LaPensee Plumbing * Pools * Air

Mama Y.

1. My first call to them for service 7 months ago- our garbage disposal didn't work. LaPensee originally installed it. A guy came out and pressed a reset button on the bottom. He was here for 5 minutes. they charged me $150. I called to complain. They said that's their minimum, with no exceptions. 2. We wanted to remodel our bathroom. Our contractor was going to use LaPensee for new shower/tub plumbing. Lapensee Service Manager came out and said they don't put shower and tub in same area and declined the job. 3. I asked the Service Manager (above) to send someone out to replace a toilet flapper/fill tube in one of our toilets. He said he would. He never followed up. 4. An actuator (1 of 2) in our pool plumbing system went bad. After a month LaPensee finally replaced the actuator for $524. The 2nd actuator recently went bad. I called LaPensee. 3 days later after no return call, I called them. They said they did get my message but didn't have anyone to send out. Their pool maintenance guy was on medical leave. They recommended Pool America. I called Pool America and they will replace the 2nd actuator (same model) for $345 within a couple days. Lapensee overcharged me $180.

Safia A.

Not exactly the best followup... I had an issue with a small bathroom and was referred to LaPensee. Chatted with them on the phone, and even with it being """"in season"""" here in Florida, they were able to get someone out the next day -SWEET. Overall it didn't seem like a big job from the issue explained to me by our HOA, but I'm no plumber. The first thing they told me is because they don't know me they will need to get a credit card on file and proceeded to tell me the reason why they needed to do this, even without me really questioning why or being upset, but no biggie. The property is a rental with tenants so I wasn't able to be at the site to confirm the issue and approve the work. I've worked with plenty of vendors (obviously not a plumber) that once they access the issue they call and inform what they found and how much the job would cost- reasonable right?. Well, not LaPensee. I got a TXT that my credit card had been charged? No call. After seeing the charge, I called them and spoke with my service lady, that I clearly must have caught her in the middle of something, because she said she was just about to send the invoice (in a rush). When I asked what had been done at the site, she said I would see that on the invoice, I proceeded to ask her for a recap so she read it, I asked a few questions, obviously, she had no time to discuss and when I said that I never received a call about the issue, she said they don't have time to call everyone and update them on the project? Really? I would think there are people like me that are trying to get work performed long-distance. Right? She knew that. So how did the job get approved to move forward? Never had a tenant's approval """"fly"""" with a vendor when it was going to cost money? I wonder how much they would have been willing to charge me without calling? I'm assuming the problems been fixed? Not sure how to rate the value when I never had the chance to assess the problem with them?

Tom W.

We have used LaPenses many times in the past and have been happy. However, it seems now that either they can't get enough help or the office staff is very inefficient. I have been trying since December 31 to get a date scheduled to have pipes replaced from house to street. It has taken numerous calls on my part to move the process forward....getting the camera scope, getting the estimate, getting a contract, getting a permit pulled...no steps have been moved forward without me calling and saying """"we are we on this?"""" Its now 2 months later and no work has been done yet. They have however had enough time to cashed my check for the work. I will get through this process and switch to another company

Jana M.

LaPensee has maintained our vacation rental home pool for 10 years, and with hundreds of rental guests we've seen it all... Sand, suntan oil, hair, hurricanes, algae, torrential rain, mechanical failures, you name it. Through it all, LaPensee has kept the pool operating and the guests happy (even though they caused some of the problems). Special thanks to George, the quality control supervisor, for his hands on work on our pool, and Anne back at the office for smooth, efficient and friendly communications.

Alexis M.

Called them because they did the backflow test at the request of the county because I wasn't able to get my test scheduled in time. Woman on the phone was rather snotty when I asked about it and said that I wasn't their customer. She's correct, I was not and based on her attitude, I never will be. They lost the business to repair the backflow which they could have gotten if she had been at least somewhat helpful when I called to ask about it. Guess they don't need customers.

Mike H.

