Some people say it doesn't rain in Southern California .... not true... looks like for the next week or so we will be getting some serious rain.
For those of you out there that have clogged area drains or landscape drains, hydro-jetting is a great way to "clear those clogs".
Splash Plumbing offers hydro-jetting services for all of Orange County.
Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, R.S. Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Irvine and Foothill Ranch are just a few cities we service. We are able to offer affordable plumbing services including hydro-jetting and drain clearing as well!
Splash Plumbing offers commercial, industrial and residential plumbing services 24 hours 7 days each week. If you have a restaurant or large commercial building that needs sewer cleaning services, give us a call today.
We are always available at 877-HEY-SPLASH or contact an Orange County plumber today.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Cheap Huntington Beach Plumbing
I was talking with my father-in-law about "cheap plumbers" and how there seem to be too may unlicensed plumbers in Orange County. I went on to explain how I "Blog" about this stuff and he asked .... "Blog ... what's a blog?"
It cracked me up! I mean ... come on Grandpa .. "get wit it ...yo"
That very day, I had a client call in to our office that found our company by completing a "google search" with the keywords "Cheap Orange County Plumber".... sure enough, our blog popped up and he called! We now have a new client .... not because we are cheap but rather affordable!
The purpose of this blog for Cheap Plumbers is to show my father-in-law how it works.
Anyone want to "blog" about this topic?
Please contact one of our Orange County plumbers to start a blog topic.
It cracked me up! I mean ... come on Grandpa .. "get wit it ...yo"
That very day, I had a client call in to our office that found our company by completing a "google search" with the keywords "Cheap Orange County Plumber".... sure enough, our blog popped up and he called! We now have a new client .... not because we are cheap but rather affordable!
The purpose of this blog for Cheap Plumbers is to show my father-in-law how it works.
Anyone want to "blog" about this topic?
Please contact one of our Orange County plumbers to start a blog topic.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sewer Camera Inspections
If you have had a sewer clog or major sewer back up lately, chances are you need a "sewer camera inspection"
What the "hootin-anny" is a sewer camera anyhow???
I can't tell you how many times people have asked me that!!! They actually say "hootin-anny" too!
Sewer cameras are very useful tools in the drain cleaning industry. Each one of our fully stocked service vans have 2 different styles. They are used to actually "Scope" the interior of a sewer line to determine what is causing damage or clogs.
Our cameras can be viewed in full color and can reach up to 200'. As an added feature, each truck is equipped with a "locator feature".... what is this you ask?
Assuming www.SPLASHplumbing.com has been successful in clearing your clogged drain (and we always are) it is our policy to offer a sewer camera inspection. Once we insert our color sewer camera into a sewer main, we can easily see what is causing any drain back ups or clogs. Once our camera is positioned into view, we can simply locate where it is by activating a function within the camera system allowing us to use another piece of equipment called a "locator". This locator receives a signal from the camera head and our Technician will be able pinpoint its location.
Once this is completed, location and depth can be determined! Simple ... right?
What the "hootin-anny" is a sewer camera anyhow???
I can't tell you how many times people have asked me that!!! They actually say "hootin-anny" too!
Sewer cameras are very useful tools in the drain cleaning industry. Each one of our fully stocked service vans have 2 different styles. They are used to actually "Scope" the interior of a sewer line to determine what is causing damage or clogs.
Our cameras can be viewed in full color and can reach up to 200'. As an added feature, each truck is equipped with a "locator feature".... what is this you ask?
Assuming www.SPLASHplumbing.com has been successful in clearing your clogged drain (and we always are) it is our policy to offer a sewer camera inspection. Once we insert our color sewer camera into a sewer main, we can easily see what is causing any drain back ups or clogs. Once our camera is positioned into view, we can simply locate where it is by activating a function within the camera system allowing us to use another piece of equipment called a "locator". This locator receives a signal from the camera head and our Technician will be able pinpoint its location.
Once this is completed, location and depth can be determined! Simple ... right?
Sewer Line Repair - Orange County
Hey there Orange County residents!
Anyone had a blocked sewer line lately?
How about a clogged sewer line in your Mission Viejo home?
Ever wonder where your waste from your disposal goes? ..... I mean come on now ...... this is a blog on forwww.splashplumbing.com after all! We talk about "plumbing stuff" around here.
You never really think about this kind of stuff until .... what????.... when the junk in your disposal comes spewing out of your sink or from some other place in your house!!! YUK ... I know.
Splash Plumbing is a true 24 hour service and repair company that offers help to you and your family ANYTIME of the day!
Keep our info on file ..... the name is easy ..... SPLASH PLUMBING and the number is even easier .... 877-HEY-SPLASH
Anyone had a blocked sewer line lately?
How about a clogged sewer line in your Mission Viejo home?
Ever wonder where your waste from your disposal goes? ..... I mean come on now ...... this is a blog on forwww.splashplumbing.com after all! We talk about "plumbing stuff" around here.
