to work with to boot! I am so pleased with the work they've done that they made the hassle of replacing a water heater almost enjoyable! I highly recommend Kratzer plumbing for all of your plumbing issues.
Rose R.
Rose R.
6/26/2019
Called them in 2019 for a plumbing issue and got the owner and his son.  Great work, was fixed in the 1 hour minimum time.  I am sure the issue will be no longer.  Lee is a man that stands behind his work.  Congrat's on running a great, honest company.
Darlynn R.
Darlynn R.
5/18/2018
Greatest plumber ,honest and friendly would use again next time if anything goes wrong. would highly recommend.
David K.
David K.
11/12/2019 12:00:00 SA
Lee and his son routed out my pipe from the kitchen sink to the main sewer line via roof top access. This was the second time, the last being 4 years ago. As always, they were professional, efficient, fairly priced and enjoyable to work with. I highly recommend them.
Meif L.
Meif L.
08/01/2017 12:00:00 SA
Professional, honest, reasonable and very easy to work with! We are returning customers and very happy with their recent instant hot installation for us. We would definitely recommend their services to anyone.
J. R.
J. R.
6/19/2019
Extremely competent, knowledgeable plumber who takes responsibility for all of his work. Conscientious and fair. Pricing is very reasonable for the exceptionally high quality of work done. Expensive when compared to less competent plumbers, but worth hiring.
J Q.
J Q.
9/15/2016
He is the BEST!  We have known him and his family for years.  He did a couple of jobs for us years ago and each time we were very pleased. Then we switched to another plumbing company because Lee was busy.  Recently we ran into an issue that was not fixed by the other plumber after we paid $$, so I called Lee.  He came... knew exactly what to look for... fixed several places that would help solve the problem.

Lee is honest, experienced and reasonably priced, everything you are looking for in a professional.
Ellie H.
Ellie H.
7/17/2014
Short and sweet.....
Gave me a good/fair price to replace my 50 gal water heater.
Came on time.
Came back when I had 1 minor problem.
City inspector said he did everything right and even complimented him on the job saying he did extra items that weren't required, but were a good idea.
A++ in my book and that is a short list.
Thank you Lee. I look forward to my next plumbing problem with less anxiety!
M K.
M K.
04/07/2017 12:00:00 SA
We've called Lee Kratzer for two different plumbing issues. They are easy to communicate with and responsive. Lee and his son have solved the problem each time - one of them a tough one to fix.  They are both nice to have in the house.  Good plumbers are hard to find. These guys are our new go-to plumbers.
Halfdan H.
Halfdan H.
2/23/2017
Simply put Kratzer is the best in every way from service to solving the problem. My wife and I have used Kratzer plumbing 5 times, and have been super happy!
John A.
John A.
4/25/2017
Lee and his team have helped me with several upgrades and repairs over the year.  I've found Lee to be friendly, timely, trustworthy, competitive on price, and communicates well throughout the projects.
Peter R.
Peter R.
08/02/2019 12:00:00 SA
Kratzer has done fine work when they have visited our house, but Lee has a very small crew, is in demand, and is not always easy to reach (he prefers text, and you may wait awhile for a response.) No qualms about the quality of the work - it's top notch. But if you've got an urgent situation, you may want to go with a bigger firm.
Jan G.
Jan G.
2/14/2019
Lee came in to rescue our leaky kitchen sink. Not only did he fix it in no time but helped us fix a couple of plumbing issues that lingered around for a long time. Very professional, clean, explains what he is doing and answers all of your questions. My best plumbing experience ever :-)
Bob K.
Bob K.
3/20/2014
Called Lee based on Yelp reviews to fixed several items including 2 toilets and three sinks. It turned out one of the toilets needed to be replaced. Rather than getting one and marking it up, he guided me to order online and came back and installed it. One of the faucets had a manufacturing defect and Lee help me deal with the rep on the phone to get a replacement.
If you like giving your business's to a small local business that is knowledgeable, informative, friendly and does not try to oversell, use them.
Irene C.
Irene C.
4/28/2016
Expert at his craft. Super honest. Pleasure to work with.

This is a long overdue update. Since my original post, Lee's replaced my water heater, all my toilets, and the emergency water shutoff on my house. When my water heater finally gave out (see previous review) while Lee was out of town, I decided to go without hot water for three days rather than choose another plumber.

Lee is highly efficient and really knows his craft ~ he had better answers to technical questions than all other plumbers I'd previously talked to and willingly educates homeowners. Lee is also likely the most courteous and professional service technician I have ever worked with. He's on-time, super respectful, and patient. He's also gone above and beyond in the past ~ e.g. doing a roundtrip to the store for a toilet when they gave us the wrong model. On another occasion, he handled several unexpected back-and-forths with the city permit inspector for issues which turned out to be pre-existing and had nothing to do with his work.

I will never willingly go to another plumber. Rock on Lee!
Grey R.
Grey R.
11/11/2013 12:00:00 SA
If you're wondering about all those 5-star reviews - could they be possibly true - they are. This is as good as it gets, believe me. Absolutely. If you get to work with Lee Kratzer, prepare to feel lucky. If I could give Lee ten stars, I would do so without hesitation. His services are superb, and somehow he manages to make you feel good in the process!

Pros:
- Highly skilled, extraordinary knowledgeable
- No overselling of any services; only a range of options for your project - you select what you want done
- Excellent communication skills; Lee listens to customer needs and talks it over with you instead of talking at you - a huge difference
- True professionalism with strong work ethic
- Accessible at all times
- Old-school one-man shop that you can trust and depend upon, providing exceptional and efficient services

Cons:
- NONE

In an essence, you will have your problem resolved in the best possible way in no time. Isn't that what you're looking for? IMHO, Lee's work is surpassing all expectations.

So one Monday morning I found myself in a position when bad things just started to pile up with no end in sight. It was shaping to be one of those disastrous Mondays, you know? Everything that could possibly go wrong did. And to top it all off, I discovered a leaking water heater in the garage that not only leaked all over the garage floor, but also cracked along the vertical seam, and flooded the adjacent to the garage bonus room. Multiple furniture pieces standing in a soaking wet carpet, things ruined, what to do next?

I figured this was my chance to go modern and get a tankless unit with never ending hot water for the whole house. Many larger water-heating installers in the area would jump at a chance to bid for a job like this, and to take you up for as much money as they could in the process. They promise you foundless mountains and happily ever after, and sound like one of those energetic timeshare salesmen insisting they're giving you a great deal, so therefore you just have to make your decision right away - otherwise all sorts of bad things will happen to you (as if you haven't had it bad enough!)

Given the complications of proper tankless installation, we opted for the traditional 50-gallon water heater, not without some initial hesitation. The large distance between the gas meter, located at one end of the building, and the desirable location for the water heater in the far corner of the garage, located at the opposite end, would complicate the installation and make the costs somewhat prohibitive to justify. Also, to support a proper installation, a new larger-size diameter gas pipe would need to be installed and strapped along the outside house wall, which in essence would make the end result look ugly. Adding a water filter at the tankless entrance to reduce corrosion in pipes from hard water would require more maintenance and increase the cost. And lastly, another smart thing to do would be enhancing a new tankless heater with a small-sized gas-heated tank for instant hot water with a turn of a faucet in the house. We just weren't ready to invest as much into the project, knowing it would still not look perfect when all finished and done. In the end, it became clear that due to our home design, we'd be better off with just replacing our traditional heater. And so it was a more obvious choice to replace the cracked leaking tank with a new one.

Fortunately, Lee was able to readjust his schedule in order to accommodate our little project in for the very next day. Not only his quote was the most honest to goodness option we've got, he did everything he said he would, and more, in the most efficient way. We were happy to not only have our project completed in one day, but to also get to know Lee. I seriously doubt it that anyone could find a better plumber in the area. Kratzer Plumbing is the best! Thank you Lee!
L L.
L L.
11/05/2013 12:00:00 SA
What do you do when you come home from work to find an inch of water underneath the water heater?? You call Kratzer Plumbing, that's what you do.

