R. R. ""Pat"" Harris Plumbing

Lynn C.

This the first time for me to write any review on Yelp for anything. I just can't help...
We have been using Pat Harris Plumbing since we moved to La Canada in 2006. Our experience is very similar to those who recently had bad experience with this company. We had a leaking facet in the kitchen and a few other misc things (such as loose faucet in a bathroom and a toilet that flashes inefficiently etc...). It took them 6 hours finish the work and they charged us $700. I called them immediately about the excessive charge. Yes, the plumber tried to fix the faucet, old water filtering system, loose faucet and inefficient toilet, but after 6 hours, he told me that he could not fix the loose faucet because he doesn't have the parts, and the water filtering system is too old to be fixed. The bottom line is that he worked for long hours and on many things, but he did not fix most of the things he worked on - because we found the kitchen faucet that was supposed to have been fixed started to leak again. We called them again about the leaking faucet, they (this fool named Dan) become very defensive, saying that we have asked them to work on too many things that are not fixable.......Well I can go on on , but hopefully you get the picture. Pat Harris is no longer the old Pat Harris anymore, stay away from it.

Rita H.

We woke up to water everywhere. Happy New Years Eve! We cleaned up it up and called Pat Harris like we have so many times in the past. I called at 8 AM and got the machine then called again at 8:30 AM and was told that they were busy and couldn't help us but he looked up that name and saw we had work done with them before so he said he would call us back. He called back okay and then advised that they could not do the work because they would have to go on the roof. ROOF???? If he had looked at his records he would of realized that Pat Harris Plumbing had rerouted everything and you no longer have to go onto the roof. So after he continuing to tell us no we went with Miracle Rooter at 818-240-1922 and they sent out Whitney who in 10 minutes got the job done and was on his way to the next job. I called Pat Harris back and the same lovely person who said he couldn't help us started yelling at me and then hung up. With such great work ethics it is understandable why they keep getting 1 star. Who would want a higher rating? Thank you Miracle Rooter you were great and had someone at our house within 45 minutes.

Dear Lynn at Pat Harris....Like we tried to explain to you person who answered the phone. The person who came to our house to snake the pipes had changed the system and charged us for it. We have a copy of the bill so we know it was done. He advised it would safer than going onto the roof. He also explained that was never where the problem was. So all you have to do it drop the snake in the pipe which is about 1 foot off the ground and away you go. The person who answered your phone said ""I don't care we can't go on the roof. "" We tried over and over to explain to him that he didn't have to go on the roof fell to deaf ears. He would not listen to us. The people who came to our house said ""whoever set this up is great and helpful."" I understand you can be busy but when water shows its ugly head it doesn't always ask if Wednesday December 31st at 6 AM good for you. The work was done by Pat Harris on 8/3 but no date so we think it was about 5 or 6 years ago. Maybe you should listen to your clients instead of telling them what you think is right. I work customer service and if I talked to anyone like the way that man talked to me I wouldn't have a job regardless how busy we were.

Jon B.

Pat Harris Plumbing is the Worst!!!!!!!!!!! Had them install a water pressure regulator in my home about 3 weeks ago. The price they charged was outrageous. The regulator they installed was a Wilkins 70XL that can be purchased retail for under $100.00. They charged me $288.00 plus labor. When I questioned them I had Dan Florio the manager call me who then engaged in a verbal tirade calling me stupid and an Idiot because I didn't know what I was talking about. Very unprofessional. Beware they are an unethical company who engages in consumer fraud.

Mary Elizabeth W.

We have used Pat Harris Plumbing for many years - through their easy years and the last couple of challenging years.

This family owned business suffered a terrible blow last year when they lost the owner, John Rodgers. They didn't just lose the guy who ran the business so well for so many years, but they also lost a son, a husband, a father, a mentor, and a great friend. The impact on the business - both personally and professionally - was great.

In the interim, they have scrambled to replace some of their long-time employees as well as make some changes to the way they run their business (especially billing methods) in order to stay competitive. These are changes that a lot of the ""old time"" customers don't like. However, these are changes that must be implemented in order to get through this rough patch and move forward in providing the outstanding service they've been known for in this community for so many years.

A year has passed, and they are still working hard to not only honor John's memory but also rebuild a business with mutual trust and respect for their customers at the foundation. When something so major changes in a small business, the ripple effect can be deep and wide. They scrambled to hire a couple of guys that didn't work out, and they're no longer there. Trial and error, unfortunately, but that too is part of life. They have some good guys on board now, allowing them to hold their own and continue riding out the storm.

I ask you to give them another chance - I have just had Pat Harris Plumbing VERY involved in two total bathroom remodels at our house as well as some extensive repairs at my dad's house. I couldn't be happier with the work that has been done, or the honest communication regarding repair / remodel options before the work was even started. The son that someone complained about is no longer working for the company - which is too bad, because his struggle to achieve their high standards was compromised only by the deep pain he experienced in losing his dad. Any of you who have lost a very close loved one can relate. Not easy.