You never really think about this kind of stuff until .... what????.... when the junk in your disposal comes spewing out of your sink or from some other place in your house!!! YUK ... I know.
Splash Plumbing is a true 24 hour service and repair company that offers help to you and your family ANYTIME of the day!
Keep our info on file ..... the name is easy ..... SPLASH PLUMBING and the number is even easier .... 877-HEY-SPLASH
Friday, September 24, 2010
Plumbers in Mission Viejo
Have you searched through google for "plumbers in Mission Viejo" lately?
It's amazing haw many companies "pop up" in the results when they are as far away as Los Angeles and Corona.
If you are looking for a Mission Viejo Plumber, look no further than www.SPLASHplumbing.com
We offer 24 hour emergency plumbing service for Mission Viejo and all of Orange County.
We also service Lake Forest, Ca. - Laguan Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Laguna Beach.
Feel free to call 877-HEY-SPLASH for fast, friendly and professional plumbing service.
It's amazing haw many companies "pop up" in the results when they are as far away as Los Angeles and Corona.
If you are looking for a Mission Viejo Plumber, look no further than www.SPLASHplumbing.com
We offer 24 hour emergency plumbing service for Mission Viejo and all of Orange County.
We also service Lake Forest, Ca. - Laguan Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills and Laguna Beach.
Feel free to call 877-HEY-SPLASH for fast, friendly and professional plumbing service.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Coto De Caza Plumbing
Do you still feel you "live in the sticks" when you drive home to Coto De Caza?
Who do you call for plumbing service in Coto De Caza?
Despite all the development in South Orange County, Coto De Caza is still "way out there".... but not to worry, www.SPLASHplumbing.com services your area too. Although we don't advertise in your area, we have plenty of clients in Coto, Dove and Trabuco Canyon as well as Wagon Wheel!
Give us a call today for a free estimate on any of your Coto De Caza plumbing issues.
Call 877-HEY-SPLASH today!!
Who do you call for plumbing service in Coto De Caza?
Despite all the development in South Orange County, Coto De Caza is still "way out there".... but not to worry, www.SPLASHplumbing.com services your area too. Although we don't advertise in your area, we have plenty of clients in Coto, Dove and Trabuco Canyon as well as Wagon Wheel!
Give us a call today for a free estimate on any of your Coto De Caza plumbing issues.
Call 877-HEY-SPLASH today!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Are Tankless Water Heaters Good?
Have you ever wondered how good the new tankless water heaters really are?
Do you think they are "maintenance free"? Have you been told this?
Splash Plumbing operates in Orange County and surrounding areas installing both traditional water heaters and tankless water heaters. We have had trendous success with both!
Most of our residential clients have heard about tankless water heaters and done some research on them ..... but these days money is tight and most elect not to install because of the additional cost factor(s). I can honestly say that with financing programs, tax credits, Gas Company rebates and our very competitive prices, installing a tankless water heater in Orange County is not that expensive.
If you have already had a quote from another plumbing company in Orange County, give us a call at 877-HEY-SPLASH and let us provide you with a comparison bid!
Back to the question of "Are tankless water heaters good?" The answer is simply .... YES! I installed one last year in my home and absolutely love it! And as for the countless tankless water heaters we have installed in Orange County, we have had ZERO complaints! That's right ....... ZERO!
We have tankless water heaters in Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Anaheim Hills and even in Costa Mesa!
One thing to consider though ...... tankless water heaters ARE NOT maintenance free. Quite frankly, we repair and maintain more units than we install! Why.......? Because the original installers did not properly inform the client of their responsibility to clean the tankless water heater heat exchanger and applicable filters.
How often do you have to do this? According to most manufacturers ..... yearly! (assuming you don't have a filter)
If you have any comments or ideas ... lets "Blog about it"
Do you think they are "maintenance free"? Have you been told this?
Splash Plumbing operates in Orange County and surrounding areas installing both traditional water heaters and tankless water heaters. We have had trendous success with both!
Most of our residential clients have heard about tankless water heaters and done some research on them ..... but these days money is tight and most elect not to install because of the additional cost factor(s). I can honestly say that with financing programs, tax credits, Gas Company rebates and our very competitive prices, installing a tankless water heater in Orange County is not that expensive.
If you have already had a quote from another plumbing company in Orange County, give us a call at 877-HEY-SPLASH and let us provide you with a comparison bid!
Back to the question of "Are tankless water heaters good?" The answer is simply .... YES! I installed one last year in my home and absolutely love it! And as for the countless tankless water heaters we have installed in Orange County, we have had ZERO complaints! That's right ....... ZERO!
We have tankless water heaters in Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Anaheim Hills and even in Costa Mesa!
One thing to consider though ...... tankless water heaters ARE NOT maintenance free. Quite frankly, we repair and maintain more units than we install! Why.......? Because the original installers did not properly inform the client of their responsibility to clean the tankless water heater heat exchanger and applicable filters.