What does a girl know about a water heater? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I called the number, was leaving a VM, got another call, picked it up and it was Kratzer Plumbing. He was at another job but could he come by in about an hour. YES PLEASE.

A HOT (no pun intended) guy named Sam showed up, (HELLO!) and told me that he'd never seen such an old water heater last this long. He couldn't get my water heater that night, (7pm already) but could have it delivered and replaced at 3pm the next day.

He showed up at promptly 3pm, the water heater was delivered, he was done by 5pm. AMAZING SERVICE.  Every business should take a lesson from Kratzer Plumbing. Simply amazing. THANK YOU!
Jonathan L.
Jonathan L.
1/27/2017
We've had Lee out twice to fix two different problems and he's done a great job with both of them. The first was a gas leak we had from a gas fireplace shutoff valve, the second was to deal with a couple of toilet problems. Both times, he's been great to contact and work with and he's done a great job. We'll definitely be hiring him again.
Justin P.
Justin P.
06/12/2017 12:00:00 SA
Called because we were having a pressure issue in our shower. Lee was at our house resolving the issue within hours. He's a professional at his job, super friendly, honest, and efficient. Highly recommend Kratzer Plumbing without hesitation.
D L.
D L.
10/24/2016
Unfortunately, I'm outside the service area but the owner is very patience and helpful, and took them time to explain everything to me. Only wish I lived closer! Highly recommended.
Jessica K.
Jessica K.
06/07/2016 12:00:00 SA
Excellent service and very professional! Had a terrible shower leak and they were here within 20 minutes! He was so knowledgeable and knew exactly what to do. Will definitely use again! Thank you!!
Stephanie L.
Stephanie L.
03/05/2014 12:00:00 SA
Kratzer Plumbing was great! My toilet had been running off and on, and it was not only wasting water, but the sounds it was making were super annoying.  I saw all the great reviews on yelp for Kratzer, and decided to give them a shot.

It was super easy to schedule an appointment, and the woman on the phone gave me a quote of how much it would cost. Lee arrived on time, was very friendly and professional, and fixed the toilet in a jiffy. And the final price was pretty much the same as the quote I got over the phone. Can't ask for anything better!
Rose D.
Rose D.
10/18/2013
Called Lee to help with a clogged kitchen sink after Fifteen Dollar Sewer and Drain tried to inflate the job by telling me they would need to replace the entire sink plumbing (!!!) because the way it was installed, my snake wouldn't fit in there.

Lee arrived promptly at 9am as agreed. He explained what would need to be done, and was clean, pleasant and polite. At first he quoted $200 ($120/hour and he said clearing the clog should take about 90 minutes), but 10 minutes later he surprised me by saying that he was actually able to clear the clog by using a plunger!

Last night, after dealing with the Fifteen Dollar plumber, I was so frustrated, I was close to tears. Being ripped off and taken advantage of feels awful. I thought I would never find an honest plumber. But hey - I just found one!
Caesar E.
Caesar E.
6/15/2016
After literally 30 years of working with plumbers, I can tell you that Kratzer Plumbing is one of the best. Reasonable rates. Quick response. Prompt arrival at the promised time. Cooperative and helpful. Came in, did the job, and was done. 90 day warranty on the work. Everything you want from a plumber doing a repair in your home.

Left the tool (that came in the new faucet box) and showed me how to repair myself if it comes loose, which it often does. It's hard to find professionals you can trust - Kratzer Plumbing is one of them.
James A.
James A.
3/19/2019
Today, Lee and Dakota repaired and installed bathroom and kitchen fixtures. They did an excellent job as they were on time, efficient, friendly, respectful, answered all my questions, and were meticulous in cleaning both areas when they completed their work. My wife and I highly recommend Kratzer Plumbing in terms of professionalism, reasonable estimates, the caliber of work, and trustworthiness.
Susie H.
Susie H.
3/18/2019
Knowledgeable, professional, ethical and efficient.  Lee and Dakota are tradespeople who set the standard.
M F.
M F.
8/31/2015
Saw the strong Yelp reviews and called Kratzer for a puzzling sewer drain problem.
Great phone response and follow up.
Showed up on time and eager to fix my troubles.
Appropriate tools on hand.
Intelligent and logical problem solver.
Friendly and genuine.
Reasonably priced.

My dad was a plumber, and I have a lot of respect for this guy's reaslistic knowledge of 'the art of plumbing'.
Matthew G.
Matthew G.
2/26/2017
Best plumber Ive ever used. Ive built and remodeled over 10 houses.
Deb H.
Deb H.
5/20/2010
Definitely the best plumber I've ever worked with. Lee Kratzer crawled under our house to find and diagnose a leak under our kitchen that was having gross side effects (drain flies everywhere). He even did the quote on a Saturday so we could schedule the repair ASAP.

He is very knowledgeable and easy to communicate with; he answered all of my nitpicky questions and even let me crawl under the house with him to watch the repair in action. In addition, he did the work despite the puddle of water in the way (which another plumber refused to do), and he sprayed the entire area down with a bleach mix I made (he provided the spray bottle) to combat the grossness. He was extremely punctual and very efficient. Highly recommended!
Paul B.
Paul B.
06/01/2016 12:00:00 SA
Excellent all around service. From the enthusiasm when then answer the phone promptly, to being early in the time window they provided to the finished product my experience was excellent! I had what I thought was a minor sink leak in the crawl space our our home. Turned out that it was old galvanized pipe, our house was built in the 50's,  that had rusted thru in multiple small locations. I was quoted a fair price for replacing over 40 feet of pipe, cleaning up the mess from the leakage and leaving the area better than when they started. I would recommend this company to anyone needing any plumbing related service.
Anh T.
Anh T.
08/10/2016 12:00:00 SA
Definitely go with this company again for their professionalism and honesty.   Lee and Mary, what a pair of nice, trust-worthy people.  Fast in, fast out.  Do only what need to be done...  They treat you like a person, and not a business transaction (ie. trying to get the most revenue from you.)  For example Lee called out which services should be done by him (a prof plumber) vs Roto Rooter, an irrigation company, or  just my gardener. He explained the most effective solution that I can make the most of my bucks.  He even told me not to replace the pipes underneath the house because they are still in good shape (when i have no clue how good or bad they are, and want to replace as a prevention...)  My bill today could have been 10x more if Lee was not honest.  So thank you Lee!
Q Z.
Q Z.
3/21/2015
Have them come and take care a clog issue, they come pretty on time. Good work finished.

Reason they don't deserve a good review is because they don't want offer any warranty on the work. Warranty shows the confidence of their own job. I had the same issue before, everyone come tells me that guarantee I will have wary free for at least three to six month. Don't understand why Kratter don't

Mark this as one star here to help strongly remind people this before make an appointment.
Christelle C.
Christelle C.
12/14/2011
Very simple: Kratzer Plumbing is so good that I'm writing my first review on Yelp!

Lee is just competent, reliable and honest. We called him in need for a rooter service. We had someone for Roto Rooter coming previously and they announced a ridiculous price ($375), which we obviously turned down.

When I called Lee, he was friendly. Though it was already early afternoon, he accommodated his schedule to be able to come before the end of the day. And he did a great job.

So now, we will call Lee anytime we need a plumber job done! Period.
Larry M.
Larry M.
12/16/2017
Lee is great.  He showed up on time after a mid-afternoon call on a Saturday, and took care of our issue very quickly.  Just a genuinely nice guy, and he even gave us a few tips on how to avoid some other issues.  Will definitely call him again if we need plumbing help.
Claire M.
Claire M.
03/09/2010 12:00:00 SA
Kratzer Plumbing is unbelievable, and It is clear that he is very knowledgeable. Lee is very professional, and efficient, and does a great job clearly explaining each issue. I also appreciated his cleanliness and thoroughness. I was extremely pleased with his work, and will definitely call him the next time I have ANY plumbing issues.
Thanks Lee!
Kym L.
Kym L.
1/13/2015
Lee is AWESOME.  I have gone through so many plumbers; it is so refreshing to finally find one that is knowledgeable, courteous AND honest.  