So I give them 5 stars for continuing to put on a brave face in spite of all the negative comments, and for really having a desire to do outstanding work, and for continuing to put one foot in front of the other in spite of the challenges. These people are not unethical, not unapproachable, not thieves, not dishonest by any stretch of the imagination. They will do great work, for a fair price. If, by chance, something isn't right, they will make it right. If you have a question, ask, and they will answer it. DO expect to pay them for the job when that job is done - not several months down the road when you get a bill and decide to mail in a check (the ""good old days""). Really, nobody can afford to do business that way anymore, the gentleman's handshake just isn't a wise business approach.

Maybe I'm biased - as I said, I've used their services for years and wouldn't dream of calling another plumber. And I am certainly biased because we knew John personally, and his family, and we know how difficult life is without him.

Thank you for reconsidering Pat Harris Plumbing!

Deborah W.

Impossible company with which to do business.

They provide services only M-F, and won't schedule non-emergency appointments on Mondays. If you try to to make an appointment any other day of the week, their communication is patchy at best and when they do arrive the plumbers seem to provide the minimal amount of service possible.

It is too bad because I'd like to support small businesses and avoid the large chains, but encounters (and I've given them many chances over the last few months) like these leave few alternatives.

tom y.

i should have listened to the other reviews. I used these guys a couple years back and had a wonderful experience, so I called again to help with a plumbing issue. I was told that I would get a call back by end of day to schedule the visit, but never heard from them. Then got a call at the end of the 2nd day (pretty much 2 full business days later) saying that they're too busy and won't be able to help. Feels like something better came up, which I understand, but there was no effort to find a time to help - just a, ""sorry, we can't help you"". I wish they would have just told me that when I first called so I didn't lose 2 days waiting for them to call back.

Meaghan L.

My family has used this company for 30 + years and am so sad to see what has happened. The new management includes the worst plumber I have ever encountered. Totally unethical business practices, and so incredibly disrespectful when it comes to customer service. Such a shame too because the previous plumber was so wonderful. I strongly recommend you to AVOID at all costs!!!! I hope someday karma comes back to these people...

sherri m.

Just like the others...I wish I could give NO STARS. I used them for 30 plus years with success. Suddenly, everything went bad. Rude woman in the office, late for appointments, but worst of all, couldn't solve a BIG problem that caused lots of water damage over several months. Keep fixing the wrong problem. RON is the worst plumber around. Doesn't know much and the water district guys teased me for even trusting him. That was scary. I finally found someone to do three major plumbing fixes for many thousands of dollars. Some of it was the fault of the Pat Harris plumbers. It was a total nightmare.

Dora C.

AVOID using this business. They have changed their policy after many years of my using their services. I called on Sunday and left a message that was not returned so I called them on Monday. Although I have been a good customer for many years they had no idea about the history of the plumbing in my home. She told me all of their tech's were out installing water heaters and she could not tell me when they would show up. Hours later they called and said they would be here in a couple of hours. Two tech's showed up and took 2hrs. To do the same clean out that for years took one man 1/2 hr. So instead of $100 the bill was $350. After speaking with the Manager and Shop Mgr. Shouting at me they had no desire to keep me as their customer. Instead he went over all of his regulations, which I didn't need to know. The only method of payment that needed to be paid before the Techs left was check or credit card. The techs had no way to process my credit card and told me I must call the office with info before they would leave. I did and the rude poor customer service began. Finally, after payment I was given a copy of an invoice that was to light to read. I took his copy and made myself a copy that I could read.

Sarah B.

AVOID this business! I have used yelp for a long time to search for restaurants and businesses, but never gave reviews. The reason I am writing this is to let people know of the horrible experience I just had. About a year ago, we used this plumber because a family friend had referred us, however she was unaware that the original owner she knew and trusted was longer running it. The first day, a young plumber comes to snake our kitchen sink, he works on it and we even bought him In N Out for lunch to show appreciation for his hard work that day. Keep in mind, the invoice for that day and which we paid stated, ""clear the mainline"" and ""no roots were found."" However, the very next day we found the same sink overflowing and clogged. We call them back and they send the same plumber out, he asks us if he can call another one of his fellow plumbers to come out to help him, which we say would be fine. During this process, we were NEVER told that this would result in an additional charge for a second service as they called it a ""two man job"" was done.

When we later received the invoice with the additional charge, we promptly sent them a letter stating that: 1) We never agreed to paying for the extra plumber to come, 2) We never got our problem solved, 3) We had to hire Mr. Rooter the next day to bring a camera, which identified and confirmed that a tree root was the source of the problem. We never heard back after that.

Just today, this fool named Dan calls my mom threatening her that he is going to ruin her credit by reporting her to collections and demanding that she gives him her credit card information. What disturbed me the most was how he was talking to her in a condescending manner without allowing her to even utter a word. What amount was all of the threats and yelling over? $178.75.