H Jack’s Plumbing & Heating Co

Thanks AGAIN to TJ’s for getting the shower to work that was installed by HJack’s last June. After seven months we are looking forward to using it for the FIRST time. Working with HJack’s was impossible and going to a different plumber to fix their errors should speak volumes.

Requested a quote to install bathroom fixtures (clawfoot tub, pedestal sink, standard toilet) in a bathroom I was updating in our home in Fredonia, NY. I wanted them to come and look before we put the floor & wall tile up, so if there were any issues present we could address them prior to that. I should also mention that I told them I was on a time line, scheduled to leave town at the end of the month.
They came within a day or two, looked around, quickly gave me a verbal estimate of $ 500 (seemed high, but what do I know about plumbing?). Then Jim told me that the tub drain probably did not have a trap in it and that should be checked. Why they didn’t check it then, I don’t know.
He marked the floor where the tiler should not tile, and they would deal with the drain after the tile was in. That didn’t seem right, but again, I’m not a plumber, so I went with what he said. Jim gave me his card, told me to call him direct.
I spoke to the tiler over the weekend, he said he’s not putting the floor in until the plumber does his thing.
Monday, I call Jim to get the drain checked and fixed if needed. In theory, I assumed that they were going to cut the floor, look, and fix it if it needed fixed. Tuesday morning, no show. I call. Jim apologizes, says he’s delayed, will be there in a couple hours. No show.
I call Wednesday morning. He gives me a time he will be here. No show. I call him direct, he says he will be there in the afternoon. No show.
I call Thursday, he gives me a time, and again doesn’t show up. I call him direct, leave a message. No show. No reply.
His explanation for the no shows is that it’s hot and they are dealing with HVAC issues. He apologizes. And this is why I didn’t get upset the first 4 times he blew us off. Now I’m a week behind on this bathroom.
Friday morning, I call the local number for the H Jack office direct and explain the problem. They say somebody will be there at 10 a.m. Jim shows up at 10, walks in with a small case, a camera to scope the drain. He scopes and says there is no trap, but it is an easy fix. I say, «fix it». He says Monday morning. My husband expressed our frustration with this being delayed further. Jim said he guaranteed somebody would be there Monday morning. We asked him what we owed for the «scoping» he said nothing.
Monday morning two guys show up, and have the job done within 45 minutes. Then I am handed a bill for $ 306 for 45 minutes of work on an «easy fix». After the initial shock, I asked the guy what the hourly rate was and why the bill was so high. He said there was «2 hours of drive time.» I’m confused about that because I called a local Fredonia number to get these people. He said that he drove from Jamestown (a 35 minute drive). I ask to speak to his boss. He says Jim is his boss.
I call Jim directly. No answer. I call the same local number for their office, and I clearly explain the problem. I’m told Jim will call me right back. He does, I pressed him about why the charge was so high, he said it was not an hourly job, it was their standard flat rate charge. I told him his employee had stated I was paying for two hours drive time. Jim said that is not true, that I was being charged a standard flat rate for the job. I asked to see proof in print this was the standard pricing. He said he couldn’t do that. I asked why a job less than hour should be over $ 300? No response. I stated I wasn’t paying that much and they should take the trap out and leave. There was some more back and forth and he agreed to reduce the charge to about $ 150 — or more than $ 75 per hour, per guy, for a job that required minor work and no heavy lifting or moving.
To be clear: I have checked their website, there are no stated charges, flat rate or hourly or price list. I was never given a price sheet. Agreed I should have got an estimate before they showed up, but when I was told it was an «easy fix» I assumed easy = not a lot of money.