We've had an issue with our sink smelling for MONTHS.  I had a plumber come out in 3 separate occasions and did everything from pulling the dishwasher out to flushing the sink and snaking the line.  The smell still persisted and when I complained about it, he recommended me to replace my 4 year old garbage disposal and/or snake the main line.  IN COMES LEE.  He listened to me and what had been done...he asked questions...he went to work.  Turns out that there was build up in one small line that ran from the sink to the air trap on the counter (something I thought my previous plumber should have checked).  Lee cleaned it and showed me the black gunk that was caught in that line.  He even left me the tool he used to clean it and showed me the proper way to clean it if it ever happened again.

Lee also went throughout the house and checked on various items.  There was a laundry list of things that needed proper attention: toilets weren't flushing correctly, hammering noises from the washer and sprinkler system, low water pressure, leaky shower head....the list goes on and he checked everything and provided reasonable solutions.  

I found that Lee treated us like a good friend.  He made the recommendations based on how he would want his own house.  He told us what SHOULD be replaced, what could wait and where we could save money.  He gave us reasonable options based on the age of our house and our future plans of (some day) remodeling.  

I am over the moon that I finally found a plumber that is so reliable and honest.  It has been a 8 year search for a good plumber, but now that I have found Lee, I'm not going any where else!
L F.
L F.
04/12/2018 12:00:00 SA
We contacted Kratzer Plumbing today about fixing a problem with the plumbing outside of the house. They were highly recommended by another tradesperson. Excellent communications via text message. They came over and were able to fix the problem. They were tremendously courteous and responsive.  We will be using them for future plumbing repairs.
Somegirl O.
Somegirl O.
11/05/2015 12:00:00 SA
I called these guys because I had a leak under my kitchen sink, one side of the kitchen sink that wasn't draining, and two toilets that weren't flushing correctly. The first company I called wanted over $50 just to come to my house. Whenever I see companies charging just to show up I think they're either not confident in their appearance (maybe they show up out of it or scary or something?) to the point that I'm too freaked out to hire them, or that they give outrageous quotes just so they can collect a quick buck and then spend all day going from house to house getting paid to do nothing.

The second company I called said they'd call me back but never did. Kratzer was a different story! They were able to send someone out the same day (Luis) and he worked so fast I couldn't believe it. I was heating up my lunch when he arrived, and when he left it was still warm. Clearly he knew what he was doing. I'll be calling Kratzer Plumbing again.
Grace S.
Grace S.
01/04/2017 12:00:00 SA
Had a really great experience with Kratzer plumbing last week. They are responsive, honest, thorough, and clearly expert at what they do. And seem to be genuinely nice guys (father and son) who enjoy what they do, to boot.

I had had my main line back up a couple times in recent years, and was told by the last plumber I saw that I probably should put in a two-way clean out (which would cost about $1300) so future clogs could be snaked more easily. So I tried calling that plumber back and also called Kratzer for a second estimate on the job. Got a response from Lee Kratzer first, and he volunteered to come out to look at my sewage line to make the estimate. As soon as he got here, judging by how new/newly renovated my house looked, he told me that I probably already had the two-way clean out (per city code). He looked/tapped around the outside of my house to try to find it, but it seemed that it had been thoroughly buried by the landscapers. So he quoted me $300 to go into the line with a camera to find the clean out, and if he couldn't find it, said he could put one in, with total cost quoted at $1200 ($300+$900=$100 less than the other estimate).

They found the clean out, but it was one-way. Said they could put in the two way clean out, but since the line was currently clear (no clog), they could not diagnose the problem fully. So recommended I wait on doing anything further until another backup happens.

All in all, I was impressed. 1) Very responsive - I especially liked that they text you if you prefer. 2) They spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was going on with my system. 3) They kept me in the loop every step of the way. 4) They are competitively priced.
bruce V.
bruce V.
07/09/2016 12:00:00 SA
Very impressive.  They followed up quickly and answered all my questions.  I went from inquiry to install in a few hours.  

Luis is exceptional - gracious, diligent and competent.  He installed a water heater in less than two hours and left the job site tidier than when he started.  

Plumbers are a mixed bag but these guys delivered for me.  A huge relief because when you need a plumber you usually need them badly.
Dee D.
Dee D.
11/16/2017
I had the misfortune of having 2 separate major plumbing issues in (and under) my house in 4 months.  Kratzer Plumbing has been terrific to call for help.   When I had my first major issue, I called and emailed a number of friends and asked who I could trust to call and help me.  I had 3 friends say Lee!  Lee Kratzer is a very honest, hard working person.   He told me what I needed to do, came out to fix what he needed to do and followed up when he said he would.  To some people, that might not sound amazing, but these days, it's hard to find good, honest people that care.   He knows what he's talking about and genuinely cares about helping his customers.  He's my go-to guy for my plumbing needs!   Unfortunately, he can't do EVERY kind of plumbing related job (like re-doing 200 ft of pipe under the house), but he's been able to refer me and send me in the right direction when that has happened.
Mark J.
Mark J.
02/08/2016 12:00:00 SA
Called them based on all the great Yelp reviews.  Cleared a sewer line that Palo Alto Plumbing had cleared but clogged again in just a couple of days.  Not the cheapest rates but worth it for great service.  Sewer line is still clear after 1+ months.
Michael S.
Michael S.
09/04/2015 12:00:00 SA
Lee & Mary came to our house three times to try to fix an issue with our bathroom sink. Lee & Mary were always prompt and very professional. Unfortunately, the problem could not be fixed without shutting off the water in our building (and the valve was broken so it could not be shut off). Lee & Mary refunded us what we paid them for their first two visits and did not charge us for the third because they could not fully resolve our problem. There are few service providers out there with this much integrity. I highly recommenced that you use Kratzer Plumbing for all your plumbing needs!
Gina W.
Gina W.
06/08/2016 12:00:00 SA
Lee is the most HONEST, hardworking, and professional person that I have dealt with since moving to the Bay Area. I highly recommend Kratzer Plumbing to anyone who needs a plumbing service.
William H.
William H.
5/26/2018
Called twice for important service, got an answering machine where a male voice aggressively said something like --- text me, I only return text messages.  I'm old school and I call & send e-mails and can't text.  Left polite voicemail messages twice with phone and e-mail contact info and they never called or e-mailed back.  Dead silence, Terrible Disrespect.
Chris R.
Chris R.
5/23/2016
ATTENTION  ATTENTION ATTENTION

This guy is the best. Very Knowledgeable. This is NOT your regular Roto Rooter guy. He is a true craftsman at what he does. He did a great job of troubleshooting an issue of a leak that I had which 2 other plumbers couldn't figure out. Great job.

