1st Call Plumbing & Drain Cleaning

Gee, I read all these great reviews, and wish I could agree. Many of them mention Doug, but he was not one of the guys that was sent by 1^st Call Plumbing to fix the leaking drain pipe on my kitchen sink.
When I made the appointment a few days ago, I was told that they charge $ 125./hour. I said, okay. I was told they would be sending two guys and I asked if it was $ 125. for two, and was told, «yes.» When the plumber and his helper arrived they told me it would cost about $ 200. to fix the drain pipe.
They got to work in the basement where the pipe is. After several minutes I heard splitting wood and saw splintering wood flying, and I realized the plumber was gouging out the sill plate (the wood that sits on top of foundation and the entire house sits on top of it). I politely asked about what he was doing, and he was very nasty. He got off his step ladder and started lecturing me about his years of experience and that this is how you do it. He and his helper made up reasons as to why they should be gouging out the sill plate to fit the elbow of the pipe — «I would have to pay more than $ 600 if they did it differently,» «it doesn’t matter,» «this is how you do it,» «it doesn’t hurt the house,» etc.
I felt that my concern was very reasonable and it was a no brainer that it would be better to trim the pipe higher up or figure out another way. They insisted it was a good idea to proceed and so they gouged out the sill until the elbow fit.
When they said they were done and told me to go up and turn on the water, I did, and water poured out of the bottom of the new pipe piece. «A bad seal,» I was told. Okay, no problem. They have another seal, but the way they install it is to cut the new pipe piece in half in order to pull out the bottom piece. So now they have to joint the two severed pieces. They tell me that this can function as the new, «clean out.» Yeah, I suppose that would do in a pinch, but I wouldn’t call bending a pipe and straining the seal at top or bottom, a «clean out.»
They were finished in an hour and ten minutes and presented me with a bill for $ 225. I said that I was told they charge $ 125./hour and was told, «parts aren’t free,» and «we worked more than an hour.» The cost of the parts was not itemized, but I don’t think a 6′ piece of 3″ pvc pipe and a seal costs close to $ 100.
Each thing I mention above is not huge by itself, but everything together made for a really crummy experience. I won’t be calling them again.

I called 1^st Call Plumbing this morning at 7:55 am. It’s now 10:15 am and my garbage disposal replacement is all finished! My tenant said Robert was great — polite, businesslike, never complained about the tight working space, and took her wet garbage out to the dumpster for her. She was very impressed with the service. I had called a different plumber this morning that was located closer to the job site, and they couldn’t come out for 10 days. Found 1^st Call on Unilocal.Should have called them first…

Excellent service from scheduling, the work, easy electronic invoice and payment. I’ve tried a lot of different plumbing companies and this is the first one that I feel isn’t charging me an arm and leg for just showing up. Fair and honest. They will be my go-​to plumbing company from now on!

Made an appointment with 1^st call because my water heater wasn’t making hot water. Called, and they were able to come 3 days later, seems all plumbers are busy right now.
They diagnosed that both of my elements were blown in the water heater. Replaced both, and I had hot water in minutes. I was charged $ 125/​hr. plus parts, Which seems quite high considering they were only here for 30 mins. Either way I’m grateful for having hot water again. I haven’t priced other plumbers in the area, but I would hire them again for professionalism alone.

Doug and Chris took care of business for me. I had a leaky p trap in the bathroom that I fixed (may be) then realized the faucet was the source of the problem. Since it was brass and it is no longer 1987, it had to go.
Picked up a faucet and already had one in the garage on my «to do» list for the kitchen, it had been a year since I bought so may be it was time I’d call a professional… So happy as that kitchen faucet was the same one we had in my parents home when I was in high school (again late 80’s). At least it wasn’t brass but it looked beaten down.
Called 1^st call — ironically they were having phone issues so it took a few days for us to connect (not their fault Laney literally called me as soon as she got it). Made an appointment a week out, guys showed up right on time and descended on the jobs and were in and out in an hour. Two plumbers, two sinks and new pipe workings in the bath at a price I was happy with (under $ 200).
I will absolutely use these guys again. Good guys that do good work. Can’t ask for more.

Doug and his crew came over and diagnosed the problem we had, worked on it for two hours and determined they were not the ones that would be able to help, but got us on the right track, since it was a huge sewer line repair with lots of digging and concrete cutting work work. Honest answers, honest assessment, no funny business. The way business should be done. Even though they were not able to fix the problem, they did not treat us as an afterthought. Good job Doug and crew!!!

