C B Hodgson Plumbing & Mechanical

I hired these guys because I wanted to support a local family run business with a history in the community. What I got was a slow job, an incomplete permit, and billed for twice as much as agreed.
This company is run by two brothers whose father or grandfather started the business. It seems like one does the plumbing and the other the finances.
The job the gas fitter brother did was ok but, let’s face it, it’s not brain surgery. I should have probably done it myself.
I asked their rate before they came and agreed on an hourly amount. I asked and was told there were no other charges. The fitter spent 4 ½ hours for a job that should have taken no more than 3. He spent a long time complaining about immigrants. We had to kick him out after 2 hours of inspecting on the first day. The second day we pretended to be busy so he would get to work.
When I got the bill I was surprised to see it was for 8 ½ hours plus $ 75 for 7 feet of pipe, 139 for a permit (expected), and 35 for a ‘truck fee’. When I asked what the extra hours were for they told me it was for transport to pick up the pipe (which they sell at Rona across the street from my house). 4 hours could have gotten them to Hope and back. Their office is 2.7 kms from my house.
When asked for a correction in the invoice the ‘office’ brother got angry and asked me who I thought I was. I told him I was the customer but he didn’t seem to care.
When the city inspector came he told me they hadn’t filed all the paperwork either.
Totally unacceptable and a shame for the community to have this type of business around.