So-Cal Leak Detection

Ashleigh F.

Our experience with Armando was not far from a nightmare! He was not an unpleasant person, he is just bad at business. We hired Armando in May to install our above ground pool, semi-in ground. Armando was able to view our property to see the desired pool location as well as the ability to run electrical. In order to secure a date once our $5,000+ pool arrived he requested $1,800 to secure a start date which we sent to him in two $900 zelle payments. He said we would receive receipts and invoices which we received neither but had the proof from the app showing we paid. When the scheduled start date came and 1000am rolled around I texted Armando asking if he was still coming. He immediately called me back and said he was finishing up a job (and doesn't like to start a new job until finishing another) and would start hopefully the next day. A little irritated that I had to ask and wasn't called I agreed and he did show up the next day. Knowing warm temps in California I assumed start times would be around 7am like most outside work starts. His first worker showed around 10am and Armando came sometime after that. He decided he needed a small excavator because of the small space along side my house to dig and they rented one. Armando operated it from around 11am-3:30pm then told me he was leaving for the day and left one of his employees to operate the machinery until around 5pm. This same employee showed up around 10am the next morning, solo, and when I asked where Armando was he said he was at another job. The other employee operated the machinery for a little bit then took the rental back. He told me because it was a holiday weekend they would be back Tuesday. When Tuesday, 1030am came around, and nobody was here we attempted to text Armando. When he wouldn't answer, we called him. He told us his workers called out sick and he was having them tested and should be back the next day. At this point, we had had enough. We informed him that we wouldn't be needing him to complete the job and that he could set up a time to pick up his equipment as our gate would be locked. He apologized but did not offer more than that. We were left with a horribly done partially dug area, dirt piles all over that side of our yard and $1,800 less in our account. They did lay pvc for plumbing or electrical but it was incomplete and not covered up. We ended up having to pay someone else an additional $800 to come remove and haul away dirt and another $4,000 to the amazing contractor who completed our job in ONE DAY! (If you need someone reliable, I know someone ) Also, they broke my irrigation lines, didn't tell me or cap it off so I could continue watering my grass.

Bryan D.

The crew was great, professional and cleaned up after working everyday. Reasonable pricing and great communication. I would highly recommend this company. 5 star service!

Bianca L.

Armando did an EXCELLENT job. Very professional and knowledgeable about the required work. He was able to get the job done in a quick and professional manner. 10 out of 10 work.

Sandra C.

I called SoCal Leak Detection to do some tile work on my front walkway. Armando quoted me a great price and he did an excellent job! He is very knowledgeable when it comes to putting down tile. He has a great attitude and is always in good spirits! He was able to do the work fast and in a professional manner. I will have him back to do other work in my home. I highly recommend him for any job! 10 out of 10.

Kendall H.

Armando accepted to do some work in my home, but continuously showed up later than his scheduled time and did not show for 1-2 of the days. In addition, he ended up charging a lot more than he initially quoted, even though he had said the material was included. When my bill was provided, he ended up contradicting what he had said and added additional charges due to the material. On the last day he was here he started packing up before everything was complete and said he would just come back Monday. I decided to decline, but did point out the imperfections of his work for that day. He replied that it looked better than how it'd been, but honestly it does not look professionally done. The dry wall he applied appeared ad if it was done in a hurry and without any precision and then he tried to charge more if I wanted him to finish it correctly. He also left a gas line loose and it took him two weeks to come by and fix it. I called him a day after he did the work and he said it's good so I let it be. For some reason I checked my gas bill and it was outrageous. I turned it off and would only use it when I would do laundry.

Greg D.

I called Socal Leak Detection because my spa had a crack ..my autofill wasn't working & my pool had very poor circulation. Armando came over the next day and did a leak Detection..wrote me a very modest bid..So I had him resurface both pool & spa he also repiped the pool & spa , fixed the busted autofill , added a sheer decent to my pool & even added a shower to my pool area...My backyard looks amazing now. Socal Leak Detection really brought the pool area back to life now its perfect for bbq's and entertaining..And the price for everything was incredible..im also gonna call him back for a few more additions to the backyard..I'm giving Socal Leak Detection 5 & I'm gonna refer Armanfo to all my friends & family

Carolyn H.

This is a complete and honest review of my experience dealing with Armando Gomez of So Cal Leak Detection of Desert Hot Springs.

My normal water bill is $40 per month, however, my last water bill was $237. Horrified and confused, I contacted MSWD, who informed me that my meter has been running non-stop, since June 4th; they suspect a leak on my property.

Desperate to find a resolve, I got a referral from a friend, who got a referral from Facebook; So Cal Leak Detection, Armando Gomez, walked around my property with his equipment and waded in my swimming pool.

I asked if he found the leak; he surmized, among several other things, my water main and irrigation valves need repair or replacement; the swimming pool is in need of several large repairs or replacements.

His invoice stated as follows:
Skimmer throat $1600 (to replace) $300 (to repair);
Spillway leakage $700;
Suction plates leaking $450 (free when you buy 2 large jobs);
Pool light bonding $800 (he made me sign an acknowledgment that there is ""no bonding wire in the pool light"")
Water main $900 (repair);
Irrigation valves $1800 (replace).
Total: $2500 to $6000+
Plus an additional $500 for the detection fee.

I sent the $1500 deposit, via Zelle. Before I sent it, he mentioned that, upon receipt of the deposit, my job would be on his calendar for Monday at 9 a.m.

When I didn't receive a confirmation of payment from him, I didn't worry much because he asserted that I would be scheduled for Monday at 9.

On Monday morning, 9 a.m. arrived, but Armando did not. I waited until after 10 a.m. and sent a text to ask if he'd received my payment last Friday.

Come 11 a.m., I get a text from him stating ""I will text you back"".

I texted him back with a message informing him that I was not happy with his service.

He texted back that he was at the hospital emergency room, because his child was fell off a bunk bed.

If he had an emergency, he could've easily texted that he won't make it at 9 a.m, or even at 10 a.m., but instead, at 11 a.m., two hours past schedule, he texted that he would, ""text back later"", and then, only after, I expressed my dissatisfaction, he... 'was at the hospital'.

It occurred to me, that he did not appreciate, nor care about my job. I texted him that I wanted to cancel our agreement, and to please, refund my deposit.

He texted back ""no refund policy as stated in the invoice"". I looked on the invoice, and there is no such language. We went back and forth, with him trying to keep my deposit however he could. He stated that he purchased materials with the deposit. I told him to just give me the materials. He didn't respond.

I grew more and more suspicious that So Cal Leak hadn't even detected the leak, which was the sole purpose for me calling him, in the first place.

I hired another company. This other company took a while longer to get to me, but I appreciated the fact that they didn't double book their appointments. This serviceman was prompt; no, he was actually early, and was waiting in his car until 8:30 a.m., our scheduled appointment.

This other service provider searched my property for several hours and detected the leak (for less than what Armando charged). They let me hear what they detected; told me ""THIS is your leak!""; they came back the next day, at promptly, the scheduled time and fixed my problem. My water meter no longer flies off the chart.

(I will be doing a review of this excellent company soon)

It had NOTHING to do with any of the issues Armando from So Cal Leak tried to bamboozle me into paying him for! And by the way, I had my skimmer throat checked and, albeit, it is old, there is NOTHING wrong with it!

I asked my pool man if he noticed significant water loss, and he said 'no', but Armando tried to make it sound like the pool man implied that my pool has a LOT of water loss.

Armando, has NO RIGHT to keep my $1500, yet, for some crazy reason, he feels that he has the right to. His diagnosis of my leak was completely incorrect, and doesn't even deserve the $500 detection fee.