Side note- I don't like the fact he does not take credit cards- cash or check only. I really dont like that practice.
L C.
L C.
08/08/2017 12:00:00 SA
I wish I could give them 10 stars!!!  Lee and his team is awesome.  Very information, very helpful, super efficient.  From now on, for all plumbing problems, I will go to Kratzer.
Annelise M.
Annelise M.
10/23/2015
Wonderful experience! Lee came and fixed all three if my broken toilets quickly and competently. They were in touch in advance to get pix and model numbers so they knew which parts to bring. They were a pleasure to work with and I will definitely call again.
Patricia S.
Patricia S.
02/09/2016 12:00:00 SA
You couldn't find a better plumbing service.    Their pre-job communications are excellent.  
Their work is a step above other services I have had in the past.   This time, Luis was sent to my home.  Luis was excellent and seemed to be very knowledgeable.
Michael C.
Michael C.
12/24/2014
Xmas Eve, family arriving for dinner - house backed up. Showed up, ontime, fixed my main line issue, and suggested fix for others - Sam was just fantastic, never calling another plumber - kick ass service
Sara G.
Sara G.
9/28/2016
Lee did a great job with our clogged drains and replacing a corroded faucet. Reasonably priced, responsive and very friendly. Would definitely use them again!
Frederick T.
Frederick T.
08/11/2016 12:00:00 SA
I owe Lee an apology for not writing this review earlier.  I have used Lee from 2009 for both my house and my rental property plumbing problems.  Folks, he is difficult to get hold off but it's well worth your time because he is the best out there.  My plumbing problems are gone with only 1 visit.  These are often not small plumbing problems since one house is build in 1946 and the other in 1966.  How do I know he is good?  Well, I have used other plumbers before and when Lee is on vacation (which annoys me because plumbing problem can't wait =b) and the difference in quality of work is night and day.
N M.
N M.
6/27/2014
I had a few plumbing projects piled up; some that needed a professional plumber and some I thought I could do with guidance. I worked with Lee this time, and he was beyond terrific. He charges by the hour and is amazingly time-efficient, even with me asking tons of questions. We blew through installing a new safety valve to the house, unclogging a garage sink, installing a hard-to-install bathroom sink, installing an in-sink disposal, and fixing shower faucets in about 3 hours. He is extremely patient, personable, timely, and excellent at communication. I learned a ton and will definitely be calling him with any and all plumbing needs. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
S R.
S R.
10/17/2017
Lee and his son are the best plumbers we've ever used  -- just great. They removed a very old kitchen faucet and installed a new faucet and disposal in short time. Lee has lots of experience and was helpful with advice on other DIY projects. Good guys!
Peter H.
Peter H.
2/21/2017
Lee is the real deal- a man who knows his trade and who treats his customers fairly. I've worked with Kratzer Plumbing for the last four years. Some new installation for the bathroom, a new disposal for the kitchen, and the backups that occur with a 50 year old house. Every job was professional and he always showed up when he promised. Highly recommended.
Jeff B.
Jeff B.
08/08/2014 12:00:00 SA
Lee is super friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. It turned out that my plumbing issues were outside Lee's scope, but he provided extremely helpful and detailed advice. Definitely a stand-up guy - exactly the type of person you feel comfortable with in your home and doing your work. I will absolutely call Lee for plumbing issues in the future.
H. S.
H. S.
05/11/2017 12:00:00 SA
I had a great experience with Kratzer Plumbing.  They (father & son) are professional, courteous, responsive (love that they text), communicative and competitively priced.  They explained every issue clearly.  Lee even drew me a diagram to help me understand an issue that was confusing me.  I will absolutely use Kratzer Plumbing again, and I highly recommend them.
Tnuh D.
Tnuh D.
8/17/2015
Lee, Marion, and Luis are fantastic--reliable, responsive and honest. They've come to our rescue twice and have always been quick, efficient and professional. I appreciate having a plumber we can trust and turn to when needed.
Eric C.
Eric C.
08/02/2017 12:00:00 SA
I've hired Kratzer Plumbing many times over the years after first reading his reviews on Yelp. The jobs ranged from small jobs such as replacing bathroom and kitchen faucets, replacing a garbage disposal, and fixing a running toilet, to large jobs such as replacing a bathroom vanity sink, replacing a toilet, and solving an odd water hammer problem. Lee Kratzer is pretty much a one person outfit, and does all of the skilled work himself. (Sometimes he has a helper, but they just assist.) He has many years experience, and is very good at troubleshooting problems. He let's you supply your own parts if you would rather do that, and is very up front about the markup cost if he provides the part, as well as his hourly rate. I would highly recommend Kratzer Plumbing.
Alan T.
Alan T.
3/16/2015
Called last night with a clogged sink. Got a call this am at 7:30 and Luis was at my home by 8:45. Easy to deal with, great people skills and fixed the problem in a half hour. Cleaned everything up and was on his way by 9:30. Kratzer Plumbing from now on.
Larry E.
Larry E.
6/15/2016
Good people, friendly and helpful.  They do charge a $150 minimum; if they finish within the allotted time, they ask if there is anything else we'd like them to look at.  We trust them and will continue to use them on our 40-year-old home.
Lisette N.
Lisette N.
2/16/2017
Lee came and installed my new Toto luxury toilet and did a great job, was very open to answering all my questions related to plumbing and such a joy to work with. Happy to have him be my plumber for all my plumbing related mishaps!
Roger S.
Roger S.
6/21/2017
Couldn't be happier to have found Lee Kratzer.  We called him about a problematic toilet (which ultimately we had him replace), and he was knowledgeable and helpful in his advice, and was patient with all my questions.  As others have said, both he and his son are professional, polite and friendly; they were also very careful about keeping our house clean.   Coincidentally I discovered a separate plumbing emergency (failed, leaking water heater) just minutes after they'd left; I texted him in a panic, and he came right back, and helped stabilize the situation and offer advice and a number of referrals.  No question Kratzer is the first place I'll call with any plumbing issue.
Kevin C.
Kevin C.
6/18/2015
My water heater died and I called around to get a few estimates. After reading the Yelp reviews I decided to give Kratzer's a try. They came out on time, gave me a bid that was well below the competition, and finished the job within a few hours of providing the estimate. Overall a very good experience.
Pete L.
Pete L.
10/14/2016
Great advice during quotation process.   I needed work done outside of Kratzer scope, but he shared his experience in similar situations, evaluated the options regarding plumbing, and provided his preferred contractor for the job.   Very professional.
Laura G.
Laura G.
12/31/2014
Kratzer plumbing was excellent, professional, quick and reasonably priced for how many things they addressed in the house.
David A.
David A.
01/11/2011 12:00:00 SA
Hi. I just wrote a review for Lee... it showed up somehow under a guy from New Jersey... Yelp, wtf????

