Sedro-Woolley Septic Tank

This was a very, very old house that had the original cement sewer drain stubbing out of the foundation. From that point, it went to a Big Box thin walled drain pipe that isn't code for anything I know of (first picture.

Then, it connected to the original cement sewer sections that were crumbling for the last few decdes.

Then, it connected to 2" ABS drain.

Then, it was pushed into the concrete septic tank.

All in 15 feet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sedro-Woolley, Wa sewer Ball Plumbing

New sewer in Sedro-Woolley, Wa Ball Plumbing

Plumber's Service Charges

Ball Plumbing charges a service charge of $45.00. We started this when fuel prices started to skyrocket and will stop when the fuel prices get back to 2009 prices.

Much confusion about the "service charge", though. I looked the term up in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, which doesn't charge a service charge for their service. Based on the first definition, our use of the term "service charge" is correct, in that we charge another fee in addition to our minimum fee of $88.00, which covers one hour of labor.

Tax and parts are always separate and without fail will surprise everyone including us.

I bet the term confusion stems from some plumbers using the term "service charge" to get paid for outrageous estimates. It's a nicer term than "estimate fee", I guess. I don't know, but it sure is annoying.

service charge

 noun

: an amount of money that is charged for a particular service in addition to a basic fee

: an amount of money that is paid to the owner of an apartment building for services (such as garbage collection)

: a charge added to a bill in a restaurant to pay for the work of the waitress or waiter

Sudden Valley toilet replacement

Once upon a time, a black Kohler toilet was the ultimate in bathroom style. Today, not so much.

We replaced it with a toilet that we have had great success with for a much lower price in its class. It's also a Comfort Height model that's app. 16.5" high from floor to bowl rim. The seat is a slow closing model with easy removable hinges for cleaning.

Kohler toilet circa 1975

New toilet 2013

Wrong County listed in Craigslist Ad

This is our ad on CL. Notice the Skagit County in the first line. While we do business down there---all contractors work there---the CL ad is for Whatcom County.

So yes, we do work (and live) in Whatcom.

Plumber (Ball Plumbing)

Since 2005, Ball Plumbing has done plumbing and rooter work for homes and businesses in Skagit County.

Our website: http://www.ballplumbing.net

Find us on AngiesList, BBB, and Google.
All our plumbers are state licensed.

100% Transparent Pricing!

+Labor Rate: $88.00 per hour (charged to the closest 15 minutes);
+Service Charge: $45.00 Service Charge (local travel and truck charge);
+$45.00 per hour per additional worker (charged to the closest 15 minutes);
+Parts, equipment, and tax are extra.

Minimum: 1 hour plus Service Charge: $133.00 ($88.00 per hour plus $45.00 Service Charge);

Contract Price: We can give you a contract price or a NTE when we see the job. The estimate cost is $88.00.

360-647-2255 (BALL)

• Location: Ball Plumbing
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
• License info: BALLPPI901LT

Posting ID: 4184798979

 

Posted: 2013-11-11, 7:54AM PST

 

Updated: 2013-11-11, 7:57AM PST

 

Ball Plumbing's Reviews

Ball Plumbing Angies List Reviews

Reviews....how many of us have their work critiqued on the internet? It's a little daunting, to say the least.

Here are the reviews from Angies List, the good and the bad.

Angie's List

•  1-866-843-LIST (5478) 
• |
• Contact Us
• |
• FAQ
• |
• My Account
• |
• Sign Out

• Angie's List
• List Advertising
• The Big Deal
• My StoreFront

Welcome Ball!

• Home
• Company Information
• Rating
• Reviews
• Contracts
• Super Service Awards
• Messages
• Statements

• How it Works 
• |
• Grow your Business 
• |
• Business Tools 
• |
• Business Tips 
• |

• Change Company

• jimwi@angieslist.com
• 1-317-803-2054
• Jim Willan

Ad Sales Representative:

