Brian W.

3/30/2023

Jan exceeded my expectations in almost every respect. He was timely in his service, professional in how he did it, responsive and very communicative throughout the conversations related to this project. I will definitely reach out to him again when I have plumbing needs. Top notch!

Ari C.

3/24/2023

I tried to install a bidet from Amazon and failed so miserably I couldn't even get my toilet hooked back up to the water line without massive spray leaks. I figured out quickly that I was in over my head and needed to pay a pro to bail me out.

I chose Vanguard because they were located near me and had been in business for over a decade. I emailed a photo with my (non-emergency) issue and they replied to me first thing next day to get more details. They weren't able to come out right away, but I take that as a good sign when a plumber is busy enough with work to not be immediately available. I wanted to pay a professional to get the job done correctly, the first time, and was willing to accept what that kind of work costs. I emailed on Tuesday night and by Thursday morning Jan was able to come out (earlier than anticipated) and solved my issue within an hour. Jan had the right tools, replacement parts, installed the bidet for me, no leaks, and even took the time to educate me about some valves on my water heater in my new-to-me condo. He was professional and friendly. I can highly recommend Vanguard Plumbing!

Kate G.

4/28/2023

Jan and his Vanguard team are terrific. We had a sewer issue and he quickly responded with a quote and an onsite visit. He quickly diagnosed the problem and starting clearing our sewer within the first 30 min. I was so worried about our issue but his calm demeanor and quick action made all the difference. He is a pro and you can feel confident putting your plumbing and sewer needs in his hands. He is a pleasure to do business with.

David S.

4/29/2023

Very expensive! 375 first hour 275 after that! I recommend other people to get quotes from other company's before going with Jan!

Susan S.

4/26/2023

My sump pump float switch quit working overnight when it was raining and I woke up to a stinky, flooded crawlspace. After looking at reviews online I found Vanguard and gave them a call. Jan had me go down and take some photos to make sure he would send me an accurate quote for the work and parts, and after I sent the photos he gave me a call back and walked me through a few steps I could take to see if I could get the pump working and drain the water before they came out for the repair to save me money - money I would have paid him! Best of all, his advice worked and after draining the flood I was actually able to understand the pump was working and replace the switch myself. I did receive the quote for the work Vanguard would have done and it was clear, professional, and extremely fair (especially considering the location and condition of my sump pit). I felt that I was treated with a great deal of respect and courtesy, which was such a pleasant surprise it actually turned around how negatively I was feeling about the flood etc. I will 100% call them again for any work I need.

Wayne R.

4/22/2023

This is the fourth or fifth time we have used Vanguard between two of our condos. As always with Vanguard, everything was perfect. This time we had them install a new sink, a new faucet, and add a water line for an ice maker. The communication is superb. The timelines is always precise. The service we get from George is unparalleled. There are never surprises or problems. It always goes perfectly and the price is always as quoted. This is how all companies should be. I cannot imagine a company being any better than Vanguard and a plumber being any better than George.

Ilya K.

02/03/2023 12:00:00 SA

Fast response time and excellent service in replacing our kitchen garbage disposal within days of receiving the request. Very pleased with the new garbage disposal that was installed. Highly recommend and will be coming back to Vanguard in the future with all our plumbing needs!

Tiffany W.

3/22/2023

we feel very lucky to have found Jan and George. We just bought an older home and needed quite a few things updated. Jan made an incredible impression on us right off the bat by calling and talking to us over the phone a few times to make sure we were buying the supplies that would be exactly what we needed. He advised on everything from the brand of toilet to the type of valve and everything in between. We felt really confident in our choices knowing that they were recommended by the plumbers. George was our plumber for most of the work and he is awesome. Always on time, friendly, kept workspace super clean, and most importantly was focused on doing things right. Our toilet ring wasn't in good shape from a previous install and he instead of just dropping a new one in, he stopped and ensured that a repair collar was added so that it was done correctly. Jan is the same. He could have just installed the drain I bought online but he advised that the type I bought would not last- keep in mind I'm supplying the stuff so it's not like he profits in any way- he just gives good advice. He then went the extra mile and found a drain that would do the trick and sent us the link. Guys are always on time, price is transparent and fair, work is high quality, owner stands by the work. What else can you ask for!?

Albert C.

02/10/2023 12:00:00 SA

My basement toilet and shower drain were backing up when I flushed the toilet. Reached out to Jan who gave me a preliminary diagnosis of a shot ejector pump. Scheduled a visit. He arrived on time within the window given on the selected day. Opened up the ejector pit and found it was full of roots. He removed the roots, cleaned the pit, and removed the concrete debris from the bottom of the pit. Power rodded and inspected underground waste lines with sewer camera. After cleaning roots removed from active waste lines. Installed new ejector pump, Liberty LE41AV, installed new plastic pit cover, installed new 2 PVC quit check valve, installed new section of 2 discharged vent pipes. Tested new pump- worked correctly, no leaks. Then cleaned the work space

Rudra B.

2/16/2023

We have used Vanguard for some other plumbing issues. So when our water heater pilot light wouldn't stay lit, we called Vanguard first. Jan asked for some pictures via email and then stopped by after a call. He recommended we do a full replacement after assessing our water heater.

He listened to our needs and looked at the existing system which included a recirculating pump. He made his recommendations along with an option to replace the pump. We agreed with replacing it all.

The next day his team showed up bright and early to get started. Jan stopped by to go over any questions. The team was quick to remove the old heater and then install the new one. Appreciated that they were able to get a new heater and installed in about 24 hours!

Would use Vanguard again and recommend them!

Joanne O.

1/23/2023

We received several quotes from different plumbing companies. From the initial appointment, Vanguard Plumbing was the most professional and knowlegable. Our water heater needed to be replaced as well as a faucet and shower that was not working. They gave me a quote, explained the work that needed to be completed and we scheduled it withing the next few weeks at my convience. The work was completed on time and the area was left clean. But most importantly, I have hot water!! I would hire them again for any future pluming needs.

Jennie S.

6/17/2022

We have used Vanguard a number of times and have always been very happy with the service, explanation, and great skill Vanguard's plumbers have. Most recently, Vanguard came to replace old shut-off valves for a few leaky sinks at our condo. They were timely and completed the project while paying attention to every single detail. Then, we received a call following up the next day to double check the leaks were fixed!

We highly recommend Vanguard for your plumbing needs!

Lorrie I.

03/03/2023 12:00:00 SA

Great service every time! Professional, responsive effective solutions to all of our plumbing needs. Most recently Jan repaired a leaking toilet that flooded 3 levels of our house. I highly recommend Vanguard Plumbing!

Stephen S.

9/29/2022

I always contact Vanguard Plumbing when I want the job done right. Jan and his team are reliable and professional. They are also easy to work with. I will email Jan a picture of the problem, and he will usually get back to me with an estimate within the day. I have used them for about 6 jobs so far and every time I have been pleased. Not only are things fixed and working when they leave, they go above and beyond to make sure the job is done properly and to code. No quick fix or cutting corners. I also trust them to work my home when I am not there. I have had them repair sewer pipes, bathroom sinks, showers faucets, kitchen faucets, as well as install water filtration systems. I know that whenever I am hiring Jan, the money I spend is adding value in to our house because Vanguard's work will last.

Mike B.

11/03/2022 12:00:00 SA

Knowledgeable, professional, and quick. Vanguard finds solutions to my plumbing issues!

Ryan D.

02/04/2023 12:00:00 SA

I bought a 100 year old house with rusted, leaking kitchen piping, and these guys were able to fix the supply lines and entire kitchen stack within a couple of days and made sure I'll have a functioning kitchen by the time I move in. They were very communicative and helpful through the whole process.

Reginald D.

2/14/2023

We noticed a leak under our 20-year-old water heater. Jan analyzed our problem from pictures and sent a repair crew that replaced the old heater. We are very satisfied with their work.

Bill S.

09/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

Jan and George are a great team. Jan responds promptly via email or phone to questions, etc, and George is prompt, courteous, and professional - he makes the repairs needed and cleans up great! Plus the follow-up call from Jan after the job was done was a pleasant surprise!

Dan R.

10/07/2021 12:00:00 SA

I've hired Vanguard for two bigger projects in an old house with lots of... issues... Jan gave me a very thorough overview of the plumbing issues in my house (including bigger problems I didn't know about). While it's always frustrating to hear new problems Jan gave a very honest, professional assessment of what was happening, and helped me prioritize the projects.

George and Daniel did an amazing job installing a new water heater and helping fix old pipes and drain issues with an improperly installed kitchen sink. I really can't recommend them enough. Finding a great plumber is not easy, and I plan on using Vanguard for future projects.

Lauren M.

11/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

Very responsive, very knowledgeable, and very helpful. I highly recommend Jan and the Vanguard team.

Mick B.

1/27/2022

After trying to fix a leaking pipe under my bathroom sink and realizing it needed to be cut and replaced, I found Vanguard via a Yelp search and received an estimate. I thought it could be a bit high, so I got a few other estimates and realized that it was going to be a bigger project than I assumed. I ultimately went with Vanguard based on their excellent reviews and I am happy I did. They set up an appointment next day and completed the job in essentially the estimated time. I also had them replace an o-ring on one of my toilets as we were getting sewer odors. Come to find out it wasn't the o-ring, it was a lack of a proper flange. So that also needed to be replaced. All-in-all, the quality and service were excellent. Will definitely reach out to Vanguard first with my next plumbing need.

Michael K.

02/10/2022 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard - Jan, George and Co. are great. I've used Vanguard for a few jobs around my house and they do exceptional work. Jan is quick to reply to an e-mail or phone call, easy to get a quote and is good about arranging a time to do the work. His estimate/price may seem high, but I feel he really comes in the middle of the pack. I'm more than happy to pay a licensed, honest, experienced plumber who does the job right, explains the process, answers ALL my crazy questions and is respectful and professional in my home. The pics are from the most recent work Vanguard did just a few days ago. George and his assistant completely removed and fixed the kitchen sink plumbing nightmare that the previous owner had screwed up. I waited too long to have it fixed, but I'm really happy with the results. I can't say enough positive things about Jan, George and Vanguard. They are my go-to plumber(s) for every plumbing job in my house.

William C.

3/15/2022

Smooth & easy. Jan's a professional, a stickler for code-correct work. Our system is not the simplest, since our water heater is integrated with a geothermal heating system. Jan took the time to investigate the whole system and make sure the details were looked after. The peace of mind we feel is as valuable as the hot water, maybe even moreso!

Rachel J.

10/26/2022

Jan and his team replaced our leaking 100-year-old pipes in our kitchen and basement. They were prompt, professional, and easy to communicate with, and the work looks great! 100% would use them again.

Laura J.

05/12/2021 12:00:00 SA

Jan replaced the bathroom sink plumbing due to corroded pipes and a clog. Him and his worker Matthew were knowledgeable and efficient with their work. Always use this company and they have very reasonable prices as well....

Seth K.