here's my review:
Great service.
Lee called back late last night after hours.
Showed up right on time this morning.
Very professional.  Clean.
Quickly took care of the problem.
nice guy... highly recommend... would hire again.
Kevin M.
Kevin M.
11/24/2013
My insink erator had a problme and I called. A gentleman (named Lee, I think) gave a very honest opinion on what could be the problem and he suggest me to try first, along with a tip link on youtube. I tried and indeed the problem was solved in a couple of minutes.
In contrast, I actually called another plumber in Palo Alto (who got a 5 star review too) first, and he told me he could come and fix it, with a minimum charge of $240, with a possible extra material charge.
It's good that I called Kratzer Plumbing. Thank you. I will use your service if I have problems later.
Dave H.
Dave H.
11/10/2013 12:00:00 SA
Lee was prompt and super efficient. He fixed 3 problems within the span of an hour. Would definitely recommend him
Linda B.
Linda B.
8/18/2016
Kratzer did a great job.  They were fast, friendly, and all around great guys!
B. R.
B. R.
6/25/2017
I'm so happy I found Kratzer Plumbing!  After waiting over 24 hours for another plumber to come (with a very high quote), I called Lee.  The problem was fixed within two hours of me calling him (on a Saturday) and his price was substantially lower than the other guy.
Dana G.
Dana G.
2/18/2017
Lee is great!  He and his son fixed our leaking kitchen faucet and they did a very good job.  Highly recommended!
Elise H.
Elise H.
12/07/2017 12:00:00 SA
Lee and Dakota were awesome!! I called and they happened to be finishing a job nearby. I told them we had a shower that was now giving only very hot or very cold water. The pipes used to rattle and thump loudly while shower water was turned on. I am embarrassed to say that they had been rattling for many months before the water temp got too intolerable to deal with! I was dreading finding a plumber. But Lee said over the phone what the problem probably was. He and Dakota arrived, quickly took apart the price/fister fixture, found a tiny plastic piece that was broken and showed me another cylinder piece that was slightly bent, then they went to a nearby supply store, got new parts, fixed our problem... all in less than 2 hours! I highly recommend them! They also said that the type of fixture we have is an older kind (about 11 years old) and actually easier to repair that the newer models, which break sooner and are more expensive to repair/replace.
Kristen C.
Kristen C.
10/06/2015 12:00:00 SA
Lee and Marion rock! After thinking we had figured out why our kitchen sink was leaking and having a temporary fix for it, I opened up the cabinet under the sink this morning to find a flood. AHHHHHH!!!! Such a bummer. I called a few plumbers and got voicemails, but was very happy to finally have my call answered by Marion at Kratzer Plumbing. She was so helpful and was able to book me an appointment for just an hour later! Lee and Marion came together and worked as a team to figure out and fix my sink. Lee is a straight shooter...no BS. He even spoke to my protective Dad on the phone and explained things, which was much appreciated because I do not understand plumbing-speak. My Dad had been trying to fix the sink and was going to try to fix what we thought was the problem the next time he came to visit from out of state. Marion is very friendly and happy. Such a pleasure to work with these two. I highly recommend them!!!! I also thought their pricing was extremely reasonable!!!!
Ron G.
Ron G.
1/18/2017
Mutually arranged for an 8:30 am job start. After two messages to Lee over 90 minutes he finally messaged back that his truck broke down and he would be by at 1:00 pm. Not hearing anything from Lee by 1:30 pm I hired another plumber. Very unprofessional.
Cheryl W.
Cheryl W.
8/18/2010
Because of the rave reviews would have loved to use this plumber - but he never called back.   Phoned Monday morning and left message, phoned two other times and no one picked up.  Finally on Tuesday afternoon phoned someone else.
amy s.
amy s.
06/04/2014 12:00:00 SA
Just had Lee out to fix three plumbing issues. What a pleasure! He was on-time, knowledgeable and quickly fixed all the problems. He had an assistant with him, which made the job go very fast as she was able to assist him with parts, cleanup, etc. I would absolutely call him again when the need arises.
Kevin M.
Kevin M.
8/16/2014
I contacted Kratzer Plumbing to inquire about choices for a water heater replacement.  Lee is very knowledgeable and professional.  He is definitely a good person to call, if you need help with your plumbing.
Mermaid L.
Mermaid L.
03/10/2018 12:00:00 SA
Lee is awesome. He's laid back and professional. We've used his services twice now. I love supporting independent, local businesses. Now sure if his son, Dakota(?) is still helping out, but it's really cool to see father and son work together. =) Lee was reachable via text, I was able to send him a photo, get a quote, and was able to schedule services fairly quickly. It's very hard for me to trust people coming to and in my house... but I trust him, and I like the fact that it's pretty much him and not a company with a dozen+ employees (and where you get a random guy every time). We've used his services twice now. I like having the same person come to work on our house. For familiarity, safety, and trust. Also, he doesn't smoke or smell like cigarette smoke! A huge plus... not sure if he does smoke... but at least, he doesn't smell and doesn't smoke on the job... (and yes... I've had really smelly, cigarette smelling contractors in my house... or the neighbor's will have contractors that leave their cigarette butts all over the street.). Thank you, Yelp posters, because I searched very long for a plumber and it was all the Yelp reviews that helped me find Lee. He's my go-to guy if I need a plumber!
David P.
David P.
01/04/2016 12:00:00 SA
Just had Lee from Kratzer Plumbing to the house today.  He is an honest guy.  Had to have my Franke water dispenser fixed and he was upfront that the replacement parts that Franke sent me might not work.  He said the job wouldn't take the full hour so if there was other things to look at he could do that too.  I'll be calling him from now on.  650-571-5580
T F.
T F.
4/26/2011
Called Abco after another plumbing company let me down.
Lee showed up when he said he would, was easy to talk to (both for me to describe the problem and for him to explain the fix to me), and it cost what he estimated it would cost.

Lee also knew about houses specific to this area (Eichler, anyone?), which was a huge bonus.

I will definitely call Abco the next time I have a plumbing issue. As another reviewer said, who knew that hiring a plumber could be this easy, straightforward, and inexpensive?
Carol S.
Carol S.
7/19/2016
What a pleasure doing business with these people.  A shower drain was backed up.  We couldn't fix it with our shorter snake so we called Kratzer based on all the positive reviews found on Yelp. They lived up to the hype.  They gave us a 10 AM - noon window and arrived at 10!  When does that happen?  Luis was friendly and efficient.  Problem fixed.  Price was reasonable and we have a 30 day warranty should the problem return.
Cathy E.
Cathy E.
7/18/2016
This is my second review for Kratzer Plumbing, the first being last year. Both reviews are 5-stars. It's a pleasure to find such skilled and honest people to repair my plumbing, and let me know how to best maintain it. In this case, it was fixing faucets and faucet handles that were poorly installed by the builders, and are now breaking because the 10-year warranty is up, of course. The Kratzers had suggested that I contact the manufacturer for many of the issues, because they would either send a free repair kit or replacement faucet assemblies. Who knew? That alone saved me a bucket of money. Just like last time, the quality of the work, the customer service, and the costs, were excellent. I've owned homes for 30 years and have never had such great plumbers.
Daniel C.
Daniel C.
3/30/2011
Wow.  I called and spoke to Lee on 3 separate occasions.  Each time, he patiently helped me SOLVE MY OWN PLUMBING PROBLEM without cost.  I am blown away, this company has certainly earned my loyalty.  If you have plumbing issues, do not hesitate to call them!
Jeremy H.
Jeremy H.
6/29/2011
We had called around some plumbers for an estimate on fixing a leaky bathtub facuet. Some came out and proposed an expensive cartridge replacement. When we described the problem to Lee over the phone, he suggested we contact the manufacturer for a warranty replacement of the power pistons. Bingo!  That solved the problem.  
That he was able to resolve the problem over the phone while the other guys couldn't do it in person speaks volumes of his skill and professionalism.
Fred S.
Fred S.
4/27/2012
Prompt, cheerful, quick, cost effective. All good. Extra credit: He replaced my clean-out cap no extra charge - just his minimum rate. No attempt to up-sell.
John R.
John R.
05/01/2012 12:00:00 SA
Outstanding! He was prompt, efficient, professional, and a pleasure to work with. Oh yes , he solved the backup of a laundry room sink. Will call him back in a heartbeat!
Walter W.
Walter W.
5/13/2010
Lee Kratzer came out to help us make a new line from the house to an outdoor kitchen for gas, hot and cold water. In addition to that, upon hearing that we had been taking 5 minutes for water to run hot, looked at, found, and fixed within minutes a problem that several other plumbers couldn't solve. Now we have virtually instant hot water! His work looks very professional, and I can't think of a nicer person I've met in his line of work. Highly recommended.
Mike L.
Mike L.
3/20/2013
Great service; personable; smart; out to SAVE me money by figuring out the best way to do things with the quality you want.  It's hard to get 5 stars from me in the area of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc. -- Lee's 'the man'.
Ani C.
Ani C.
8/18/2010
Lee is by far the best plumber we used. After having burned our cash with a terrible plumbing company, we reached out to Lee. He took care of things very professionally. And, since he charges a minimum per visit, he even fixed a shower head for free. Phenomenal guy, fantastic professional.
Honor S.
Honor S.
12/13/2008
Lee Kratzer owns his own plumbing company, and he's the one who comes to your rescue with a smile and a truck load full of knowledge and expertise.  I have had him do everything from replacing a kitchen faucet, installing a new toilet and putting in a sewer clean out trap.  His work is superb, in addition to him being neat and clean.  Forget the other guys, give Lee a call, 650-5715580.
Nella N.
Nella N.
7/16/2012
Best plumber! Efficient and professional and honest.  We got a reference from the Almond Elementary parent group.   We highly recommend him after using his service to fix the faucet!  He quoted 3 hours time to fix but ended up fixing 2 faucets in 1 hour.
Muriel S.
Muriel S.
7/26/2015
I could go on and on and on about Lee Kratzer but I won't. Spent over 30 years looking for a reliable, honorable, hard working plumber and I found him in Lee Kratzer. He has become my go to man on not only my own house but also the rentals that I own in Mountain View and Palo Alto. Extremely responsive and always arrives when he says he's going to. If he's running late he'll give you a call. I have been through so many plumbers in the past so understand that I know what I'm talking about. Look no further if you're looking for a one in a million person and plumber! You will not be sorry.
Cheryl M.
Cheryl M.
9/16/2016
When our plumbing started giving us trouble, we decided to have it checked before it clogged completely.  We chose Kratzer in large part based on Yelp reviews.  Lee and his assistant showed up within a half hour of the beginning of the 2 hour window we were given.  Lee diagnosed our problem and was able to fix it.  He also recommended adding another clean out valve when we have additional work done in a few months.  We will definitely be calling Lee for his help on that project.
Tina B.
Tina B.
9/14/2009
Lee has done various basic repairs at our home in Redwood City on several occasions. He is always on time, quick to find/fix problems, very reasonable rate and perfect clean-up (not to mention, a really nice guy!). Today he came out as I thought a toilet was leaking. After running several tests he pretty much figured out it was urine!  Then he didn't even charge me for his time and the service call. That was WAY BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY!  Call on Kratzer Plumbing!
f f.
f f.
5/14/2011
I am giving Lee Kratzer only 5 stars because the system does not allow me to give him more.
Eventhough Lee generally does not work on week-ends, he came on a Saturday, exactly at the time he said.
He took care of replacing a leaking valve, replaced 2 toilet assemblies and took care of a couple minor issues in less time than I would have ever expected and that he originally quoted me.  On top of it all, he is very clean and his work is spotless.
I have had my share of bad experience with incompetent and dishonest plumbers.  Lee was a true professional.  He has my business for ever.
Bob D.
Bob D.
4/20/2016
Great firm!  I had a last minute emergency plumbing issue.  I tried to fix it myself but quickly realized i was out of my depth snd needed to call a pro.  This company had great reviews and now they have another!  The plumber came out literally minutes after my call.  My wife was home and she said she had never seen a service technician move so fast to keep his charges to a minimum!  Wow - when does that happen these days!?  Big problem fixed quickly and expertly at a minimum of cost.  Cant beat that.  Highly recommend.
Sangita V.
Sangita V.
09/05/2012 12:00:00 SA
When I needed to find a plumber for our laundry room sink, I looked on Yelp and saw all the great referrals for Abco. Thanks Yelpers because our experience with Lee was like every other post here - he was fantastic! Arrived on time, finished the job within the hour (just as he estimated) and he was a really nice guy as well. If I ever need a plumber, Lee's the only guy I'll call.
Ken V.
Ken V.
2/13/2011
Holy smokes!  I had no idea that hiring a plumber could be this easy, straightforward and inexpensive.

