Friendly Plumber

I've had a fair amount of experience with plumbers in my time, but since I'm relatively new to San Francisco, so I still checked around for companies with good reputations before having someone in our home. \r \r The Friendly Plumber who came out to give me an estimate was very friendly and professional. Another thing that I noticed when researching on the internet is they have a very good reputation. That definitely helped bolster my confidence, especially since my remodel is not a slip-shot, easy affair.\r \r I'm converting a single family Victorian to 2 units, so I really need a company who can pull off my project without any snags.\r \r So far, I am quite pleased. Pros: Good reputation. more

Quality work by a nice, friendly plumber. Rob is a smart, resourceful guy, who was able to find the best and most economical solution for my piping problem. He was professional in explaining the problem in very simple terms, worked fast, and even tidied up at the end. Pros: Resourceful plumber. more

Thank heavens for the internet! I live in San Francisco (and had to go out of town on a last minute trip) when I found out from my wife that my water heater flooded our basement.\r \r She was panicking because she had no clue how to put a stop to it, if the heater was still on, and I also certainly am not very good when it comes to these things.\r \r Well, she found good things being said about Friendly Plumber and so she called them instead, after I apparently wasn't of much help. The receptionist professinally handled her panic, calmed her down, and had an actual plumber call her from the field.\r \r My wife said that the man came promptly later that day, was dressed professionally, with a uniform and shoe booties on (didn't track dirt all over our carpets) -- she's a real stickler about the carpet since it's an off white color too.\r \r Overall, we're very pleased. It's great how he showed her which valve to turn off next time too. Very helpful. Pros: Very helpful. Cons: Their journeyman level plumbers are overqualified to do toilet stoppages. more

I hired Sears to install my washer/dryer and their employees seem to have done something incorrectly because shortly afterwards, the Kohler bodyspray faucets in my shower started malfunctioning.\r \r I called at least 4 plumbers in the phone book until I gave up and took my search online. I called several plumbers listed here too and nobody even knew what I was talking about until I called Friendly Plumber.\r \r The guy they sent out has got to be one of the most knowledgeable plumbers I've ever met. Not only did he pinpoint the exact problem as soon as he saw my faucets, he was professional enough to get the job done the same day, and without much ado. Pros: one of the most knowledgeable plumbers I've ever met. more

I'm new to San Francisco and have really come to heavily rely on review sites for advice especially for restaurants, and service professionals.\r \r Well, I accidentally dropped flower vase stones down our garbage disposer yesterday and since my roommates are cool enough to only charge me half the rent than they're paying to help me get established, I thought it really uncool to let them come home to me trashing the apartment.\r \r Based on the reviews, Friendly Plumber seemed like the kind of company who will work with me, so I called and their employee came out and fixed the disposer all before 5pm! \r \r The guy did a great job, was a complete professional, and he didn't talk down on me or make me feel stupid. \r \r Awesome customer service too. Very helpful to show me how to take it apart myself should this happen again in the future.\r \r Thank you Friendly Plumber!!! You're officially one of my favorite service companies in San Francisco!!! Pros: Professional employees Cons: Not a one. Nay, nay nay! more

Thank you for doing a really good job in hooking-up our hot water heater. I really appreciate your tactfulness with our little incident too.\r \r I am so happy I can take a hot shower again. Whoohoo! Pros: Does a really good job. Cons: Not open on weekends. more

I just wanted to say that after having paid 3 other plumbers to come out, Friendly Plumber was the first to really analyze and solve my gas pipe problem and was able to tell me exactly how much it was going to cost before starting the work. Not only did Robert do a great job, he went the extra mile in terms of working professionally with the inspector professionally even though the guy was really pushy. I would highly recommend Robert! Pros: Robert Cons: The Inspector more

Their guy came to my house and fixed my leaky faucet. I tried to fix it myself at first, but no luck. Their guy was professional, straightforward and seemed like an honest guy. The price was maybe average and I'm feeling pretty good to be able to support a family-owned company. Pros: Professional more

I got a quote from this plumber a couple of weeks ago for a minor bathroom remodel and I was surprised to get a call from him telling me that the city will be increasing permit fees, and that if I still want to have the job done, I should before September 1 rolls around. \r \r I did get him to file for the permit already last Friday, just in time! I'm saving a whopping $4,500 in permit fees alone! Work will start this Thursday, and so far, I'm glad I was reminded of this or my procrastinating would have gotten the best of my wallet. Good job staying on top of things. I'm already ahead! Thanks. more