Good company gone bad! Used LaPensee for over 15 years since I have owned a home in Anna Maria. Just recently the service has turned to crap. The techs they send out now are not the regular crew but a new batch of opportuners that pray on holiday rental home owners. Had them out numerous times for the same problem. they claim they rodded out the pipe but do not do the work when they come out. They sat in the truck and sent a bill for $360. When I had a guest arrive 2 days later the problem was still there . They had no problem sending another bill as well as a mysterious problem that needs to be fixed at a cost of $1800. and the problem was not fixed. I hired someone else and behold there is no such issue!? they fixed the original problem for $200. The sad thing is Lapensee made up the mysterious problem. Well, still getting a bill for the work not done. Very disappointed with the new way they do things.. I heard the good plumbers moved to another company on the island because they were disappointed with the way things were being run. I have since found a new GREAT plumber that does not rip me off. Ok, The pool service, They pool guy left the hose run in the pool for 2 days before my dad saw it and turned it off. Finally the girls that answer the phone, Could they be any more unprofessional? When I talked with one girl there she was very rude and condescending. She insisted being paid up front for work not done yet. She also did as if it would be a HUGE hassle to run a credit card. I never had suck a rude person that was working for me? Needless to say I will never go back.

Lily T.

We use LaPensee Plumbing for all of our three homes plumbing needs. They're very professional and always on time. They're service is excellent.

Myriam V.

I called LaPensee to check out the black flow as I received a call from a neighbor it had been hit and had a small leak on November 11th, 2021. I called them as they are the ones I pay yearly to service. They never contacted me back with a estimate before they fixed. I did not receive a an invoice via email until January 11th, 2022 in the amount of $846.77. I Emailed them twice to dispute the $700 charge for labor with no response. My tenant, which is a plumber said it was an outrageous charge as no digging up had been done and about one hour of labor should have been billed. With no response to my two emails I called them on March 10th, for status. Their reply was invoice stands as is. Very disappointed in their professionalism. Unhappy Holmes Beach home owner.

Rami H.

I am a positive person who normally does not leave bad reviews. But I am so disappointed in LaPensee who we have used for years as our service. I called on Friday after noon 4:45 because my bank flow had water pouring out of it. A man did call me back within 15 mins. But he would not come out to service my house. Said there was nothing he could do until Monday morning. He was """"trying to save me money"""" as well to make me wait. I told him I did not care about the money, there was too much water coming out, I would be happy to pay. But he said no he needed the back flow company to help him and there was nothing he could do. I hung up the phone and called Casey's Plumbing 941-739-6582 who told me how to shut off the street valve until he got there. $179 later pipe unclogged and leaf stopped. My main complaint is if you do not want to do Saturday calls and help people do not offer the service. I will never use LaPensee again.

Haley A.

Really pissed off with the Plumbing and Back Flow Divisions!!!!....let's discuss the Backflow Division first. - had my backflow inspected as I have had before - we've been with them for many years. They take payment usually before the activity. I gave them my card number and they told me the fee is $25. I asked when do I get the results sent to me and the woman there said when you get the Paid invoice they attach the report which is sent to Manatee County. I get the emailed invoice and it shows a balance of $40 with no report attached, so I immediately called and I got someone who said all of a sudden with NO NOTICE that they've raised their prices, didn't charge my card originally for the $25, but they decided to instead feel they had to rip me off for what $15, and now they do not send the report anymore. You must be kidding me.....this is what they do to a long time client?????...I mean really?????..what a Rip-off industry this is just for that, which brings me to the Plumbing rip-off recently. I needed something done and they were in the area anyways....charged me $150 for the first half hour....the guy was here 3 minutes and I knew they charged that, but that has to be excessive, so I started to ask questions since as the lady said whether they are here for 1 minute or 30 it's $150....when the guy was finished he just left when I was asking questions!!..let's face it I had 27 more minutes to ask this guy anything, so i feel they owe me 27 minutes of credit since the guy just left after HE felt he was finished. This is just total BS... with both divisions.......don't use them or expect to be ripped off or be prepared to hold the guy for 30 minutes with inane questions or issues whether or not there are any!!!! I am editing this review to state that after all this time Lapensee Plumbing hasn't had the decency to respond, apologize or say anything about this, but what could you say when your totally wrong!!!