How often do you have to do this? According to most manufacturers ..... yearly! (assuming you don't have a filter)
If you have any comments or ideas ... lets "Blog about it"
Friday, September 10, 2010
Affordable Plumbers
"If water goes through it, we do it!"
We at Splash Plumbing actually own that slogan! Go to http://www.blogger.com/www.SPLASHplumbing.comto check us out.
Affordable plumbers in Mission Viejo.
Affordable plumber in Lake Forest, Ca.
Affordable plumbers in Laguna Niguel
Affordable plumbing in Laguna Beach
Maybe we should buy these somehow??? What do you think?
Everytime I answer the phones here at the office, Affordable Plumbing always seems to come up in the conversation somehow ......
Let's define Affordable... shall we? I found this one ..
1. To be able to do or spare something, especially without incurring financial difficulties or without risk of undesirable consequences.
I thought that was pretty good ..... I like the "undesirable consequences" part. I can honestly say, "Hiring cheap plumbers will only bring undersirable consequences".
Stick to affordable plumbers ....
We at Splash Plumbing actually own that slogan! Go to http://www.blogger.com/www.SPLASHplumbing.comto check us out.
Affordable plumbers in Mission Viejo.
Affordable plumber in Lake Forest, Ca.
Affordable plumbers in Laguna Niguel
Affordable plumbing in Laguna Beach
Maybe we should buy these somehow??? What do you think?
Everytime I answer the phones here at the office, Affordable Plumbing always seems to come up in the conversation somehow ......
Let's define Affordable... shall we? I found this one ..
1. To be able to do or spare something, especially without incurring financial difficulties or without risk of undesirable consequences.
I thought that was pretty good ..... I like the "undesirable consequences" part. I can honestly say, "Hiring cheap plumbers will only bring undersirable consequences".
Stick to affordable plumbers ....
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Licensed Mission Viejo Plumber
Searching through www.craigslist.org for a CHEAP PLUMBER? What about "googling" for "Cheap Plumber in Mission Viejo". Although the results you find may range in variety, there are plenty of qualified, affordable and licensed plumbers that may show up...... and plenty of unqualified. Here are the basics to look for when choosing a plumber in orange county.
- Do they have a current AND active California State Contractors license? Go to www.cslb.ca.gov to look up a companies license number (if they have one)
- Is their website current and do they have a "testimonial" page?
- Assuming you have contacted them via internet or phone, can they produce references AND a current certificate of insurance? The insurance is crucial .... many smaller companies have the VERY basic coverage that may not cover damage to your home, injuries, damage to your car etc.
- Are their Technicians required to have a background check for things like; arrests, convictions, DUI, drugs etc.
In the event you contact ANY contractor to work on your home, these are the basics to consider! If the person who answers the initial call CANNOT confirm or provide these basic items, move on to the next company!!
Just my personal opinion of course!
Orange County Affordable Plumbers
Are you looking for affordable plumbing repairs in Orange County?
What about affordable plumbing in Mission Viejo?
Ever consider hiring a CHEAP PLUMBER as advertised in http://www.craigslist.com ? I hope not ..... what exactly do you think you might get when the "plumber arrives"? May I suggest calling 877-HEY-SPLASH and let http://www.SPLASHplumbing.com send a qualified, licensed AND insured plumber out to your Orange County home or place of business.
Are we cheap plumbers? Nope ..... just affordable. As I mentioned in previous blogs, our philosophy is simple "We have to afford to pay our Technicians enough to live in the areas they service". This ALWAYS benefits the client and Technician alike.
What about affordable plumbing in Mission Viejo?
Ever consider hiring a CHEAP PLUMBER as advertised in http://www.craigslist.com ? I hope not ..... what exactly do you think you might get when the "plumber arrives"? May I suggest calling 877-HEY-SPLASH and let http://www.SPLASHplumbing.com send a qualified, licensed AND insured plumber out to your Orange County home or place of business.
Are we cheap plumbers? Nope ..... just affordable. As I mentioned in previous blogs, our philosophy is simple "We have to afford to pay our Technicians enough to live in the areas they service". This ALWAYS benefits the client and Technician alike.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Mission Viejo Plumber
I believe I have posted blogs about this in the past.... But nevertheless "Here it goes".
As I "man the phones" here in the office it amazes me how many people call in looking for prices and are willing to compare our rates to a competitor as far away as Corona!
My question is "Why would you hire a plumber to work on your Mission Viejo home when he is 50 miles away?"
Now I understand that our office is not exactly in Mission Viejo .... but come on!!!!!
We have Technicians that live in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Buena Park, Orange and other surrounding cities - we truely access and serve Orange County with some of the best plumbing service around!!
Here's an example of what I am talking about.
