Fred Glinke Plumbing & Sewer

Sknk D.

BEWARE of ""Bait and Switch"" tactics from Fred Glinke Plumbing. I called Fred Glinke Plumbing based on some recommendations that I saw on Next Door. I called them to get a price on removal and installation of a 75 gallon water heater that I will supply. The office person told me that they had a SET PRICE for installation of customer supplied water heaters. That price included all the copper fittings and gas connectors included for a 75 gallon water tank install. (it's in my WRITTEN price estimate). The price quoted was $859 dollars with a $35 senior discount. I set up an appointment. When their technician came out, he lamented almost immediately about how that could not be the right price. He said the $824 was just a ""Starting"" price, and it could go higher. Yeah......""higher"" I showed him the written agreement, but that meant nothing to him. He said the office person was ""not a plumber"", so the price could not be correct. The person giving the written quote works for them, and is giving out written estimates! The technician complained about how expensive copper prices were, etc, etc, and that it was not included in the quoted price (It was). They might as well have used $0 as a ""Starting"" price. He had to ""call the boss"" to see what to do. She (""The boss"") came back with a price that was more than $500 additional at $1,345 if I wanted it done today. They probably believe that many people will fall for that because people need to have hot water, and cannot wait. Seems a far cry from the initial given price= BAIT and SWITCH. Not even the same ballpark. I declined and said that it was not an honorable way to do business.

I therefore, DO NOT recommend using Fred Glinke Plumbing for the absolute dishonest way they operate their business. They should honor their written prices. Anyone else with similar stories from contractors? Any recommendations for good and honest plumbers? I know they are out there.

Bill R.

HVAC technician arrived 10:10 for a scheduled furnace check for $89. During the visit he mentioned the flame sensor needed cleaning and I quote him ""it would be a little more."" Shame on me for not asking specifically as I hardly consider $80 or 90% of the original charge ""a little more"" considering this was all labor and no parts. Moreover he left my home at 10:50 spending a total of 40 minutes.

Later I find out their rate per hour and doing the math with this well above market rate means he spent 1/2 hour cleaning said flame sensor and 20 minutes on the rest of the furnace. For all I know he turned on his vacuum cleaner and did absolutely nothing.

I wish there there was an HVAC contractor as trustworthy as my auto mechanic, Quality Tire & Auto, that I've used for 30 years. With them I've never once felt misled overcharged, or just plain ripped-off. Fred Glinke Plumbing unfortunately checks all those boxes.

Brian S.

We had a plumbing emergency in the middle of the night and didn't know where to turn and Fred Glinke answered the phone and helped us shut off the water to prevent further damage and by the time we figured that out, they had already sent a plumber to our door. These guys are awesome!

C C.

Overcharged for a sewer rodding with no camera inspection to see how well he did. After hiring someone else to check with a camera, they only cleared 20% of the blockage. The Plumber that showed up wasn't from Fred Glinke, they subbed it out. Don't call Fred Glinke plumbing.

Mary Kate F.

Overcharged us for a minimal amount of work. Additionally, had no parts and was gone for hours, charging us for that time as well. Use soltwisch instead. Upfront and honest about their pricing.

Jane B.

I was on Fred Glinke schedule from 7:30am to 10:30am. No one showed up. I called the office at 10:30am and they said oops they didn't have me down for that time and it would be later in the afternoon that anyone was available. Won't use them again.

John B.

I really liked my experience with Glinke Plumbing. They came right after my call this morning to unclog a basement drain. Their rep Jay was friendly and knew his stuff. I wouldn't call a plumber unless there was a really challenging task - and this one was. Jay was able to route the line and pull out a large plastic bag that had stopped things up. I liked his amicable style and his knowledge and experience. I would certainly call these guys again.

My one criticism was that in addition to their hourly rate ($154.00), I was charged $50.00 to ""rent"" their electric snake machine. That was a surprise! I never had to pay rent on the tools a tradesman uses. That would be like paying an extra fee for the vacuum system a carpet cleaner would use or the electric tester an electrician would bring. That cost should be part of the hourly rate.