Al Coronado Plumbing

KC G.

This was (and I emphasize was) the best company in town. We used them for years and referred them to others. Never again.

They sent IMO a plumber who IMO tried to rip us off for a 7000 job to replace all our toilets -- based on how they sounded when they flush! Even the owner of the company admitted the sound of the flush is not the test. And when I asked for a refund of the deposit the accounting person was insulting or condescending at best. The employees used to be of the highest caliber. No more.
Good thing there are plenty of good choices for plumbing in Tucson.

Sarah R.

Our toilet was old and not flushing properly. We had Al Coronado Plumbing come to our home and gave us a price to install a new toilet for $1,139 Told us our flange needed replaced. Price $735.00. The plumber left. Came back to install the overpriced toilet. They found roots growing into the toilet. Came back with a camera and told us it would cost $1, 618 to hydro jet from the toilet to the clean out that goes to the city sewer. Then told us it would cost $6,948 to fix the sewer pipe due to root damage.
Very expensive so we had another plumbing co come in and they charged us $688.00 to hydro jet from the toilet to the clean out. Then this new company put a camera through and showed my husband that the sewer pipe needed absolutely NO repairs. My husband said the pipe looked clean and in good condition. So we decided to pay the new and honest company $1,386 to perform a hydro jet through the entire home's sewer line. Which was $232.00 cheaper than Al Coronados hydro jet price to do only the front of the house from toilet to clean out.
This plumber's name was Jasper who told us our sewer line from our guest bathroom toilet would need repaired. He went on to tell us he would have to bust through 5 tiles and through the base of our flooring. He said, ( which we do know this part) that plumbers do not fix the tile afterwards) My point is - breaking up our bathroom floor didn't even need to be done. I even called him before we got a second opinion and asked him if he could do the hydro jet wash out in the line first. His exact words were ""No, the sewer line has to get repaired, that there was no way around that part. So the $6,948 HAD to be paid. So long story short we did not use Al Coronado... but boy did Jasper keep calling about the work getting done. He acts like a real nice guy but he's a scam artist. A guy named George charged us the $1,139.00 for the toilet. Which we were ignorant in falling for. Look up average prices. This is way over priced even for plumbers. And George with his $735.00 quote for a toilet flange. Wow!! Just wow!! Please think twice about using this company. Andrew Coronado called me after I called Al Coronado to pay the $202.00 which was a balance we owed on the toilet at the time and let them know I was never using them again. He said, ""Don't give up on me"" He kept trying to convince me further that our pipe was broken. I had to hang up on him. He called me two more times after that leaving voicemails. So... either they don't know what they are doing (43 years in business) or they are scam artists. You take your pick!

I'm honestly not exaggerating numbers or my words in this review. If you want to do the math for yourself and see exactly how much money they were trying to take us for you can. I've spoken to a few contractors about this situation and they assured me that we payed at least $800 too much for a plumber to put in a toilet. That a flange is nowhere near $735.00 for a professional install. And for almost $7,000
to fix a sewer pipe in one area of the house, that for that price they better be re piping your whole house. Not to mention, like I said the difference on the hydro jet clean out.

We've learned our lesson that's for sure. Ya don't always gotta use the big guy who is open 24 hours. Look into the other guys too. Be careful! Inflation is so bad right now, don't let anything like this add to it.

(Roots came in from Toilet not being sealed properly when we had tile work done. Roots can come in from outside of seal and flange. So consider that, that pipes do not necessarily have to be damaged from root growth)

Ann T.

I posted earlier about this company and just got a phone call from Andrew Coronado, one of the owners. We had a nice chat, and he explained his pricing and the cost of running a large company. Andrew did agree that their costs were high but also noted the extra work such as the shut-off valve and new water line. The plumber that came out was nice and professional. I believe he did a very good job, matched the grout very well and really cleaned up after he was done. So, I think this is a good company but a little too costly for me. I really appreciate the fact that Andrew took the time to reach out to me.

Craig W.

An emergency. At 8 pm. Your outdoor faucet piece has broken off, two hours prior to. You try to fix it yourself and just end up putting a towel over it. You can't find the shut off valve.

You have never used Al Coronado before. You call them. A superhero arrives, named Marty.

He turns off the valve. He fixes the faucet adding a new part. Life returns.

He rocked. Professional. Presented the costs upfront detailed. Once approved went to work.

That's a hero in my opinion. They are now the only plumbing company we will use.

And the only one I'd recommend.

Carolyn P.

When my water heater died we called he came that day and gave us at least water(Tucson water in summer is hot anyway). The water heater was replaced within days, did a great job.

George L.

Marty came out to review the need for a section of cast iron piping which I went over with him. He came back with a proposal which I accepted only to get a call latter in the day from him saying he had made a mistake and they could not do the work and told me to find another plumber. Not a professional service on their part after spending several days with him to figure out the work to be done. I will never call this firm again and will share the bad experience with others.

Molly K.

I called Al Coronado Plumbing after a friend's recommendation. A representative came to my house, looked around and told me my pipes were old cast iron, needed complete replacement, and gave me three contract options ranging from $18,000 to $22,000. He did nothing to check on my water line or my pipes. He just pressured me to sign one of the three very expensive contracts. I was in shock, did not want to buy into financing with them, and said I would think about it. Thank goodness! My pipes are copper, leak fixed with solder and replacement piece, about $400. I would never use or recommend Al Coronado. They should be investigated for shady practice. Don't buy into their pressure tactics and don't believe anything they tell you without getting a second opinion.

T P.

I am a native Tucsonan, and always like to deal locally. I had an urgent, but not life-threatening plumbing issue today and called Al Coronado. After a but of phone tag, I reached a pleasant woman named Michelle, explained my situation, and asked if someone could be sent out in the next few days. She then asked if I was a ""regular customer"". Frankly I couldn't remember if I had had them out before, since I have lived in this house for over 40 years. She then politely told me that she would be happy to send me a coupon and put me on a 'reference list' but they were TAKING NO NEW CUSTOMERS.
Then why do they run advertisements daily on local TV? I wasted a whole morning in dealing with a plumbing issue when I could have contacted another firm. If they are dishonest about their advertising what else are they dishonest about? VERY DISAPPOINTED.

Dr D.

Al Coronado Plumbing advertises they bill by the job not by the hours, which is true, however a recent estimate for a simple toilet wax ring reset bordered on the ridiculous including blatant upselling. After waiting a week for service, a young tech came out alone, glanced at the toilet, which leaked water at the floor line when flushed, and he declared, 'based on its 22 years age, the floor flange in the floor was corroded and needed replacing.' Without any hands on examination, he retreated to write up detailed estimate options, (#1) Install new floor flange $714, (#2) reset toilet $471. I was to sign authorizations and they would reschedule to return with job parts and equipment, I gave him a firm polite refusal. I called another plumbing company that I had used to install a water heater, they sent out an experienced plumber with helper the same day. He lifted the toilet, found the wax seal had failed, the flange and tie down bolts were fine. He cleaned up the area, placed in a new wax seal and reset the toilet in about an hour, with a charge of just over $125. No leak, Let the buyer beware!

Jessica G.

I want to say that I have NEVER worked with a more honest plumbing business. We ran into a problem and heard from the owner after hours. They made sure everything was perfect and I could not be happier.
Highly recommend.