Benjamin Franklin Plumbing - Wichita

This company charges way too much for their services.  They fixed a facet for me, did not have part on truck so had to go get it, or so they said.  I could have brought 2 maybe 3 new facets for what they charged me to fix the one I had.  Will not be calling this company again.

They came out and looked at my water softener. It was depositing water into the brine bucket instead of drawing water from it. The service tech recommended that I change a sediment filter that was beyond the softener. I knew that was not even related. Then he told me that they would replace the current softener for $2300. After I watched 3-4 hours of YouTube and replaced a $3 seal, it's back up and running. They need to remove, Water softener repairs from their services because they didn't even try.

Called and came a early, which I was thankful. Tim was upfront with all pricing and started with the cheapest fix. It ended up be a more expensive part, but he tried and was honest through the entire service call. He had to go to the office to get another part while it was raining cats and dogs. He was very clean and professional.

Website states call for a quote, but I was told they had to send someone out for a quote and charged a $49 service charge. Declined service due to their quote to fix the plugged drain was almost 3 times the cost as 2 other plumbing companies called that quoted their cost over the phone. Would recommend an alternative plumbing company.

Bunch of crooks! Twice what you would pay anyone else to do the work do not use this company!

I called in the morning, describing the issue. Customer service stated they could have a tech there in 30 minutes. Of course, I agreed, the bathroom had been unoperational for several days at this point. The gentleman who showed up was polite enough but obviously not ready to address the plumbing issue.

He gave a $700+ quote to my father to roto rooter the drain to clear the clog and further told him that all the piping under the house was in desperate need of replacement and that would only be an additional $6500. He said that the quotes would be emailed to my email, and if we wanted to pursue the stated repairs, they would deduct the $60 house call from the final bill.

No, thank you! This experience definitely left a bad taste. They did not come ready to address the problem but to guess the issue and upcharge.

The problem was rectified by a local company that charged $180 to address and fix the issue. I also had them inspect the lines and was told we absolutely did not need new pipes. Current pipes are iron, tied up well off the ground, and have no leaks.

This is not the place to call if an issue needs to be addressed immediately. They come to give a quote and then schedule work at a later time. Also, keep in mind this is a national company, and prices reflect national overhead. We now have a go-to plumber, and this company isn't it.

Called Ben Franklin of Wichita about 8pm one night after noticing a mainline sewer backup. I was informed that after hours calls were $129 for just coming out which I was OK with because they were the only plumber who could have a tech come out the same night. It took the technician about an hour and a half and several phone calls to arrive; apparently he couldn't find the house but did make it eventually. Once he arrived we deduced that the source of the clog was somewhere in the main line inside the house, as the cleanout in the yard appeared to flow OK. The technician looked around for about 5 minutes and then said he could not perform a cleanout because the cast iron pipes were old and he was afraid to remove the cleanout caps because they were probably frozen in place. He said the only option was for me to spend over $2,500 and wait about maybe a few days to a week for them to come back out and cut out a small section of old pipe, clean the line out and replace with PVC. Literally $2,500 for a 4' section of easily accessible pipe and a few hours labor tops. They did offer a discount of a few hundred on this job if I joined some silly $99 a year club.

The worst part was after spending 30 minutes at my house, 20 of which was simply typing up this ridiculous quote, no time was spent performing actual plumbing work and they never touched any tools, they have the audacity to charge an additional $168 on top of the $129 because they have also have a 1-hour minimum. I was never told of this fee when I called, only the $129 service call, that I did agree too and felt that's all I should have been charged since they did at least show up. The following morning I went to my local hardware store and purchased a $25 auger and $3 wax ring and pulled a toilet and snaked the line myself and cleared it within a few minutes. For less than $30 I managed to do myself what Ben Franklin didn't do for $300, and for a whole lot less than the $2,500 they claimed I needed to give them to fix it.

Charging over $1000 for LABOR to replace a hot water heater is obscene.  This was during normal business hours.  That's was about $250 per hour for labor.
I would not recommend Benjamin Franklin Plumbing under any circumstance.

Horrible and crooked. I had a broken water heater that they installed 4 years ago. They wouldn't cover with warranty and gave an estimate of $2800. I called another plumber who fixed it with a $18 thermostat.

Update - General Manager called and discussed the situation.  I think the whole problem was a misunderstanding between the original call taker and myself.  I was told the $49 fee was to diagnose the reverse osmosis system; however the $49 fee was a service call charge to look into diagnosis.  After explanation the manager understood and made it right.

