Jack Howk Plumbing & Drain

Our water heater is leaking - we need a new one. Their estimate for a new water heater plus the pressure relief valve and expansion tank is $3900! But they didn't separate parts from labor. I checked the cost for parts and came up with $1200. That's $1700 in labor!!! For a job that will take no more than 5 hours and more likely between 3 and 4!!! Do the math. That's about $300 per hour. Really. I will say they are friendly, professional and responsive. But how much does that really cost? more

My disabled mother called this company for help with a leaky water faucet, and a water faucet that isn't working at all and just drips. After attempting to repair it myself, I gave up and had her call a plumber. She got this name out of the phonebook and scheduled an appointment for the next day. They stated they'd be here between 11:30am and 1:30am. They also stated they would call when they were on their way. Called them at 2pm asking what was going on, they stated they were busy and wouldn't be able to make it till the first appt in the morning 8am-10am. I found this extremely unprofessional and decided to check online about reviews, GLAD I DID. Cancelled the appointment for tomorrow morning and went with a competitor that seems MUCH more professional and has yet to have a bad review (out of 36!) Don't bother with this company, big waste of time and from what I'm reading, a huge waste of money! BYE JACK HOWK! HELLO PROFESSIONAL PLUMBING SERVICE! more

I have complained several times to Jack Howk and Rescue Rooter with no result. Promises were made and not kept On April 3, I called your company to come out to my house to fix my plumbing problem. I had sewage backing up into my basement tub and toilet. Your company’s tech came out and inspected the situation. He proceeded to try and remove open the basement cleanout in the laundry room, streetside of the tub and toilet. He spent over an hour trying to get that cleanout open using various tools. He was unable to open that cleanout but did manage to totally mangle the cleanout cap. He proceeded to open the other cleanout on the other side of the house but the cleanout was too small for his camera. He called another tech that had a smaller camera but he could not come out until the next day. At this point I asked the tech if I was being charged for all this time. He informed me that there was no charge until he determined what the problem was and then he would give me an estimate. Two techs returned the next day, ran the camera down the cleanout and found NO BLOCKAGE in the main drain. At this point after an hour, your techs went back to the laundry room. SIX FEET away from the first cleanout, in plain view on the floor, they opened the cover to the backflow preventer, discovered the blockage and cleared the blockage. This operation took less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I paid $383 for a 30 minute fix! more

I called them on a Saturday, about noon, when my water main broke underground. They have been around for years so I figured they must be doing something right. The person who answered the phone told me that someone would be able to be there by about 2:30 pm as they are busy, but someone would call back within a half hour to narrow it down. Nobody called, so after 2:30, I called them back and told them if they are too busy I understand and would call somebody else so I could get my water service restored. They assured me they would be able to take care of it and someone would call me and that the plumber that is scheduled for me is finishing up on another job and will be coming to me next. After another hour, I called them and asked if I was getting a plumber today, as I won't be able to call someone else this late and it will be getting dark so it will be difficult to see to work outside. The lady on the phone said she'll check on the plumber's status. When she returned to the phone she said he is already en-route to my home so should be here in a few minutes (A LIE). This is approximately 4:00 pm. At 5:45 pm, Jack howk plumbing called and informed me that it is taking longer for the plumber to finish on the other job and won't be able to make it tonight, can they re-schedule for tommorrow. I declined as it was obvious to me that they couldn't handle the volume and didn't care about their customers. I don't mind being told "we are too busy to handle your request" What I do mind is being lied to throughout the day and leaving me no opportunity to go somewhere else. Any decent company would have said they were to busy and recommended someone else.This experience left me with a bitter taste in my mouth regarding JACK HOWK PLUMBING and no water to wash it down with (pun intended). more

The plumber (Willie Garza) who helped us with multiple clogged drains was personable, explained everything, and charged a very reasonable rate. We have called Jack Howk 3 times in the past & had similarly positive experiences. more

We recently used Jack Howk plumbing, and would not do so again. Their rates are high, they will write a vague contract if they can get away with it, and then leave the job unfinished. They did a lot of work for us, and to make a long story short left the bathroom with a large gap between the edge of the tub and the Linoleum, as well as gaps in the sheetrock above the tub surround. This was their version of finished work, and their intent was to do no more. Only after I complained to the general manager did they agree to have the floor gap taken care of. One of their plumbers, we admit, did good work, but the corporate culture seems to be high-priced work that may or may not be finished. If you use these guys, (1) be sure get two or three other bids, and (2) go over the contract with a fine-toothed comb, because unless something is explicity spelled out in the contract, it probably won't get done-- don't "assume" anything. more

I have used Jack Howk Plumbing in the past when they were transitioning from the name Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. At that time, their pricing seemed reasonable and the service was good. HOWEVER, very recently - I called to have a toilet tank valve replaced. The “technician” who arrived said it would cost $282 to have a standard flush valve replaced. I later found out that this replacement part can be purchased at a plumbing store for about $30. He then said that the bolts holding the tank to the bowl were corroded and that I needed a tank to bowl gasket kit. This would cost me an additional $261.35. He said he would charge me that price and a lower price of $138 for the flush valve and only charge me $399.76. He said a brand new toilet would cost me $600. So, I ended up paying $400 for parts and repair for something that could be purchased at a parts store for about $40 and only takes 30 minutes to repair with a crescent wrench. By the way, his ‘Tank To Bowl Gasket Kit’ for $261.35 consisted of two screws, two bolts, and a donut gasket. These parts would cost about $10 at a plumbing supply store. Afterward, I have called Jack Howk Plumbing five times over the past four days and have spoken with five people who said the manager would call me to discuss my concern. I have not yet received a callback. I will never use Jack Howk Plumbing again, and I strongly recommend that buyers beware of their poor customer service and 400% price mark-up. more

