Cooke's Plumbing and Septic - WRE

Katherine L.

They were very professional and came recommended by the Martin County Health Department. I think they're the only ones licensed to do drainage field renewals by the county. Overall the price was right and the job was done in a reasonable time table...once we finally received our permits.

Nancie F.

Please heed the dozens of other reviews here mentioning the high-pressure sales tactics used by the """"technicians"""" at Cooke's (This should be a hint.). Wish I had read them prior. We too called for a simple pump out, but you'll be sure to receive a couple of knocks on your door to hear about all the """"problems"""" with your system, which will ultimately result in a quote for a complete system replacement. We declined. It didn't help that the techs were working in the dark (after arriving so late in the day) and ruptured my sprinkler line due to careless digging. When I noticed the damage a couple of weeks later, the service manager dispatched a couple of technicians to fix the sprinkler head, who only made matters worse by cross threading the sprinkler head cap, which then caused 20 minutes of flooding the drain field every night. Accident? Intentional? Suffice to say, there are a lot of apologies here on Google from the company, but its interesting to note the same complaints over and over again as time passes. I suppose if your tactics of taking advantage of folks (who can be pressured, scared, and duped into unnecessary services) are working, why change your business model? Make no mistake - this is a sales company; not a service one.

Craig L.

I was recently on vacation at my family's vacation home, it's one of those places where family and friends take turns staying for the week/weekend, to get away from life. And I was the unlucky person who got to discover that the last person """"forgot to flush"""", well at least that's what we thought. I tried a plunger and well, I wasn't very happy with the results, i couldn't get it cleared. But that's not all, turns out it wasn't just the toilet backed up. Apparently the sinks, showers & everything didn't seem to work. So I called a company and got a voicemail...called another who said they can have someone out tomorrow...and Cooks, who not only assured me they would make it out today, but delivered on their promise. Turns out I could have plunged all day and night but the septic tank was backed up. So the big truck came out, cleaned everything and everything worked again! Took a total of about 3 hours after the first phone call until I was able to relieve myself. As for pricing, was it cheap? No, but I'm not a cheap person. I've always been taught that even though things may cost a little more on the front side, there is a reason for it. I've also been a huge advocate in never using the word cheap, as you get what you pay for. I now have their business card on the fridge so whoever visits knows who to call.

Mr C.

Completely unreliable and inconsiderate. I had made an appointment with this company to get an estimate for a new septic system and some plumbing repairs. I live 45 minutes from the site. The woun't tell me what time they would come, only the day, so I had to just head up there first thing in the morning. When I was nearly there I got a call from them telling me that they don't service my area. They'd had the address for 2 weeks, but on the day of the service I guess they just didn't feel like making the effort, so what if it was inconvenient for me. I would steer well clear of this company unless you're prepared to have them change their mind about you appointment at their convenience.

Joan D.

DO NOT USE THESE PEOPLE. Worst plumbing company ever. I called them to get an estimate for a drain repair and it ended up costing me thousands of dollars because they said I needed copper pipe, so they replaced all the plumbing. Even after replacing it, there is NO COPPER that I supposedly paid for. I also had them change the bathroom two handle faucet in the shower to a single mix faucet. Guess what? They didn't measure the inside of the wall to see where it needed to be placed inside the wall, so now after tile has been applied, the fixtures are not seated correctly. The plumber was notified and hasn't responded. Even after a quote, they still charge ! more if they run to the store to get more parts! Now have a 1 year warranty against only leaks but not workmanship. I believe they turn a 500 dollar job into thousands of dollar job. Part of it is my mistake for not getting a second opinion. I am retired and had to use my savings

Jim P.