Last month I had a new client call in and request a quote for a water softener system for his Ladera Ranch home. As I arrived for our afternoon appointment I was greeted by the Owner and he was in "panic mode". Ironicaly, a leak was coming from the upstairs Master bathroom just as I arrived and our attention quickly went from the quote to the leak.
I was quickly able to diagnose what I thought the source of the leak was and guess what? Turns out he had contracted a plumber from Chino Hills to come out and install some new toilets for him AFTER the new tile was put down .... approx 9 months ago. Wel'p they did not extent the closet flange up to the new tile height and tried to just "stack gaskets" to make up the gap. Needless to say this is not a code compliant method of installation but rather a way to "cheat".
I suggested to the client he should try and call the company he originally hired to come out and warranty any installations. He did and guess what? "Sorry sir ..... it is late in the afternoon and our Tech's live in Chino .... we can't get there for a day or two!"
Although that did not surprise me and this was a painful lesson for this Owner. He did admit that "the price was great and they did great work ..... but now I guess I got what I paid for ...... lowsy service and follow through"
Now don't think for one second we did not help this guy out ...... of course we did. With one push o f button, one of our Technicians was onsite in 30 minutes! That's because we live and work in the areas we service!
To any and all people reading this blog, please consider situations like this when making decisons to hire companies outside of your (or their) area!
Talk to ya soon!
As I "man the phones" here in the office it amazes me how many people call in looking for prices and are willing to compare our rates to a competitor as far away as Corona!
My question is "Why would you hire a plumber to work on your Mission Viejo home when he is 50 miles away?"
Now I understand that our office is not exactly in Mission Viejo .... but come on!!!!!
We have Technicians that live in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Buena Park, Orange and other surrounding cities - we truely access and serve Orange County with some of the best plumbing service around!!
Here's an example of what I am talking about.
Last month I had a new client call in and request a quote for a water softener system for his Ladera Ranch home. As I arrived for our afternoon appointment I was greeted by the Owner and he was in "panic mode". Ironicaly, a leak was coming from the upstairs Master bathroom just as I arrived and our attention quickly went from the quote to the leak.
I was quickly able to diagnose what I thought the source of the leak was and guess what? Turns out he had contracted a plumber from Chino Hills to come out and install some new toilets for him AFTER the new tile was put down .... approx 9 months ago. Wel'p they did not extent the closet flange up to the new tile height and tried to just "stack gaskets" to make up the gap. Needless to say this is not a code compliant method of installation but rather a way to "cheat".
I suggested to the client he should try and call the company he originally hired to come out and warranty any installations. He did and guess what? "Sorry sir ..... it is late in the afternoon and our Tech's live in Chino .... we can't get there for a day or two!"
Although that did not surprise me and this was a painful lesson for this Owner. He did admit that "the price was great and they did great work ..... but now I guess I got what I paid for ...... lowsy service and follow through"
Now don't think for one second we did not help this guy out ...... of course we did. With one push o f button, one of our Technicians was onsite in 30 minutes! That's because we live and work in the areas we service!
To any and all people reading this blog, please consider situations like this when making decisons to hire companies outside of your (or their) area!
Talk to ya soon!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Leaking Shower Valve Repair
Do you have a leaking shower valve in Mission Viejo that needs repair?
http://www.SPLASHplumbing.com is the website you need to click on! Give us a call 24hours 7 days a week for prompt plumbing service or repair to your leaking shower valve.
We service almost every make and model of shower valve ... there is not we have not seen!
MIXET Shower valves seem to be everywhere in Southern California .... especially South Orange County. Although unlikely to find one of them in one of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" house, I'll bet you might have one. Common problems you ask?
http://www.SPLASHplumbing.com is the website you need to click on! Give us a call 24hours 7 days a week for prompt plumbing service or repair to your leaking shower valve.
We service almost every make and model of shower valve ... there is not we have not seen!
MIXET Shower valves seem to be everywhere in Southern California .... especially South Orange County. Although unlikely to find one of them in one of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" house, I'll bet you might have one. Common problems you ask?
- Plastic handle strips and you can't turn the water on.
- Plastic temp. control handle strips and ..... you only got cold water .... BUUURRRRR
- Internal cartridge seizes....... no water at all!
Our recommendation .... call 877-HEY-SPLASH and let one of our Technicians install a new code compliant shower valve for you today!
Don't have a MIXET .... do you live in Laguna Niguel and have a quality HARDEN shower valve? Wel'p we can fix thise too! Good luck finding the trim though!
For those in Laguna Hills .... do you see MOEN on the knob that keeps breaking off in your hand? Call us for fast friendly repairs!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Best Plumber In Orange County
Is this actually a title a company can have?
If there is a contest out there for this crown....... I want to enter!
What would you win?
If there is a contest out there for this crown....... I want to enter!
What would you win?
- A big ol' cup with sparkles?
- A bumper sticker?
- An award?
I'm not too sure .. but I will say that http://SPLASHplumbing.com is one of the best plumbers in Orange County.
