Scheduled a plumber to come out on 03/18/19 to hook-up a new kitchen faucet and the existing garbage disposal after the installation of granite countertops. The job was done correctly. I also had the plumber named Steven check all 5 of my bathroom sinks for leaks and one bathroom sink needed a pvc pipe repair. That I was aware . Additionally, three bathroom sinks needed the drain stoppers re-installed. I also had two toilets in which the tanks would fill for 20 to 30 seconds intermittently. Steven said they probably needed new flappers. I was charged for 2 new flappers and 2 new pop-ups. I don't know the exact price because the invoice only itemized each issue that was addressed and then the total cost for the service call was listed at the bottom of the invoice. KM does charge $135.00 for each service call and $80.00 for each additional hour, so a majority of the cost was for labor. The invoice totaled $325.00. I felt the price was fair. However, two hours after Steven left I noticed both toilets continued to have the same issues as before the parts had been replaced. I did not contact KM immediately, as my house went on the market for sale and I thought I would have KM correct the toilets following the home inspection.
On 09/13/2019, Steven returned to repair 2 minor plumbing issues found during the inspection and to re-check the toilets. Prior to his service call, I went to Lowes to purchase 2 complete tank kits at $22.99 each in order to avoid paying the plumbers price for parts. The female in the plumbing department assured me that I did not need the entire kit, as she stated the fill tube "rarely goes." She convinced me to purchase 2 kits for $17.99 each which did not contain the fill tube. When Steven arrived, he proceeded to go to work. He ripped open both packages of the toilet tank kits, removed the existing ones from the tanks, and replaced them with the new kits. (Now I am no longer able to return the kits to Lowes) When he was done, both tanks began to fill intermittently. He re-checked them and said, "there must be a leak in the fill tubes." I asked him how much the part would be (it is a simple 5" long tube of plastic with a plastic connector at the base), and he said they would be $13.00 each. He said that he did not have the parts on the truck and would have to go back to the shop, but he was so swamped that day that he would be unable to return. I told him that I would purchase 2 fill tubes on my own. However, Lowes, Home Depot, and the local plumbing stores do not sell the fill tubes separately, so I had no recourse other than having KM provide them. In the meantime, I had to shut off the valves to both toilets, as one toilet began filling for 20 to 30 seconds at 5 minute intervals instead of 2 to 3 times a day, and the second toilet now had water continuously streaming into the bowl. I forgot to shut off one that valve after using the toilet and the water ended up streaming over night. (An increase in my water bill) Steven returned 3 days later, and finally resolved the 2 toilet tank issues. However, between Steven and the female in the plumbing department at Lowes, the price of parts to repair the 2 toilets ended up costing me a total of $16.00 plus tax more than they should. The home inspector had said that "the valves were out of adjustment" on 1 tub/shower knob, but only needed to have a screw turned in order to correct it. Steven replaced what he referred to as a "cartridge" in the knob and charged me $50.00 for the part. While we were checking out that particular bathroom, the toilet tank in there began to fill for 20 to 30 seconds. Steven said it was the flapper and he replaced same and the toilet works fine. He also checked a 4th toilet that the inspector maintained leaked and neither Steven nor I could find any eidence of a leak. The cost of the 2-part second service call resulted in a bill of $305.50. The grand total for plumbing services from KM was $630.50. I feel that an adjustment should have been made on the labor, as Steven initially incorrectly identified the problem with the two toilets and charged me for parts. The fact that he had to come out on a second service call and wasted time and money on replacing parts that did not need replacement resulted in a higher charge for labor. I spoke with the woman in the office and began to explain my frustration with the charges, but she was indifferent and merely reiterated their prices for a service call and each subsequent hour. I will continue to pursue this matter, but I will never use these incompetent bandits again. I high reccommend utilizing other plumbing companies. I guess everyone needs a good shake-down once in a while. read more
