Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Waited 12 hours for a $500 bill they said 45 minutes

On May 14, 2020 Benjamin Franklin Plumbing came to my house to check the sump pump. I was not at home when they arrived but my wife was. My wife was provided an estimate of $129 from Herbert G which she signed. Shortly after this, while Herb was still working I arrived home so my wife could go to a meeting and I could be there while the work was done. When the work was completed I was given a bill for $305. I was shocked at the price but assumed that my wife signed an estimate so there's nothing I could do. I later found out that she did not authorize this $305 estimate, only the $129 estimate. Benjamin Franklin later sent an email with a copy of the invoice, photos of the work and a copy of the estimate. The estimate was not the $129 estimate that my wife signed. Rather it was one for $305 signed by "" (I'm *** and I did not sign that estimate nor did anyone in my home). So the only logical conclusion I can come up with is that Herb forged my initials. Frankly I'm shocked as I've used BF a few times before and never had an issue. At this point I'm not even confident that Herb checked the sump pump. It's odd that Herb took pictures of the sump pump cover, toilet, outlet, etc, but no pictures of the sump hatch open or the pump itself. Regardless of whether or not he in fact did the work, my initials were forged and I am very upset about this. I would not have signed off on $305 for such a small job.

Jeremiah was extremely professional, knowledgable and friendly. Will request him for any future plumbing work. Very good service.

Jeremiah was great thursday night. Professional kind and knowledgeable. So grateful he was able to stop the leak! No more waterfall in the basement from the kitchen sink yay!
I highly suggest Jeremiah!!!!

Jeremiah was knowledgeable and very helpful. A pleasure to work with.

Water heater wouldn't start after annual servicing. Jeremiah was called in to assist. He had it on and heating in a couple of minutes. Due to his broad experience, he knew to check the reset button (not descibed inthe unit's manual). Jeremiah was very professional, and obviously very knowledgeable, and friendly. I recommend him to anyone needing plumbing help.

terrible dishonest ...do not calll these guys unless u want to be scammed

Excellent rep for the company. Very professional and explained the problem and the method he would use to fix it. Great job and I highly recommend this company.

Jeremiah Sanchez installed our new toilet and hauled off the old. Did a very hood job.

Called plumber for a main line cleanout, plumber used 100foot snake to get water to drain. Water drained once, plumber assumed job was done and left. Next day same problem, 3 days later I called back for their '67' day warranty/gaurantee. Scheduled with phone representative and got 0 follow up from phone rep or plumber. Had raw sewage backing up into house for another day or 2, so I called another contractor to fix problem.

I paid to have a camera inspection of my main sewage line. I was told that I would receive my copy via an email. I called and asked for them to send it to me. I left a message with the service technician to do so and never heard back from them. For as large of a company as they are they should be more professional and have follow through on what is stated especially if a customer is paying to the service.

Extraordinarily over priced!!! I got the work done for 1/3rd what they quoted. Very unethical pricing.

In June of this year, 2018 I called Loveland offices and corporate offices about our water heater that Benjamin Franklin installed 4 years ago. The persons on the phone said they would get back with me after they spoke with the technician. I wanted to know about the guarantee on the water heater. After multiple calls, Benjamin Franklin Loveland office and Corporate, the Loveland office referred us to the water heater company, ***.
This company is not helpful, overpriced and does not stand by their services or products.

Was charged over $750 in labor and they where at my house about 40 mins. Never showed up the day they where supposed too. Have requested an owner or manager call me two times and have never heard from them. Have not even mentioned how I was lied to numerous times. More details to follow.

Had a visit from Diego from the Fort Collins Office. Would like to say he was very helpful and made me feel at ease with his work ethic. Would highly recommend benjamin franklin plumbing to all my friends and family.

November 15, 2017, we had Ben Franklin Plumbing come into our home as the sewer line pipe broke. It was one of the worst decisions we have ever made. Since it was a week before Thanksgiving and we had an emergency in the family, we did not shop around. What a mistake! It is one thing to spend $27,000 and have a good job done; however, it was like a nightmare/slap-in-the face for a bad job done for $27,000. The sewer project started 11/20/17 and was not completed until 2/2/18. The toilet was too far from the wall and unlevel, and the concrete in the basement was unlevel. The toilet had to be redone THREE times. Actually an outside company they hired did it correctly. The concrete in the basement also had to be re-done by an outside company. There were plumbing lines that were never connected to the main line. We were told by Ben Franklin that they would like the technician to re-do what he did wrong as he had to learn from his mistakes! Really! Our home is not a teaching job!!! We asked for an itemized list from the owner and he stated that he does not do itemized list of his work. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!!! IF I COULD NOT GIVE THIS COMPANY A STAR I WOULD NOT EVEN GIVE THEM ONE STAR.

