North Lake Plumbing Inc

Joan C.

Ok, so seeing all these fantastic reviews here makes me suspicious. I have to post my experience. It was much like the one described by Linda B.

I was given more information up front than the she apparently got, including that I would have to pay for a trip charge (and therefore had to give my credit card number up front). Then I would be called with the estimate to do the actual work. They showed up on time. So far so good, but the good ended there.

First, I never got the call. Next, they didn't have the exact part with them and ended up adapting the one my tenant had purchased when he first tried to do the repair himself. He told me the plumbers were there for well less than an hour and that one seemed to be in training. Changing a tub spout was definitely not a two person job.

To my surprise I got a call saying I owed something over $300. Huh? For less than an hour when the only part they supplied was a pipe nipple?! I questioned the charge and the owner himself (whom I had not met in person) immediately laid into me about what a favor he had done, that my tenant was without hot water and couldn't be left in that situation and it was hardly worth his time to have driven over (his decision, not mine). I never said anything about being desperate. That was his assumption. My tenant was without a shower - the tub diverter had broken - not without a bathtub or hot water, and honestly he wasn't in a rush. I'd have continued calling other plumbers had I known this one would be so expensive. This was only my second call.

Anyway, he later conceded that they should have gotten my approval before doing the work and grudgingly said I only had to pay the trip charge which I think was $120 or $125. I thought about it after that and decided to pay $200 which I felt was a very generous compromise between what they originally billed me and what the job was worth, only because I would probably have paid the $300+ charge had they bothered to have called for my permission as promised (though I would have been pretty unhappy after I learned how simple the job had been).

Anyway, here's my past-due review.

Rebecca L.

Thanks to North Lake Plumbing for working with us as we coordinated clearing furnace vents and getting water heater up and running again up in Serene Lakes--patient, prompt, friendly. You made it happen.

Michael W.

I called North Lake Plumbing with an emergency situation.
He answered the phone in the first couple rings.
He came out within a hour and fixed our pipes.
Great service and a job well. Thanks Ken.

Brad L.

I called Ken on a weekend evening due to a frozen/broken pipe in mid winter (temps to 0 for a couple days). there was severe water damage and 11 frozen pipes to be found/repaired. He provided help over the phone even before we worked together and came out quickly to help with repairs in difficult conditions (still freezing, no heat since hydronic pipes had frozen and no electricity and the main water shut-off was defective). His advice was helpful, his work quick, great quality and very affordable). I will use him again as the current work progresses and would recommend him very highly.

sean m.

I called Ken with a smelly situation (broken sewage ejector pump) on a Saturday night. Ken was extremely helpful on the phone, even trying to verbally walk me through steps that could resolve the situation myself. When that didn't work, he came the next morning, during a snow storm, on time as promised and was able to fix the problem without needing any new parts.

He is extremely professional, honest and very fair in assessments. Using him (or any plumber) for emergency weekend repairs is going to cost you more, but Ken was high integrity in my experience and not looking to gauge homeowners with extra costs or parts if not needed.

I would 100% use Ken again and heartily recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable and punctual plumber in the North Lake area!

Jim M.

Ken did a good job and was courteous but he overcharged by 25% to 30%. He charged almost $600 for a simple kitchen faucet. Did some checking after I paid and it should have been tops $450. That being said he is a nice guy but too expensive

Wendy W.

Ken and his crew are the best. You will not find a more dedicated plumber anywhere. Ken was out this morning to install a faucet when he found out today is the only day an appointment would work for me. Look no further for your plumbing needs.

Lisa H.

I called Ken Fielding at North Lake Plumbing yesterday afternoon because my house in Kings Beach had a water leak. He answered the phone when I called the first time, was attentive, professional and patient as I struggled with my lack of plumbing knowledge to describe the issue. As luck would have it, he was already headed towards Kings Beach that afternoon and he kindly took the time to stop by my house and take a look at the problem. We talked again after he had seen the leak and he assured me that the work could be done the next day...and IT WAS! In the past with other home maintenance service providers, I've been quoted a certain cost and a certain time frame for completion and by the time the job is finished, it had taken twice as long and cost significantly more that originally quoted. This didn't happen with Ken. In fact, he even gave me a discount on his original quote because he was efficient and the work got done more quickly than anticipated! This man was honest, reasonable and a complete joy to work with. I will be storing his number in my phone for any future plumbing issues. Thank you Ken!

Chad H.

We called North Lake Plumbing due to an issue that came up at a house we're staying at in Alpine Meadows. Ken came within an hour of us calling. He was professional and astute in his work. He fixed the problem quickly. Thank you, Ken.

Linda B.

After seeing my review Ken contacted me and said that he had not responded to me earlier because he was on vacation. We had a dialogue and he ended up sending me a check for $150 and an apology for not resolving my issue, which I appreciate. He asked that I amend my review to reflect his adjustment. I would still highly recommend that people establish hourly rates and minimums, weekend/OT rates and parts costs up front, and especially before providing a credit card. That goes for this and other vendors. I must admit that it was really dumb on my part to provide that card before receiving and reviewing the service provided. I would also suggest to Ken that he provide more detail on his invoices.