No Stars. I used Southwest Plumbing about four years ago to replace part of a galvanized pipe that had clogged up so badly that water barely trickled out. They also replaced an outside water bib... More

No Stars. I used Southwest Plumbing about four years ago to replace part of a galvanized pipe that had clogged up so badly that water barely trickled out. They also replaced an outside water bib for the faucet, and installed a new kitchen faucet. We had them come out on a Saturday, and two guys showed up to do the work. We were given an estimate of $695 or so and were sold on the flat fee part as we were not sure of how long or how serious the clogged pipe was. When they finished up only after 1.5 hours I was floored. Even with two guys that's $200 plus an hour! Materials were less than $20. With tax the bill came to be in the mid 700 dollar range - and this was four years ago. Their reasoning is always "in case it takes two days to do the job then you don't pay more". That's B.S. I now know not to use flat fee billing companies - always ask if they bill for Time and Materials (T&M). In retrospect after having done more repairs and used other plumbers and subs since then, I still get steamed when I see their ads on the back of buses, etc. Almost all good "real" plumbers will tell you to avoid Southwest, Beacon, and Gene Johnson. These people prey on less knowledgeble people and give real plumbers a bad name.
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They do not rate the 1 star I had to give! We now know why they are not a member of the Better Business Bureau. Check it out; http://www.thebbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=515794 This company... More

They do not rate the 1 star I had to give! We now know why they are not a member of the Better Business Bureau. Check it out; http://www.thebbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=515794 This company installed a new shower valve, which I furnished, in an open wall I was having retiled. They did not even have to open up the wall to get to the pipes. When the tile man returned after the plumber left, he was stunned at what they had charged me. If he had been here, I would have known the charge for the work was out of line. Since I am not familiar with the cost of a plumber, I stupidly signed a contract with them for a charge of 753.28 +67.04 tax, total of 820.32, for a little over 1 hrs work, the only supplies they furnished was a piece of 4" pipe for the faucet, the new valve they installed came with the faucet I had already purchased. I was informed that if I did not use them I would be charged a 39.95+tx dispatch fee just to look at the job. They do advertise " no travel charge" but a dispatch charge must be different. So, in good faith, I paid them by check, since I didn't know what a reasonable charge should have been. When I called them regarding this inflated charge, they informed me that was the price and I signed a contract and was told the price in advance. If I stopped payment on the check they would put a lien on my home. He basically told me to "poke it". This return call only came after leaving several messages over 2 days, then finally I left the message I was going to stop pay my check. He called 15 minutes later. My husband was out of town at the time and he is the one that deals with these situations...needless to say when he got home, he was angry.(putting it mildly) Another senior citizen ripoff!? After the fact...I called several reputable companies and found that the job should have been about 150.00-250.00 on the high end, for one and one half hours work. I realize they do give the price up front, but when dealing with women and senior citizens, they have to know that these are the people that have no idea what a repair charge should be and are trusting that a large well known company in the area will not take advantage of their ignorance. Wrong!! These are the ones they do take advantage of. I am sure if the tile man or my husband was here, the price would have been different. Personally, it would be worth the 820.00 to me, to have a story put out about this rip off companies charging practice. I think the Seattle area needs to know how they operate. When I questioned the tech about the price, he informed me they had a flat charge, not an hourly rate to "save the customer money" the entire back cover of my phonebook is their ad stating the same. They also advertise a senior discount which I did not receive. I saw that after the fact, but the plumber didn't even ask. My husband asked if I got a kiss afterward!! NO I DID NOT!!!
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DON'T!

DON'T!
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I called yesterday at around 4 o'clock; the operator asked me: our address, phone number, what our business's name, what intersection, what we right by etc.. In addition, I told her my noticeable... More