Lee diagnosed the problem promptly, went out of his way to find the easiest way to resolve it, and charged us for only one hour of his time. And all on a Sunday afternoon, no less.  I couldn't be more thrilled.

Thank you Lee.  You made what could have been a real downer of a weekend into something else entirely.

So, summary:  if you need a plumber, call Kratzer Plumbing. He'll get it done.
Anita L.
Anita L.
04/11/2013 12:00:00 SA
Lee's the best!  It's about time I wrote a review -- we've used him for just about everything.  Things tend to happen around here late in the day, but Lee always fits us in.  When our main drain backed up late one night, he showed up at 10:00 to see if there was any way he could fix it (There wasn't), then showed up early in the morning to find our buried line, repair it and clean out all the roots in the line.  

In addition, l we've known Lee long enough and well enough that we'd leave him a key or leave the house while he's working.  He's completely trustworthy.
Cappefam C.
Cappefam C.
08/09/2015 12:00:00 SA
There is a reason this place has 5 stars!  Exceptional service in all areas. From the initial phone call to the handshake goodbye. The are top notch.
Stephan E.
Stephan E.
10/10/2015 12:00:00 SA
The Kratzer team is great.  They respond quickly to inquiries, work with you quickly to schedule times to perform service and their service team is efficient and very nice.  I highly recommend them.
Susan G.
Susan G.
5/16/2016
Kratzer Plumbing is fantastic.  Lee first came to the rescue for a tricky water heater issue last year and he was personable, timely, efficient and totally stood behind his work.  We have called him since then for several other plumbing issues and I can't recommend him highly enough!
Martha D.
Martha D.
12/18/2010
I did't get a chance to use these gus yet, but they answered their phone right away, and were very thorough in their questioning of the situation in order to diagnose the problem. While they don't come out and give free estimates, they do give estimates based on the information you provide on the phone. Very pleasant and very knowledgeable people. I was impressed! I will update my review if we don't resolve the issue ourselves and actually need Kratzer to come out!
Katy B.
Katy B.
03/01/2012 12:00:00 SA
He was on-time and I wasn't, but he waited patiently. Quick, courteous, and professional! Definitely would call him again!
Alex M.
Alex M.
02/02/2011 12:00:00 SA
Our home had an ongoing leak in the backyard that ended up being a small fix. Lee came by and saw that we just needed the hose valve replaced and changed it within 15 min. Great price for the work, too! Highly recommend his work for future plumbing issues!
Joanna M.
Joanna M.
7/27/2015
Kratzer Plumbing is fantastic!   They fixed our severely clogged toilet/shower issue in under an hour. No small task since there is carpet in the bathroom!!   Luis and Mary worked quickly and explained how to avoid problems in the future. Thanks Kratzer!
Tom R.
Tom R.
03/11/2015 12:00:00 SA
It's true...those 5 stars you see so many times for Kratzer Plumbing are well deserved. Lee Kratzer knows all aspects of plumbing. He replaced our leaky main water valve shut off along with the sprinkler shut off valve ...and the copper work he did is truly a work of art.  In fact, I now refer to the new valves as the hood ornament for our house because the look so good. Hats off to Lee, Marian and Luis....nice work all the way around.
jim s.
jim s.
01/11/2011 12:00:00 SA
Great service.
Lee called back late last night after hours.
Showed up right on time this morning.
Very professional.  Clean.
Quickly took care of the problem.
nice guy... highly recommend... would hire again.
Sam K.
Sam K.
12/21/2015
Another happy customer. They answered the phone the first time I called and were able to schedule an appointment for a non-emergency within two business days and gave me a 2 hour window in which they would show.  On the phone, they did some diagnosis (I sent a few iPhone photos of the items) so I could go out and buy the parts to make the process faster and less expensive. When they showed up, everything went smoothly. They even advised against doing something we planned on doing and suggested how we could solve the problem less expensively. Repairs included: Replacement of faucet stems and multiple stoppers, replaced shower head, replaced kitchen faucet, caulked shower, installed hot water recirculator, replaced toilet stopper. Highly recommend!
Kim S.
Kim S.
6/18/2015
I found Kratzer Plumping on Yelp and gave it a go. A cast-iron pipe needed to be replaced in our crawlspace below the house. A well-publicized, larger company quoted us $2800.00 then brought it down to $2000.00. Kratzer quoted $400-500 and charged us $400! Miriam, who coordinated the job was super responsive and friendly. Lee fit us in when we needed him and was super easy to interact with. We found ourselves a gem of a plumber.
Parker L.
Parker L.
06/08/2015 12:00:00 SA
Lee is great.  He has helped us out a couple of times and I would highly recommend him.  He is knowledgable and very clean.  He even help us fix a problem on the weekend when another plumbing service did not do a good job.
Karl L.
Karl L.
08/05/2011 12:00:00 SA
Great service.  He was 15 min late, but called ahead to tell me and still gave me a discount for being tardy.  Rooted out my laundry room drain and then volunteered to root out the cleanout in the front for no extra charge since he still had some time. I've been searching for a good general plumber for a while and I think I found one.
Kristen J.
Kristen J.
3/30/2015
Lee was great! He came quickly, was extremely professional and helpful. He is easy to work with and made great decisions to help keep his visit short and thus my costs low. This was my first experience with Lee, but I'll certainly call him again if I need help.
Irina P.
Irina P.
2/19/2015
Problem is fixed! Louse  came on time as promised. Very friendly and professional. The clogged sink was fixed quickly. Thank you.
Mike M.
Mike M.
10/08/2013 12:00:00 SA
In May of 2008 the thermocouple of my gas-fired water heater failed for the first time.  Andrew K. Mills Plumbing replaced it and charged me $168.81.

In October of 2013 that same thermocouple failed for a second time.  Kratzer Plumbing replaced it and charged me $136.00.