I contacted this company for a quote on replacing a water heater. They came to the house and quoted my husband. He initially agreed to the work and signed an estimate. Once he told me the price I told him to call and cancel the service immediately. He called and cancelled. Later that day my credit card was charged $2490 for work that never happened. I contacted BF and asked why my card was charged for work that was never started and cancelled same day. they told me a credit is on the way for approximately $2,100 as they are charging us 15% restocking or cancellation fee and a service plan. I asked to see the signed contract and discovered there is nothing on it regarding this fee.

They were paid $523 to clear a sewer line with a rotter rotter with a 1 year warranty. It backed up again within 30 days. We called them to come back and uphold the warranty. When they came back, they came with a camera and would not rooter root it. They tried to scam us and tell us our sewer lined had failed and we needed to pay $32k for a complete new sewer line right then and there! They would not rotor root it.

We had another plumbers come out with cameras to see about replacing the line. They said we did not have a failure. It just needed roots cleaned out. We called back Benjamin Franklin and asked them again to rooter root it. They would not.

We paid another $250 for a plumber to come and rooter root it and it is fixed now.

We had a sewer backup and called Benjamin Franklin to clean out some roots in the line. They came out with equipment and rooted the line and charged us $500, with a guarantee. 30 days later it backed up again, so we called them out and Alan told us that the line was crushed, there was nothing he could do, and that it would be a $32,000 sewer line repair. He would not even put the rooter down the line to re-clear it unless we signed the contract right then and there to pay them $32,000 to repair it.
Needless to say we were absolutely floored, and called for a second opinion. Sure enough, we called *** which is a very reputable Front Range plumber. He drove all the way up, scoped the line and said 'There's nothing wrong with that line, it just didn't get cleaned out the first time.' He did that for FREE. *** doesn't do rooting, but the guy was nice enough to make a referral to a local, reputable firm. We paid this firm $250 to come back up and clear out the lines, and it is perfectly fine now. Even after going back to Benjamin Frankling with what the other company discovered, they still held their ground that the line needs to be replaced.
Needless to say - we have reported Benjamin Franklin to the Revdex.com; we absolutely do not recommend that company of scheisters; and karma is going to get them.