I recently had my plumbing replaced by Jack Howk Plumbing. The service plumbers involved were very professional and the entire process went very smoothly! In the future I will use Jack Howk Plumbing again and recommed others do as well! more

Unbelievable that his company is still in business. If there were a negative rating I'd have given it to them. I hired these guys to fix a blocked pipe, it took two weeks (and more than a dozen calls on my part) to get the job done. Original estimate $2000, actual bill $11,000 (at my demand they reduced to $8000!) No follow up, no updates without my calling to get status, no exceptional circumstances (job involved digging up 20-30 foot of pipe and replacing). Icing on the cake - when the job was finally done they wanted payment before they left the site, and were disrespectful, agressive and rude to my administrative staff. Lesson learned. Pros: Not a single thing Cons: Unprofessional, no customer service skills, agressive more

I called them out after calling around town to see what a new water heater and installation cost. Average was around $750 (50 gallon). When they guy got there, he was rude from the start. Didn't want to answer questions, just wanted in, get his money and out...is the impression I got. He looked at my hot water heater and quoted me a price of $2300 to replace the water heater and install!!!(Middle of the road heater, 50 gallon with a tank.) I told him that I had gotten quotes for the same exact work for around $700. (Should of called one of them, but Jack Howk was closer). He got upset that I supposedly "challenged" his professionalism and said that he would charge me not only the $67 charge to just come look and diagnosis, (which was already charged to my credit card) but that he was going to charge me $250 for the 1.5 he had been there! (and hadn't even done anything). He was unbelievably rude, I will never do business with them again, and telling everyone I know. $2300 for to replace a standard middle of the road water heater....I don't think so!!! Do your research if you can before calling...get an idea of what is involved and the avg cost, so you won't be ripped off like this guy tried to...GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, YOU WILL BE RIPPED OFF. Learn from me!! Pros: Local Cons: Terrible customer service. Charges 4+ times what others do more

I read the reviews here and didn't think Jack would be the best one to come out to my house so before I tried to get someone out and I called a few other companies first but they weren't able to get out to my house that day. So after 2 other companies I tried Jack. They were able to come out just about an hour later. Although I had to pay the "service fee" for a plumber to come out (I was skeptical) but soon to find out that it was worth the $$. You get what you pay for is the way I am looking at it now. The guy who came out was Rob and he was very knowledgeable, he answered all of my questions and talked with me for about an hour. I was happy to have him and I will definitely be calling them back. Pros: Excelent service and warranty. Cons: Price is a little high, although well worth it! more

Contacted through Benjamin Franklin Plumbing (he contracts for them) for an estimate for garbage disposal install. He showed up with the wrong information and, upon learning that only wanted a bid, wanted to charge me a $59 "show up fee". When I told him that I only asked for a bid and was not told about the fee, he proceeded to call the home office on speakerphone to complain about how "well I guess I'm leaving here with no money". The lady on speakerphone said "well I guess he just won't get serviced then!". He then told me that they'll bid big jobs for free but not some tiny little $650 job because "we can't make any money like that". Didn't speak at all while writing up the bid and practically threw it at me before leaving in a huff. The bid was also 3 times more expensive than the other two I received (which, by the way were free bids). Guess what guys: you're not getting my business. Cons: Worst customer service I've seen in a SERVICE INDUSTRY more

THIS COMPANY STARTED OUT GREAT , FRIENDLY , AND REALY TOOK CARE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES UNTILL THEY MEARGED WITH THE OTHER COMPANY NOW THEY FIRE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THEM THE MOST MONEY AND EVEN TELL THE "HEAD HONCHES" THAT ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY HAVE UPSET CUSTOMERS DUE TO FALIER ON THEIR WORK ETHICS THAT THE PERSON WHO NO LONGER WORKS THEIR IS THE ONE THAT DID THE DAMAGE OR DID NOT COMPLETE THE WORK. THEY WILL EVEN USE A NAME . SO IF YOU HAVE WORKED FOR THIS COMPANY AND DONT WANT A BAD RECOMANDATION I SUGGEST THAT YOU WORK FOR A COMPANY THAT HAS LISCENCED EMPLOYEE THAT DO NOT HAVE MAJOR CRIMONAL RECORDS. THEY LIKE TO KEEP THE "BAD APPLES" AND DIS-MISS THE ONES THAT MAKE THEM MONEY. IT'S TOO BAD THAT MONEY HAS OVERPOWERED THE FACT THAT NORMAL HARD WORKING CITIZENS HAVE TO HEAR SLANDEROUS THINGS THROUGH CUSOMERS AND EMPLOYEES , PAST ,PRESEANT , AND FUTURE. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HONESTLY LEARN HOW TO RUN A BUISNESS WITH LISCENED EMPLOYEES. Pros: WILL CHARGE TOO MUCH ON THEIR WORK Cons: SLANDER NAMES OF EMPLOYEES more

My regular plumber (Ackerman Plumbing) was not available, so I called Jack Howk. It was $49 to come out which didn't seem too bad. But, they have this "per-job pricing" that gouges customers. My faucet would have taken less than 20 minutes to fix, with $25 in parts, but the plumber had to charge me $189 on top of the $49. A per-hour plumber would have only charged me $70, including parts. I kicked him out. Pros: Quick to come out Cons: Price Gouging, Over-Priced, Expensive more