4/13/2020

Let's talk about amazing service and value that Jan and his team put on customer satisfaction.

When I first reached out to Jan about a new sump pump and backup install he requested pictures so he can accurately provide an estimate. I loved this because it allowed me to get an idea of what I am going to need to invest without wasting any time having someone come to my house. Within minutes I had an estimate emailed to me.

After deciding to go with Vanguard his team showed up a day later and they did an amazing job and they were extremely professional.

This is where Vanguard took it to the next level with customer services and support. After spending a small fortune on this new sump pump system the alarms were going off more than what I would expect. Jan immediately took charge of the situation and worked with the manufacture to have my system upgraded due to a small defect. A few days later he was over to install the upgraded system.

We thought our issues were over but the story doesn't end here. We had a different alarm going off after the upgraded was installed so after sending Jan a couple of videos he was back over to troubleshoot the system. Jan went over every part and figured out a different part of the system was defected. Luckily he had a brand new replacement part in the truck.

It has been a week since Vanguard and Jan completed their work and I really couldn't be happier with all the attention and service we got. Obviously there is some disappointment with the manufacture of the pump but that isn't on Vanguard.

At the end of the day Vanguard and Jan stood by their work, they stand by the products, and the went the extra mile to make sure I was happy.

I would HIGHLY recommend Vanguard for all your plumbing and sewer needs!

Patrick C.

11/22/2021

We have used Vanguard multiple times. Once for sewer rodding and catch basin pumping and the other for a stubborn leaky shower.

Jan is very professional to work with and his crew is great and always looking to do the job the best way possible.

Graham M.

08/10/2021 12:00:00 SA

Excellent work. Clear process, price, immediate service.
In the end, a joyous exchange of monies for expert service.

It was reasonably priced too.

Uzair S.

08/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

Only the best... reliable and prompt! It was nice to work you the team again. They helped me fix a leaky pipe and were very efficient.

James U.

07/11/2022 12:00:00 SA

I contacted Vanguard because of a problem with a shower that showed up in my house inspection report following a home purchase. They asked me to send photos and they diagnosed the problem with great detail and gave me a quote to repair the system. When I said I just wanted it disabled they talked me through how to simply turn off water and power so that I didn't even need a plumber and saved me a lot of money. That strikes me as super honest (and helpful) and I'll definitely use Vangaurd for all my future plumbing needs!

Dave S.

01/09/2022 12:00:00 SA

I can't say enough great things about Jan and his company, Vanguard Plumbing. I have used him for several projects in my condo in the past, including replacing faucets, replacing toilets, putting in shower heads, and fixing leaky faucets. The work he has done for me on several visits has uniformly been of the high quality, and I have never had a problem with the work or company. In simple terms, he is not only the best plumber that I have ever worked with, but I would go further and say that he is the best tradesperson with whom I have dealt.

This time, I had an emergency problem - my toilet would not flush and was leaking from the bottom. The timing could not have been worse - my wife had just had a bad accident and we needed access to the bathroom that had the problem.

Jan came through for me. As in the past, he provided great service. He was easily accessible and responded to calls very promptly by phone or e-mail. He provided clear and comprehensive quotes listing the prices he would charge for the project. The quote was backed up by a written confirmation. Most important to me, he thoughtfully listened to my personal situation and then quickly changed his scheduled to make his team available to me the next day as I had requested.

He sent George, one of his experienced plumbers, to do my job. George was great from beginning to end. The job turned out to be challenging because of the corroded pipes in my older condo building. He was very helpful in explaining the job, the problems, and my options. He never tried to upsell me -- to the contrary, he advised against doing certain work because of the risks to the pipes that would be involved.

While he was here, I asked George if he could check a couple of bathroom faucets which had poor water pressure and some bathroom sinks which were draining slowly because I wanted to avoid another service call. George quickly diagnosed both problems and fixed them within minutes. And then, I asked him to check a kitchen sink with garbage disposal that was backing up as long as he was there. George dove right into the project and again immediately diagnosed the problems. Rather than trying to charge me to do a job that was unlikely to be successful because of the plumbing design in my building, he suggested deferring the work until he could work with my building engineer on a better repair alternative. He was great in every way.

Every time that Vanguard has come here, they have done great work. They clean up everywhere, and check and double-checks the work before they to make sure that everything is working properly. The scheduling, payment process and follow-up are all first rate, and Jan is a really great guy.. While I am sure that there are plumbers out there who are less expensive, I cannot imagine anyone more skilled, more honest, or more responsible. In short, I couldn't be more pleased with Jan and Vanguard. I highly recommend the company.

Klemthie D.

11/26/2021

The whole process of requesting services through completion of work was efficient and professional. I will continue to use Vanguard for plumbing services as they've been the right choice for me for the past six or seven years.

Anne R.

10/06/2021 12:00:00 SA

My husband and I used Vanguard Plumbing to replace the water heater in a home we recently purchased. We had multiple contractors in and out over the first few months of ownership, and each noted how dangerous the current water heater was due to incorrect installation. Vanguard was able to quickly assess the situation, develop a proposal, and book the service appointment. Further, they arrived perfectly on time and completed the job quickly. We were very happy with the entire experience from start to finish.

Larry M.

5/18/2022

my Storm drain was clog and was draining slowly. Vanguard Plumbing cleared the clogged and and showed me the whole process of what they did to clean out the storm drain. in addition they also double check my catch basin to make sure nothing was obstructing the water main way connecting through the city pipeline. Overall good quality work and efficient job.

Carol C.

4/27/2022

Jan is prompt, thorough and cleans up very well. I found a small water spot on my basement floor. It took longer than I liked (given hourly rate) to find and fix the leak. After removing and resetting my powder room toilet, it was ruled out. After cutting open the walls under the powder room sink, to inspect the pipes, that was ruled out. It was finally determined to be a pinpoint leak in the overhead copper pipe in the basement. All fixed.

P. W.

09/07/2021 12:00:00 SA

Made appt on a Saturday for the following Wednesday (long weekend). I called to confirm on Tuesday and was told my appt was never scheduled because I didn't reply to his emailed estimate.

Graham S.

10/05/2021 12:00:00 SA

I have used Vanguard for several projects, big and small. We recently experienced gas leaks in our basement, and our gas was shut off. The Vanguard team was very responsive and spent several days assessing the leak(s), replacing pipes, and navigating the complexities of our old home. I have the utmost trust in them and would recommend them hands down for any project.

Matthew D.

9/21/2021

My old condo board used Jan and George from Vanguard for a 6 unit condo building and I use him now for my own plumbing needs. Vanguard is honest and incredibly knowledgeable and always fixes any issues I have. The one time I made a mistake and used someone else, the pipes exploded 2 weeks later and I needed Vanguard to come and fix the terrible job they did.

In the spring was about to buy a property and had Jan do a thorough plumbing inspection. He saved me from years of issues and lots of money in repairs. I highly recommend Vanguard plumbing and will continue to use them.

Melinda C.

12/20/2021

Vanguard replaced two water heaters and revamped the set up. in my condo building. We received quotes from other plumbers and it was clear that Vanguard was far more experienced and skilled than others we spoke with. It was a big project - in terms of both time and money - that Vanguard implemented successfully and professionally.

Greg O.

09/01/2021 12:00:00 SA

Jan and George installed a new commercial water heater to replace our building's leaking water heater in Lakeview. While they were at it, we noticed a slow leak in a valve in the basement, which they also fixed. They have done work for me before, and they always do great work.

I've seen how they run copper pipe and how other plumbers do it. They always route their pipes thoughtfully so shutoff valves are accessible, drain points are accessible, etc. Their solder/braze joints are also much cleaner than ones I've seen from other plumbers. They also do a great job of anchoring support brackets to the framing of a building when they install valves so the pipes don't undergo strain when you open and close valves. I notice all these details in their work, and that's why I continue to use their services whenever I need plumbing work done.

Jackson A.

8/14/2020

Another exceptional job by Vanguard plumbing; third project in the past few years. They installed new pipes and fittings for my flimsy kitchen dishwasher drain that was leaking.

They're my go-to operation for top quality plumbing that lasts long term.

Jilong D.

03/12/2021 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard Plumbing is professional and easy to work with. From the start to complete the work, everything goes smoothly. Good at customer engagement.

Roger R.

07/02/2021 12:00:00 SA

During heavy rains, water backed up in a drain just outside our basement door. Water flooded the basement floor. We called Vanguard, which we have used four times before, and sent pictures of the drain. The next day they set up an appointment for two days hence, then called later because they could come a day earlier. The two Vanguard servicemen quickly assessed the situation, removed the drain cover and began clearing the drain. At one point I saw one worker with his arm almost completely in the drain as he removed the dead leaves and other materials that caused the clog. The workers used our hose to flush the drain, making sure the water flowed to our sump pump and out into city sewers. It all took about 20 minutes.

Tim G.

11/02/2021 12:00:00 SA

They are friendly, quick, professional, and knowledgeable. They always clean up very well and have always fixed our plumbing problems the first time. We use Vanguard for our unit and building plumbing issues.

Alexis Y.

9/14/2021

We had been having issues with our shower effectively controlling our water temperature. We had previously had another plumber attempt to fix it but was not able to replace the broken part because they told us to purchase the wrong one. I found Vanguard and got a quote that included the necessary parts which the plumbers purchased and brought with them and were able to fix quickly. They also pointed out a couple other issues with building's water heater that they recommended fixing and provided a quote for that additional work that I could bring to our HOA. I really appreciated that both plumbers were professional, friendly and explained the work they needed to do. I would definitely feel confident using them again.

J J.

8/18/2020

DO NOT CONTRACT VANGUARD PLUMBING FOR LEAK INSPECTIONS

Our condo association contracted Vanguard Plumbing for inspecting a leak in our condo building a few weeks back. They charge close to $2000 for a leak inspection visit (10 times higher than average leak inspection) and came to the conclusion that our unit is solely responsible for the leak with no visual evidence. No photo or video evidence identifying the leak is indeed from our unit. The inspection report is merely one sentence. Based on Vanguard's inspection, we ripped our bathroom open to expose the pipes that Vanguard has deemed to be the origin of the leak and asked them to come back on site to find the actual leak. Their response is they are actually not sure where the leak is because they cannot see through walls. And they will not follow through with previous inspection result and actually find the leak. So what are we paying close to $2000 for? A guess? At this point Vanguard is liable for their inspection result and need to follow through with evidence of actually finding and fixing the leak. If you don't want to pay $2000 for inspecting a leak and not actually finding the problem, DO NOT USE VANGUARD.

I know their business have a lot of good reviews from various plumbing work. I'm providing this perspective on their inspection service.

Julie C.

09/01/2021 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard Plumbing did a fantastic job replacing our hose bib and installing an access panel / shut off valve on the inside, as well as replacing a shower cartridge. They were professional, fast, communicative, and did high quality work. Our HOA will definitely be contacting them again for all of our plumbing needs!

Rick U.

