Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of North Austin

Swetha J.

If only there was a way to give negative stars...

Experience with this company was terrible! City water dept came by to read our meter and found that we were leaking about 3 gallons per minute! Called BFP, and after 2 days of digging for about 4 hours each (he charged for the digging like crazy, mind you) and using an electronic device locator (charged for using that as well), he still hasn't found the cold water pipe line that leads to our house. I mean, forget the leak, I'm talking about the pipe. He hasn't found the pipe after about 8 hours of digging AND using some electronic gadget! And the price for what he's done so far? He's asking for over $1000!! We haven't found the problem nor the solution yet. What even?!

John W.

If there was a zero star rating, I would give them that, but only because their plumber was actually competent.

They took complete advantage of my mother-in-law.

Charging her nearly $600 for a simple toilet repair and some BS annual membership which gives her a wonderful 15% discount the next time we never use this ripoff company this year.

She called them back after she realized the got taken advantage of, and the manager/owner said there was nothing he can do.

Well there's a lot *we* can do, and it starts with a Yelp review of this absolutely terrible company, which preys on the innocent.

Stay far far away, and please, warn your parents.

Juan Carlos J.

I was in a hurry and didn't have time to get someone else, so I had to suck it up and agree to what I think are their incredibly overpriced rates.

Robin S.

Used Benjamin Franklin to repair bathtub faucet. Price was outrageous and plumber was rude. Will never use again.

Michael A.

I had them out again to fix a bad toilet. They are so good ! Very fast ! Very professional ! You can Depend on them . I be found my plumbing guy.

Lody E.

Very professional plumbers, but you pay for the mailings, the customer service operator, and the trucks. Outrageously expensive. I was taken for 400 for a leaky toilet. My fault, had same problem a few years back and had Craig's List plumber install kit for 50. If you guys were half way honest you would have more repeat customers. It hurts you guys because, now EVERYONE I KNOW has heard how you ripped me off, instead of a recommendation.

Susan S.

Mr Oldenkamp-

As you know from Joyce and Richard that I am concerned with the given prices to "make-over" two toilets with new parts. I have used you to replace the hot water heater sometimes ago.

When Richard mentioned the rough estimates for the two toilets. I told him maybe I should replace these 14 years old with new toilets and Richard explained that new parts will be just fine and it is much lower than buying two new toilets. I went along with Richard's advice. Richard suggested 'tune' up for hot water and other minor jobs done too.

When I got the final bill which was a whooper bit over $1,000+!!! Alone $600.00 was the 'makeover" of my toilets.

I was not happy with these charges and decided to do my homework. My roommate and other friends' thought it was a rip-off and showed me various toilets in Home Depot or Lowes. They are much lower than the repair and labor charges. And some of these toilets have mechanics to reduce water being flushed equipped with two different kinds of flushes. I even checked the parts itself at Home Depot, which the most expensive replacement is less than $30.00.

Richard came again today for the leak I experienced in one of the toilets; I shared my concern with Richard. He showed me purchasing prices of "new toilets" though your company, which were way over $600. I showed him printed documents from the internet of various toilets. Richard explained replacements of the 'Ben Franklin' (printed with the same name on the flush valves) parts are better than Home Depot or Lowes.

After Richard fixed the leak, I informed him that I am not satisfied with the pricing and felt two toilets replacement parts and the labor should be one price of $300.00 that was fair and reasonable. Richard explained the labor fees, which may be the reason for these prices. I mentioned to Richard that he was doing his job but I would discuss this further with the owner (you).

After Richard left, I called Joyce and asked for you. You suggested for me to write an email to you. I had the feeling that you were either avoiding me or not being comfortable using the 3rd party person when using the relay for the deaf video conversation since I am deaf.

I am still angry and upset with being taken advantage of my ignorance when comes to plumbing and pricing.

I plan writing this unfortunate situation on Angie's List, Yelp and Face Book letting other consumers know to check with pricing and compare before signing or paying anything first.


Sincerely,
Susan Sien

Matthew C.

Horribly OVERPRICED!! This company ripped off some friends of mine that are in their 80s!!! Benjamin Franklin plumbing charged them $700 to replace the insides of 2 toilets! You could have bought 2 new toilets and had them installed for that price!! Why don't they tell people that! I don't care if you they have a "pricing" book! They need to revise it and change their pricing! My husband talked to the owner Fred to confront him about ripping off elderly people that all they have is social security, but his excuse was he has to charge that because of all his overhead and advertising costs. My reply to that is STOP advertising and start treating your customers RIGHT!! Then you won't have to advertise because everyone will pass your name along. Word of mouth is the best advertisement! PLEASE save yourself some money and call around and find a better price, because it is out there.

Charles J.

This guys are total crooks, including the owner Fred that later tried to justify the outrageous pricing. They took my 96 year old mother-in-law to the cleaners while my wife and I were out of town for the day. Her shower started leaking and she called them because she had a FREE service call coupon in the mail. They replaced the cartridge in the shower. At most a 30 minute job if you are slow and dumb. At $100 per hour and a $15 part, the bill should have been $65. So did they double it ? No! They presented her with a bill for $305. She talked them down to $280, paid them and told them to leave. Her water pressure hasn't been the same since. DON'T CALL THESE PEOPLE EVEN IF THEY ARE A LAST RESORT. They need to be run out of business.

Ted A.

Benj Franklin Plumbers:

Summary: Exceptionally competent, unconsciously overpriced.
Prices are quoted from a book which gives a worst case price with tons of padding. No reduction when job is easy. If you enjoy a feeling of having been "took", this is the outfit for you. The work gets done but you're left with a bad taste and an empty wallet.

Examples: 1. Repair gas pipe. Price: $223. Job took 15 minutes and required 1 8x1/2" black nipple and cap. 2. Repair faucet: Price: $153. Job took 30 minutes, no parts. 3. Replace hot water tank: Price $1525. for 6 year tank (after $185. "discount"). Competitors prices were from $850. to $1050.