I have plumbers that I usually use, but they don't work on reverse osmosis (RO) systems.  I bought a house as a foreclosure, so had no history on RO but it wasn't working - no water flowing from tap.  I called around a few plumbers in Wichita, and Ben Franklin was the only one that said they work on RO and that they could do a $49 diagnosis fee to tell me what was wrong with it.  I figured $49 was worth it to find out what was wrong and if it'd be worth repairing.  They were very good with scheduling, set a 3 hour window and gave me a call 30 minutes prior to plumber showing up at house.  Pretty much as soon as the plumber opened drawers underneath sink to look at RO he started telling me how there was no way to know what is causing problem - could be needle valve supply, could be RO filters, could be any number of other things.  Then he proceeded to tell me that this would require a level 2 diagnosis fee which was $300 to tell me anything at all about the system or if he could repair it!!!  I asked why his front desk/dispatcher told me that they could diagnose RO for a $49 fee if it actually cost $300?  He called the general manager to ask if they could waive the $49 diagnosis fee.  He refused to waive the fee or talk to me.  So, I feel as though they mislead me into thinking the RO system would be diagnosed for $49 when they knew from the beginning it would take $300 to diagnose; charged me $49 to tell me nothing and waste my time.

One time I tried Benjamin Franklin plumbing due to timing when my regular plumbers Creekmore, was fully booked. They were a major hassle and they tried to charge me $650 to clean out the drain on my bathroom sink and tub. They said that their tool might get broken so I had to pay for that. It took them four hours to do something Creekmore had done in less than one before. I had a friend open the house for them. They even had me take off from work to go get a faucet in case they broke mine. Their cost for a faucet was highway robbery. Then they didn't need it and I had to return it! I negotiated the bill down to $425, but still felt majorly overcharged. The manager told me they were Premium Plumbers! I have never had any other company charge replacement cost of a tool that might, but didn't get broken. Tools are a cost of doing business to everyone else.

My friend who opened the house for me said most of the time the plumber was there, he was just chatting with him.

I will never do business with them again but will wait for Creekmore. Lesson learned.

*Cleaned up after themselves*
*went above and beyond finding out exactly where line went.*
*called city to come check our street and clean it out*
*honest*
We called Benjamin Franklin after another company insisted we needed a brand new sewer line.
John was the man who came out. he had an apprentice with him. They both wore booties into my home. (my house is not immaculate but this was an extra little thing that set them apart right away.)
He was at my house within an hour. He had already called the city to find out exactly where my main line was. (another extra thing that set him apart.)Turns out you can call the city to request a type of google map that maps all of that out for you. He suggested that based on what the previous company said that we should have a camera put down the pipe to see or at least feel where the clog is. sounds good. He puts the camera down our main line. He explained that he was very impressed by how clean our old clay pipes are.  little bit of evidence of roots but overall very nice.. (Later I found out that the previous owners have always had drains cleaned at least once a year.)
Our line only went out to 51ft. The found out that my main line was not clogged. However, since the previous company said they hit a clog at 140ft and that is the city line He then called the city and requested someone to come and check our street and clean it out if need be!
That is another above and beyond thing this person did that really set them apart.
They found the line between my main drain and the main clean out had a clog in it. They cleaned up after themselves, even cleaned up after the previous company!
He even forwarded me the map so if we ever need to know where the pipes are in the future we have it.
I highly recommend this company. He didn't try to sell us on anything we didn't need or would not be helpful in this situation.
He even helped out after his job was finished. We originally went through a warranty company. since the previous company misdiagnosed our problem John was able to call in and quickly explain what really was the problem. We will get part of our cost reimbursed. We will definitely use this company in the future.

I was having sewer drain problems.I called two other company's before them,they couldn't clear the line,and there was no charge.(Browns plumbing,&mr.Rooter) then I called B.F. they charged $45.00 to knock on door,(even though no one else charged a service charge).B.F. sent two men,they attempted to clear the line and had NO success.they said after it was cleaned they would send camera in and show it was clear,that never happened.BEN FRANKLIN still charged me $297.00,and get this,they said the charge was for theEFFORT.I'm disabled living on a very limited income.How do the owners sleep at night ripping people off like this?I say call anyone but BEN!I had to get the whole line replaced by O.T.P. for a lot less then BEN wanted.don't let this happen to you!!!                      
             Signed,James D.
ps.they said it was collapsed and need replaced...just looked at pipe the other plumber dug up and it wasn't even needing replaced.B.F. cost me way more then $297.00 try over $3.600.00. If you had done the camra like I was charged for I guess you would have known that,right?I have $2.00 to last my wife and I the mo.hope everyone reads this.SAVE YOURSELVES!