09/02/2020 12:00:00 SA

Called Vanguard in the morning and had a quote within an hour. The guys showed up a few hours later and and had the issue fixed in 45 minutes. Very professional, wearing masks, and friendly. I would definitely use them again.

Daniel S.

08/03/2020 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard were professional, prompt, did thorough work, and gave a fair price. I have no complaints and would not hesitate to use them again.

Pete J.

3/21/2022

We had 3 different plumbing projects. I contacted Vanguard and Jan got back to me quickly, the same day, I think. After I complied with his very specific requests for information and photos - clearly, a best practice designed to make the most of the eventual service call - he told me what he thought was wrong with each project, and divided up tasks between what I needed to do (buy and supply certain new fixtures) and what he needed to do (confirm he could find replacement parts for other fixtures). The quote he gave was for 4 hours of time, and that's exactly how long it took. His guys even stayed an extra 30 minutes to fix a fourth problem that had arisen since my initial contact. Jan and his journeyman plumbers were prompt, courteous, careful and clean. I would definitely recommend Vanguard again. They are not cheap - no good plumber is - but you will not be disappointed with the results. My wife is ecstatic!

Sharon L.

11/07/2020 12:00:00 SA

Great service, professional and priced reasonably. Having used them in the past and been very happy with the service, we reached out to have a kitchen faucet replaced. Very responsive.

Matthew C.

11/18/2020

We had a sewer smell coming from the washer closet but couldn't tell where from because we cant get behind the washer. The two plumbers knew right away it would be the floor drain and moved the stacked washer/dryer to access. This was a pain because of the tight setup of the washer/dryer being inside a closet. After they fixed the smell (refilled the p-trap with water) they adjusted the legs on the washer so that if this happens again, I can access the drain myself without pulling the units out.

Frank H.

6/16/2021

I talked to Jan to have both ejector pumps in my home replaced. I was also planning on getting the anode rod in my water heater replaced, however, due to its placement and the difficulty in getting access to the old one, I decided to against it. I definitely appreciated the time Jan took to discuss options and he wasn't pressuring me to go in one direction or another. After that, he quickly gave me an estimate for the ejector pump replacement, got it scheduled, and ended up charging less because the job took 1.5 hours less than estimated.

Brian S.

05/11/2020 12:00:00 SA

Very happy with Jan's work on our sump/ejector pumps, as well as his thorough communication before, during and even after the job was complete to check in. Confident the problem is finally fixed properly.

C W.

4/13/2020

Jan and his team are the go-to pros. We've used them at two homes on jobs bigger and smaller and they've been prompt, courteous, and professional with high-quality work every time. They recently put in a double-pump system with battery backup and the process was fantastic from start to finish, including tight installation and a great job by Jan of answering questions and addressing concerns.

Jennifer D.

8/25/2020

A very responsive operation, with smart solutions. Previous plumbers had missed something that Vanguard was able to figure out, saving us money in the end. We will certainly be using them again in the future.

Deirdre C.

10/28/2020

Vanguard and Jan are exceptional. Jan has completed several projects over the last few years at our home including a booster pump, a sump pump and a hot water heater. Every time Jan and his team provided amazing service. Whenever I have a plumbing problem I call Jan!

Like today. Our bathroom sink was clogged. I figured out how to take out the stopper and clean out the drain. Success! And then failure when I forgot to put the top on the stopper before putting it in. Down it went. I called Jan. Rather than charging me to come to our house to do the work he walked me through how to solve the problem on my own. This is Jan. He is always helping me better understand how our plumping works and explaining solutions!

K N.

8/15/2020

I had my faucet replaced, and a valve replaced under the faucet.

Jan was great at explaining the problem and service, despite not having seen the faucet. I explained the issue and he knew what to do and recommend. The team showed up at 8:00 AM, wore masks, were very friendly and got to work. They finished the job quickly and efficiently, and stayed within the scope and quote price. They even insisted on cleaning up even though I said it didn't matter and they didn't need to.

Friendly, efficient, honest, and with quality work.

Thank you Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer!

Janet Y.

7/22/2021

Very good customer service. Called on a Saturday and they were out first thing on Monday. They gave up front pricing and gave expectations of what worst case scenario however they came prepared and completed the project faster than quoted.

Karen F.

07/09/2020 12:00:00 SA

I had an excellent experience with Vanguard Plumbing. Their
customer service was outstanding. Now a days, its hard to get
someone to return your phone call, NOT Vanguard they called me
back multiple times with a progress report on a part for our toilet
They were helpful, honest and I would highly recommend them!!

Ed T.

06/03/2021 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard came out and fixed a leaky spigot I had on my rooftop. They were quick, professional, and easy to work with. They walked me through the process so I knew what they were doing the entire time as well.

Aaron K.

05/04/2018 12:00:00 SA

I called Vanguard in the morning and they asked for some pics to find the right part ahead of time. They called back an hour later and were at my house by lunch. Vanguard did an awesome job and made sure everything was working well before they left.

When it comes to anything related to plumbing issues you always dread the call and the whole process of getting it fixed. Not with this company. The whole process, start to finish was professional, easy and pleasant.

Katie S.

10/18/2020

They were super timely and efficient with their work. They also provided thorough information on my plumbing problems with different options for fixing it.

Philip M.

6/23/2017

Wanted $250 to replace a simple stop valve for a toilet which costs at most $7 retail - at push a 10 minute job. The building even shuts off the water so would not even have to do that. Of the several plumbers approached for quotes this was over $100 more than anyone else charged.
Edit - In highlight of your response, I did slightly exaggerate. The person was in fact here for 15 minutes (as I distracted them talking about football). So you would have charged an effective rate of $1,000 per hour, vs the company who attended and charged $120 for 15 minutes. I'll let people come to their own conclusions on your rates.

Maria D.

11/04/2020 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard is like the Mayo Clinic of plumbing! For the second time they found the source of a problem nobody could pinpoint (this time water on my neighbor's unit coming from mine). They spent hours carefully investigating until they found the problem and thought of a solution that didn't require me to re-do my entire bathroom like I was told previously to find the source of the leak. I truly appreciate their knowledge, love for the job and customer service. I wish I had more Vanguards in my life!

Tracy S.

12/23/2020

One of the most stressful parts of moving to a new area is finding the right people to help maintain your home. With Jan and Vanguard we're excited to have found our plumbing solution. Jan simplified a complicated and challenging issue and delivered results we're very pleased with. The team is efficient, friendly and patient in answering all your questions. We 100% recommend Vanguard.

Robin M.

10/02/2021 12:00:00 SA

Our kitchen faucet finally gave out and after installing a new one we found a leak that was beyond our DIY skills. We initially called another plumber our neighbors used, they never returned our call. When in doubt I use referrals from our inspection company, and that's how I found Vanguard. I sent Jan an email with photos, explaining the issue and followed up with a call. Jan called me right back. I had a reasonable estimate for parts and labor for the repair, new garbage disposal, and 3 new valves within the hour (the replacements were for legit OLD items and a set up def not up to code). I got lucky and plumbers showed up the same day. George, plumber, spotted another thing that needed to be replaced (I'm usually totally wary of that) and gave yet another totally reasonable estimate of the extended time so I just said yes, and thank you. They finished UNDER the estimate, and everything new and up to code. Three days later and our neighbors must be thrilled b/c we never realized how freaking loud that old disposal was until we got our new one. Jan, George and his team were fabulous. Have them on our condo resource list and will def refer others. Thank you!

Bryan Z.

08/03/2020 12:00:00 SA

They did great, thorough work. I goofed up and didn't answer my phone when they called, and they were really nice about it.

Edward M.

12/05/2020 12:00:00 SA

I have used Vanguard for 2 different projects over the past few years. Both times the work has been excellent. They responded to my inquiries quickly and were right on time for both appointments. The work was reasonably priced and performed expertly. The plumbers were friendly and, as the second job was done during the pandemic, I was pleased with their COVID procedures. I highly recommend Vanguard.

Hannah S.

7/15/2020

Very thorough in explaining the work and appreciated the transparency around costs. Will use again!

Kate N.

10/13/2020

Vanguard is my go-to whenever things go wrong! They usually can come out quickly, do a great job and are super transparent about what they're doing and prices. We've used them for fixing leaks, replacing faucets, installing toilets, unclogging drains and fixing the basement sump pump/sewer system. Always a great job and we keep going back!

Karine N.

2/26/2017

I had a bad tenant who left the place with a pipe under the sink cut in 2... I contacted Vanguard plumbing and they told me the cost of the work and it was an honest estimation.
After the repair I ask the plumber to look at my other sinks and he spotted an other leak while working on the one problem I had. He was able to stay and repair everything.
I had other guys coming in the past and the prices and service you get here were the best so far so next time I know who to call!!
Thanks again

G H.

8/20/2018

This company has false advertisement. They do not charge per job. They charge PER HOUR. $195 to check my sub pump, and $350 to check with a camera. Basically to unscrew my pump and look inside is $195. To properly check my sub pump (with a camera) is $350. So basically you pay a ton of money for a half ass job and even more money for the correct way of doing things. Not only that but the guy that picked up was extremely impatient and rude and I wouldn't want someone like that checking anything on the property that I manage. No offense but why the heck am I going to pay a Plummer what most attorneys charge hourly? Seek elsewhere, unless you want to be completely ripped off.

The management left a comment below stating that I had a leak..... this is completely untrue. I did not mention anything of a leak and only asked about checking my sub pump. These prices above were just to check my sub pump. I ended up going with another company that came and did a free quote and even checked my sub pump with a camera. Unfortunately this company didn't get my business because of their unfair, crazy, prices to simply come out and check my pump. The other company that came out for free to check my pump ended up getting $2500 of my business and I paid cash. (They added a back up sub pump and did some foundation work)
Had this company been honest about their pricing they most likely would've gotten my business. I also would be aware of a company such as this, that will completely lie on a yelp review (see management comment) to try and make my review invalid instead of owning up to their false advertisement.

AVOID.

Billy M.

7/19/2016

Vanguard and Yan can handle substantial plumbing jobs. We had hired a couple plumbers before who could not handle the big ass problem we had with our catch basin and clogged drains. Yan teamed up with another company to bring a huge truck to suck out all the crap in the catch basin and then Yan spent several hours power rodding and camera inspecting the drains. It was excellent work and I was there to witness it all.

I had not realized that some plumbers can only handle light jobs and other plumbers can do light or heavy jobs. It's a crucial distinction. A lot of the so-called plumbers in Chicago just don't have the expensive equipment that Vanguard has, or they don't have the knowledge that Yan has to use the equipment they do have. I'm sure there are other great plumbers in Chicago, but I'm very happy with this one.

Rick J.

11/28/2020

I've used Vanguard at least several times in recent years, always with good results. For years I had a sewer backup problem on a basement floor drain. I had other plumbers come and work on it and it would be ok for 6 or 8 months. But then the same problem occurred. Finally I had Vanguard come and look at it and there has been no problem for 18 months. When I need a plumber I call Vanguard.

