Friday, November 29, 2013

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

Friday, November 15, 2013

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


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

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

Monday, November 11, 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)



Ball Plumbing
  • 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
 

Friday, November 8, 2013

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.




Ad Sales Representative:
Ball Plumbing Inc
Bellingham WA 98225
Company ID: 2018330
Reviews 
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1 to 5 of 11 
        
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.

OverallA
PriceA
QualityA
ResponsivenessA
PunctualityA
ProfessionalismA



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.

OverallA
PriceN/A
QualityN/A
ResponsivenessB
PunctualityA
ProfessionalismA



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.

OverallD
PriceD
QualityN/A
ResponsivenessN/A
PunctualityN/A
ProfessionalismD



AlertThis 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
Page Of Happiness Nominee

OverallA
PriceA
QualityA
ResponsivenessA
PunctualityA
ProfessionalismA
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2 comments:

virat kohli said...
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virat kohli said...
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