Both plumbing companies did professional and competent work.  Kratzer was on-site within an hour of my call.  That prompt service combined with the price difference will be what guides my decison process the next time that I find myself in need of plumbing repair services.
Rocky D.
Rocky D.
1/22/2014
I called Kratzer plumbing for some water main line work. When the guy shows up, he gave his honest and frank assessment that I did not need any work because whatever I have was working alright and there was no safety issue. I admire this level of honesty when rest of the plumber fraternity is out to get you.
A S.
A S.
4/25/2014
Lee is great.  They've fixed a broken water heater, dripping hose bibs connected to the washer and a malfunctioning instant hot water line.  Each time I've called they have returned my call in a timely fashion - either same day or on Monday morning early if the call was on a weekend.  Lee is super professional and very knowledgeable.  Everyone else told me I would need to install a pump to get the instant hot line to start working again - to the tune of $800 - $1000.  Lee fixed it with a check valve.  Elegantly simple solution.  Cost to me?  $140.
A K.
A K.
7/13/2010
Lee Kratzer provided excellent service - all aspects of service - from responding to the first call to completing the job and giving general recommendations.
He is knowledgeable and willing to communicate with a lay person. He is... both very professional and very nice. Recommend highly.
Yes, as good as it gets.
Lynn M.
Lynn M.
11/11/2010 12:00:00 SA
I agree with the other reviewers - would definitely all them again.  Lee didn't come himself but our plumber (I believe it was Luiz) was nice, very quick at solving our drain problem, gave helpful advice, and very reasonable price.
Dave A.
Dave A.
12/03/2010 12:00:00 SA
I had a water leak under my house that I could not find.  One phone call later, Lee met me at my house.  He quickly had his gear on and started crawling around under my house and found the source of the leak.   Turns out fixing it was quite tricky since the leak was in a slab beneath my family room.  Lee  figured out a way to bypass the bad pipe even though it was a bit of challenge he stayed until the job was completed 100%.  

In my opinion - Kratzer Plumbing offers the best service at very reasonable rates!  I would not hesitate to use them again and highly recommend them to anyone who needs a plumber.
M V.
M V.
01/03/2011 12:00:00 SA
Prompt and courteous service to fix a pipe break on one of my outdoor lines..  Spoke to Lee who explained his rates clearly and he sent over Chuck to fix the problem.  After a rapid diagnosis Chuck isolated the line and fixed the problem.
Thanks!
Thomas G.
Thomas G.
10/17/2011
Lee did a great job replacing my water heater.  He was friendly, affordable, and honest.  I'll call him the next time I need work done.
Kevin M.
Kevin M.
05/11/2015 12:00:00 SA
Woke up to clogged toilets and showers. Kratzer adjusted their schedule and Luis showed up an hour later. He did a great and thorough job, was polite and considerate by wearing shoe covers to protect our hard wood floors. I would most definitely recommend them and use them again. Kudos to Luis!!
J W.
J W.
4/30/2014
We have called Kratzer Plumbing several times over the past few years for various plumbing issues.  They are always punctual, efficient, friendly, and reasonably priced.  We have always been extremely satisfied.  We recently called them to replace an old toilet.  I knew those rusty nuts would have to be cut off and so it was beyond what I wanted to deal with.  Sure enough, they cut off the old bolts had the new toilet installed in less than an hour.  Looks great, works great.  We are very happy to have them around to call when we need plumbing help.
Allan R.
Allan R.
12/07/2013 12:00:00 SA
Lee is smart, capable and a good problem solver. He figured out a complex water heater issue (that was created, and repairs subsequently botched by another company) and fixed it promptly. What a pleasure to work with folks like this!
Isabelle S.
Isabelle S.
10/04/2013 12:00:00 SA
Whao!!! Lee is amazing, He came to our home on time and diagnosed the problem very quickly and found a creative cost effective solution. He was courteous, clean and totally dependable. I will absolutely use him again!!! The overall cost was unbeatable.
Michael H.
Michael H.
01/03/2014 12:00:00 SA
This review is long over due and this is my first ever review. I literally signed up for Yelp just to let everyone know what an amazing plumber Lee is. He has helped me twice now, once with a leaky kitchen sink and once with a clogged shower drain. Both times Lee was prompt, knowledgeable and completely thorough/proficient. Lee literally walks you through everything he does and makes you feel comfortable with the process. I've worked with other plumbers before and before finding Lee, I would receive multiple estimates before each job. Lee's prices are always the best, his time availabilities are always the most convenient, and his solutions last! I will never go anywhere else for my plumbing needs, ever!
C B.
C B.
01/02/2014 12:00:00 SA
Lee of Kratzner Plumbing is exceptionally honest, professional, prompt, and knowledgable. It is a joy to deal with such a good company in this day and age. I highly recommend him!
Jason M.
Jason M.
1/22/2012
Excellent service - it's wonderful to work with someone who takes his profession so seriously and seems to love what he does.  Lee showed up right on time and quickly got to work fixing my clogged drains.  What impressed me was that he went well beyond what I had asked, by fixing just about every sink in the house and fine tuning the stopper mechanisms and completely cleaning them out.  He also spent time giving me lots of advice on toilettes, water heaters, water softeners, etc ... He's a fountain of knowledge and is happy to share.
Larry F.
Larry F.
04/01/2013 12:00:00 SA
Lee Kratzer is the best plumber we have ever found.  My wife called him tonight at 6:00 p.m. when we discovered a leaking pipe spraying water above our water heater.  He was at our home within an hour and promptly fixed the problem.  This is the second time Lee has come to our home.   His fees are reasonable and he really takes the time to explain the issue with you.  Lee is the only plumber we will call in the future.  We found him on Yelp and he lives up to the wonderful reviews he has received.
J F.
J F.
09/08/2011 12:00:00 SA
They never returned my call, so I cannot say anything about their quality or price! I went with another plumber who had someone out within an hour for a non-emergency issue.
James A.
James A.
3/25/2014
I called Kratzer Plumbing based on Yelp reviews.  Lee came over to fix a clogged shower drain.  Because it had become a frequent problem, he examined the whole system by crawling under the house and gave great honest advice.  His work was fast and neat and very reasonable. I would highly recommend.
Annelle D.
Annelle D.
10/19/2014
I recently hired Lee at Kratzer Plumbing because of his 5 star rating on Yelp.  What a help that was.  He was excellent!  He arrived on time, installed my new toilet, after picking it up for me from the plumbing store, hit and problem and offered to come back on a Sat. morning to finish, which I felt unnecessary and he finished on time and beautifully on Monday am.  His prices were not shocking and his efficiency and abilities outstanding.  I have his card and would never hesitate to use him again and will for my plumbing needs.
Charlene F.
Charlene F.
05/04/2014 12:00:00 SA
My house is 80+ years old and after what seemed like regular calls to the Rooter guys (and lots of $$$), it was time to have the house re-piped.  Thanks to all of you on yelp, I called Kratzer Plumbing and Sam offered to schedule an appt at my earliest convenience.  He had the same qualities that you all have shared about Lee.  Sam was right on time, professional, personable, explained and showed me everything and suggested ways for me to save money or options that might be better.  He was super efficient, clean and worked around my schedule.  With such an old house, there were times that he and his crew spent extra time and physical labor to make it work but they never complained or came back with a reason to jack up the price.  It's so refreshing to find a company that puts customer service first!  Thanks Sam and Lee for providing us with an exceptional experience.
S K.
S K.
07/06/2011 12:00:00 SA
Woo hoo! A plumber I can count on. Lee is doing all the kitchen and bathroom plumbing for my remodel, and he's always been on time and super efficient. Lee knows all the codes and gives me tips on passing the building inspection. His work is very neat and clean, too. And on top of all that, Lee is a very nice, genuine person!
Gagan S.
Gagan S.
11/19/2014
Lee is awesome. He made time even though he was busy that day. Called me before getting to my house; was very thorough in his work. Explained to me what was going on, as well as why some other plumbers would quote large amounts for small problems (we just had to clean our shower head but he was thorough to even go in our crawl space to check for leaks!) Absolutely loved his honesty and dedication. Strongly recommended.
Fefi F.
Fefi F.
6/28/2011
LEE KRATZER PLUMBING /  ABCO ,,,  is EXCEPTIONAL in the plumbing profession:  fair prices and reliable work.  We have used him for years and am glad he is getting more business and more good reviews.  It is sooo hard to find RELIABLE, HONEST, PROFESSIONAL , EXPERT, FAIR PRICED TRADESMEN !!
Leigh Anne G.
Leigh Anne G.
7/21/2011
I'm in the middle of a plumbing mystery and Lee has saved my bacon.  Another firm wanted to charge me $2K just to get the water out before they diagnosed the problem.  He came right over and checked it out and helped me out tremendously.  When we solve the mystery I'll finish this rating:  it will still be 5 stars. Hire this guy.  I've worked with other plumbers for 3 years, all kinds, there is really no comparison.
J H.
J H.
04/11/2011 12:00:00 SA
I needed to have someone come in and make sure my main line was clear as part of the buyers request in selling my home. Lee was prompt, friendly, fast and efficient and his pricing is VERY fair. I would call him again for any kind of plumbing issues.
K C.
K C.
04/09/2014 12:00:00 SA
I called Kratzer for a non-urgent issue.  Sam came the next morning right on time.  He was very nice and professional.  I didn't have any hot water in my shower.  I was certain a valve needed replacing.  But, turns out the valve was full of calcium deposits and stopped working.  All that needed to be done was a thorough cleaning and lube of the parts.  Within a hour he was done with the minimum charge!  I was surprised no parts needed to be ordered with a return visit etc. etc...  just to increase the price and scope of work.  I was impressed he arrived on time, completed the job quickly and in one trip!
Larry H.
Larry H.
8/13/2009
I bought a very expensive kitchen faucet to replace the worn out Price-Pfister unit that came with our tract home.   Luckily, I found the right guy to install it!  Lee Kratzer arrived at the appointed time with his bucket of tools, and he did an excellent job.  He also re-siliconed the kitchen sink, cleaned out 2 stopped up bathroom sinks, and did some other minor adjustments.  Lee is state licensed, and his hourly rate is reasonable.  He cleaned up after he finished as well.  We would call him again.
kira m.
kira m.
9/13/2011
Lee gave us the best price per hour of work and was able to give an estimate in hours of work it takes to fix the leaking toilet and shower. He was able to stay pretty close to his quote even though he discovered and had to take care of an additional problem with a leaking shower pipe inside the wall. Lee is also one of the most professional plumbers that I had a pleasure to invite into my house, has tons of experience, is very knowledgeable about what he is doing, and communicates and explains things very clearly. He fixed the problem, and I still had to pay $120 less than any other estimate which I was given by other plumbers, even with an additional hour of work! The shoe covers are a really nice touch, too, since we are always walking barefoot inside the house during the summer.
Ken A.
Ken A.
9/13/2009
My first Yelp review and happy to have a nice experience to write about. I was half done with a toilet replace/install and ran into some unexpected trouble half way through.  I gave Lee Kratzer a call based on these Yelp reviews...he first gave me tips on the phone to help me complete the project on my own, but I asked him to come out anyway.  He was professional (wore booties in the house) and knowledgeable but equally as important he is a nice guy who does a great job at reasonable rates.  I have some other projects and will give him a call again.  Note:  he owns his business...I'll always go with someone for whom it's more than just a job.
Joe F.
Joe F.
8/27/2012
I called to have him address a fixture and leak issue for our kitchen.  He came when he said he would, spend extra time to make sure all the pieces and parts were right and did not charge us extra.  It's so nice to find a excellent, honest plumber.  I would highly recommend him.
W L.
W L.
2/13/2013
Great job! The pipe for the drainage from our washer was clogged and caused backup of water. I called Lee based on all the great Yelp reviews and I am so glad I did. He was on time, professional, efficient, knowledgeable and pleasant to talk to. Most importantly I think he is honest and trustworthy. Not only did he solve our main drainage problem and a few other slow sinks, he also explained to us how to avoid some of the problems in the future, or how to deal with it ourselves if the problem is minor, so we don't have to spend the X dollars to call a plumber. Highly recommended.
Andrea B.
Andrea B.
01/12/2011 12:00:00 SA
Very friendly service, did great work on a project that stumped my husband, and turned out to be less expensive than I'd expected. I've used some big name plumbing services before and always felt I was being ripped off, but Lee seems very honest with reasonable pricing. His colleague came later in the day to finish the job (the faucet I'd bought was the wrong size so I had to get a different one before they could finish) and he realized he needed a part, and did not charge for the travel time to the supply store which I appreciated. I'll call them again for sure!
Eugene J.
Eugene J.
8/22/2011
Lee replaced a leaky thermal expansion unit on the water heater for a very reasonable rate and walked me through it so I can manage it myself the next time.  Also, gave some good information on what kind of water heater to buy when this one goes (which may be soon).
Jo Ann Marie M.
Jo Ann Marie M.
11/12/2009 12:00:00 SA
(Lee) Kratzer Plumbing was recommended to me by a mutual friend of another mutual friend. (What  better advertisement can a business have through word of mouth?)  Lee arrived at my home on time and was finished in 1 1/2 hrs.  He charged me a VERY FAIR RATE and had the necessary parts already with him.  Based in the Mt. View/ Los Altos area, he services the mid-peninsula area through Burlingame and does NOT charge for travel time or mileage.  I would highly recommend Lee again and again.  Lee can be reached at 650-571-5580.
Wayne M.
Wayne M.
08/06/2010 12:00:00 SA
Lee Kratzer really came through for me.  Not a big job, but never the less...  Next time I have a plumbing issue, he will be the first on my list to call.  As far as I can tell, he is capable and honest.  I've already recommended him to my friends.
Semele H.
Semele H.
02/01/2011 12:00:00 SA
I panicked when I saw my water heater spouting water everywhere!  A friend recommended Kratzer. I called and they came within the hour.  I was expecting to replace the whole water heater, but it was just a small pipe that needed to be replaced. Lee was fast and professional, and also talked me through the different options I'll need to consider when the time does come to replace the water heater.  I'll definitely be calling them for all my plumbing jobs.
Mabel D.
Mabel D.
5/23/2011
another 5 star rating.  it's getting boring...