We offer 24 hour 7 day a week service! We specialize in ....... plumbing! Not HVAC - Electrical - and Plumbing ...... just plumbing!
Try us out .... I like to say to most of our new clients "you have tried the rest , now use the best"!
We can be reached at 949-642-7900 or 714-688-0804 and for those that have a hard time remembering #'s 877-HEY-SPLASH
We look forward to an opportunity to earn your business!
Cheap Plumber in Irvine
I cannot believe how many people call up http://splashplumbing.com/ looking for a Cheap Plumber in Orange County ...... I have posted other blogs about this and it still cracks me up.
If someone is looking for a Cheap Plumber in Irvine, they actually "google" that heading: Cheap Plumber in Irvine - I am surprised at the results, a lot of junk to say the least!
But guess what ...... we pop up in the search results .... why you ask? Quite frankly Splash Plumbing wants to make sure we bring some relief and positive results for those searching this way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.
We at Splash Plumbing don't consider our company to be cheap ... this would indicate ..... well ... cheap. Splash Plumbing is however, afforable. We provide VERY affordable plumbing service for Orange County.
Our affordable plumbing service also includes Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo (any other viejo you can think of) Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel ..... and as a reminder, we do not offer CHEAP service. If you want cheap plumbing service, may I suggest searching over on http://craigslist.org/ and try one of the 1000 unlicensed "cheap plumbers" looking for work!
Something to consider when hiring any contractor:
If someone is looking for a Cheap Plumber in Irvine, they actually "google" that heading: Cheap Plumber in Irvine - I am surprised at the results, a lot of junk to say the least!
But guess what ...... we pop up in the search results .... why you ask? Quite frankly Splash Plumbing wants to make sure we bring some relief and positive results for those searching this way. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.
We at Splash Plumbing don't consider our company to be cheap ... this would indicate ..... well ... cheap. Splash Plumbing is however, afforable. We provide VERY affordable plumbing service for Orange County.
Our affordable plumbing service also includes Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Mission Viejo (any other viejo you can think of) Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel ..... and as a reminder, we do not offer CHEAP service. If you want cheap plumbing service, may I suggest searching over on http://craigslist.org/ and try one of the 1000 unlicensed "cheap plumbers" looking for work!
Something to consider when hiring any contractor:
- Are they licensed?
- Do they have insurance?
- Are they bonded?
- Are they reputable and do they have references?
- Do they have the right equipment? (or any equipment at all)
Another PRIMARY thing to consider when hiring a plumber or contractor..... and this is something that we take very seriously. Our philosphy is simple "Splash Plumbing is dedicated to providing affordable plumbing service in Orange County while finding the proper balance in making sure our Technicians can be compensated enough to live in the area they service"
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Mission Viejo Water Heaters
Do you have a water heater in Mission Viejo that needs to be replaced?
Laguna Hills, Ca. water heater repair and replacement are very common as well.
What about the rest of Orange County, Ca. water heaters repairs or installation? If you like to take a nice hot shower, I would assume you have a water heater!
Guess what? http://splashplumbing.com/ professionally installs residential, commercial and industrial water heaters in Orange County ..... and we are always sensitive to our clients needs especially when it comes to prices! As of July 1st, 2010, all water heater manufacturers raised their prices almost 15% in some cases!
OUCH!!!! What does this mean to you? Unfortunetly this means that all plumbers in Orange County will be raising their prices as well. Here at SPLASH Plumbing we were able to negotiate with one of our primary vendors to hold the increase until August 1st .. so those of you that hired the affordable plumbing service we offer here at SPLASH to install your new water heater ...... "you lucked out"!
We will keep you posted with any other major increases in the future.
One final thought ...... if you are reading this blog and you are considering replacing your water heater in Mission Viejo, repairing your water heater in Laguna Beach or installing a 50 gallon water heater in Laguna Hills, may I suggest letting us provide you with a quote to install a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heaters in Orange County are very popular and offer great benefits! Please click here http://splashplumbing.com/ or call us at 949-642-7900 to schedule an appointment.
And remember at SPLASH Plumbing ...... "If water goes through it, we do it" ...... we are your 1 stop shop for affordable plumbing repairs in Mission Viejo and all of Orange County!
Laguna Hills, Ca. water heater repair and replacement are very common as well.
What about the rest of Orange County, Ca. water heaters repairs or installation? If you like to take a nice hot shower, I would assume you have a water heater!
Guess what? http://splashplumbing.com/ professionally installs residential, commercial and industrial water heaters in Orange County ..... and we are always sensitive to our clients needs especially when it comes to prices! As of July 1st, 2010, all water heater manufacturers raised their prices almost 15% in some cases!
OUCH!!!! What does this mean to you? Unfortunetly this means that all plumbers in Orange County will be raising their prices as well. Here at SPLASH Plumbing we were able to negotiate with one of our primary vendors to hold the increase until August 1st .. so those of you that hired the affordable plumbing service we offer here at SPLASH to install your new water heater ...... "you lucked out"!
