Richards Rooter and Plumbing

Somehow my review from a while ago was deleted. All I have to say is look elsewhere for plumbing service. Unless you like getting ripped off. Shameful stuff.

My plumbing went out in the middle of the night on New Year’s Day. I called Richard in the morning and he promptly diagnosed the problem and made some excellent recommendations for the future. I would use him again.

If this gets published it’s because I never received a call and/​or explanation to Richard’s Rooter and Plumbing cancellation. I waited a day so here it is…
I called several Rooter Companies and got voice mail. I called Richard’s Rooter and Plumbing and he (or his guy on call) answered immediately. He gets one star for that. I explained the situation and said he would be here in 1.5 hours. He was concerned getting his equipment to the main line would be difficult up a small hill 15 feet from the street. I offered to help, offered an alternative place to park and set up with only 2 steps to deal with and let him know that it was done before without a problem. This is where I should’ve said no thanks to his whine but he did said he would be out. With a 6 day old baby and sick toddler, I really needed it. Other companies did call back ready to go but I let them know I had someone on the way… so I thought. Getting dark, I decided to make a trip to pick up some outdoor lighting to make Richard’s life easier and exactly when he was supposed to arrive, I got his text saying «sorry, I’m not gonna be able to make it tonight». I text back «will it be in the morning?». Nothing. That’s it? No explanation? I called his phone and no answer and still no answer hours later as I write.
From their website: «A Plumbing Emergency or any Plumbing Emergencies should be handled quickly and your call will be answered by a live person 24-​hours a day, 7-​days a week. At Richards Rooter And Plumbing we Provide the most cost effective solution to any plumbing situation, no matter the difficulty or size of the problem».
Really? Is this the same company that I called (thinking as I wash dishes outside using my right hand, relieving with my left). I double checked and yes it was. What a joke of a company and a waste of my time.
So if you are in need of a professional service that keeps their word, I suggest you go elsewhere. Unfortunately I can’t flush, but looking at this toxic steamer is a good reminder of what I think of this Richard’s Rooter and Plumbing service. Actually I’m glad they didn’t make it seeing what other reviewers are saying. I had someone else out the next morning within an hour and had it unplugged in 5 minutes.

Although the four Unilocal negative comments below are from other customers that used Richard’s Rooter & Plumbing, my experiences were the same and I AGREE 100% with their postings:
1) «The worst plumber I’ve ever used»
2) «Stay clear of Richard’s Rooter & Plumbing unless you want to be ripped off»
3) «DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY»
4) «Will NEVER use him again»
Richard’s charges were excessive for everything he did, he performed additional work that HE deemed necessary, he came the first time and clearly had no intentions of doing any work, and it took a total of three visits for him to complete the task I originally hired him to perform.
I had a water heater pilot go out repeatedly. Gas man said the thermal cupler needed to be replaced. I sent an email with pictures of the water heater and told Richard what needed to be done. His 1^st visit was to come and «evaluate» — ($ 99); the 2^nd visit was to replace a vent cap on the roof that he said was out of code and might be causing the wind to blow out the pilot — actually it had nothing to do with my pilot light going out ($ 75); and finally on the 3^rd visit he changed the thermal cupler (additional $ 250). On YouTube there are several videos that show directions on how to change a thermal cupler — the process took between 3.5 to 6 minutes, including cleaning the burner. The part could be purchased at a big box store for approximately $ 15. I ultimately paid Richard a total of $ 424 to complete the job. After I thought about it, I knew I had been ripped off so before commenting on Unilocal, I called and asked him if he would reevaluate his charges but he defended everything. I asked him that since I wasn’t home for the final visit, I wondered how long he spent changing the thermal cupler now that I know it was not that difficult to reach and replace. I wasn’t given an answer and he became very angry and accused me of trying to take food out of his children’s mouths. If you decide not to heed our five experiences, better get everything IN WRITING ahead of time including what he will be charging. He is an expert at finding other things that he insists must be done and at making extra «chargeable» trips to your house.

We had a problem on the bathroom sink and the faucet was completely clogged. We called Richard’s Rooter and Plumbing and richard fixed it instead of offering us to replace everything with brand-​new fixtures. We called the other plumber out earlier and they were offering us to replace a bunch of things like pipes faucets and valves. I saved over $ 1000 thanks to Richard. I would recommend him to anyone. Richard is very professional and he knows what he’s doing. He used compressed air to flush out the water pipe and that’s it.

If I could give a negative star to Richards Rooter and Plumbing I would. He came out to do a simple sink drain clear and a small leak underneath the sink. He tried exactly once to snake the pipes and then told me that other items needed replacing and surprise surprise he didn’t have the equipment in his truck so he needed to come back and then told me it would be another 400.00 over the 350 I had already paid him. My leak still exists my drain is still clogged and he walked away after less then an hour with my 350.00. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!

Richard is a great plumber. He came out same day and spent a couple hours fixing a couple bathroom fixtures in an old mobile home. FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY-​FIVE DOLLARS!!! $ 99 just to evaluate the problem. My last plumber installed our spa tub and raised the shower heads in two showers for less than that! All I can say is that Victor E. must have a lot of money to throw around. I have a degree and a credential. I am a substitute teacher making $ 28 and change an hour. I would have to work NINETEEN HOURS to make that much… more than that after taxes are taken out. How does this guy sleep at night ripping off seniors to repair plumbing? It’s not brain surgery. Will NEVER use him again. Jill E…? His wife? Sister? Great value?

Professional, reasonable, knowledgeable and nice. Couldn’t have asked for much more. After getting 2 laughably high estimates to install a bathroom sink, I called Richard’s. He wound up doing the job for WAY less — and I didn’t have to compromise on quality, or anything else for that matter.
Super happy customer. Will definitely call him again.
Dave, West Hollywood

Richards Rooter and Plumbing came out to my apartment and fixed the 100 gallon water heater. Richard did the BEST JOB EVER. Richard made so the apartment manager and owner can change the thermostat. Thanks Richard

An excellent plumbing company. Richards Rooter and Plumbing came to the rescue late at night. We needed emergency plumbing in our house and found his website. Called and he was over within 30 minutes!
He came by the next day to check if everything was OK, as well as provided us with Rooter service to our main line for a really low price. I paid $ 75 last year, he did it for much less.
Definitely check out Richards Rooter and Plumbing if you’d like value and quality service. 5 Stars and highly recommended!!!

Great experience! Great value!