Lindsay R.

09/10/2020 12:00:00 SA

Jan's team did an excellent job. They were exactly on time, finished early (saving me some money) and my outdoor hose bib was replaced perfectly and works 100%. I chose wisely going with Vanguard, nothing negative at all.

David B.

2/15/2019

I would highly recommend these guys. I called them today to have my bath drain cleared of a clog. They gave a me a window in which they would arrive and where here right at the beginning of that window. They were professional, very friendly, cleaned up after they were done, and finished in under an hour. I would absolutely call them again.

Kate C.

08/09/2019 12:00:00 SA

Jan, George, and Chris were great to work with. I'd highly recommend Vanguard to anyone.

Matt F.

1/26/2017

I contacted Jan at Vanguard a few weeks ago to get a quote to remove and replace a water heater in very tight quarters. His quote was the lowest I received for the work. Jan and George picked up the water heater from Menards, brought it to my condo, removed the old one and hauled it away, and installed the new one. It took close to 6 hours due to the tight space it had to fit in and the adjustments they needed to make to the piping and valves.

They did a great job. Great communication throughout - from when I asked for a quote to handing over the check when they were done. Cleaned up after themselves. Will recommend them to others.

Mark S.

7/24/2020

On the recommendation of my neighbor who also had Vanguard resolve their sewer issue, we hired them to diagnose a leaking basement and inspect the sewer line to ensure that was not a factor. The two crew that showed up clearly knew their work, and helped uncover the sewer line to do the camera inspection. While the sewer line checked out good, they also helpfully pointed out an issue with the ejector pump that could have been a worse issue had they not taken the initiative to check it out. Even though they had other jobs that afternoon, the crew kindly offered to resolve the ejector pump installation issue (which was installed before we purchased the house) and the owner pointed out where we could go to resolve the unrelated concrete issue with the basement. Will definitely use again should we have another plumbing issue in future.

Daniel L.

07/06/2020 12:00:00 SA

Jan and his team inspected the sewer lines on our building when we bought it and were very informative. We later hired them to do the sewer rodding and clean out the catch basin. They were professional and fast

Michael F.

4/20/2016

We hired Vanguard to perform a camera inspection of the underground sewer pipes for a home we were looking to purchase. Scheduling with Vanguard was very easy and Jan, the owner, provided me a lot of information on potential problems that come up and how they go about fixing them. He was up front about his price to perform the inspection.

On the day of the inspection, they were on time and ready to go. Again, they provided excellent information on the status of the pipes and we able to help my wife and I understand any future issues.

100% would hire Vanguard again for any future issues.

Jon T.

06/04/2020 12:00:00 SA

I called Jan because I had a leaky shower and wanted to change my shower heard. He was very responsive and made things very easy. First, he was able to diagnose the issue through a video call, which saved us both time from him having to come out and me having to carve out a date where I could stay at home. In addition, when his team came to do the work, they agreed to help install another shower head for me even though it was not part of the original scope of work. Overall, this was a great experience and I recommend Vanguard to anyone who needs quick and stellar work.

Mike K.

05/08/2020 12:00:00 SA

I have used Vanguard for 3 plumbing projects/issues and each time they have done quality work. 2 of the 3 problems were really an emergency and they were fast to respond and got things fixed up.

Kathy L.

12/14/2015

I can't say enough about how happy I am with their work. I had several issues in my kitchen and bathroom and not only did we get a lot of questions answered via texting pictures but they were on time (even early and patiently waiting in front of our house until their scheduled arrival time) clean, efficient and super polite, did the work all in 1 day, and didn't give me any surprises at the end. The estimate process was without any BS and prices were fair and reasonable. What possibly could I ask more of Vanguard to do?
The quality of work was excellent too, and although I'm not a plumber, I recognize when people take pride in doing their work. Totally give these guys an A+

David S.

3/16/2019

I can't say enough great things about Jan and his company, Vanguard Plumbing. In simple terms, he is not only the best plumber that I have ever worked with, I would go further and say that he is the best trades-person with whom I have dealt. He really deserves all the highest ratings he gets on various review services.

First, he provides great service. He is easily accessible and responds to calls very promptly by phone or e-mail. He provides clear and comprehensive quotes listing the prices he will charge for a project. The quote is backed up by a written confirmation. He is flexible on scheduling and keeps the customer posted as to his timing on appointment days.

Of course, I hired him for his plumbing skill, pricing and integrity. All are top notch. His prices are vey reasonable. He is very honest. He never tries to sell or upcharge - to the contrary, he cautions against unnecessary and expensive additional work that he could do.

I have used him for several projects in my condo, including replacing faucets, replacing toilets, putting in shower heads, and fixing leaky faucets. The work he has done for me on jos several visits has uniformly been of high quality with no problems. He is very diligent as well. He stays with the project and works very hard. He did not charge me for the extra time that was required when the work ran into an unexpected snag caused by unforeseeable piping problems in my building. He also has had very good assistants with him.

He cleans up everywhere he works and double-checks the work before he leaves to make sure that everything is working properly. He follows up with a written confirmation of payment.

In short, I couldn't be more pleased with Jan and Vanguard. I highly recommend him.

Erica D.

11/11/2017 12:00:00 SA

Jan and George did an excellent job repairing and replacing our kitchen sink and sewer line. They committed to the estimate, explained the work to us, pointed out plumbing concerns to watch out for down the line, and did an *excellent* job!

Carmelita T.

10/25/2017

I always appreciate when someone shows me how s/he arrives at conclusions instead of just telling me the results. Jan did that -- I called to have my sewer lines checked, and he talked me through the entire process and let me watch the camera monitor for the entire 91 feet of old piping I have going out to the main sewer. He also gave helpful explanations on what can cause problems, and how to avoid them. Super informative! He also took the time to answer any plumbing-related questions I had (even those unrelated to the initial issue that he came to resolve). Highly recommend Vanguard and Jan for any plumbing issues.

Charlie J.

2/25/2019

I highly recommend Vanguard. I used these guys to address about five different plumbing issues, which they were able to fix in one visit. Jan clearly communicated all my options throughout the quote process, and was very accommodating with scheduling. Mickey was very considerate of my home, efficient, and knowledgeable. Thank you both.

Matt K.

1/31/2016

I highly recommended Vanguard Plumbing. They fixed my sink and bathtub all in one swoop! The price was amazing and I'll be using them from now on!

Thank you guys!!
Matt

Stephen N.

05/07/2019 12:00:00 SA

My entire experience with Vanguard Plumbing has been fantastic. Jan is incredibly professional, knowledgable and committed to doing the best work possible. His onsite team was prompt, courteous, efficient and honest.

If his rates seem more expensive than other plumbers, I would factor in that he isn't going to charge you more than what is needed to get the work done properly the first time around.

I couldn't give a higher recommendation to Vanguard plumbing and will be working with them on all future plumbing projects that I have.

Jessie K.

12/19/2018

We recently had our sink back up and we were not able to clear the clog ourselves. After calling 10 other places that couldn't come for days we found Vanguard. They came out the next day between the window of time they gave us. They had to use a snake that went down 70 feet to the main sewer line to unclog whatever it was blocking the pipe. My husband said they were professional and efficient. We'd call them again regarding any plumbing issue.

Steven C.

8/29/2013

Outstanding service from start to finish. I recently got a call from my wife that our hot water heater was leaking. I naturally went to my #1 resource for reviews (Yelp) and found Vanguard to have a pretty high satisfaction rate. So my wife called Jan to try and get an estimate. Jan informed my wife to take a few photos of the heater with her phone and send it over to him. She did so and within a few minutes was able to not only give us the estimate, but was able to establish what had gone wrong and why.

Long story short, he was able to get the new unit (50 gal - an step up from the 40 gal I had prior) get to my house within a couple of hours and have it installed before nightfall.

Jan was quick, courteous and was very detailed and informative. I don't know much about plumbing but I do know you should clean your faucet filters out when you shut your water off and turn it back on due to sediment getting into the system. But Jan informed me that he already had gone around to all the faucets and cleaned them out. That surprised me! Very, very impressed with him and his company.

I would use him again in an instant and will recommend him to anyone who asks.

Jackie M.

02/04/2017 12:00:00 SA

Very prompt and right on with their estimate. Definitely recommend.

Tom H.

1/25/2017

Jan was extremely responsive and George came the same day. Our tenant says: nice - informative, worked quickly - I'd recommend him. I don't think I can add anything to that. We definitely have our go to plumber. Thanks!

Rachel S.

12/18/2017

He did a great job for us today, and was very friendly and professional. Our toilet was overfilling and needed the float mechanism replaced. He fixed it quickly and also checked the toilet over to make sure there weren't any other problems. The toilet now works again *and* runs more quietly. Would definitely hire again!

Debie R.

06/09/2018 12:00:00 SA

We recently had a serious clog in our shower drain. Everyone I contacted said it would take a day or two before they could come out, everyone except Jan at Vanguard Plumbing. He was my hero! I called mid afternoon that day. He was at our place by 5. It would have been earlier if not for all the traffic from the Cubs game and and trying to find parking in our neighborhood.

Vanguard resolved the problem and they were very professional and courteous. I am grateful to have found them on Yelp and will definitely get in touch with them first for any plumbing issue we might have in the future.

Grace Z.

8/13/2019

We had a great experience with Vanguard installing new water heaters and fixing a thermal expansion issue we were having with our outside faucet. Jan was professional, quick, and his estimate was fair (I know because I triple bid the job). And, when the new valve on the heaters caused an issue with our washing machine, he came out the same day we called to troubleshoot the problem. We will definitely use Vanguard again.

Jennifer S.

4/16/2018

I was having an issue with the water pressure in my condo. Jan identified the issue immediately. He helped me select a replacement faucet that would significantly improve my water pressure and also kept with the design of my bathroom. He obtained the replacement faucet and the parts so I did not have to order anything. Jan showed up on time, was great to work with, responded to emails/ calls quickly, and left the space he worked in very clean. I would highly recommend Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer. Jan is very knowledgeable and it was a great experience.

Alice K.

10/10/2016 12:00:00 SA

I called for an estimate on a gurgling toilet -- the noise is constant but it flushes fine -- and was told it would be 175 per hour just to investigate the problem. No thank you!

Marnie Z.

04/04/2018 12:00:00 SA

Yann was wonderful, very professional and thorough. We'll definitely be calling him again if we have plumbing work in the future.

c K.

01/11/2018 12:00:00 SA

Superb workmanship and customer service. My plumbing issue was a clogged main drain that backed up water into all the kitchen sinks in a three story building. George is the plumber who performed the work. He was able to snake through years of accumulated kitchen grease in the drain and restore peace in the building, all within an hour. George was prompt, professional, knowledgeable and efficient. He was very helpful when it came to explaining the problem and offered general plumbing maintenance advice.

It was easy to book an appointment by telephone through Jan. He communicates well, lets you know when the plumber will be arriving and provided transparent pricing quote.

