Plotke Plumbing & Heating

Joe Y.

Update: we understand the company has undergone changes in management and staff. Since we have been customers for 15 years, we gave them another chance and have been pleased with stellar service once again.

Wendy F.

I never write negative reviews. I understand everyone may have a bad day. But I feel inclined to write this review for plotke plumbing. Long story short, they came to fix a clogged kitchen sink. It clogged again 3 weeks later. When I called to let them know the problem was not fixed, I was told they are very busy and would get back to me by the end of the day. They never got back to me so I had to call another plumber. The other plumber from pacific drain came out, attacked the problem in a different way, AND for less money. When I called plotke to ask for a refund the woman who answers their phone, kept telling me they had not made a decision about the $150 and she never called me back. I called her 3 times calmly explaining my end of the situation until she hung up on me. Plotke has chosen to provide poor customer service for the sake of $150. All I heard from both the person and the technician when he first came to my house was how busy they are. With how busy they are, I guess they can afford all these negative reviews. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. Btw, we used pacific drain to finally fix the problem. The technician was very professional and they give a 30 day guarantee against future clogs.

A S.

Overpromised and Under-delivered!
Plotke Plumbing returned to my home a second time on the same day, after I was told by their first plumber that I did not have a leaking Washing Machine Water Valve in my Laundry Room. I never had any visible evidence of a leak, or drop of water since I've owned my home. The plumber left both water valves in the OFF position, and several hours after the plumber left, and I prepared for the arrival of my new washer and dryer, and disconnected the washing machine hose! To my horror, water was spraying everywhere on the laundry room floor, walls and cabinet! I questioned why water was coming from a CLOSED COLD WATER VALVE? I immediately called Plotke Plumbing back and spoke with Sheryl who advised me to shut-off water to my home. I didn't have a previous leak, so I was perplexed as why now it was evident there was a problem and the first plumber informed me I didn't have a leak? Sheryl arrived with the second plumber, and evaluated the situation. I was told both hot and cold water valves were leaking, and needed to be replaced, which would require opening my wall and replace my washing machine laundry outlet box and valves. The first plumber said no leak and I could replace the water valves when I was ready and there was no reason I could not have my new appliances installed.
When I expressed concern about opening the wall and needing to search for a dry wall repair service, prior to the arrival of my new washer and dryer, the second plumber said he understood and tries to take care of client homes as his own, which I thought was great! He also volunteered and said he had plaster and could use that on my wall, and get drop clothes and just have the delivery service bring my appliances upstairs and he'd install both washer and dryer after he was finished repairing the leak. I felt at-ease, until he negated everything he said and overpromised and under-delivered intentionally, which resulted in a very stressful situation!
There was never any communication ahead of the repair to inform me the washing machine outlet box and valves the plumber brought were not a match. Upon seeing the repair (replaced valves and makeshift outlet box), I was surprised and alarmed as it didn't look anything like my original set. I was concerned and asked questions to ensure the valves were reliable and if they had the ball valves as my original set did, as well as inquire about the look of the outlet box, which was pieced together. I expressed concern and asked, if the appliance outlet box he brought didn't fit, then why not use the Quadtro valves from my purchase with the ball valves? This is where everything changed! The plumber said he's never been asked so many questions, and told me he could order the same outlet box and valves, but it might take six months. I'm just seeking to understand as I had a hole in my wall and the fit of the outlet box and pipes looked bad! At the same time, the appliance delivery service called and stated they would arrive in 10 minutes. Given the plumber was still working, and there was an issue with the delivery team installing my appliances, I asked the plumber if he'd just hook my original set back up? He flat out said no, that's beyond his responsibility and he was just trying to get done. When I asked if I could use his drill or have the delivery team use his drill to open a hole in the new washing machine, floor pan that their first plumber cracked, he said no. He packed up his tools and left the hole in my wall, no plaster as he stated he would apply the night before. Plotke Pluming communicated tasks they said they would take care of and without any warning the plumber changed his mind, because I asked questions about the repair. If he didn't want me to use the drill, he could have simply drilled the hole himself in 5 minutes or less, given the delivery team was already onsite and removing the old appliances. When I sent Sheryl pictures of my laundry room and shared my disappointment with the outcome, I received a response from Sheryl with the following explanation about use of the plumber's drill ""As for the drill, let me say in jest, do you share your toothbrush? Yes, it's that personal to Jason, a career professional."" Sheryl's response was uncalled for and unnecessary, given I was in a tough spot with navigating to get the leak repaired after their first plumber wasted time and charged me for over 2 hours, when he was finished and out of my home in 1 hour and 50 minutes (overcharged). It's the principle of professional service, courtesy and follow-through, given stressful times. I expected more and Plotke Plumbing could have handled this situation differently. Overpromised, Under-delivered and billed an additional $339.00 after the first plumber was a waste of time and money at $260.00. Very disappointed. I would have had a better outcome with a different plumbing company.

michael g.