We will keep you posted with any other major increases in the future.
One final thought ...... if you are reading this blog and you are considering replacing your water heater in Mission Viejo, repairing your water heater in Laguna Beach or installing a 50 gallon water heater in Laguna Hills, may I suggest letting us provide you with a quote to install a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heaters in Orange County are very popular and offer great benefits! Please click here http://splashplumbing.com/ or call us at 949-642-7900 to schedule an appointment.
And remember at SPLASH Plumbing ...... "If water goes through it, we do it" ...... we are your 1 stop shop for affordable plumbing repairs in Mission Viejo and all of Orange County!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Affordable Plumber in Orange County
The last week before the 4th of July weekend, most of our office staff was on vacation and I had the task of answering the phones and dispatching all of our qualified plumbing Technicians.
I was surprised to hear most of you wanted an "Affordable Plumber in Orange County" .... it was almost like you were surprised to find one! That's right ..... http://SPLASHplumbing.com is your Affordable Plumber for Orange County, Ca.
We service Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita as well as Newport Beach and Newport Coast.
Just because you live in Newport Coast does not mean you pay more!
Shocking you say? Believe it our not, we have clients in Newport Coast that have chosen us over and over again because we are honest and upfront........ primarily because they have shopped around for affordable plumbers and found that when calling from their office in Santa Ana, they got a different prices if they asked for plumbing service in Santa Ana vs. affordable plumbing service in Newport Coast.
Splash Plumbing is proud to offer, honest plumbing at fair plumbing rates for all people who live in Orange County. See what some of our clients have to say ... click the link below
http://http://splashplumbing.com/testimonials.shtml
Something to consider ... if you are looking for a CHEAP plumber in Orange County..... what exactly are you expecting to get?
I was surprised to hear most of you wanted an "Affordable Plumber in Orange County" .... it was almost like you were surprised to find one! That's right ..... http://SPLASHplumbing.com is your Affordable Plumber for Orange County, Ca.
We service Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita as well as Newport Beach and Newport Coast.
Just because you live in Newport Coast does not mean you pay more!
Shocking you say? Believe it our not, we have clients in Newport Coast that have chosen us over and over again because we are honest and upfront........ primarily because they have shopped around for affordable plumbers and found that when calling from their office in Santa Ana, they got a different prices if they asked for plumbing service in Santa Ana vs. affordable plumbing service in Newport Coast.
Splash Plumbing is proud to offer, honest plumbing at fair plumbing rates for all people who live in Orange County. See what some of our clients have to say ... click the link below
http://http://splashplumbing.com/testimonials.shtml
Something to consider ... if you are looking for a CHEAP plumber in Orange County..... what exactly are you expecting to get?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Cheap Plumber In Mission Viejo
Are you looking for a Cheap Plumber in Mission Viejo? How about a Cheap Laguna Niguel Plumber or even Laguna Beach?
When you "Google" this and actually hire a company that is proud of the fact that they are "cheap" and advertise this way ...... what type of quality does the consumer get? They get what they paid for that's for sure.
Cheap plumbing results in poor quality!
Splash Plumbing offers some of the best plumbing service in Mission Viejo and surrounding areas like; Lake Forest, drain clearing in Laguna Beach, tankless water heater service in Laguna Niguel and water heater repair in Newport Beach. We cover most of Orange County and our plumbing service is the most affordable around.
A heading like "Affordable plumbing in Mission Viejo" is what I would prefer to advertise with.
Does anyone have any comments?
When you "Google" this and actually hire a company that is proud of the fact that they are "cheap" and advertise this way ...... what type of quality does the consumer get? They get what they paid for that's for sure.
Cheap plumbing results in poor quality!
Splash Plumbing offers some of the best plumbing service in Mission Viejo and surrounding areas like; Lake Forest, drain clearing in Laguna Beach, tankless water heater service in Laguna Niguel and water heater repair in Newport Beach. We cover most of Orange County and our plumbing service is the most affordable around.
A heading like "Affordable plumbing in Mission Viejo" is what I would prefer to advertise with.
Does anyone have any comments?
Tankless Water Heater Service
With so many people "going green" in California it seems simple enough to choose to install a tankless water heater right?
That's what I did, and I have no regrets what-so-ever! As I mentioned in a previous post, I installed a NORITZ tankless water heater in Mission Viejo. After all I am a Mission Viejo Plumber and complete plumbing in Mission Viejo!
Something to consider when istalling these units. Whether you install a Tankless Water Heater by NORITZ, RHEEM tankless water heater, BOSCH unit or even a Rinnai Tankless water heater in your Orange County home, they all require periodic maintenance.