I had a plugged up bathtub drain and the water would not go down no matter that I already poured two bottles of Draino onto it. then I had the great pleasure of using a bucket to get the water and Draino out. What a wonderful smell that was.\r \r I called Friendly Plumber and was told that they do not specialize in drain cleaning, but rooter companies in the yellow pages have the equipment, and apprentice personnel to operate them. They said mention yellow page coupons too because I can get more discounts that way.\r \r I called the company with the really good looking guy in the picture. Sadly, he didn't come. Just an average fattish guy, but I digress. A little over $200 later, this same guy told me that my pipes were shot and it would cost roughly $22,850.00 to replace my pipes. !!!!!!! Exclamation point time !!!!!!!!!! He's nuts! NVTS, nuts!\r \r After I stopped panicking, I promptly told him to get out of my house and I called Friendly Plumber again because their $30.00 trip charge sounded really good for another opinion, at least. Well, they fixed a small part of pipe and charged me $1,200.00. Oh that was so very much better! What was that other fatso thinking? Did I look like just another Asian chump to him?\r \r Anyway, it sucked that I had to endure fatso at all. Maybe next time HAVING THE EQUIPMENT would have made my life easier? Just a thought for your management. Your guy was really good by the way, really courteous and creative. But I'm firm on this, HAVE THE EQUIPMENT next time. more

I used this company for a flip I'm doing at Parkside. I found their rate to be a little over average. Yes, the other Yelper is pretty close in saying NOT CHEAP, but I would say just a little over average and not exactly outrageous either.\r \r What I did appreciate was the way their plumber was absolutely on the ball when all he-- broke loose on my job. Not due to his fault, but when my General decided to put a wall 1 foot over from the blueprint (to save money), all the plumbing on that wall would have had to be redone if it wasn't from Friendly putting a stop to it and refusing to do the job even though my General was apparently already making a huge stink about his timelines. He tried to explain what was going on to the guy's crew, and later to me.\r \r This kind of professionalism is why I am willing to pay the extra buck, because my project would have been up (you know what) creek if Friendly wasn't on the ball. Pros: Great customer service Cons: None so far more

I called because my bathroom sink was clogged (with my girlfriend's hairballs maybe) and got the heads-up from the girl on the phone who told me that I might get a BETTER DEAL contacting a rooter company who employs drain cleaners, instead of plumbers. Makes sense. \r \r I am planning to remodel my half bath, so I'll update Citysearch on how they do on that. HA!!! Pros: Honest advice. Cons: Not much. more

My water heater burst mid-day when I was at work and my wife called me with the SOS. I looked up ""plumber"" here on Citysearch, and found this company. \r \r Great job! I was at a loss without your help...Thanks for cleaning up after yourselves and well, I hope I will not need your help soon, but I'll keep your phone number! Pros: Fast response. Neat. Cons: Company fax unavailable at the time. more

I found this company on the yellow pages with their teeny, tiny ad. Good thing too since I had a limited budget. I felt that Robert definitely worked with me and for that, I'm totally recommending him to all my friends. Pros: Honest, prompt Cons: This guy is really friendly. Like talkative-friendly, ha ha! more

I'm on the road 300 days of the year and after getting 4 completely different sewer bids on my long weekend, I went with Friendly Plumber. They were the second most expensive, but the guy offered a creative way to save my lawn and skirt around my wife's antique English rose bushes. While their competitors exuded indifference, I'm thankful Friendly went the extra mile.\r Pros: Resourceful. Cons: None. more

Being a business owner, I appreciate that Friendly came to my restaurant on such short notice and right before dinner service. Disaster averted. Thanks Friendly! Pros: friendly, short notice, moderately priced more

Friendly Plumber was highly recommended to me by several friends when I needed my house repiped in '99. I'm glad to see people are writing good things about them. I can't say enough how greatful I am to have found an honest plumber. Ask for Robert, he's my favorite. Pros: honest, reasonably priced, fast more

Two other plumbers all told me that my Kohler spa tub needed to get removed. Along with all the marble surrounding it! Robert came in for a third opinion and fixed the defective part in less than 20 minutes. I recommend Friendly Plumber all the way. more

True to its name, I referred to this company's website 2am on a Sunday night when I just couldn't take this weird banging I was hearing from my house's pipes. What a relief! The next day, I called their phone number and got a couple more recommendations over the phone. They didn't even charge for this info! Highly recommended, these people live up to their name. more

8:00pm on a Friday night is not a good time to try and hunt down an plumber, never mind if you want him to show-up on your door within the hour. I had a gas leak and was really panicking. After a bit of Googling, I found this company. I called and was answered by a human being! Shockingly, they sent a plumber over even though they were supposed to be closed already. Kudos and GREAT JOB!!! Pros: conscientious, punctual, friendly more