Called Friday morning about a gas smell in our family room. They were already booked for the day, but said they would see if somehow they could reschedule a tech due to the safety concern. Called back shortly to say a technician would arrive shortly, which he did. Very friendly and informative. He checked for leaks and found none, which was very reassuring to us. Turns out, it was his day off but he agreed to come in to take care of us. I think this was great service and the charge was very reasonable. Used them one other time to replace some angle stops and repair a leaking sink drain line and they did a great job quickly, again at a fair price. Our experience with them has been good and I would recommend them.

Karin S.

Had work done Sept 2018. Jan 2019 told I didn't pay. Had phone conversation and thought it was resolved as I had paid. After 18 months I now get an invoice in the mail for work done in 2018! All for supposed $100. Called the number and left a message to inquire about this. That was a week ago. Just called again and line doesn't go thru. The billing department needs an overhaul. Talk to your (x) customers!

Michele A.

This review is for Plotke Plumbing Carlsbad

Terrible! Used to love them and used them for many years, bu since they are under new management they have become UNUSABLE. They just try to squeeze money out of you, no integrity, BEWARE!

Here is what happened to me: I called because two faucets were dripping. First visit: 10 minutes, it was established he did not have the correct cartridge for the second faucet and needed to come back. Second visit: 12 minutes, replaced the cartridge. The result: $ 285. I complained, got a discount and paid $171.09. Still a lot of money for two faucets dripping and I thought they just lost a longtime client.

One month later: surprise! Got another bill for $254! They claimed this was for the second visit as they charge each visit separately. I complained (in writing) that I was not going to pay $425.34 for two faucets dripping and I thought that the $171.09 was enough to cover the complete job. After all, it was not my fault if a plumber shows up and realizes that he cannot do the job. He should have left immediately and come back when he was ready, and not charge me twice.

Anyway, no word from them for 5 months. And then: another bill, where they discount the $254 and they still want $152.55.

I will never use them. I told my parents not to use them anymore. Please beware, there are much better options out there, I hope they go out of business soon (they are on the right track).

Randy L.

Called twice and never got a returned call. Second time actually talked to someone and was told she would call me back. She never did.

Judy S.

There are so many issues that were incorrect in this assumption I had to write them in Brackets

Judy -
I spoke to my General Manager regarding your request.

YEP, this email is dated, but the lack of customer service has declined to the lowest, I needed to share. My family used Plotke for many many years, something terrible has happened. Hopefully they will change their ways.

When you called in June to have us come out regarding odor in your bathroom we not only came once but twice,

Because the first technician didn't seal the toilet correctly. That was NOT the issue at the time.

and I sent two different Technicians to ensure we had not missed anything. Both Technicians did not smell any odor and they both pulled and reset your toilet, which you were only charged once. At the time of these visits you never asked to have your line snaked or cameraed.

Now you are calling back two months later stating you have another Plumbing Company in your home and they found you have a blockage in your line, that does not necessarily mean that you had it two months ago. As far as your toilet overflowing again it was working properly at our time of service.

Third technician found errors in your second persons work. You are missing the point and being on the defense doesn't help your position.
We feel we have been more than accommodating with your requests and do not feel you are owed a refund for our services.

Sincerely,
Plotke Plumbing & Heating Inc.

Oh PLEASE! You are NOT sincere!

Jack K.

Very disappointed. Had an appointment with a window of !PM- 3PM and at 2:35 they called to say they did not know when they would show up. They could reschedule for the next day at the same time. My time is worth at least what there time is worth. Not very reliable people. Very difficult to get to a real person on th ephone and left multiple messages.

Ken H.

Have left two messages over the last few weeks, no return call. Appears from other posts new owners and bad customer service reviews. They had done great work in my two different houses over the last 15 years. If anyone knows where Steve, one of the head plumber went to, I'd like to use him.