Ball Plumbing Inc

Bellingham WA 98225

Company ID: 2018330

Reviews  Read and respond to your reviews below and select your notification preference. Keep your profile updated with fresh testimonials by using our free review generation tools.  Want to track and respond to member reviews and messages on-the-go? The Angie's List Business Center mobile app is now available to download for your iPhone and iPad in the App Store. Get notified when a review is received!  Help Edit my review notification preference Review e-mail notification preference set to:  Each time Your Reviews  Help 1 to 5 of 11  Filter by Grade:        All Grades       A       B       C       D       F           Filter by Category:         All Categories        Plumbing        Plumbing - Drain Cleaning        Sewer Cleaning        Water Heaters           Review Date: December 14, 2012 Member:  Bellingham, WA 98229 Categories:  Plumbing Water Heaters Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  December 13, 2012 Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $1,000.00 Home Build Year:  1994 Description Of Work:  Replaced leaking 26 year old Hot Water Heater/Tank Member Comments:  From the point of first call to Ball and completion of the job was about 5 hours.  This included Robert first estimating the job and then picking up the heater.  Very professional, job estimate and final cost was within a few dollars.  I would highly recommend the company. Overall A Price A Quality A Responsiveness A Punctuality A Professionalism A Review Date: September 14, 2012 Member:  Bellingham, WA 98225 Category:  Plumbing Services Performed:  No * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  July 13, 2012 Last Modified Date:  September 18, 2012 Hire Again:  No Home Build Year:  1950 Description Of Work:  Ball Plumbing gave me an estimate to fix a leaking pipe I had in my kitchen. Member Comments:  He estimate was a little too high.  I just didn’t go for him.  I think plumbers are incredibly overpaid but they do have a gross job.  He was bringing up a lot of issues that were potential problems.  I just didn’t think it was that complicated so I let it go.  He did come by and give me his time but I found another plumber to do the job. Transcribed from a telephone interview Company Response:  We're a small, private company that values good customers and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.  Our prices are totally transparent and listed on our website: http://****/services.html Please go there before calling us. Overall A Price N/A Quality N/A Responsiveness B Punctuality A Professionalism A Review Date: July 26, 2012 Member:  Bellingham, WA 98225 Categories:  Plumbing Water Heaters Services Performed:  No * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  July 23, 2012 Last Modified Date:  August 03, 2012 Hire Again:  No Home Build Year:  1910 Description Of Work:  Water heater installation Member Comments:  So I saw the posting on Angie's List with the good rating and the coupon. I called Ball to help me finish/connect a water heater I had replaced. They first admonished me for not buying a good water heater and touted their own. (OK, I went cheap but I got a name brand.) He then told me they would install it but wipe their hands of it afterwards because they didn't like the brand of water heater. Why would I blame them for the internal failings of a water heater anyway? It just sounded like they would do a crappy job and then not guarantee anything because they didn't provide the water heater. But this is the best part...I said I saw their coupon for $66 an hour fee. They told me, "Well, there's a $45 show up/diagnosis fee." And then they tell me, "And that doesn't include parts and labor." So what does it cover! At that point I was so frustrated I ended the conversation. If you don't want to do the job just say so! Watch for the "bait and switch" on that coupon. Company Response:  All our prices are listed on our website: http://ballplumbing.net/services.html The coupon reflects our normal hourly rate for most jobs. It's not a discount deal. The initial phone call is as much an interview with you as it's with us. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Overall D Price D Quality N/A Responsiveness N/A Punctuality N/A Professionalism D This review wasn't submitted by an Angie's List member. Non-member reviews don't factor in to recent or overall grades. More... Review Date: July 24, 2012 Member:  Categories:  Plumbing Water Heaters Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  July 23, 2012 Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $1,450.00 Description Of Work:  They replaced a broken water heater in the garage. It needed other stuff like like earthquake strap, expansion tank and new gas connection and a few vent turns. They cleaned up and disposed of the old one. Member Comments:  It went as well as can be expected.   The job took longer than I thought, but I chose to go with a quoted price over the hourly rate, so I saved some money there. The hourly was 66 plus a service charge of 45 not including the water heater. It looks good with brass parts and quality parts and the water is hot for the first time in years. Review Date: October 10, 2011 Member:  Bellingham, WA 98225 Categories:  Plumbing Plumbing - Drain Cleaning Sewer Cleaning Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  October 01, 2011 Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $2,600.00 Home Build Year:  1926 Description Of Work:  Robert promptly diagnosed and fixed an old (70 yr) sewer  main in the yard of our vintage rental property. His quote was very fair in comparison to others and he worked with my husband and subtracted my husband's labor time out of the final cost. He also fixed a rather complex do-it-yourself gone wrong plumbing situation in the basement of the same house and was prompt and price appropriate with this service as well. Robert is a funny, quirky guy who will not hesitate to tell you what he thinks, but he seems to do good, solid work and he was professional. I will use his services in the future.  Member Comments:  I Overall A Price A Quality A Responsiveness A Punctuality A Professionalism A [ 1  2  3  next   ]