What kind of maintenance you ask? Tankless water heater serivce in Orange County is very important and our tankless water heater service we offer here at SPLASH Plumbing is very thorough and effective. Depending on the brand of unit you have, we run a diagnostic of the electrical componants, descale the heat exchanger(s) and much much more!
Stay tuned for "bloggage" within this post.
Well I'm back !!! 7-05-10
I see that no one replied to this post
Do you have a NORITZ tankless water heater http://noritz.com/
Check out their website to confirm the maintenance you will need to comply with warranty requirements.
That's what I did, and I have no regrets what-so-ever! As I mentioned in a previous post, I installed a NORITZ tankless water heater in Mission Viejo. After all I am a Mission Viejo Plumber and complete plumbing in Mission Viejo!
Something to consider when istalling these units. Whether you install a Tankless Water Heater by NORITZ, RHEEM tankless water heater, BOSCH unit or even a Rinnai Tankless water heater in your Orange County home, they all require periodic maintenance.
What kind of maintenance you ask? Tankless water heater serivce in Orange County is very important and our tankless water heater service we offer here at SPLASH Plumbing is very thorough and effective. Depending on the brand of unit you have, we run a diagnostic of the electrical componants, descale the heat exchanger(s) and much much more!
Stay tuned for "bloggage" within this post.
Well I'm back !!! 7-05-10
I see that no one replied to this post
Do you have a NORITZ tankless water heater http://noritz.com/
Check out their website to confirm the maintenance you will need to comply with warranty requirements.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Hiring Unlicensed Contractors
I recently had to go to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to look up some information on a contractor. I have been there before, but it is a very interesting site. There is a lot of good information here with ways to check to see if your contractor has a license in good standing.
I have heard people ask, “Why do I care if my contractor is licensed? If the guy can do the work, isn’t that the most important thing?” Well, yes and no!
Yes, it is definitely important that your contractor is able to do the work, and do it well. That is actually one of the reasons to hire a licensed contractor. In order to get a license, the contractor has to be able to demonstrate that he has enough experience in his field (electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.) to meet the state requirements. I am sure there are ways around this, but no one is looking to see if the un-licensed contractor knows how to do the work!
I have heard people ask, “Why do I care if my contractor is licensed? If the guy can do the work, isn’t that the most important thing?” Well, yes and no!
Yes, it is definitely important that your contractor is able to do the work, and do it well. That is actually one of the reasons to hire a licensed contractor. In order to get a license, the contractor has to be able to demonstrate that he has enough experience in his field (electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.) to meet the state requirements. I am sure there are ways around this, but no one is looking to see if the un-licensed contractor knows how to do the work!
A licensed contractor is much more likely to have spent the time learning his trade. He had to spend a lot of money setting himself up in business and you don't do that unless you can do the work that keeps you in business.
Also, did you know that hiring an un-licensed contractor opens YOU up to all kinds of liability?
When you hire your brother-in-law to put a new roof on your detached garage, and he’s not a licensed contractor, but (maybe) he works in that field, you have just hired an employee in the eyes of the state! This means that YOU are now responsible for payroll taxes, social security and workman’s compensation insurance! If you don’t take care of these, the state may end up fining you for the taxes and, if he falls off your roof, you could end up paying him for the rest of your life!
Take a look at this link on the Laguna Niguel city website. There are three actual cases outlined here.
Another reason to only hire a licensed contractor is that he can pull permits. If you have work done in your home that requires a permit be pulled, and you do not have a permit pulled, you, as the homeowner, are subject to fines from the city. If the licensed contractor does not pull the permit, he is usually liable. If it is an unlicensed contractor mot only are you on the hook for the fines, but see above! Take a look at this notification from the CSLB.
To sum it up: you might pay more up front to have a licensed contractor do work for you, but you might pay a lot more in the long run for an un-licensed contractor. It’s your money, and therefore it’s your choice.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Noritz vs. Navien; Round 2!
Well, at least I know that SOMEONE is reading some part of this blog!
I received an anonymous comment about the blog I posted (was it only yesterday?!) entitled "Noritz vs. Navien". The commenter was not happy with my blog.
He or she (it was anonymous, after all) told me that, for him (I will make this assumption), the site loaded right away. He also told me that Navien is located very near to us and that we obviously didn't know this (I am paraphrasing).
Let me say that we were not trying to offend, just report an experience that we had. If the person who commented would like to respond... what's the opposite of anonymously?
(I looked it up and the opposite of anonymous is identified.)
Anyway, if you will give me a place where I can e-mail you, or even call you, I will do so, and we can discuss this issue. I was only reporting an experience that we actually had, I was not saying that Navien stinks and Noritz is great.
I appreciate someone telling me what they think, pointing out when they disagree, etc. That's called conversation, and I enjoy it. If you wish to continue the discussion, either through commenting on this blog, or any other method, I would invite that.
I hope this came out friendly and inviting. I was not trying to chastise or insult in any way.
Take care!