I am the first time owner of a septic system and was taken advantage of because I told them I didn't know anything about septic systems. What is a normal charge for a cleanout? Hired them to clean out my septic system and when I got the bill a few days later it was over $1000 with a $340.58 charge for repairs. 2 guys were here for about an hour, sucked out the system and power washed it down. I saw the empty tank, no repairs were needed or done. I called and left a message, asking them to check the billing. I got a return call and the guy told me he looked at the pictures and video and that my system was not repaired and he would issue a credit for that amount in a couple days. A month later after not receiving the credit I called again and left a message, 4 more calls no return call. Now I'm disputing through the credit card company. Very shitty customer service. I needed some plumbing work but they didn't show up to give me an estimate, good thing since I will never use them again or recommend them to anyone. Should change the name from Cooke's to Crook's, buyer beware.

Sue T.

These guys went above and beyond to help us. We had them come out to do an inspection for a real estate transaction. The price was competitive. The tech showed on time, got right to work and gave me a verbal, then a written report. He recommended some service once we purchased the property but wasn't """"selling"""" at all. But here's the """"above and beyond"""" part: The girl who answered the phone helped me do some research into the history of the system, and was very patient with all my questions, asking other techs when she needed to. But it gets better... today they took some time to help me locate our drain field and saved me a lot of time and money. Great service...

larry c.

This company installed a drain field at my home. It never worked from the start. it failed after four months. they pumped it several times in less than two years. After claiming several times they did not know why it was failing, they voided the warranty. The reasons for voiding the warranty were unrealistic and untrue. I would not let them empty my trash.

Dan M.

Major backup caused by a broken cleanout that allowed roots to plug the main line to the street. A plumbing firm I used in the past couldn't get here within 8 hours. Cooke's responded within 1 hour. Mechanized snake clean out and removal and replacement of the cleanout fixture solved the problem. Would give them 5 stars but didn't because I thought the fee was too high.......but I suppose that's the price of quick service. Victor was thorough and courteous but was locked into the price of $451 for the cleanout and $250 to repair the cleanout. He didn't have the 4"""" Schd 40 pipe on the truck and couplings necessary for the fix (which I thought to be strange) so I went to Home Depot while he dug out and removed the broken cleanout. So my total cost was nearly $700 since I had to buy the pipe and couplings. My next door neighbor, who is a high end home contractor shook his head at what I paid........I should have called him as he has a group of plumbers and other tradesmen who would have done it at less than half the price. Overall, considering the entire house was backed up I still give Cooke's 4 stars for their quick response. I gave them the rest of the 10' pipe (about 8' worth) to help with their inventory replenishment program. P.S. I'm still waiting for the emailed invoice, will call them to expedite.

Jim D.

Ok, I had high hopes for these guys but that got flushed down the toilet... Called recently for an estimate to pump my tank. All I wanted was an estimate... I have had septic systems for 30 years and it is always $200 to pump them. So I called to get a price on pumping. """"Well, we cant give you a price. we send a guy out to give you an estimate"""" Well, strange but ok. Guy comes out fast, (thats the only good part...) So he digs up the covers and looks at it and tells me, oh yeah your outflow pipe is broken, we can send our guy out to fix it for $450?? Then he says, """"we got a truck on the way to pump this"""" I am like, slow down buddy, you have not given me a price yet. He said, """"hey a pump is a pump"""" so theeeeeeen I got the pricing structure.. To pump my tank their price was $540 !!! He told me I have a 1250 gallon tank, I said no I have a 1050 gal tank and it was inspected when I bought the house and there is nothing wrong with it. Then their pricing went all the way up to about $1500 for alternative plans. So after I told him I needed to think about it, I went on yelp and saw some similar negative reviews. Then it all started to make sense. I spoke to 3 or 4 other people afterwards and they said """"Cookes? oh, yeah, I have heard very similar stories"""" Bottom line is, I ended up calling all county septic, they gave me a price right over the phone of $195 for my 1050 gal tank. Then they even took my $20 internet coupon. They were super to deal with and he said, no there is nothing wrong with our outflow pipe on your tank it looks fine. I am sure the owner will respond defending themselves, but this is not good business practice and for the little old lady, I sure she writes them that big check , luckily, I have been in the home remodeling business for many years and I knew enough to say """"something does not smell right""""...