Site Links

• Contact Us
• FAQ
• Angie's List Media Kit
• Angie's List Health Media Kit

• Direct Mail Services
• Professional Video
• National Product Advertising

Angie's List Related Links

• AngiesList.com
• Angie's List The Big Deal
• Angie's List Categories

• Angie's Blog
• Angie's List Wishmakers

Follow us

•   
•   
•   

© Copyright 1995-2012, Angie's List. All Rights Reserved.

Angie's List

•  1-866-843-LIST (5478) 
• |
• Contact Us
• |
• FAQ
• |
• My Account
• |
• Sign Out

• Angie's List
• List Advertising
• The Big Deal
• My StoreFront

Welcome Ball!

• Home
• Company Information
• Rating
• Reviews
• Contracts
• Super Service Awards
• Messages
• Statements

• How it Works 
• |
• Grow your Business 
• |
• Business Tools 
• |
• Business Tips 
• |

• Change Company

• jimwi@angieslist.com
• 1-317-803-2054
• Jim Willan

Ad Sales Representative:

Ball Plumbing Inc

Bellingham WA 98225

Company ID: 2018330

Reviews  Read and respond to your reviews below and select your notification preference. Keep your profile updated with fresh testimonials by using our free review generation tools.  Want to track and respond to member reviews and messages on-the-go? The Angie's List Business Center mobile app is now available to download for your iPhone and iPad in the App Store. Get notified when a review is received!  Help Edit my review notification preference Review e-mail notification preference set to:  Each time Your Reviews  Help 6 to 10 of 11  Filter by Grade:        All Grades       A       B       C       D       F           Filter by Category:         All Categories        Plumbing        Plumbing - Drain Cleaning        Sewer Cleaning        Water Heaters           Review Date: October 06, 2011 Member:  ANTELOPE, WA 95843 Categories:  Plumbing Plumbing - Drain Cleaning Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  April 29, 2011 Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $120.00 Home Build Year:  1907 Description Of Work:  The plumber was a great guy, fast and knew what he was doing and was only here 15 minutes hence the fair grade on price for getting charged $120 for that. Member Comments:  Called plumber for plumbing problem he came spent 15 minutes. I receive bill for $120. Company Response:  Thanks for the good review.  Don't forget to add time to take the order, stock the truck/buy parts, drive time, look at the problem, repair the problem, clean up, do the invoice, collect the money, drive back to the shop, do the tax paperwork/enter the job info into the database, deposit the money, pay the taxes. Now that I added up the true time it really took, can I bill you again? lol Overall B Price C Quality B Responsiveness B Punctuality B Professionalism B Review Date: March 31, 2011 Member:  Seattle, WA 98112 Category:  Plumbing Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  March 30, 2011 Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $150.00 Home Build Year:  1999 Description Of Work:  I had been doing battle with this toilet for the last few months. We have two others just like it but this one seemed to have a slow leak... not outside the unit but through the tank and down the drain. I had changed the flapper and the fill valve but no luck so time to call in the experts. Robert of Ball Plumbing came the afternoon I called him even though I indicated this was no rush... great service. He took a look at the toilet and suggested that the fill tube might be loose yet fiddling with that didn't seem to help too much. He turned off the water to the toilet and we didn't hear any more water running leading him to believe that it was the fill valve. He had a replacement valve on the truck and gave me a firm price to which I agreed before he started working. I left him to work on the toilet and it now seems to be working just fine although illing the tank is a bit louder than before. It flushes great. Member Comments:  Over all this was a very positive experience. Robert shared that he didn't particularly like the type of toilet I own, an opinion I appreciate. What was tough on me is that he continued to state that over and over throughout the hour he worked on it. He's a great guy and I certainly engaged him in lots of conversation but the comments on my selection of toilet type nearly a decade ago did wear me out a bit. He used booties on his shoes while in the house and, although he dripped a bit of water, he promptly cleaned that up. I would call him in a heart beat should I have a plumbing issue I can't handle myself. He knows what he is doing and gets the job done. Overall A Price B Quality A Responsiveness A Punctuality A Professionalism A Review Date: February 02, 2010 Member:  Bellingham, WA 98226 Categories:  Plumbing Plumbing - Drain Cleaning Water Heaters Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Work Completed Date:  February 02, 2010 Last Modified Date:  September 07, 2010 Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $271.00 Home Build Year:  1997 Description Of Work:  Ball Plumbing determined the source of a water leak in the drain pipe that serves the overflow lines from the hot water heater, furnace, and water softener. BP determined that the drain pipe was not to code (there was no air gap between the overflow lines and the drain pipe, leading to possible contamination