Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Charlotte

I had a leak in my water heater. Someone from Ben Franklin came to give me an estimate. They wanted to replace the entire tank at a cost of $1800. Interestingly enough they wouldn't write out the estimate on a piece of paper because I told them I was going to get other estimates. They wanted to see the other estimates first and told me they would pay me for showing them the estimates from other plumbers. My brother is a plumber so I had him come over and it was just a cracked plastic nozzle which he fixed for about $15. Glad I didn't go with Ben Franklin. I would never call them for anything. I just feel badly for seniors or others who they tell need a new water heater when they could just replace a nozzle or make other minor repairs into some major project. more

My husband and I own a small home services company. Because all of our clients have used our services for many years, they often call us for projects outside our scope of business. We are not plumbers, so although we have 2 small plumbing contractors whom we work with on a regular basis, we suggested one of our clients call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for an ER job that had to be done immediately. They needed a toilet fixed in an older but very well maintained home. The service person comes out and says that he cannot fix the toilet. Of course he never tells them the actual problem with the toilet just that the toilet needs to be replaced. Because of the rough, the toilet is an odd size but can be ordered for around 500 dollars (it is a handicap accessible toilet). The ""plumber"" did not tell them that the toilet could be ordered. He told them that the toilet was not available to fit the rough and that it would cost...(hold on to your seats) 1800 dollars to install any new toilet. 1800 dollars to install a toilet and the plumber stated that there would be no warranty on the work. For that price the plumber had better be at my house in the morning to wipe and powder my rear after using it. What a crock. Even if the price to order the toilet is around 500 bucks there is no way that a toilet installation would ever cost 1300 dollars in labor unless they were planning to replumb the whole thing. Ohh and they charged a 70 dollar diagnostics fee and never told the people what the diagnosis was...I will never, ever recommend this company to any of our clients. From now on we will go ourselves and turn off the water supply until our reputable and honest plumbers can get to the residence. more

As a skilled computer technician it is not hard for me to notice the diagnostic lean of a technician.\r \r Unfortunately I was under the gun and had time constraints that limited my ability to bid the job. I got hosed on a job that I later got bids on that were $2000 less. \r \r I called them again on another service call that was a no brainer at mayber $1400 max and the tech quoted me at $2400 after a $400 discount as a repeat affender.\r \r Bottom line, when the tech starts walking around with his clipboard instead of diagnosing and fixing the problem, then you're about to fed a line about all the horror stories of not letting them save you from present and future catastrophies.\r \r Buyer beware.\r Jim Pros: Skilled Techs Cons: Techs must be on commission more