Craig the Plumber

John K.

I strongly recommend not engaging the services of this individual.

On a recent service call, Craig engaged in dangerous practices, provided poor service, and charged an absurd amount.

I had three old shut-off valves in my basement that needed updating. Many years ago, this plumber had done a fairly good job for a reasonable price on another issue, so I figured, why not call him again. Not sure what has happened in the intervening years.

At first, it seemed this guy knew what he was doing. Increasingly my alarm grew, as he set the insulation near one of the valves on fire, which burst into flames, and filled the basement with acrid smoke, and charred the framing to which the valve was attached. I ran upstairs to get a fire extinguisher. When I returned, he said ""don't breathe that stuff"".

Then he continued to replace the other two valves, leaving them both weirdly askew, saying that ""the only day you'll notice they are askew is today"". Additionally, shortly after he left, I noticed that both these valves were leaking, requiring me to fix them properly. The valves are no longer askew or leaking.

Then for about a month, radio silence. No bill. Nothing. Then a text asking me for my contact information so he can send a bill, saying he ""had an invoice for a month for you but I'm finally getting around to processing it!""

So I sent him my contact info, and the next morning, there's a bill -- for $419 for changing three valves, one which involved starting a fire in my basement, and two more that were improperly installed and leaked immediately.

I emailed back to offer $200 for the work. Jeff aka Craig the Plumber replied, and I quote:

""Morning, these are standard rates, call around. This isn't a negotiation, John. Maybe you should've asked for a quote first. If you don't have any money maybe you shouldn't have called. I expect payment soon as you've already blown off the invoice I mailed to you a month ago. Short of that I'll see you in court. Thanks.""

If that is the attitude you don't mind from your plumber, then proceed with this guy. Hopefully he won't set your house on fire, and maybe he'll install things like they are supposed to be, and in a way they don't leak.

BTW, note how he can't even keep his story straight between yesterday ""I'm finally getting around to processing"" the invoice, to today ""you've already blown off the invoice I mailed to you a month ago"". This underscores his integrity.

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7/7/2020 Update:

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Got this email from Jeff aka Craig a while back:

Subject: Payment

Just had your overly bogus review yanked off of yelp. Next time you lie and try to defame me it'll cost you.

Sent from my iPhone
Craig Bolivar
CTP Inc
28 Woodridge Road
Wayland, Ma 01778
617-590-7174

Take that for what it is worth.

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Paid Jeff/Craig the full amount with a request for a rebate on account of the poor work. Jeff/Craig response so far: Crickets.

Also, ""called around"" per Jeff/Craig's suggestion. Aside from some outliers, the average quote for this work was about $200 including parts.

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