The kid came out and I told him what I wanted an estimate on, he did 3 estimates on other work to be done and not an estimate on the leaks I had requested and charged me 50 bucks for the estimate and never emailed me the estimates like he said he would. Now I find out not only did he not do an estimate on requested repairs but that the estimate was only good for 30 days against repair cost. I was never told their was an estimate fee when I schedule an appointment and was stuck having to pay for an estimate that I never received that was requested for but got 3 other estimates that I did not request and never got till I finally called and now I can't even use that estimate fee against my repair bill. I checked other company's they don't charge for estimates. Don't use these guys they are rip offs.

Their workmanship was ok but they were way over priced. My issue is they left 4 ft mounds of dirt in my yard and when I questioned this they assured me it would settle over the next year and if not leveled in a year to call them and they would finish the job. I called in a year because mounds are still at least 2 ft tall. They advised me they are not landscapers and called me a liar that they didn't tell me this. They blocked me from facebook page so I couldn't leave a review. Another lady that was on KAKE TV problem solvers for the same complaint.in 2014

These jokers installed a water heater for me. I called to tell them it was leaking. They set an appointment for 2 days later, but neglected to tell me to turn off the water, or how to do it, so it leaked into my crawl space for 2 days. Then they charged me $2,500 for the replacement and the drain required by code. That's the double rate for elderly women who are desperate and don't know any better. Now, just 3 years later, no hot water AGAIN! I won't be calling these rip-off artists for the repair of  the sub-standard unit they installed. I'm pretty steamed, too bad my water isn't .

The technician, Josh, was well trained and very courteous.  He replaced my leaking water heater at midnight in 2.5 hours . So, instead mopping water all night and worrying, I was able to get some sleep and didn't have to take a day off from work to meet a plumber that only works banker's hours. THANKS!!

The tech Robert came out I explained that the kitchen sink was backing up into the shower so I wanted the inside pipes snaked. He ran the auger down my shower drain and then informed me he would have to upcharge and snake the main line. Even though I told him the main was cleared 2 months ago. He snaked the main line nothing came out, ran a camera down the line and found a sinking in my pipe and gave me an estimate for $1999. I didn't have that so we left it at the $400 charge. I started thinking about it the next day that I paid $400 and my problem was not solved so I contacted Garrett at the main office. He sent the tech back out and miraculously he found a grease clog in the kitchen drain which is what I said in the first place. Unfortunately he informed me this was a secondary problem and he would charge me $298 to snake the line. Arguing with Garrett I informed him that this is what I wanted him to do in the first place he said the charge was valid. Bottom line is they were trying to rip me off for a double charge. I refused the second service and called a different co. They came out and charged me $70 to snake my kitchen drain and the problem was fixed.

I called Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for an estimate on a basement window that leaked when it rains.  Plumber came out and after 15 minutes said he needed to rebuild the area of our BRAND NEW house around the window and replace the window.  Stated he would not be able to replace the siding he was going to have to tear off our brand new house, we would have to contact our builder for that.  Estimtate?  $2500..  Called another honest professional.  It was a $26 piece of weather striping around the window that needed to be replaced.  Was not charged a diagnostic charge by Loren at Boyer Plumbing and he fixed it in 30 minutes.  Boyer Plumbing is the company to call.  Loren is honest, hard working and we have never called anyone but him since that

DISHONEST AND OVERPRICED!

I had a problem with the pilot light going out on my water heater. I attempted to relight, no success. This had happened once before and I called Reddi-Rooter who came out the same day, afterhours and I was only charged a standard $30 service charge. Well, Reddi-Rooter wasn't available, so Benjamin Franklin was the 3rd person I called. First of all, they said if the service took place after 5:00pm it was an after hours call and would be $50. OK, I agreed to that. The gentlemen show up at my house at 5:01pm. I take them downstairs where they try to relight my pilot. I show them the email of the service Reddi-Rooter had sent me last year stating the problem. After being in my house 2 minutes, they return to their truck - spent 5 min in their truck. Returned to my basement where he pulls out his clipboard and explains the fees if they have to do any work, the minimal was $128. While he was explaining the fees he tells his co-worker to try lighting the pilot again. It lights. Then proceeds to tell me that I owed them almost $200. They were leaving my house by 5:10 pm. $200 for probably 2 minutes of work - never used one tool or even knelt down on the floor. The receipt stated he performed a Minor Assessment. No assessment was completed, he only knew what was wrong by the courtesy email from Reddi-Rooter. The majority of the 5 minutes spent in my house was him filling out the receipt and calling in my credit card payment.

