Universal Plumbing and Sewer

Mike S.

My wife and I had them out to replace part of our sewer line. Initially we were very happy with them. However, after digging out the line and replacing it instead of mounding the dirt as they should have a large majority of it was spread across our yard. I showed pictures of the completed work to multiple plumbing/sewer line companies (to give full disclosure I work in an industry where we refer/have access to a large number of contractors and the people I showed the ""completed"" work to I also have professional relationships with...which I would have probably gone with a different company initially anyway, but my wife set the original appointment up with Universal) and NOT ONE person who looked at the final photos did NOT say...""you're gonna have a problem.""

Multiple times both myself and my wife reached out to this company regarding the work not being completed properly (and as initially discussed with the onsite staff---we were told to expect to have an 18""-36"" mound over the area of ground where the pipe had been excavated). Every response given was that we would not have an issue with ground settling due to it being sand...while LESS than three weeks later we are already having areas directly over where the trench was dug that have sunk down close to 12"".

Additionally, while filling the trench in after attaching the sewer line the onsite staff apparently felt it was ok to throw the pieces of cut/unused pvc piping into the trench as it was being filled in rather than disposing of it properly, which to my shame I said nothing about at the time although I was unhappy about it, but I was afraid of ticking off the people who were fixing my problem. In my correspondence with Universal I did mention this issue as well and it was wholly ignored.

While Universal has repeatedly stated to both myself and my wife that there would be no settling, they did say...but if there was, they would be happy to bring dirt out to us to replace the dirt they did not put back into place...for an additional fee!

At this point I am FAR less concerned regarding the work not being completed in a satisfactory manner than I am with their disregard to a customer's genuine concern regarding a potential issue (which has already been borne out).

I am thankful I have never recommended this company to any of my clients.

Sharon C.

I am updating my review. I was able to speak with Universal about the Energy Star and why I was sold a lesser product. The Office Manager called me and read me some things she had googled on the internet about the extra cost involved in an Energy Star vs and energy efficient may not be worth it. She did offer to replace our water heater with an Energy Star for $350. So I did some self research and found a program that would tell me just how much energy and $ we would save per year by upgrading. It seems for the 2 of us, it would save $22 per year. If the heater lasted 10 years that would be $220. If Consumer gave us a $50 rebate, we would have been out $80 unless our heater ran for 13 - 14 years...it would be break even. So we are keeping what was sold. The reason I gave 4, not 5 was because I felt this conversation should have happened before heater was installed...not after, since I asked for an Energy Star. They took it upon themselves to give me a lower priced heater because they felt it was in my best interest. I like to make my own decisions or at least be informed. I was able to provide the program to Universal to use for others who have this same question.

Cheryl M.

11/23/2018: Once again, Mark solved a plumbing problem for me, this time in my laundry room. I needed more space for a new washer and dryer. Mark assessed the problem, explained a couple of possible solutions, and gave me a price quote for each. I chose the less costly solution, and it turned out great.
Mark moved my laundry tub (new tub and fixtures) six inches over to the side wall, which solved the space issue.
As always, he did a great job and went the extra mile to correct the main problem, along with another small leak nearby. I really appreciate his attention to detail.
He's always on time, explains things clearly, performs work thoroughly, and cleans up the area before leaving. Mark is a real pro!

Zach P.

Had Universal Plumbing out in early September to unclog one of our waste lines which regularly clogs up. We have had a few companies come out to unclog the line as the line has a permanent problem and needs to be ripped up and replaced so it clogs about every 9 months or so. I gave Universal a chance as I wanted to find a new company which offered emergency off-hour services in case the problem came up on a weekend or holiday.

So to start, I called up and talked to a woman on the phone and she told me it would be a base cost of $250 to have somebody come out on Saturday for the service and since my clean out was in my crawlspace, they would have to give me a quote for the extra costs due to it being in a crawlspace when they arrived. So I had them come out on a Saturday morning to fix it. The guy arrives and tells me it will be an extra $150 due to it being in a crawlspace. I tell him that I would need to think about it with the cost being so high as I have never paid more than $300 total for this line to be snaked. Then I find out the $250 service call price is due whether I have him do the service or not, so I am basically forced to pay them the total $400 to snake the line or be out the $250 completely.

So the guy gets to work and is just complaining the whole time doing it, how this is BS that he has to do a project like this and how he is putting his life on the line snaking my pipe because of the access to the clean out and just how my house is not up to code because I should have the clean-out in a different spot. I'm sorry that my house is 60 years old and was built to code back in the day but doesn't meet today's code? I tell the guy that this is why I told the woman over the phone that this was a two man job, not for a single guy, and asked why if this was such a burden for him and putting his life on the line, why did he quote the extra work saying he could do it. The guy just keeps complaining the whole time he snakes my line.

When he first starts too, he un-screws the cap for the clean-out and I tell him that the line is going to be completely full of waste because the line is blocked, he unscrews the clean-out and lets the waste pour right into my crawlspace! Any other company I have used has always put a bucket down to catch the waste, nope he just lets it drain right into my crawlspace which is under my family room. I had to spend my own time after he left, digging out all the contaminated sand from the waste and throwing it out.

So the guy finally gets done, he doesn't clean up any of his mess. Doesn't wipe off the black grease which splattered onto the walls or the side of my washer and dryer from when he was reeling the snake back in, and plus his snake line was all rusty so it left this rusted dust all over my laundry room floor which the guy just leaves.

So I pay the guy and he leaves and I figure ""Well that was the worst plumber I have had in my home but at least I'm good now through the holidays since I get about 9 months between snakings"". Well last night, I hear the familiar gurgling of my toilet of air being forced out of the bowl, the tell tale sign that the line has clogged back up meaning the guy did a crap job at snaking it since it only lasted for 2 months. I look online at their website and they only give a 30 day warranty on services whereas every other company I have used give a 90 day warranty. So now I have to get it snaked again, and believe me that I will NOT be calling Universal back for this snaking, or the extra work that I had them quote me while the guy was there for work to the line to make it easier to snake it in the future until we end up replacing the line. This was the worst experience I have ever had with any professional service of any type being done in my home.

Sonja T.

Charged us over $200 for a simple toilet valve repair. Charged $69 for diagnostics on top of $39 service call. Beware senior citizens or those less knowledgeable about plumbing. I gave 2 stars because the problem is fixed (so far) but they will take advantage of you.

E T.

Ran all over looking for a 30 dollar part to fix a $200 faucet. Eric fixed the aerator on the spot and saved me $25. Thanks for the fantastic service.

Amanda H.

Joey H did an amazing job! He was very professional and even fixed what other plumbers had done wrong previously and explained things to us as he went along. Great company if you have a plumbing emergency!

Kathy A.

Called them for black particles in my water. He took off the sprayer (that was his diagnostic review) and cleaned it out and it took about 5 minutes, then he wrote up his bill which took 10 minutes and charged me $108 and laughed about it.

Apu D.

I would give them negative star if possible. Be aware of this company in terms of money they take from people. I did a leaky faucet repair which only needed 2 minutes to fix and they charge me $250. All they do is change the cartidge which i was close to finish by myself except 1 mistake that i didn't buy the spring and washer. Too bad that this type of company exploit people at big time!

Cheri M.

Wonderful experience! They were able to come to my home within a 24 hour period. The tech, I believe his name was Billy, was professional and courteous. He also explained things well. He was able to fix the problem quickly. I would not hesitate to use them again or recommend Universal!!