wish i'd have known about Lee years ago.  he's now the go-to guy for any plumbing or snake requirements.  and he has experience with eichlers.

i'm not sure if he works odd hours, so a saturday midnight backup may still require a call to roto rooter.  but Lee will be the first call anytime in the future.
E. B.
E. B.
8/26/2011
Let me add to the 5 star parade!  I had a fairly straight forward clogged drain and normally would have called one of the xRooter guys.  However, since my experiences with them has been so hit and miss, I thought I'd follow the recommendations of fellow yelpers and give Lee a shot.  What a great guy and what a great find.  From the start I felt comfortable with Lee and was not going to have to deal with the typical 'up-selling' pressure.  He is personable, professional and prompt.  He came in and took care of the issue, crawled under the house to double check his work and charged a fair price.  He's earned my trust and will definitely be my 'go to' plumber going forward.
M Y.
M Y.
11/11/2011 12:00:00 SA
I highly recommend Lee.  Just met him today.  I had an issue with knocking on the faucet and a leak in my bathroom from the toilet.  He was very polite, courteous, nice and most importantly honest!  I think he has a great attitude and if he thinks he can help you save some money, he will tell you straight away that there might be simple fixes you can first try out yourself.
Mahmut Y.
Mahmut Y.
01/08/2013 12:00:00 SA
Lee is your dream plumber! He is very honest and very good at what he does. His rate is also very reasonable. Lately, I paid $98/hr and I knew exactly how much a service would cost. There are no surprises. Lee will not push you to do unnecessary work just to get more money, he will recommend you only what is needed. If you insist, of course he will do what you want, but it is a good idea to listen to him.
Michelle M.
Michelle M.
4/14/2013
We called Abco Rooter Service, he responded promptly, gave us a competitive quote, alerted us to possible problem scenarios, arrived on time, and solved our problem. He also stayed and thoroughly checked to make sure the issue was dealt with correctly. He did everything we asked and more.  I would definitely call Lee again.

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