Cimarelli's Laurel Plumbing

Jane D.

I would give NO stars or MINUS 10 stars if it were possible!!!

Last April, I called Cimarelli's to replace the leaking hose of my KWC pull-out sprayer kitchen faucet. The serviceman told me that it was an old faucet and needed to be replaced, and that it's so old that KWC doesn't make that hose any longer. He then replaced it with a ""universal"" hose that he had in his truck. I was charged $57.90 for the hose, $4.78 for tax and $216.00 for the 2 1/2 hours labor for a total of $278.68. Home Depot sells this hose for $25.00! When I questioned the labor charge, I was told that ""because you live way up in the mountains, we have to charge you that"". My house is 1/2 mile off HWY 17!

This hose broke after two months and Cimarelli's said they would replace it at no charge but if it broke again, I would have to get a new faucet.
I contacted KWC and after sending them pictures of my faucet, they said that my faucet is still under warranty and sent me a new hose at no charge-they even paid the shipping cost. Cimarelli's Reuben and Erin came to install the new KWC hose and were unable to install it. Reuben became quickly frustrated when it wouldn't feed through and told me he would have to charge me 4 hours or more for labor to take off the faucet in order to feed the hose through and remount it. Since this was a ""no charge"" call, it was obvious to me that he wasn't interested in installing this hose and advised me to replace the faucet with a Grohe faucet. He also told me that KWC had sent me the wrong hose for the faucet and that was why it couldn't be installed.

After they left, with my faucet sitting on the kitchen counter and the water shut off, I called another plumber who was here in 20 minutes and he installed the hose in ten minutes. The charge? $60.00!!!

I was amazed at how unprofessional, rude and incompetent Cimarelli's men were and how my new plumber took care of the problem in a jiffy with a smile and a very modest charge.

Louise V.

I have used Cimarelli's for over 10 years and had been happy with their work until one incident recently. Had a toilet plugged, Reuben sent his helper to the roof to unplug through the drain pipe while he worked on another toilet that had a leaking screw. The bill that came later was over $245. Without asking my permission, Reuben had changed all the fill valves, flush valves, flapper, the whole nine yards inside the toilet tank. Materials came to be over $80 and this is for a 50 year old toilet. Had he asked me, I would have told him that I have extra fluidmaster kits in the house and all the other parts that he replaced.

I was out of town several days after the service. When I came back the toilet was clogged. I called Cimarelli and was told that their work wasn't guaranteed. I told them no one had used the clogged toilet since we were all out of town. They didn't budge. I called another plumber, turned out the clog was not cleared the first time around and I had to pay to clear the clog again.

In view of this experience, I would not use Cimarelli again and I am disappointed that they treat their old time customer this way. BTW, when I insisted, they did take off $70 off my bill but I had to pay $170 for the work they did (without my permission)on the toilet. I am very disappointed since I thought I could trust them not to gouge their long time customer.

I suggest to everyone that you tell any guys working on your house, to ask your permission before going ahead to replace anything, otherwise you would be receiving a shockingly huge bill.


ETA: I just learned that Reuben is now the part owner of Cimarelli. That explains the change in attitude.

adam s.

Cimarelli's has been great for me over the years, nothing but positive experiences in timeliness, expertise and fair prices. They'd get a fifth star if they had email.

Teresa L.

I have used Cimarelli's for years and until today would have given several stars but today, that opinion is changed. I am shocked by dismissive diagnostics of the technician because there was a baby in the house. The overriding diagnostic was that the baby refuse was causing the odor and not necessarily a sewer line issue (bubbling in toilet when shower in use). Although after proding, the technician snaked the line-which seems to have taken care of the problem at present; the inappropriate statements caused a ridiculous amount of stress. If customer service is the goal - then I would say further training is required. If I ever call Cimarelli's back -- I will at least ask for a different technician. Disappointed.

scruz y.

These are my go to plumbers. Just terrific, nice, tell you what is going on, options, reasonable price and they are well stocked. Can't do better in Santa Cruz. Going to have them back very soon to put in low flow toilet. Thanks to all who work there...you are tops in my book.

Phillip G.

I was very pleased with the service I got from Steve. He was very knowledgeable and was quick with the work that had to be done. The only thing that I can say, that I did not like, was the mark up on the items he used.

Marc Y.

My hot water heater stopped working and 2 guys came out about an hour later.
The guys fixed my water heater and gave me good advice at maintaining it.

Steve and Ruben were awesome!

Ray J.

I have used Cimarellis for years, and in general - they are great, on price and good at what they do. You can always run across an odd employee, but they have been efficient and honest - and always on time. I have tried other area plumbers, but always come back to this company. :)

It's A Secret '.

These guys replaced a heater thermostat that now sounds like a jet engine when it is turned off and only the pilot light is left running. Not to mention they have it attached with bailing wire. When I called for an explanation, I get someone on the phone who was very short on the phone explaining that is the way it is. This guy clearly did not want to come back and fix his very very sub standard work. I would recommend a 4 year old to do a better job than this plumbing outfit. These people suck!!!!!!!

Kelly O.

Love these guys! We trust no one else. Once we called another local plumber who sent out someone who perhaps should have still been apprenticing rather than out on his own. In two hours, the solution he came up with was several hundred dollars, so we declined. Called up Cimarelli's and their guy had the problem solved in about 15 minutes for a fraction of the price.