Sam Bliven Jr Plumbing & Heating

This company told me they would Install a gas line extension to my new stove and we set a date/time. The evening before, they called to say that they changed their plan and were only coming by to give me an estimate and were no longer sure that they could do the job or when. A WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING! In my line of business, if you are hired to do a job- you show up! It’s too bad because this was the first of many job that I needed them to do.

Found them as first listing in the yellow pages. Called with a clogged drain, and tech showed up same day, about 5 hours later, was courteous, and fixed it quickly. All good. Told first-time customer charge was $115, due at time of service, hourly rate, 1 hour minimum. A little high, but agreed and you expect these days to get a 30 or 60 minimum for the first hour. Tech was 5 minutes from arrival to departure, simple clog to clear, and spent more time on the truck looking for the auger than he spent in the house. Paid, and was happy for the service received. Then a while later a get a bill for an additional $25 for the auger, $5 for "misc. truck supplies" (apparently that is a rag to wipe off the auger), and $5 fuel charge to drive the mile from Spuchy Drive to my house (10 times the allowable IRS standard rate for mileage). Would have thought the $115 was enough for a 5 minute job (that works out to $1,380/hr for that call). I called to get an explanation for the charges which I believed were in error and that I had paid in full and more than enough at the time of service. You don't expect to get surcharged by the basic tool or to drive 5 blocks. Office woman quickly got snippy, only saying repeatedly, "that's what we charge", and "those are our regular fees" (which no one tells you about when you call or at time of service). I rechecked every plumbing bill I've gotten in the past 30 years, and I have never been charged more than an hourly rate and for parts, even when if they came from 15 or 20 miles away. This complaint reads just like so many others about price gouging and poor customer service, seemingly everywhere on the internet these days. Avoid this company at all costs, shop around, don't take the first name you find in the phone book, and ask if someone charges extra to take a common tool out of their toolbox. I'd heard complaints about this company 25 years ago, and figured that was all in the past. I was wrong.

The gentleman that came out was professional, on time, very helpful and very quick. He did a fantastic job. We would recommend them to anyone.

Tech got stuck at an earlier job and was unable to make our appointment. I called the office and the woman was very professional and apologetic. I was dissapointed (and hot) and worried about my toddler. She called me back about 30 minutes later and let me know that despite his long hot day the tech could be at my house in 30 minutes to fix my air conditioning. He was professional, friendly and so helpful. I would recommend this company to anyone, they clearly care and do great work. Thank you!!!

Good: Timely quote Work scheduled and performed within a fee weeks. Bad: Burner didn't work after replacing oil tank and oil line. We had to call and schedule a follow up appt the next day to correct the issue after a cold night. Main water line never turned on after replacing valve near water pump. I discovered this when I ran out of water in the middle of a shower. Also left a mess around valve replacement (eg solder all over floor, trash left on floor) Valve to dishwasher replaced but never turned on. Fortunarely my wife noticed the dw sounded funny and we corrected. Quoted roughly $400 to replace 3 small valves and extend furnace blow off valve to floor. This wasn't unreasonable however they only replaced 2 small valves yet invoiced me for 10% more than quoted. When I called to ask why I was told they charge time and materials. She told me she would have the owner call me but I never heard from them. Summary: Could have been a good experience if they checked their work cleaned up after themselves charged for the actual work performed were courteous to customers on the phone followed through on promises to call Instead, I walked away with a bad experience and therfore cannot recommend.