if the drain pipe ever backed up) and that there was no blockage in the drain pipe. BP modified the drain pipe so it now meets code (and doesn't leak). Member Comments:  The overflow pipe from the hot water heater runs into a drain pipe. This drain pipe developed a small leak. I was concerned that this indicated that I was developing a blockage in the sewer line to my septic tank. I called Ball Plumbing about 8:40am, and he said he would come between 11am and 1pm. I asked him to give me a heads-up call. He called about 10:20 and arrived about 10:40. He immediately pointed out that my drain pipe was not to code, because the water heater overflow pipe would be contaminated if the drain pipe ever backed up. There were a number of other overflow lines (e.g., from the furnace and water softener) that fed into this drain pipe and were also subject to contamination. He quoted me a price of $135 to assess the setup and determine if there was a blockage in the drain pipe. This estimate went up to $150 as he continued to visually assess the problem. I gave him the ok to start work. He determined that there was no blockage, and that the leak was due to one of the improperly connected lines that had cracked. Since he didn't have the correct size of overflow basin in his truck (the lines should drain vertically into the overflow basin with an air gap between the lines and the basin), he was going to have to go about nine miles to get the correct part. He quoted me a price of $250 (plus $21 tax) to do this repair. After he acquired the part, he repaired the drain in about half-an-hour. Overall A Price B Quality A Responsiveness A Punctuality A Professionalism A Review Date: December 30, 2008 Member:  BELLINGHAM, WA 98225 Category:  Plumbing Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $700.00 Description Of Work:  Repaired three burst pipes (one in bathroom wall) that had frozen during the storm. Member Comments:  Robert was very friendly and efficient at repairing the pipes so our renter's could get back into the house quickly. He was able to describe what had gone wrong with the pipes and what he needed to do to fix them, so that I understood what was going on long distance. He was able to make the pipes stronger than before and insulate them so that this won't happen again. He gave a fair price for the work he completed and I will use him again for any future plumbing problems! Overall A Price A Quality A Responsiveness A Punctuality A Professionalism A ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED WHEN COMPLETING THIS REVIEW How much did the final cost compare to the original estimate? right on How does the value of the work compare to the price? I got exactly what I paid for How far in advance did you schedule the work? same day Did you find the company through Angie's List? yes If yes, which source(s)? website Why did you choose this contractor? reputation Have you used this company before? this is the first time I've used this company Review Date: December 15, 2008 Member:  BELLINGHAM, WA 98225 Category:  Plumbing Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $100.00 Home Build Year:  2007 Description Of Work:  The plumber called ahead to let me know he was on the way, showed up on time and figured out how to un-freeze the water pipes in my new 2-year old home. He taught me about preventive measures and was extremely helpful!! I love this company! Member Comments:  He was very professional and helpful and I would absolutely recommend this company. Showed up on time, he was dressed nicely and was friendly, but all business. Very concentrated and wanted my pipes working for me which was a perfect attitude I thought! He explained what he was doing and why, and was very sincere and honest. I am really glad I called this company and want to maintain a good relationship with them to have them back, this level of service is fantastic! Overall A Price A Quality A Responsiveness A Punctuality A Professionalism A ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED WHEN COMPLETING THIS REVIEW How much did the final cost compare to the original estimate? right on How does the value of the work compare to the price? I got more than my money's worth How far in advance did you schedule the work? same day Did you find the company through Angie's List? no If yes, which source(s)? website Why did you choose this contractor? reputation Have you used this company before? this is the first time I've used this company What did you like most about this contractor? The well dressed and knowledgeable serviceman who showed up on time and explained things fully. What did you like least about this contractor? I liked it all, I really did. I wish he could have teleported over instantly instead of a 3 hour wait, but I did call them out of the blue for same day service. %3B) What surprises came up during the course of the work? None, he knew exactly what he was doing. What words of advice would you give other members considering this contractor? I'd tell them to call them without hesitation. What words of advice would you give this contractor? Keep up the outstanding integrity and service! This is your space. Feel free to give us your two cents ... or quote your favorite movie? I'm happy I called this Company!! [ previous  1  2  3  next   ]