I will definitely hire Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer again for my next plumbing project.

Erin C.

12/28/2017

If I could give 10 stars I would! I had a small leak under my kitchen sink in a rental unit and was making my way through the best on yelp and Vanguard was the first company that made me their priority! Thank you, Vanguard! I highly recommend them and will continue to do so!

Tony F.

2/22/2017

Reached out to Jan via Yelp for an estimate, which was exactly what I was charged. George came out to the house the next day (10 minutes early) was able to fix the problem (backed up bathroom sink and faucet install) in record time. He was cool and professional and even gave me some advice, which is always appreciated when owning a 100 year old bungalow. Extremely happy with the service I received and will definitely be calling Vanguard and George back the next time I need some skilled help.

Thanks Gentlemen!

Jeffrey W.

4/20/2017

Very professional, came in and assessed the issue we were having within a few minutes of inspection and testing and had it repaired the same day. Explained everything he found and was doing, and answered all of our questions. Would recommend to anyone to call Vanguard for plumbing repairs.

Angel Z.

6/14/2019

Very honest and knowledgeable. Doesn't cut corners and gets the work done. We have used Jan over and over again and never been let down.

Heidi W.

08/10/2016 12:00:00 SA

When I called for an estimate they asked that I proved provide photos for the estimate. I did and was called back within 15 min of sending that email. Their assessment of my sink issue was spot on from the photos!! From there they arrived on time that following day and were completed within the hour. My bathroom sink hasn't functioned this well, ever. Amazing.

Tracy W.

11/10/2015 12:00:00 SA

Our kitchen faucet sprang a leak. Jan had me send a couple of pictures of the undercarriage, then suggested a couple of ways I might be able to fix it myself. If I'd been able to fix it myself with his guidance, he would not have charged me a cent. That's the kind of helpful, trustworthy company I prefer. When those did not work, he said I should order a new faucet and that they would come install it for me. He suggested the brands that he finds reliable and didn't mind my emailing him the one I chose before I ordered it to make sure it was a good one.

On the day of installation, George called half an hour before arrival, arrived on time, and did a great job. He even took away and disposed of the old faucet for me! He was sweet, personable, and knowledgable. Later, I found we'd had a miscommunication about one part of the installation, so George came back the very next day and made it right. Thank you for such great service and work, Jan and George!

Scott W.

9/30/2015

I needed a new faucet installed in my kitchen. I gave Vanguard a call, got a very reasonable quote right away, and had an appointment scheduled really quickly. George came to do the work and arrived on time (he even gave me a call a half-hour before he arrived just to let me know he was on his way). The work was done quickly, and everything was cleaned up well afterwards, and the new faucet works well.

I'd highly recommend them for a service like this, and will likely be calling them again myself next time I need some work done here.

Ron T.

10/23/2013

Customer Service Beyond Expectations.
I had a series of issues related to valves in my bathroom faucets, recently. I tried working with three other companies before getting to Vanguard. All the others charged me to come out and look and then I practically had to beg for final quotes and never got them. I finally found Vanguard and that changed everything. I was connected with Jan via an email inquiry to them. I told him of my issues and my hopes to get work done quickly and with minimal visits, due to my works schedule and already wasted time with the other fruitless quotes. Jan was extremely accommodating. He was thorough and was very straight-forward with me. I could not be happier with the level of service I got from Jan and Vanguard plumbing. They will be my new Go-To plumber.

William N.

01/12/2019 12:00:00 SA

Can not speak highly enough of Vanguard Plumbing after just having my new water heater installed. Jan was most professional in giving me a detailed estimate which I compared with several other companies in the area and ended up choosing them because of the fair pricing and top quality products they use. George did a fantastic job installing the heater with a custom run of pipes and amazing attention to every detail along the way. Highly recommend these guys and will be surely calling them again for any future plumbing needs or renovation projects.

Mike C.

12/22/2018

Highly recommend Vanguard for any plumbing work that needs to be done. Jan, George and Mickey are all very professional and experts who care about the quality of their work. They were up front with estimates, explained all the options to choose from before we started the work, and completed the job exactly when they said they would. We are extremely happy with the work and I am glad to know we have them around to use for any future work!

Cary K.

11/03/2015 12:00:00 SA

We had a nightmare of a time with another plumber in our 8 unit building... not only did he mess up a booster pump, he misdiagnosed a problem with our water heater. Jan at Vanguard came in and correctly diagnosed the issue and fixed it at a fraction of the price that we were going to pay. He is very knowledgeable, honest, professional, and will not try to up sell you.

Dave J.

5/24/2018

I needed some work done on some shutoff valves and a broken hose faucet on the side of my house. George did a great job of replacing everything that needed to be done and in a timely manner. I would not hesitate to use Vanguard in the future for any plumbing work. Great job guys!

Pete J.

11/13/2018

I've used Vanguard Plumbing multiple times for my rental apartments and for my own home. Jan and George are always responsive, reliable, respectful and they do great work. My experiences have all been top notch!

Linda S.

05/09/2016 12:00:00 SA

After a VERY BAD ordeal with another plumber on Yelp, I called Vanguard. Well, first I called another highly recommended YELP plumber who didn't have the manpower to send anyone to our area, was very forthcoming and recommended calling Vanguard. Jan is as professional as anyone can ask for and equally prompt. He came into a mess created by another (hack) plumber that was here to fix a backed up drain with a garbage disposal. The work required a lot of extra time unclogging a drain that had to be attacked from the basement of our condo, but ultimately they did it. The pricing is fair and Jan and his help were incredibly kind and men who pride themselves in the work they do. A big clue is the five-star rating and Angie's List approval. Thank you again and again, Jan at Vanguard.

Gabby S.

05/02/2018 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard is outstanding! Our water heater went out in our 3rd floor walk-up condo and we spent a week without hot water until Jan and George came to the rescue! They found a special sized replacement, hauled the old unit down 3 flights, spent 6 hours installing it in the ridiculous closet where it lives, waited at least an hour for us to hunt down a neighbor so we could get to the main water valve, and cleaned up when they were done. We've used Vanguard in the past for other plumbing issues and they never disappoint. They're always on time, professional, friendly and thorough. We highly recommend them and will use them again for any future plumbing issues.

Mark B.

04/05/2018 12:00:00 SA

Our experience with Vanguard was tremendous. We called them because our ejector pump and check valve were failing. They arrived on time, clearly explained the issue, and described our potential options. After completing the job, they cleaned up everything and left the basement in better condition than when they arrived. Amazingly professional and speedy. The cost was inline with our expectations and consistent with the market rates. I'd definitely recommend them to friends and use their services again.

Lindsay A.

9/26/2014

We called Vanguard Plumbing to handle a number of plumbing jobs at our new condo (faucet installation, dishwasher installation and repair to dripping shower.)

They were fast, professional and affordable. Highly recommended.

Tabitha G.

07/03/2013 12:00:00 SA

We cannot say enough great things about Vanguard and would highly recommend their services. Not even 3 days into our new place and we were having plumbing issues. Within a few hours of calling around other places, Vanguard was the only service who was able to respond immediately and we're so glad that they did. Jan and his team showed up ready to do the job. Not only did he fix the problem, but he also alerted us of issues for the overall sewer for our entire building and we're so glad he did because sure enough he was back the next day fixing it due to some flooding.

He and his team did such an amazing job and was extremely thorough. He not only took the time to explain to us the situation, he also documented it which will help us provide proof to our insurance company to help pay for flood damages. He also took the time to explain how we can prevent future issues and provided us with tips on what to do and more importantly what not to do to maintain our pipes.

Overall Jan did a fantastic job and we absolutely will call Vanguard anytime we have issues.

Chris H.

12/13/2012

Jan from Vanguard did a great job replacing our kitchen faucet. He recommended a brand before our appointment which ended up saving us some time. He was quick, efficient, and did a free inspection of our garbage disposal, pipes, faucets, and
showerheads throughout our place and let us know if there were any additional problems. We will be going back to Jan and Vanguard for all our plumbing needs and would recommend them to anyone.

Martin G.

09/02/2016 12:00:00 SA

I called Vanguard last minute after an awful experience with another vendor (through my management company - see my old Triview review for an idea of how that little peach went).

Yan and George were great. Yan asked a bunch of questions to get an idea of the task in hand and what was required and told me that his tech would be onsite, after 5pm. George called me to tell me he was onroute and arrived around 5.30. He quickly identified the issue and got it fixed. Not only that but my bathroom was probably cleaner when he left than when he started.

I really recommend these guys and will only be using them in the future. Definitely one to keep in your phone.

Rosie R.

07/09/2015 12:00:00 SA

Jan and George unclogged a deep clog for me. They gave me an appointment within 24 hours, were courteous throughout, and explained what they were doing throughout.

I highly recommend them, and will definitely be using them in the future.

Having said all of that, the price was a bit out of my range, but I needed the work done. $150/hr. Took five hours.

JL R.

7/18/2017

Thank you to Vanguard, Jon and George for the fast response and accurate fix of my bathroom sink leak! Much appreciated!!

Nikkie H.

05/04/2010 12:00:00 SA

Jan is the man. My condo building was rehabbed about 10 years ago, and as all the homeowners have painfully learned, the workmanship was a bit shoddy. My dual basin sink in my kitchen started leaking on both sides and I was living with buckets under each sink. Turns out the materials were very cheap (no surprise there.)

Jan came out, replaced the drain basins and the sinks are as good as new. He offered a free home inspection, and while he was here offered to clean out the slow drain in my bathroom.

He was totally nice and professional (and prompt - got here at 8 am on the dot). I will definitely call Vanguard and Jan again!

Kristen D.

01/10/2014 12:00:00 SA

These guys were fantastic. We had a pipe burst and needed their services as quickly as possible. My husband coordinated everything with the Vanguard team and they were very accommodating. In fact, they were able to show up earlier than expected. They were prompt, thorough, and even cleaned up after themselves.

While we hope to never have to go through another pipe burst again, if we do, we know who to call.

Jordan C.

1/22/2015

I just had a great experience with Jan and Vanguard. I had a problem with my water heater and Jan quickly diagnosed the issue, then had me send a few photos to confirm. Within about an hour, I then had a professional quote for the job and was able to approve it and get the work started very quickly. Jan showed up exactly on time and worked quickly. His prices were about 50% of what Deljo charges for their labor. (I also had them quote the job). A great small independent business to support.

Jacob G.

03/11/2015 12:00:00 SA

I needed a plumping inspection and report and this was the only company that responded. They came out and inspected everything. Gave me a lot of tips and suggestions. I did not have any repairs made but if I do have some repairs needed down the road I will definitely be calling this company.

Stuart G.

6/15/2015

Woke up to a blocked kitchen drain. Called Vanguard and thy came in less than an hour, got the job done quickly with super friendly service. I may have found a new plumber--Vanguard earned our business!

Maria G.

3/25/2014

Fantastic service! Great communication, knowledgeable and quick to sort out issues.

