We had Benjamin Franklin Plumbers over to diagnose a well pump that was not operating. They had data from the last owner of the house that had them replace the pump in 2009, but at that time they did not install a check valve that would keep the pipe full and the water drained all the way back down into the well each time the water was not called for. And of course it had to be pumped back up each time. We think this caused early failure of the pump. And it was 1/2 hp which was overkill. 1/3 hp was all that was needed. So this time when they came (quickly and on time) the repair estimate was about $1200 more than a local independent plumber. $1200!!! So, either they have a much higher overhead, or the flat rate prices are padded to make sure they don't lose. I paid for the diagnosis but not the repair job. Went with an independent plumber.
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