We had 1^st Call Plumbing come to our home and replace our old rusted pipes throughout our 1955 built home. Doug’s crew was fast and performed excellent work. The job was completely done in 2 ½ days. It is a pleasure to recommend this small companies work.

I met Doug a few years ago when I needed a plumber… and he is, without a doubt, the best plumber I ever had!!! He has done several jobs for me, since I have been in my house fifty one years now… and had a few problems… He is accurate and considerate and reasonable, and a very caring person… I will never call a different plumber, as long as I live and have given his name to my friends as a reference. Carol

Last week I needed a laundry drain cleared. These guys accepted the challenge and had a guy on site within a few hours. I forgot the name of the technician, but he was thorough and made sure all steps were taken to clear the drain. They accepted a credit card (over the phone, and with a 4% service charge).
They charge $ 95/​hr to come out, up to the first hour.
Overall, everyone I talked to was professional and courteous. I would definitely use this company again!

1^st Call Plumbing and Doug are top notch!
I’ve used them twice now. The first time for a gas water heater installation and most recently, a water spigot installation on the back of my house.
Doug and his other crew member were efficient and easy to work with. The water spigot they picked out was awesome as it looked very commercial grade and was installed to perfection.
I’d highly recommend 1^st Call Plumbing!

Super prompt, super fast, super professional, and super nice. Need I say more? I would hire them again!

This guys are great! My kitchen sink got plugged up on a Sunday afternoon. Not too many plumbing places are open, or are willing to work you into their schedule on a Sunday — but 1^st Call did! Even though they advertise as being closed on weekends — they answered the phone. Doug was over to my place pretty quick. I had a tough plug but he worked hard at it with the snake and he got it loose. He charged me a little more for coming out on a Sunday — but the price wasn’t really that bad. I had called another place who had also answered on a Sunday — but they wouldn’t come out that same day & they quoted me a minimum price for a weekday that wasn’t too much below Doug’s price for doing Sunday work. I really appreciate Doug fitting me in on a Sunday. He’s good at his job, and for a reasonable price, and is a nice guy to boot! (& also his wife, who came with him & helped him). This should be your «1^st Call»!

Had a small plumbing issue during the install of our new dishwasher. Doug at 1^st plumbing came out, on time, and fixed the problem in 15 minutes. Very reasonably priced and cut to the chase.

Responsive, experienced, efficient, friendly, and fair-​priced. If you need more in a plumber, you’re way too high-​maintenance. :-)
When my way-​too-​expensive faucet began leaking from parts inaccessible to me, I called about four different plumbers, and 1^st Call made a significant effort to fit me in, even though this was not an emergency. Doug and his crew were a pleasure — from the first call to schedule, to the final installation of a faucet that no longer leaked. I would use 1^st Call again in a heartbeat. In fact, I might even invent some plumbing projects just so I can hire them again!

We highly recommend Doug and 1^st Call Plumbing for your home! We called with a kitchen sink crisis and they were both expedient and professional. We wound up needing a new sink and Doug walked us through what kind to get that would be the most best quality within our budget and made room in his schedule to install it ASAP. Extremely competent and friendly service. Great to know we now have a plumber we can call on at any time.

Great service! I called on a Saturday afternoon with a small emergency and they came over like 15 minutes later and then gave me a discount! Very friendly couple! Thanks Doug!

Extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and PROMPT! As in they came over 30 minutes after my first call to them. After a string of super unpleasant contractor experiences, it was SO nice to finally have a really positive one! Highly recommend Doug and the team here.

I have used 1^st call plumbing on three separate projects. New hot water heater, kitchen remodel and a total re-​pipe of house and bath remodel. Again and again I am impressed at the friendly, professional, and on time service. The professional advice and guidance as I planned my project was invaluable. I felt very confident that prices were fair and I wasn’t being over charged. I have recommended 1^st call to friends and feel confident that are in good hands.

So I get home from work and I have water coming out of my basement ceiling. I panic, look at Unilocal,and call 1^st Call, and boy am I glad I did. I’m in SE Portland, so it was incredibly convenient and Doug rushed right over to our house and got the leak under control. A week later (timing was my issue — had to deal with the water damage) Doug and Lainie were over to install a new faucet and fix a clogged tub. They were super fast and efficient and total pros. They’re in demand and it’s easy to see why. I definitely recommend them!

Great company to work with! Doug helped us with plumbing during our recent remodel. Its a great asset to work with someone who has a ton of experience. Getting approvals from the city was a breeze, work was completed on time and with highest quality. When we had some plumbing emergency Doug has showed up at the whee hours to get it fixed. Great professional. Strongly recommend for your next plumbing adventure!