Called them on Saturday (3/22_ for an estimate on how to sort out leaks under my kitchen sink. Jan asked me for pictures, determined the problem (corrosion) and gave me an estimate pretty much in a matter of two hours. I made the appointment for this morning (Tuesday 3/25) and they came on time. Jan explained the problem to me and estimated the total job duration to be about two hours. He and George were fast, thorough and very tolerating of my kitty, Harry, who supervised them closely from the dining room table.

Highly recommended! Call them, you won't be disappointed!

Barbara A.

2/26/2016

Fantastic service & work at affordable prices. I give a 5 Star recommendation. They do a free consultation first and make a recommendation. You choose what you want to do and can afford. Plumber confirmed appointment and called before. Clean & friendly. They left no mess after finishing the work. Great job on my toilet .

sherri l.

07/11/2010 12:00:00 SA

I too highly recommend Vanguard plumbing, and Vanguard's main man Jan.

Jan came out very promptly and assessed all of my little and big plumbing issues in our very old home, explained how he would address each issue, and completed a thorough written estimate very quickly. The price, as others have pointed out, was very reasonable, but the confidence I had and now have in the quality of work he did was, as the commercial says, priceless.

I will definitely be using Vanguard Plumbing in the future for other projects.

Moon L.

8/14/2010

Jan and his crew completely re-did the plumbing for the main floor bathroom in my bungalow, including wall demo, vanity removal, shower, sink and toilet drain and vent replacements, new copper water supply piping. All in all, a pretty big job that they managed to complete in one day (while I was out of town). Jan is very responsive, friendly and reliable and definitely takes the time to understand how to best complete the job according to your needs as well as explain the various options that might be available.

I've used Vanguard plumbing on numerous occasions, and have been nothing but impressed each time.

Stephen P.

4/22/2017

Vanguard was the fourth plumber I called this morning, and the first that could get my sink fixed today. Instead of on site quotes from the other businesses I called, Vanguard gave me an exact price after I sent in some pictures. Everything was done two hours after I called. The whole process was as quick, transparent, and easy as I could have hoped for.

Mike T.

05/03/2016 12:00:00 SA

My kitchen sink was backed up and I tried to use an industrial plunger for an hour, used a plumbing snake for another hour, then tried dumping all sort of chemicals down the drain without any luck. I reached out to Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer who gave me a flat quote of $250 to unclog the drain but was there for about 3 hours. Yes it is a little pricey, but they came out the same day, was able to clear out the clog and my kitchen sink worked great. I forgot the name of the plumber but was happy with the service. He didn't give me any guilt for trying everything I could before calling him.

Ben A.

10/09/2017 12:00:00 SA

Called them Columbus day morning as we had sewer water leaking into our downstairs hallway and bedroom. Diagnosed the problem and priced over the phone. George came out within 1 hour and did great work. Not only did he replace the burnt out pump but he put he out right the original work (our place is a year old) done by the developers plumber. Would give 6 stars if I could!

Mindy R.

7/28/2016

Vanguard answered our phone call on the first attempt and was able to get someone out the same day (actually within a few hours)! We had a much bigger problem than anticipated and they were honest about the problem and how to fix it. We were able to watch the fix step-by-step and understand exactly what caused the problem (and how to prevent it). The invoice we received matched the expected work and parts. They are now are definite go to guys when it comes to plumbing! I wouldn't hesitate to call them!

K X.

02/05/2016 12:00:00 SA

Really? 175 dollars just to come out and look at the issue is ridiculous. I don't trust anyone who charges money before fixing anything.

Peggy P.

3/14/2014

AMAZING! My 15-year-old water heater suddenly started leaking around 6 PM; checked Yelp and found Vanguard. Called and talked to Jan the owner who asked me to send him photos of the unit. Did that - and by NINE AM the next morning, he and George were here replacing the unit with a brand new water heater, hauling off the old one, doing an excellent (and very clean) job of moving pipes around, replacing a valve on the shower in addition - and all for a VERY reasonable and fair price! These guys are AWESOME!!

Jen V.

6/16/2017

George from Vanguard just left my home. He quickly identified the problem, had all the materials in his truck and finished the job in under an hour. They quoted me a reasonable price for the first hour to identify the problem, and applied that to the cost of fixing my leaking hose. Overall, a job well done.

Jonathan Z.

01/10/2014 12:00:00 SA

So, my problem was a burst pipe on a day (1/10) when everyone in the world had a burst pipe so that is a consideration. We were borderline desperate and they responded within 10 hours.
These guys were amazing. They came earlier than they had expected (in a good way!), they were super fast, they were polite and considerate and they worked in the rain in 34 degree weather to fix the problem. For all of those things, they deserve 5 stars. I really can't say enough about how much I liked these guys.
However, it was not cheap because it's an emergency situation, you pay emergency rates (they were at my house for less than hour and it was well over $400 cash only- I had someone else come out a different time who spent several hours at night and it was only $350- so be aware of that (maybe ask what the hourly rate is ahead of time).
When they were done, they explained to me that they were plumbers and they don't fix up the insulation, wall and siding and that would be my responsibility which totally makes sense so be prepared to do that yourself or have another person ready to do that as well.
I was very upset by the rate they charged and said so in my original review. Jan followed up with me to resolve the issue. He obviously cares a lot about his business and wants his customers to be happy so he offered to give me some money back or do some other work for me in the future to make up for what I thought was gouging. I told him to contact me in spring once his business slowed down so he could come out and fix some other things. So I altered my review to reflect that promise. However, he never followed up with me. It's understandable, out of sight, out of mind.

Maria D.

12/15/2015

Vanguard worked their magic on two nasty, nasty plumbing problems at my two-flat.
Our majestic, sky-blue 70's toilet had sprung a leak and it was destroying the first floor ceiling of the bathroom directly below. I had e-mailed Jan and sent a picture of the water damage. I received a call the very next day and he gave me a rough estimate of what it would take to repair it, but they physically needed to come out to determine what was causing the leak. The following day George was out here at 8:00AM sharp, with a call 30 minutes ahead of time, as promised. He pulled out Big Blue and discovered a shoddy seal. He replaced it and had the toilet up and running and leak-free in under an hour!
The other problem was a clogged drain in the first floor kitchen sink. Now, this was no ordinary clogged drain. My 84 year-old aunt lives downstairs and she LOVES Comet®. A lot. So much so, that she had poured enough down there to cement it shut. Even George was impressed but undaunted, nonetheless. Again, in less than an hour he rodded it, cleaned all the pieces and had it running free. He also cleaned up everything that the drain threw at him. Impressive to say the least.
Jan and George are a great team and I would highly recommend them. Their prices are more than reasonable and they do fantastic work.
*Also, I have a rescue doodle that normally goes berserk anytime someone comes to do work at the house. Not this time. George must be a dog whisperer because the dog wagged hello and then just sat quietly and watched him work. That has NEVER happened.

Eric Z.

2/13/2012

My wife and I had just purchased a property and via a recommendation we selected Vanguard to fix some plumbing issues due to lack of maintenance. We are first-time homeowners and thus our experience in dealing with these types of issues is obviously limited. Jan stopped by and explained in detail what he was going to do as well as found some other issues that were in serious need of repair. While of course this might be a warning sign, there were things that we suggested might need repair/improvement and he stated that those were not necessary, thus he was not out for a quick buck. After routing our catch basin I remembered him saying to me that I won't need to see him for a couple years.

While this is only 5 months after the service, everything has been working great.

If you want quality work and a great plumber, Jan is your man!

Jeffrey P.

10/07/2015 12:00:00 SA

Had them come in for a look at my plumbing got here on time, took only two hours and was able to identify and fix the issue. Customer service was out of the world and the service guy George was amazing. Will recommend their service and George to anyone in need of a plumber.

Michael W.

8/20/2016

Had a great experience with Vanguard Plumbing. Scheduling with Jan was very easy (prompt to respond) and George was very professional when he came by to do the work. Highly recommended.

Jeff A.

7/25/2016

Jan was very responsive after sending a message via Yelp to repair a clogged kitchen sink. Jan and George made time for us the same day and fixed a deeply clogged sink and even spent time to clean up after a messy job. Highly recommend.

Ro L.

1/30/2014

Jan and George were great!
Very skillful and accomplished at their trade yet pleasant and easy to work with. We would definitely hire them again.
Thanks guys, we love our new water heater and it works beautifully.

Doug Z.

12/11/2016 12:00:00 SA

I am satisfied with the work that was done and the level of service provided for me. The plumber did an excellent job and worked diligently throughout the visit to get the job done. I couldn't be any happier. I will not hesitate to call again when I need more service.

Jessica B.

1/20/2014

Jan was able to come in(on very short notice) and help out tremendously with the reoccuring plumbing issue in my office. As always very knowledgeable, professional and gets the job done!

S D.

7/30/2015

There is no other company you should use. To put into perspective, I had another company out. They rodded a bathroom sink for 30 minutes and charged 250. They told me the other issue (no hot water pressure) was going to need something replaced and cost about 700. I didn't trust them/like them. George from Vanguard came by and FIXED the issue in about 15 minutes, showed me what the problem was, and I was charged nothing beyond the normal hourly rate. With other issues in my house he showed me what was wrong, how to avoid having problems in the future, etc. Very professional company you can trust. Not much else you can ask for. George and Jan...thanks.

Chester J.

2/15/2010

A rip off! Jan came today, was at my place for 2 hrs and 15 minutes and came up with a bill of $649. This is what he did:
Rodded toilet pipe (duration 15 minutes max) = $147
Installation of new cartridge in shower, replace trim plate (duration 1 hr) = $375
Install new shower head (which he supplied - duration 5 mins) = $127
He also replaced a water filter for me 'at no charge'
And provided a 'free home inspection' which seems to me mainly a chance to turn up other problems to address/charge for.
Before he prepared my bill he confirmed that I had found him on Yelp so there was an 'automatic $75 savings'. That clearly figured into his bill, since it was so inflated.
We argued about the bill and ultimately settled on $500. I don't doubt that the work is fine but the sense of being ripped off and opportunistic pricing is too much for me. I will not use Jan again.

Freddy S.

3/24/2011

I called Vanguard for some plumbing that I needed done in my Kitchen and the guy was very nice and professional. But I just think that for what I had to get done it was not a fair quote.
The TOTAL was $1,575.00 for :

- install new water lines for kitchen faucet, dishwasher and ice maker
- install new water liners for bathroom sink, tub and toilet and pvc pipe

$1,000 thousand would of been better.

David R.

03/08/2011 12:00:00 SA

I called Vanguard. The person answering didn't identify himself or the company. I had to ask if I had reached Vanguard. I described my problem (kitchen sink drains backed up with gray, gritty sludge; unit in a condo building). The person had more questions than I could provide answers (How many floors in the building? How many units in the building? What's happening in the units below me?). He then informed me that he wouldn't be able to provide services for two days. He is completely booked up.
I wasn't impressed.