On July 24th, 2017 our basement was starting to have ground water come in through a drain in the floor. We managed to keep the basement from flooding throughout the night before calling Benjamin Franklin for a bid the following morning, July 25th. Three different BF employees were sent to our home. After looking at several potential plumbing issues, the first two individuals stated that a third BF employee, who specialized in underground water issues would be coming out in an hour or two. The third person arrived later that afternoon. He recommended a French drain be installed from the drain to an existing sub pump pit which served an existing perimeter French drain system. Although we were concerned with the price we believed the estimator when he assured us that an additional French drain system and new sub pump would resolve the issues. After explaining that we had a family celebration planned in two days and were planning on leaving, he further assured us the job would be completed in a day. After much discussion and several questions on our part, including challenging the $10,000 proposed estimate , we signed a contract (and paid in full ) with a start date beginning the following morning at 8 a.m. That evening we again spent the night pumping water from our basement in order to avoid flooding. Expecting an 8:00 arrival of we were concerned that by 9 a.m. when no one from BF had arrived. We called the office at 9 and were told they were unaware of an 8 start time. After two nights of pumping water, we continued to keep our basement from flooding. Exhausted, we were frustrated with BF, but again believed that their work would resolve the issue. Later that morning, two BF employees arrived. After looking at the work in the basement, they both stated they had never done this work before. When asked if they were plumbers or had ever done a French drain, they both responded they were excavators and had never done a french drain, and never worked in conditions with incoming water. They proceeded to jackhammer the basement floor where the channel for the new drain was planned. At that point we were concerned with the employees' experience and called the original estimator. He arrived late that morning. We shared our concerns ( late start, lack of experience) and asked for the qualifications of the two workers. He explained that the office was at fault for the late arrival and that he could not understand why they stated they were not plumbers. We went to the basement to examine the work in progress. At this point, the floor had concrete and mud removed. Piles of mud surrounded the area, with muddy water leaking across the floor. At the drain area a considerable amount of water was coming in. We stated that we had spent two days and nights pumping and wet vacuuming the water in order to avoid flooding and damage to our basement. They assured us that they were also controlling the incoming water.We also offered to move furniture and exercise equipment from the area. We had moved much of our belongings the night before, but were told there was no need for any additional moving of our property.
The estimator left and the two workers continued their work. Late that afternoon, at approximately 3:30 the workers said they would be leaving for the day. We were very surprised since we signed the contract primarily based on the one day time frame. We went to the basement with the workers and saw that there was a great deal of water filling the newly created channel. It was obvious that the water would soon over flow the edges of the channel and begin flooding the basement. The existing sub pump was working, but could not keep up with the incoming water. We called the cell phone of the estimator, who had earlier given the number to us, assuring us to call him anytime, day or night if we needed assistance. When we called we explained the water had dramatically increased and our basement would flood. We asked for additional pumps. He asked to put one of the workers on the phone. After briefly speaking with the estimator, the worker hung up and said he was told to go to the warehouse to look for a pump and if he could not find one at the warehouse he was to go shopping and purchase one. The other worker remained behind. We stayed in the basement with the worker for the next two hours using a small pump of our own, our shop vac and the existing sub pump to control the incoming water. The first worker returned with a new pump, apologizing for taking so long, explaining that he had to wait at the store for approval from central office to complete the purchase. He dropped the pump into the pit and they left shortly after. Again, that evening we alternated staying up to check on the pumps throughout the night.
The next morning the two "excavators" arrived, stating they would be leaving to buy some cement later that day to cover the french drain channel. Concerned that the channel was still full of water we decided to call the Benjamin Franklin Office and ask to speak with an owner. We were told the owner was unavailable. Again, we were very frustrated, tired and concerned. we were told that someone would call us back. One of the project managers called us and after a series of calls we were told someone would be coming to our house later that morning. At 11:30 two employees who identified themselves as a manager, and a master level plumber and part owner of company. We all entered the basement to inspect the work. After only a few minutes, the person who identified himself as master plumber and part owner of the company said, "We have failed you terribly. This is a real *** show. " He then proceeded to lay out a plan of correction starting with hiring a restoration company to remove the piles of mud , clean the area, build plastic walls around the area to prevent further damage and hire someone to cut the cement for a channel. We stated that our property had some damages due to the weeping mud piles, especially a treadmill that had mud piled against it. He stated that he would take care of it. Within an hour the restoration company arrived and the mud was removed. Restoration company also covered stairs in plastic, installed a plastic surround around work area and a plastic zipper door at bottom of stairs. Later that day a plumber arrived to install the new sub pump with a back up battery.
August 1: *** arrives on to cut cement channel.
August 3rd: BF plumber comes in late morning out to put pea gravel and new drainage pipe in channel. Makes note that also cleaned sediment from pit.
August 3: We leave home in early afternoon for Denver. Arrive home at 10:30 p.m. and check on basement. Pump and back up pump both failed and basement is flooding. Call BF emergency line. We work on pump system, rebooting and get it to work. Drop our sub pump in pit and start using shop vac. water is throughout basement. BF plumber who was there earlier in day calls and we tell him we now have it working no need to make call in middle of night now. Restoration Company calls and says they were called by BF to come out. We tell them at this point it is middle of night, damage is done and we will call first thing in morning to get furniture and carpet out.
August 4: Call restoration company. They arrive and ask for credit card, stating that BF is refusing to cover. Call BF and are told they need to talk with us. Will come out later that morning. Mid morning two BF "managers" arrive, one is on crutches and cannot go to basement so one inspects basement. After our inspection of basement sit at patio table and talk. BF employees initially tell us they are no longer responsible. BF discuss need for new pump that will grind sediment and gravel. Agree to install new pump and send restoration company back out. Also, agree that waiting until channel dries before concrete is installed. We agree to call BF when ready for concrete.

Restoration company arrives and removes some of the soaked carpet and some of furniture. Ask to remove more of furniture but state its too heavy. Installs several fans, and two dehumidifiers in basement. Will return on Monday, August 7 to check.
August 7: *** from ***'s Concrete called to say he was on way out to pour concrete. Told him we had agreed with BF that we would call BF when area had dried out and was ready for concrete.
September 25: Call to BF to schedule concrete. Left message with Jason. No return phone calls
September 26 :all to BF to again ask for concrete. Ask to speak with Rob, Robert or Dave. No return call
September 27 :Call to BF. I stated that this is third day of calling to schedule concrete and no has returned call. Also stated that after three days of calling without a return call I may need to file with Revdex.com and may need legal counsel. Was assured that would not be necessary and there would be return call today.