Raffi P J Plumbing & Heating

Five stars for enforcing the highest standards on other tradesman …
While I typically like to wait till work is done to make sure it’s fair and balanced, I feel this job has truly earned an almost-​there review.
Raffi Plumbing has the permit for plumbing work done to my home. Accordingly, I am a bit over barrel.
In no special order, here are my top 11, you-just-can’t-make-this-stuff-up things that have happened so far.
1. Plumber accuses electrician of stealing a water meter as well as other scrap metal. Water meter found in fireplace. Scrap metal was actually stolen by other guys on the job.
2. Plumber and electrician continue to spar till it eventually erupts into threat of violence /​bodily harm. Cabinet installers (who are outstanding) consider leaving premises and calling 911. Get a call at work and have to leave my desk, drive over and see what is going on.
3. Plumber installs shower pan in bathroom that is not level. Not even close. Says it was the framer’s job to get floor level and assumed it was. Confirms he did not check /​level before installing. Asks if tiler can just go ahead and level it; says tiler can do this, no problem, but actually wasn’t possible so tiler had to be cut and install crooked tiles to accommodate the not-​so-​level shower pan.
4. Plumber upset because landscaper hooked up sprinkler system, connecting to outside pipes.
5. Plumber installs toilet #1 but it’s not secure and wobbles all over the place. Plumber never acknowledged with was a problem.
6. Plumber installs toilet #2 but it leaks all over the floor and water has to be shut off to prevent damage; toilet stays turned off for 6+ weeks. Plumber never acknowledged this was a problem.
7. Plumber installs toilet #3 but it also leaks all over the floor and water has to be shut off to prevent extensive damage. Plumber never acknowledged this was a problem.
8. Plumber informs owner (that’s me), if supplies are not bought from his supplier (Peabody Supply in Andover — see my review!), he will «not warranty work.» Stunned and not sure I heard correctly and sks clarification on this — plumber clearly restates position. Then, asked «even if Kohler» from another supplier and he said yes, could not warranty his work if not from his supplier. This, I believe, officially qualifies as «shake-​down.» This also leaves me wondering, might this be the reason why my toilets are not installed correctly? Plumber denied this every happened. Selective memory.
9. Plumber threw up more roadblocks because I ordered a custom-​made sink, as recommended by my kitchen designer (who is excellent). Anyway, plumber says it isn’t certified in Mass, whatever the heck that means. Brings this to the attention of the town and the state (and perhaps maybe even god) and creates all sorts of churn. Meanwhile, I am perfectly willing to do the right thing and go through a fee-​based variance process as recommended by the state. But plan immediately apart and the plumber chooses to instead press to have the sink tested (time-​consuming and cost-​prohibitive for a small business — and not what the state recommended when called). So, manufactured back-​up sink must be ordered from Lowe’s at twice the cost and half the like. May or may not work. Still not in yet. Counter fabrication put on hold. Templating may have to be redone. You know the drill.
10. Meanwhile, plumber again suggests that the certified white replacement for my custom sink, be bought through his supplier. He also said cost should not be a problem given all money that was spent on fixtures for bathrooms but kitchen would really be highly used. Is this shake-​down part two? You be the judge.
11. Plumber set a shower pan and toilet in the basement so as not to accommodate a 36″ vanity. This was ordered back in March and was available as a point of reference. Plumber said he’s not responsible for this not fitting despite being shown this vanity multiple times. Said it was the general contractor’s and my fault. Said doesn’t know anything about framing but maybe could have been addressed that way too. Again, no accountability.
I would be remiss if I did not mention we do have something we agree on –way too much money was indeed spent buying Kohler (which meant engaging with supplier and ensuring that little kick-​back!). There’s truly nothing like the «Bold Price of Kohler.»
In summary, here’s who has been held to the highest standards: the electrician (who can admittedly be challenging), the framer (who is IMHO outstanding), the tiler (who is IMHO outstanding), the landscaper (who is IMHO outstanding) and the home owner (who is out of patience). Guess who has not been held to the highest standards? This guy is accountable for NOTHING.
This ended much like it transpired. This guy is nothing but a hostile hack.
p. s. By old fashioned plumbing do you mean outhouse?
FOR REFERENCE: Definition of shake down is «coercion or intimidation for personal