Do NOT trust this company.

The plumber that came out to my house the 12/21/22 for an after hours charge. Didn't listen to me disregarding me as a woman. I know the drain needs snaked from outside the house has no clean out. Yes me as a woman knows my house and what needs done. I fail to own a snake this is why I needed a plumber. I caution anyone especially woman from using the company. They charged $650 plus dollars and a week later the drain is still backing up. The I called to see if they could come back out I was told their work has a 90 day guarantee for 100 feet of root clean out ???! What I paid them to clear the drain.

Was visiting my brother in Wichita on Thanksgiving Day 2014, when he had drain problems, and only Ben Franklin Plumbing said they could come out that day, when he spoke with them at approximately 11:45 AM.  They said they would have  someone call before coming out.  We went to my niece's for Thanksgiving dinner, so called several times to ascertain when they would be coming out.  We got home around 5:00 PM, and again called. Was told there were 2 customers ahead of us.  Called a couple more times, spending excessive time on hold, and at 8:30 PM, decided to cancel the service.  Couldn't get them to answer the phone, so contacted Chat Now online, who said they would send the request and someone would call to confirm.  After 15 minutes or so with no phone call, called them back on the phone, successfully, and told them to cancel.  

Bottom line, will never attempt to use this plumbing company again.

They were called to replace a leaky T fitting. The plumber spent over an hour telling me my College Hill home needed to be completely re-plumbed. I had copper pipes everywhere except some DIY HPVC in the basement. The plumber left without doing anything! I was sent a pretty hefty bill, but upon complaining the management dropped the bill.  Their plumbers seem like they only work on commission and are willing to rip off the homeowner.

First and foremost, they had excellent customer service. They were able to work around my work schedule and come out to fix my sink. The guys were friendly and worked pretty quick. They told me the cause of the problem and gave me a few different options to fix it. Great attitudes, very professional, and pretty expedient!

I've had extremely positive experiences with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. First off, I will get this out of the way...yes, they are on the more expensive side. While I wouldn't call their prices unreasonable (plumbing is expensive people...if you want to gripe about prices, learn to do it yourself), they are among the very best in the quality of work they do. They are also always on time, which is becoming rare in the service industry, and they actually pick up the phone and return phone calls, another thing that a lot of their competition seems incapable of doing. Every person I've dealt with at Benjamin Franklin has been friendly, competent, literate, and professional. I don't feel like I need to hang around over their shoulder making sure they aren't cutting corners or charging me to stand around looking at a pipe. Recently I had a major issue with a sewer drain outside of the house. When they found out what the issue was, they had to reschedule so a crew could come out because it was a big job. I was able to save a significant amount of money by digging and backfilling the hole myself, which is something that I've had other companies say they won't guarantee their work if I did that (because digging a hole is so complicated). They also discovered that the separation occurred because the company that had worked on it years before had not completed the install properly, and it was not up to legal code. At the end of the day, Benjamin Franklin may not be the cheapest, but I do believe they are the best when you factor in everything.

I called Benjamin Franklin today after my water heater shot craps yesterday and they caught my attention with a sticker on the front of my Wichita Eagle this morning.  The two gentleman arrived on time and conducted themselves in a professional and courteous manner.  However, I was stunned when after informing me that it was a fairly simple and routine installation they then proceeded to tell me that the cost of replacing my water tank was $1800!!! (I had asked the receptionist I spoke to on the phone what the cost might be, but she declined to give even a cursory estimate even though the plumbers who arrived had a laminated pricing chart with them.)   I thought this sounded excessive and decided to check around before committing.  After calling 3 other reputable plumbers I was quoted a total cost of product and installation ranging from $825 to $925.  I'm sure Benjamin Franklin probably does good work, but I can't imagine that they are worth twice what everybody else is charging for the same job.  

I would shop around before using their services.

First the Guy was Late 2 hours, Couldn't Figure out where I lived. When He got here he was Dirty and stunk. Ken Made Excuses But Didn't take the Effort to Properly Greet us, Just wanted to get in. He OVERCHARGED US! He Had to leave and go get a part, took him an hour, It's Ridiculous! Horrible Service.