Four Seasons Plumbing (FSP) has come to my house four times. After the first experience, I was not inclined to give higher than a three-star rating. Had It not been for Kayla's involvement in that experience, I would not have even recommended two stars.
The first FSP plumbing professional was a quiet, respectful, personable individual. He did the the most of the tasks I had desired: moved my clothes washer and dryer from the first floor location to the basement (which was their original location.) He re-plumbed the washer in the new location, and placed the dryer vent through the original opening. The the other tasks I requested included the re-configuration plumbing for a single-basin kitchen sink, (no disposal or other additions) and, lastly, replaced an existing shower valve with one having a pressure balancing capability. The only equipment I was asked to purchase was the replacement pressure-balance shower valve. Moving the washer/dryer went smoothly, and he re-figured the plumbing under the sink so that it was almost perfectly positioned for receiving the new sink and faucet. My only two complaints with this job involved the price to install the shower valve, which I thought was more than it should have cost, and, secondly, the confusion I experienced concerning the cost estimate for the entire job.
Here's my experience with the first FSP plumber: the plumber said I needed a Moen valve, and would also need to get a Moen shower faucet trim set, as the Moen valve would not fit the existing Delta shower faucet trim set. He sent me to Hajoca Plumbing for these parts.The cost to me for the Moen valve and single-handle shower faucet trim from Hajoca was $210.00 (I later learned that Home Depot offered the same Shower Faucet Trim Kit - with Valve Included - for $170.00). That was hard to take.
During the installation of the valve, a "crimp" he had installed failed, and water spewed into the space between the joists behind the shower enclosure until I could get to the house water supply valve and turn it off, which so discouraged the first plumber, he felt it was better for him to go home and return the following day to finish. I thought this was probably the best for his moral, since this happened near the end of the day, as well.
After he had left, I began to fear I had completely misunderstood the estimate he had given me. Initially, I was under the impression that I would pay only for those tasks on the estimate which were actually performed by the plumber. I subsequently learned I was to pay for every task listed whether or not it was done. I also assumed that if a new part included in the estimate was not installed or provided, that cost would be eliminated from the estimate, as well. Believing this, and in an effort to keep costs to a minimum, I had pitched in with the chores and offered equipment I had on hand from the old washer/dryer in lieu of new equipment. To lessen his work load, I chipped off the decorative rock and removed the Delta faucet trim within the shower enclosure, removed the shelving in the closet which provided an access opening in the sheet rock behind the plumbing for the shower, cut a hole to reveal the plumbing around the existing valve (the plumber enlarged), repaired the access opening and re-installed the closet shelving after the valve installation was complete, and cleaned up all work areas after the day was ended.
Then, I learned I was paying the full $3990.00 quote instead of the reduced price I was expecting. FSB heard from me again.
On his second visit the fallowing day, the plumber tried to explain the estimate/invoice to me. However, I still did not understand. Nevertheless, he completed the valve installation and I paid in full as he asked.
Now, THIS is why I am recommending the maximum 5-star rating for Four Seasons Plumbing: Subsequent to my calls to FSP in my attempts to get some reasonable explanation as to why I had to pay so much, a second plumber, Eric, came to my house within a couple of days. Eric assessed everything that had been done, and drove to Lowe's to purchased some items that he needed to rearrange the location of the washer and dryer to a more aesthetically pleasing configuration. He reset the dryer vent, advised me on ways to enhance plumbing under the sink to better ease the installation process, and listened patiently to every issue I had on my mind. While he did not address why I had to pay for items and tasks on the estimate that were not provided, he worked for over two hours, and charged me nothing. He was so competent, cheerful and accommodating, I even offered to pay him, but he would not hear of it.
I then had a second reason to call FSP: there had been a gas leak discovered in my Rheem tankless water heater. The original installers were incapable of fixing the leak, so, because my experience with Eric was so positive, I again called on FSP to help me.
In response, FSP sent a third plumber, Richard. Richard assessed the problem, coordinated with the Rheem manufacturer technicians, identified both problem and the solution, and was poised to repair the unit, until the Rheem technician, from information Richard gave them, determined that the unit was improperly installed by the original installers. Rheem refuses to provide any replacement parts until the unit is properly installed.
It seemed fair that I should give the original installers the opportunity to correct the installation, so did not ask Richard to fix it on that day. However, Richard demonstrated such a conscientious resolve and competence in his field of expertise, I ask that he returns (once the Rheem people see fit to sending the replacement parts required) to repair the unit.
Kayla was the key to getting the right information to the right persons (while showing patience and an amazing ability to sort through all the verbiage I heaped upon her in my anguished calls for help), and to pinpoint what and who I needed. I see only success, here.
