There is no phone call more dreaded by a property manager than the one that includes phrases like "over-flowed," "backed up sewage," and "late Friday night." Such was the case for me last weekend when one of my Queen Anne renters called.
We know about the sewer line and have plans to replace the 100-year old ceramic pipes this summer. Our partner hoped to get to it last summer, but no. Too bad.
Anyway, after calling several plumbers to take a look and clear the line, the tenant got Beacon to make the call. The plumber came out and cleared the line to 60 feet and left. $320.00 later the line backed up again three days later, this time late Monday night. The plumber came out again and cleared the line to 70 feet, to the tune of an additional $300.00+ (which did not include the fee for the video tape he was trying to sell me for the low-low price of $200.00).
This was all fine a good, but the line goes for another 30 feet and that is where roots are causing part of the back-up. Well, I called them back again and asked them to "do the job to completion" (clear to 100 feet) and "at no-charge." I got an earful of all the things for which they had not charged me including clearning the line to 100 feet (50-100 is $171.00), which I would have paid because that was part of the job. We discussed and haggled and eventually compromised.
The plumbers came out when other plumbers could not or would not and I appreciate that. The plumbers were nice enough, but in the end I feel there was no value to the service. I feel like my urgency left me vulnerable and in that state they took advantage. I suspect I paid for someone's professional learning curve. I certianly paid for mine.
I think they should have reviewed the bill for the second visit and waived fees for the third. If the ENTIRE line had been cleared in the first place, the second-and third-visit would not have been required.
PS. Five days later and the problem is still not resolved....I have called Jim Button (http://members.judysbook.com/posts/revieweditems/service.aspx?ri=26669289)
more