Wade T.

10/19/2013

Outstanding! As someone who works a trade I know how difficult it can be to accommodate everyone's requests and keep a handle on timelines. In our case we started renovations on a lower level bath a bit late considering a fast approaching due date. Jan from Vanguard was fast to respond and together with our general contractor they pulled off some tricky plumbing solutions and met the deadline right on time. We were very happy throughout every phase of the project!

William P.

10/13/2016

They did a great job. They had to get them in on short notice, and they were able to knock out the job easily. They even pointed out an issue with my main shutoff valve.

steve b.

10/10/2013 12:00:00 SA

Had a great experience with Matt from Vanguard today; he showed up on time, did the job well, and was a very nice guy - we'll definitely use Vanguard again.

Ariana H.

04/01/2014 12:00:00 SA

These guys were great! I called Monday morning regarding a frozen pipe and they came out that afternoon. They fixed the problem in one visit. They explained everything and made adjustments so the problem wouldn't happen again. They were friendly, helpful and efficient. I would highly recommend Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer!

Laurie B.

9/17/2016

Update: Vanguard's owner, Jan, returned to perform work of plumbing virtuosity. My building flooded due to a broken corroded check valve flapper - originally installed about 60+ years ago. He diligently worked to remove a severely corroded coverplate to access the system. Then, he cleaned all of the parts and corrosion thoroughly and expertly rethreaded stripped metal to be able to reinstall the original flapper to resuscitate the old system. This repair avoided a potential nightmare of sewer excavation, etc.....
Fixing a faucet or rodding a drain is one thing, but the expertise required for this complicated procedure while working in a difficult to access area is significant. I watched the whole process and the job was performed thoughtfully and without any shoddy shortcuts.
Word to the wise: maintain the internal unseen workings of your old house - a regular spritz of WD-40 would have prevented this issue - the cover had not been opened in 25 years!

Original review: At last, skilled, efficient, intelligent and hardworking plumbing artisans! Jan and George of Vanguard Plumbing are true professionals. Their service was like a plumbing SWAT team - they came armed with all necessary supplies and equipment. George built a beautiful sculpture of a new drain system underneath my kitchen sink to remedy a shoddy job done by a mediocre contractor years ago. Meanwhile, Jan troubleshooted vexing sewer issues and did a colonoscopy on the bowels of my ancient greystone building to assess and diagnose the issues underlying recent basement flooding. The cost of the service was honest, fair and straightforward - believe me, the quality of the work and service is worth every penny.

Lisa O.

02/12/2018 12:00:00 SA

We unfortunately had our water heater go and leak water all over our basement bedroom over the holidays. Vanguard Plumbing not only fit us in quickly and completed excellent work; but they went above and beyond to correct additional existing issues that may have caused us further issues in the future. Jan was responsive and provided excellent value for the cost; particularly given the timing between Christmas and New Years and the below zero temperatures. He and his crew stayed well past 9 PM to ensure the old water heater was removed (requiring the destruction of a partial wall), the new one was installed, our pipes/drainage were re-routed, a gas pipe was resealed, and the entire area was cleaned. While we wished we didn't have this urgent plumbing issue, we were beyond satisfied with Vanguard Plumbing and plan to use them for all plumbing needs going forward. Highly recommend for quality of service and customer service.

Matthew S.

11/02/2009 12:00:00 SA

Worked with Jan. Outstanding Job and I learning a few things. One of the best plumbers I've ever worked with. Vanguard was much better then Four Seasons.

Kelmer P.

07/06/2009 12:00:00 SA

Very pleasant and profession. He wore shoe covers when possible. Pointed out a bit of pipe that wasn't up to code, and asked if I would like it fixed, and then cleaned up after himself.

Very competitive prices, and came in right at his estimate.

Anthony G.

01/08/2014 12:00:00 SA

We needed a garbage disposal replaced, so I hit yelp for a plumber. Vanguard was a shot in the dark, but i took the chance. I was fortunate to find these guys, they brought excellent service for minimal cheese. They were on time, speedy and thorough. I would definitely recommend to a friend;)

Sarah J.

7/16/2009

I agree with all the other Yelpers, Jan is great.

We woke up this morning to a phone call from our downstairs neighbor. He had a dripping leak from his ceiling. Turns out the leak was coming from our hot water heater. We called Jan based on the Yelp reviews and he was able to come out this morning.

He was on time, professional, took time to explain everything to me and the price seemed reasonable (was over $800 less than the other place I called). I would definitely recommend Jan and plan on hanging on to his number for my future plumbing needs.

diane p.

3/17/2010

....These gus are GREAT !!!! Friday our water heater broke, well it was few years old, stuff happens ...but Friday??? really??? called several plumbers from yelp, guy at Vanguard Plumbing not only seemed to be the most knowledgeable but also they had the lowest price, guess what.. I had my new water heater and hot water running Saturday afternoon, that's what I call good customer service

Anniese L.

1/13/2015

Though the ad says serves Chicago and surrounding area the contact indicated to me that they do not work on the South Side. I wonder why....

Kelly S.

9/29/2009

Excellent work, very friendly and great price! Will definitely have Vanguard Plumbing back for any work in the future.

Doug C.

2/15/2010

Jan does quality work. I'm not sure if he is the least expensive plumber, but I am incredibly happy with the work he did and the price was fair. He arrived on time and worked cleanly.

Julie T.

3/19/2010

Jan did a fantastic job of diagnosing the problem and fixing it, including preventative measures to keep it from happening again. Awesome, timely service at a fair price.

E L.

8/14/2009

Just used Vanguard to replace our sink and toilet piping in three bathrooms as well as under the kitchen sink and on our water heaters. Jan was amazing. Perfect balance between professional and friendly. He gave us a free estimate that was over $1000 less than the other quote we received. Even though the work took longer than he anticipated, he worked hard all day and stayed until the work was done (after 7 pm!). The price we paid was exactly what he originally quoted.

We will absolutely use Vanguard Plumbing for any future plumbing needs. They're honest and fairly priced. Definitely the best overall experience we've had with the many professionals we've had in and out of our new home over the past few months.

Damian S.

01/03/2010 12:00:00 SA

Last week we had a plumbing emergency in our house, water pipe burst... :-(
called Vanguard Plumbing that was recommended to me by a friend of ours. Plumber came in the same day and did excelent job fixing the problem, was very knowledgeable and price wasn't too bad
Highly recommended

Amy S.

5/19/2011

I yelped this plumber for my parents and they thought he was great. My parents felt he was affordable and honest. When something went wrong relating to the same sink the next day, he came back and repaired it for no charge. I'd call him if I needed a plumber, too.

Michael O.

11/29/2011

Jan is great. We called him based on our Yelp reviews + our attempts to keep business here in the 'hood and we were totally impressed. Two things: (1) Jan offered a few different solutions of varying costs and weighed the pro's and con's for us: he didn't just state that there was only one solution and that was the only option. Basically, he took the time while bidding out the job to offer variety. (2) the kingmaker for me was when my wife and I needed a plumber on a Sunday morning after a bathroom rehab fiasco (Note: don't tear up your bathroom when your wife is 8 months pregnant! brilliant, eh?). Anyway, Jan was at a wedding in New Jersey (!) and still picked up the call, gave me a colleague's number because he couldn't personally help and my problem was solved.

Needless to say, I strongly recommend him-

Heidi H.

8/13/2012

Jan came out last minute and replaced a broken valve for me. I live in a condo building downtown (60606 zip code) and he worked with the building management office to get the job done quickly. He quoted me the price over the phone before coming out and - even though it took longer than expected and he had to deal with some building administrative delays - the price was exactly what he quoted me (and it was also was the most competitive price - half of what another plumber quoted). Additionally, he was happy to look at a couple other plumbing issues I had questions about and at no charge.

Plus, he doesn't charge any sort of travel or location fee. Price quoted was price paid. I highly, highly recommend Vanguard for honest, excellent work. Plus, Jan is a really nice guy!

Kim P.

10/27/2015

My husband called this morning on a clogged kitchen sink and shower drain. Jan was very professional and arrived promptly. He was very positive, diligent and thorough. Checked work several times to make sure everything worked. We appreciate his work ethic and integrity. Would recommend and will use again when need plumbing

K P.

01/04/2015 12:00:00 SA

Amazing service, knowledgeable and honest. Hard to find service like this anymore.

S K.

8/21/2014

Before Jan ran out to door to try to charge me, he troubleshot over there phone and helped me to understand that my tenant's shower was not a problem at all. Who has that kind of integrity any more? I will recommend Vanguard whenever possible, and if you have any plumbing problem, Jan is the man to trust. It is worth everything to be able to trust someone on something the rest of us know nothing about.

Julie N.

2/26/2015

Vanguard is great! Water heater needs to be replaced and it is stuck in a tiny room behind the washer/dryer. Rather they say they can't do it, Jan and George figure out how to maneuver the wash/dry to get old heater out and new heater in. They even changed a few bad valves all at a great price. Really appreciate his determination to get the job done! Thanks, Vanguard!

Drew K.

8/22/2015

As someone stated before there is no other company you should use for plumbing work in Chicago. Excellent customer service, very friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Jan and George explained everything in detail as they were scoping the pipes in my building and showed me what the issues were. I highly recommend using Vanguard for any and all plumbing needs.

Michael A.

08/04/2015 12:00:00 SA

I had an issue with a leaky toilet shutoff vavle after replacing my toilet float. I called Vanguard after seeing good reviews here on yelp. Jan answered and quizzed me on the issue I was having and was able to accommodate me immediately. He arrived within 45 minutes of my call. He was very professional, assessed the situation quickly and did the fix. The price was reasonable and he is knowledgeable and motivated to answer any questions I have. They will be top of my list for future plumbing issues.

Braun R.

01/05/2015 12:00:00 SA

I have used Jan many times and am very impressed. He is very knowledgeable and his pricing is reasonable. Vangaurd is my go to when I need plumbing work. There is also a plumber named George that works for Vangaurd that is great as well. I would recommend him to anyone. I even used them for my attic remodel instead of my contractor's plumber.

Chris H.

4/14/2014

Jan (the owner) of Vanguard plumbing is an old-school trademan. He does things once and does them correctly. If you want to cheap out on your job, this is not your guy. We had some pipes freeze, but not burst in our basement during the recent Chiberia winter. We had to reroute some pipes, take out drywall in our finished basement and install new pipes. Jan was helpful every step of the way explaining what they were going to do, gave me a quote which was reasonable and communicated all along. He even recommended a good drywall guy to patch the holes we created along the way. We now have freeze proof plumbing, shut-off valves installed and a new outdoor faucet which can't freeze. Jan is the only plumber I'll call from now on.

bill k.

7/16/2009

Jan replaced a pipe connecting a downspout to my catch basin. A sinkhole was forming there, and I was worried my house was going to cave it. Jan was fast, friendly and $1,000 cheaper than the other guys.
Time will tell if the job holds, but he has guaranteed his work for one year.

marianna c.

