They won't even ballpark over the phone. Come out, give you a written estimate (which is a bit high) and then take things apart and "find" new problems... which add two "jobs" at $250 each to it.
Imagine a cracked valve on a pipe. He replaces the valve and then discovers that the pipe (which was attached to the valve, isn't buried or inside a wall or anything like that) is weak... and insists that replacing the necessary length (2 feet either side of the valve) is TWO more jobs. Because now it's four feet of pipe and a valve, or about 30 minutes of work, but three jobs or $650 in charges!
The work was done well (but for the charged price, should have been in gold.)
If he'd given the $650 estimate up front, the answer would have been, "No thank you". But instead he disassembles stuff and holds the house hostage effectively.
Those steep charges are because RW is a "book" plumber. They scam you by charging several hundred dollars "book rate" (just in case of complications, donchaknow) for a 15 minute job (plus commute time) and then piling on, using the skimpiest of excuses, additional "jobs". Avoid book plumbers. Use a time-and-materials plumber; that at least ensures honesty if not competency.
Avoid RW Plumbing. If you want a walletectomy, there are funner ways to get one.
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