Site Links

• Contact Us
• FAQ
• Angie's List Media Kit
• Angie's List Health Media Kit

• Direct Mail Services
• Professional Video
• National Product Advertising

Angie's List Related Links

• AngiesList.com
• Angie's List The Big Deal
• Angie's List Categories

• Angie's Blog
• Angie's List Wishmakers

Follow us

•   
•   
•   

© Copyright 1995-2012, Angie's List. All Rights Reserved.

Angie's List

•  1-866-843-LIST (5478) 
• |
• Contact Us
• |
• FAQ
• |
• My Account
• |
• Sign Out

• Angie's List
• List Advertising
• The Big Deal
• My StoreFront

Welcome Ball!

• Home
• Company Information
• Rating
• Reviews
• Contracts
• Super Service Awards
• Messages
• Statements

• How it Works 
• |
• Grow your Business 
• |
• Business Tools 
• |
• Business Tips 
• |

• Change Company

• jimwi@angieslist.com
• 1-317-803-2054
• Jim Willan

Ad Sales Representative:

Ball Plumbing Inc

Bellingham WA 98225

Company ID: 2018330

Reviews  Read and respond to your reviews below and select your notification preference. Keep your profile updated with fresh testimonials by using our free review generation tools.  Want to track and respond to member reviews and messages on-the-go? The Angie's List Business Center mobile app is now available to download for your iPhone and iPad in the App Store. Get notified when a review is received!  Help Edit my review notification preference Review e-mail notification preference set to:  Each time Your Reviews  Help 11 to 11 of 11  Filter by Grade:        All Grades       A       B       C       D       F           Filter by Category:         All Categories        Plumbing        Plumbing - Drain Cleaning        Sewer Cleaning        Water Heaters           Review Date: December 05, 2008 Member: BELLINGHAM, WA 98229 Category:  Plumbing Services Performed:  Yes * More Weight is given to a review where work has been completed. Hire Again:  Yes Approximate Cost:  $1,400.00 Home Build Year:  1990 Description Of Work:  They replaced a toilet, kitchen faucet, and a hose faucet. Member Comments:  We needed a few new things in our 18 year old (yikes!) home, so we found Ball online, went to their yellow page ads, looked here (not here, so...), and finally called them. They were out the same day and the plumber did the work. They have a neat 20% discount on secondary work that saved us a almost $200.00. They also donate 10% to charity of my choice, which is the Humane Society. Overall A Price A Quality A Responsiveness A Punctuality A Professionalism A ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED WHEN COMPLETING THIS REVIEW How much did the final cost compare to the original estimate? right on How does the value of the work compare to the price? I got exactly what I paid for How far in advance did you schedule the work? same day Did you find the company through Angie's List? no If no, what was the other source? Google, yellow pages. Why did you choose this contractor? other, Like their ads. Have you used this company before? this is the first time I've used this company What did you like most about this contractor? Showed up, price was fair and didn't change. What did you like least about this contractor? Who likes plumbers? What surprises came up during the course of the work? They use the newer pipes and faucets, but it looks good. What words of advice would you give other members considering this contractor? Don't talk too much to the plumber. "One track mind" as Robert told us. What words of advice would you give this contractor? Be more talkative. [ previous  1  2  3   ]

Site Links

• Contact Us
• FAQ
• Angie's List Media Kit
• Angie's List Health Media Kit

• Direct Mail Services
• Professional Video
• National Product Advertising

Angie's List Related Links

• AngiesList.com
• Angie's List The Big Deal
• Angie's List Categories

• Angie's Blog
• Angie's List Wishmakers

Follow us

•   
•   
•   

© Copyright 1995-2012, Angie's List. All Rights Reserved.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Followers

Contributors Robert Yancey Nicole

Blog Archive  2013 (49)  2012 (41)  December(7) Happy Holidays! Shut-off in Lake Samish Ball Plumbing Angies List Reviews Broken American Standard/Sloan toilet Plumber Reviews Big Pressure Regulator Bellingham Water