9/28/2009

I have used Vanguard Plumbing before and had their number ready when my sink got clogged. I called and had the problem fixed same day. I am really happy I have found a plumber I can really count on.

Lorna R.

04/05/2010 12:00:00 SA

I'm giving Vanguard 5 stars because they didn't just take my money.

I called to make an appointment with one of their folks because I thought my garbage disposal was broken and needed repair. Well, the Vanguard rep told me that garbage disposals usually don't get repaired but instead they get replaced. He had me go back and check to see if the damn thing was alive and it was! It just needed to be reset and unjammed. I actually went on youtube to watch a video on how to unjam your garbage disposal. Girls! We have to get with the program. We can do it ourselves sometimes and this is a perfect example.

Thank you for not taking my money!

Nick G.

4/13/2012

Great service--have been using Vanguard for various plumbing issues/leaks over the last fours. Jan works hard, is quick to respond and genuinely cares about the quality of his work. The prices are reasonable, especially when compared to the larger firms in Chicago.

Marc L.

1/22/2014

Arrived on time to install my hot water recirculator pump and look at a clogged toilet. They were very professional and did a great job. Only reason this is 4 stars instead of 5 was for being charged full price to unclog the toilet. Had they made a special trip out here to JUST do that, the price might have been justified. However, since they were already here, I don't think it should have been full price for the 10 minutes that were spent unclogging it. Otherwise, highly recommend and will use again! Thanks!

S V.

03/10/2011 12:00:00 SA

Just wanted to update my review on Vanguard. This was the 3rd or 4th time we have used them because they are great and get the job done, reasonably priced. I called Jan bout a leaky sump pump and he came out the same day and fixed it on the spot. Nothing but GOOD things to say about these guys!!

L. U.

06/09/2012 12:00:00 SA

Jan is great. He gave me good quotes for a lot of different jobs in our new (old) house, started to work right away, and did a very good job with our complicated system. Jan is friendly, knowledgable, easy to work with. He's a very hard worker, and dedicated to doing the job right. He runs a tidy ship too... never left a mess at the end of each day. The overhead sewage project in our basement is truly a work of art. I am really glad to know that I no longer ever have to to wonder who to hire for any plumbing jobs, Jan is the man!

Martin W.

07/02/2010 12:00:00 SA

Based on great reviews, I called them for a broken pipe in our basement. The person who answered said they didn't service River Forest. I explained that we were right next to Oak Park and definitely within the Chicagoland area, but he said he didn't service our area.

Charlie E.

7/30/2012

I wish I had more contractors like Jan. This time it was the kitchen sink which was incorrect to code that Jan fixed for us. Jan has practically repaired the entire 2nd floor apt! LOL. And before this kitchen sink repair he fixed a leaky toilet that was installed incorrectly from the previous owner. Not an easy DIY project since the leak was due to uneven tiling and poor cement and sealing. Thank you!

Dan P.

02/03/2014 12:00:00 SA

A few months ago, after moving into a new place, the decade+ old 40-gal tank water heater (tucked away in a drain-less closet) failed, sending water all over the floor at approximately 7:00 AM. After shutting off the water and cleaning up, I went looking for a plumber.
Since the damage was already done, I took my time and shopped around. I originally wanted to replace my gas heater with a tankless electric variety (for safety reasons). I found a unit online that I thought would be perfect, as it worked with my existing electrical setup and was only a couple hundred dollars. Most plumbers I talked to either didn't know how to install a tankless model (and would only give me $1200+ quotes for tank variety, no custom-work installs), or they knew how, but they only wanted to install their own brands and at a price $1000 higher than I was comfortable with. When I called Vanguard, Jan was the only plumber I contacted who actually asked why I wanted to change from a tank to a tankless. He explained to me that the model I had chosen was insufficient for even a small apartment, and while he would install it if I really wanted him to, he worried that I'd be unhappy with the product (and that I'd spend more money later on removing it and replacing it with a more traditional tank model). To satisfy the safety concerns I had, Jan suggested we use a smaller-form 40-gal electric tank model, raise the tank off the ground, add in an overflow basin (to prevent any future disasters), route any overflow into the drain in the adjacent bathroom, and cap the gas line.

Not only was Jan the most honest and flexible in addressing my concerns, he gave me a quote lower than any other plumber I called (and lower than even the You can do it. We can help hardware giant with a poorly-reviewed replacement tank and bare-bones installation). He completed the tank replacement (with a premium grade tank), did all that custom work, and hauled away the old tank -- all in a few hours, and the quality of the work was very evident. It has been over six months, I'm still impressed with the job he did, and I haven't had an issue with hot water since.

I was thoroughly impressed with Jan's honesty and professionalism, and I will be making Vanguard my go-to plumbing company for any/all planned projects and unplanned emergencies.

Adam R.

03/10/2012 12:00:00 SA

Jan will tell you up front that his prices are not cheap but they aren't the most expensive either. Very professional and quality work. He replaced the guts on two toilets (the water kept running after flushing - said previous owners used clorox tablets which caused inside to deteriorate). $260 a toilet. No problems since.

Mark H.

10/09/2013 12:00:00 SA

In selling my home I needed Jan to investigate a suspected leak. Jan was attentive and did a thorough investigation and validated that there was no leak. I needed his typed-up inspection report quickly and Jan fulfilled my request. I would recommend Jan based his professionalism and the great customer service I received from him.

colleen e.

5/30/2014

JAN IS A GREAT GUY...I had water backing up into my basement where there isn't any plumbing or sewer lines and like a master detective. .figured it out. Not only did he power rod and camera our entire sewer line..He found our old catch basin, showed me every step of the process and followed every single sink, toilet and drain to its emptying source and documented it for me. He is precise, knowledgeable and tidy..guys wore booties in the house and cleaned everything. Vanguard may not be the cheapest...but you get what you pay for..He does it right the first time.

Jeff W.

12/30/2009

Vanguard Plumbing is great. They have worked on two jobs at our condo building and have given prompt, excellent service at a reasonable rate both times. I will call Jan at Vanguard Plumbing ahead of any other plumber.

kurt s.

4/27/2011

I contacted Jan based on the reviews posted here. He promptly returned my message and asked for a thorough description of the problem (shower leak) and requested pictures. He arranged a service appointment for the following day, and arrived at the scheduled time. He was quite courteous, taking deliberate care not to soil the floor of our unit or the area surrounding the repair site. He perceived and solved the problem without haste or waste. Once completed, he asked if there were other plumbing issues requiring attention, and I took the opportunity to elicit his opinion on the question of repairing or replacing a troublesome faucet, and to obtain a quote for installation of a reverse osmosis filter. In both cases, he offered suggestions ranging from the economical to the professional, without pressure or salespersonship. He also attempted to mitigate the problem with the faucet, which he diagnosed as suffering from flaws in design and workmanship. Lastly, he offered his appraisal of the plumbing in our condominium, which lies within a rehabilitated structure. I would not hesitate to contact Vanguard for any future plumbing needs and intend to have Jan install the water filter once we obtain it.

Molly D.

05/08/2013 12:00:00 SA

Vanguard and Jan was awesome. First thing, they ask you to send a photo of the problem (in our case, a leaky faucet), which is very smart because then they are reasonably prepared to fix the issue quickly. (The last company we called, being paid by the hour, spent most of the time screwing around and chatting and I paid hundreds of dollars just to diagnose the problem). When Vanguard came, they were very polite, looked at the problem and diagnosed the hose being cracked. He called for an estimate to fix the part and one to replace the entire faucet. We chose to fix it, Jan went and bought the part, came right back and installed it. He was cheap, quick, did great work (the new hose works perfectly) and very very nice. I highly recommend Vanguard.

Marisa Z.

4/21/2010

Exceptional service! We had a plumbing emergency and after reading reviews on yelp, we decided to give Vanguard a try since we had some bad luck with plumbers in the past. I called and scheduled an appointment the next day, and Jan showed up right on time. He fixed the leak in our kitchen sink and explained everything thoroughly. He also walked me through my apartment and gave me a Plumbing 101 lesson, from what water lines lead to what appliances and how to drain my hot water heater in the event of leak. I now feel fully prepared in the event of a plumbing emergency. Vanguard's prices seemed reasonable and I even got a $50 discount for finding them on Yelp. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Vanguard to anyone in need of a good plumber.

Rich L.

03/11/2013 12:00:00 SA

I must say that Jan did an excellent job. My tenant had a leak from the bottom of his toilet which made its way to the basement. Jan was able to see that the closet ring was corroded and he was able to replace it with a more secure wax ring and the leak stopped. My tenant also had an issue of a leak coming from the kitchen sink and Jan basically had to troubleshoot all the components of the nobs and valves in order to find out what was the problem which was a clog that affected the pressure on the hot water. Jan explained everything to me and my tenant and made himself available to answer any questions that we had. The prices from his services are very reasonable and I look forward to using his services for our next project.

Kyle S.

12/31/2013

Did an excellent job replacing my water heater! They came when they said they would, provided an estimate over the phone and didn't charge a penny more. The customer service was excellent and the plumbers were super friendly and did an awesome job quickly! Will definitely recommend and will use them for my future plumbing needs!

Matt F.

5/22/2013

I have lived in the city of Chicago for over 10 years and have used a variety of plumbers throughout that time. Jan is hands down the best. He is the first plumber I have ever hired that took the time to ensure we understood not only the issue but why he was addressing it in a specific manner. Our current home plumbing issue was misdiagnosed by 3 previous plumbers and Jan was the only one to diagnose it correctly. He and his team were efficient, professional and did an excellent job. It's easy to recommend him and even easier to consider him the only plumber to call in the future.

Robb T.

09/06/2012 12:00:00 SA

They may not be the cheapest but if you want a quality job done by a true professional Jan is the man!

C M.

10/23/2009

Jan came back to my house for fix my recirculation pump. Apparently my builder installed the wrong size pump for my unit. Jan resized the pump and had it fixed in about two hours. I have been very happy with the service Jan provided and his prices are very reasonable. I recommend him highly.

J G.

03/04/2012 12:00:00 SA

Had an immediate need to have someone come and look at some noise related to my sump pump. Called on Thursday and they came on Friday and did the work immediately. Very customer service oriented. Also appreciate it when anyone comes into your home and respectfully protects your floors and carpet by putting slippers on thier shoes and cleaning up after the servicing. Highly recommend. Found them through Yelp and am very pleased.

Paige C.

1/14/2013

Jan came out again today to save the day. He really knows his stuff. Today it was a clogged sewer pipe--with back up. Yuck. He takes his time, he is very thorough, and he knows what he's doing. He isn't the cheapest--but he really is the best. You get what you pay for. Don't use anyone else...

Doug M.

1/15/2010

Van guard did great work for me. They where easy to schedule and honest in pricing. They left the place better than it was before it was broken.

harlene m.

6/22/2009

really nice man; came on time, did the work, cleaned up, and price was fair.