I called yesterday at around 4 o'clock; the operator asked me: our address, phone number, what our business's name, what intersection, what we right by etc.. In addition, I told her my noticeable sign etc. And repeatedly, I told her that I what them to come in to only investigate and estimate on the first step. Actually this, woman quit nice, she explain how their company works, they would work by the task not by the hours. I agreed with her and the dispatch cost. Soon, after a small held, she told me that she is going to dispatch someone to my place between 5:pm-7:00pm. Then, what happen next.., after 8:00pm they called me regrading their "delayed schedule ,but they will be able to reach me by 10:00pm. So, I waited. Again, after 10:00pm no one came..and you know what? I should just leave at that time. Still, I wait........ After 10:30, I heard my phone ring, picked up my phone eventually, they call me. And again, they not even at my place. Even worse, this people, asked me where we locate at..what again? What should he looking for. Again? Then, this is even worse than that, he asked me, "how old are you"? Inattentively, I told my age. What more? He said, "are you pretty?" ..this thing getting stranger. I didn't said any words. He said, "but you sound pretty". Then, he said.."I what to see you make..."???? I hung up my phone. About fifteen minutes later, "We couldn't fine your place, where are you". Ask again? OK! I told the same story again!, told exact directions, street etc. Eventually, he reach here by the time, it was five minutes to eleven. He came in, ask me where to shut water. I said, "I don't know". Then, the other guy came in, found the valve and they shut of the water. I don't even want to look at these people faces, at the time (till now). Then, I asked "how much doesn't it cost to get this thing fix". He walk to a chair, and find the price form his booklet. Show it to me. It is quit a amount for this job, then I asked "how long would it last after this repaired". He said, "it might last one day or ten years" . So, there are on warranties? He said, "yes?" I asked, "if you cannot fix it?" He said, "you still need to pay this amount, because I need to attempt." So, what? This is not cheap! How about, if I don't what you to fixed? He said, "you still need to pay". This much? Then I said, "since I need to pay this amount without knowing that it would or would not be done, I don't what it. Over the top of that, I called you to investigated and only agreed to pay the dispatch fee, whichever, haven't agree on this much for unwarranted works' fees". He said, "you need to pay". (He's about six feet and I'm five.) Even you haven't done anything? He said, "I located your valve, and tuned the water off!". "Even, I leave right now you need to pay this amount!, or I'll call the police", he shout.Then, I said, I will pay for your dispatch fee for sure, but there is no reason for me to pay you without having you done the work." Then, he opened his price guild again. He said, "pay this amount then". It change from one to another amount now. "I still have no reason to pay this amount.However, I would pay for your, time for investigation.." Then, he again shout at me..(you don't what to know..what he said), He walked out, throw my key away which was hung on the door to the sidewalk, and said "I didn't not turn on the water, NO BUSINESS TOMORROW!".
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Our elderly relative had a small leak and called South West plumbing out. After scare tactics a few washers turned out to be over $1K job. Outragous...! It is so wrong to treat people this way... More

Our elderly relative had a small leak and called South West plumbing out. After scare tactics a few washers turned out to be over $1K job. Outragous...! It is so wrong to treat people this way especially our vulnerable senior citizens. There is plenty of business out there and a fair price to charge for all work done but this is not a company that knows how to do this. Use these people at your own risk!
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We called for service four days ago and were told that they would send someone out that night. A few hours later, they called to say they couldn't make it, but would send someone out "tomorrow." I... More

We called for service four days ago and were told that they would send someone out that night. A few hours later, they called to say they couldn't make it, but would send someone out "tomorrow." I stayed home from work the next day to wait for them but they never showed. When I called to ask where they were, they said they'd come "tomorrow." It's been like this now for four days, and there's still no service in sight...
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I had Southwest Plumbing come to my house and provide an estimate to move my toilet over about a foot. They quoted me over $3000, and offered to take about $500 off "if we do the work today" (big... More

I had Southwest Plumbing come to my house and provide an estimate to move my toilet over about a foot. They quoted me over $3000, and offered to take about $500 off "if we do the work today" (big red flag!!). Even though I'm a new homeowner, I was astute enough to get a second opinion from a local shop. Redworks Plumbing did the same work for $625 total. Do the math- extreme rip-off artists here. Another warning sign is the so-called dispatch fee, they'll charge you about $40 to get them out of your house if you decide not to hire them. Sure, they are clean-cut professional-looking guys with impressive trucks and uniforms, but I like the look of my hard earned cash more.
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Sly rip-off operators. Grossly over charge. Charged us $1500 for a sink fawset set which you can buy anywhere for $150. Also gave us an estimate for further work which included $270 for 3 feet of... More

Sly rip-off operators. Grossly over charge. Charged us $1500 for a sink fawset set which you can buy anywhere for $150. Also gave us an estimate for further work which included $270 for 3 feet of PVC piping that you can buy at Home Depot for $6 per 10 feet. Stay away from 'em
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Last cold nap we had I called and requested someone to come out - since I wasn't in the home I was requesting assistance (furnace wouldn't run) I agreed to wait one day for someone to come see me.... More

Last cold nap we had I called and requested someone to come out - since I wasn't in the home I was requesting assistance (furnace wouldn't run) I agreed to wait one day for someone to come see me. The woman (turned out later to be THE actual dispatcher) indicated someone would come see me between 8AM-10AM the following day. 10AM came and went - nothing. I called. No record. Nothing that I had even called. I was then told that the Dispatcher would call me back. A half hour later - I called them and told them to DISREGARD I'd found someone else to assist me (see review NorthPark Heating)
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My 85 year old mother has allowed herself to be "fleeced" twice by Southwest Plumbing. Overcharged once for $650.00 for some work that was not even needed and again for a furnace.......overcharge... More

My 85 year old mother has allowed herself to be "fleeced" twice by Southwest Plumbing. Overcharged once for $650.00 for some work that was not even needed and again for a furnace.......overcharge of $1100.00 for installation of an inferior furnace. They are very charming and polite, but they work on commission, so be very aware! Hopefully, my mother has learned her lesson.
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