I received an anonymous comment about the blog I posted (was it only yesterday?!) entitled "Noritz vs. Navien". The commenter was not happy with my blog.
He or she (it was anonymous, after all) told me that, for him (I will make this assumption), the site loaded right away. He also told me that Navien is located very near to us and that we obviously didn't know this (I am paraphrasing).
Let me say that we were not trying to offend, just report an experience that we had. If the person who commented would like to respond... what's the opposite of anonymously?
(I looked it up and the opposite of anonymous is identified.)
Anyway, if you will give me a place where I can e-mail you, or even call you, I will do so, and we can discuss this issue. I was only reporting an experience that we actually had, I was not saying that Navien stinks and Noritz is great.
I appreciate someone telling me what they think, pointing out when they disagree, etc. That's called conversation, and I enjoy it. If you wish to continue the discussion, either through commenting on this blog, or any other method, I would invite that.
I hope this came out friendly and inviting. I was not trying to chastise or insult in any way.
Take care!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Rebates from the State of California
Splash Plumbing has recently learned that you can now get a rebate from the state of California for installing high-efficiency fixtures in your home.
The rules are strict, and it is for a limited time, but here is the gist of it.
- You have to go to http://www.bewaterwise.com/
- Click on “Rebates” at the top of the page
- Click on “Residential Water Customer Rebates”
- Click on “Qualifying Products” to see a list of products
We have included a link to this page here, for your convenience.
- You have to fill out the proper form
- You have to send in the form, the sales receipt, and a copy of your water bill
- You have to have it postmarked on or before 5/31/10
- Your purchase must have been made between 9/21/09 and 5/31/10
Some of the items that qualify are:
* High-efficiency clothes washers
* High-efficiency toilets
* Weather-based irrigation controllers
* Rotating irrigation sprinkler nozzles
* Synthetic turf
As a plumbing company, we will focus on the toilets.
Click this link to see the 18-page list of qualifying toilet models.
If you wish to buy it yourself, we can install it for you. Or, we can do all the work. Just contact us and we can buy it, bring it to you, and install it!
According to the website, rebates for toilets start at $50.00!
So, the benefits are:
- You save money on having a new toilet installed
- You save money on your water bill
- You have a brand new toilet that looks good and works well
- You have a brand new warranty!
The rebates are first come, first served, so don’t wait too long. As soon as they run out of the money they allocated to this program, they will no longer be paying rebates.
If you need a new toilet, or have any other plumbing needs, contact Splash Plumbing today! We service all of Orange County, 24-hours a day. We handle residential, commercial, industrial, and restaurant plumbing. We say:
"If Water Goes Through It, We Do It!"
888-HEY SPLASH
The rules are strict, and it is for a limited time, but here is the gist of it.
- You have to go to http://www.bewaterwise.com/
- Click on “Rebates” at the top of the page
- Click on “Residential Water Customer Rebates”
- Click on “Qualifying Products” to see a list of products
We have included a link to this page here, for your convenience.
- You have to fill out the proper form
- You have to send in the form, the sales receipt, and a copy of your water bill
- You have to have it postmarked on or before 5/31/10
- Your purchase must have been made between 9/21/09 and 5/31/10
Some of the items that qualify are:
* High-efficiency clothes washers
* High-efficiency toilets
* Weather-based irrigation controllers
* Rotating irrigation sprinkler nozzles
* Synthetic turf
As a plumbing company, we will focus on the toilets.
Click this link to see the 18-page list of qualifying toilet models.
If you wish to buy it yourself, we can install it for you. Or, we can do all the work. Just contact us and we can buy it, bring it to you, and install it!
According to the website, rebates for toilets start at $50.00!
So, the benefits are:
- You save money on having a new toilet installed
- You save money on your water bill
- You have a brand new toilet that looks good and works well
- You have a brand new warranty!
The rebates are first come, first served, so don’t wait too long. As soon as they run out of the money they allocated to this program, they will no longer be paying rebates.
If you need a new toilet, or have any other plumbing needs, contact Splash Plumbing today! We service all of Orange County, 24-hours a day. We handle residential, commercial, industrial, and restaurant plumbing. We say:
"If Water Goes Through It, We Do It!"
888-HEY SPLASH
The Name Game!
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Ah, Shakespeare! You gotta love him! He really summed it up in this line from Romeo and Juliet!
So, why am I quoting Shakespeare? Because AB&R Plumbing is changing to Splash Plumbing!
It's only a name change, though. We still have the same great people, the same excellent service, the same affordable prices. We still offer 24-hour a day service to all of Orange County, CA.
So why did we change our name? AB&R Plumbing stands for Advanced Backflow & Rooting Plumbing. It's long and cumbersome, and it makes people focus on the backflow and rooting part, instead of the plumbing.
With Splash Plumbing, you'll think of plumbing - ALL plumbing - not just one or two things we do, it's a little more catchy, it looks better on our trucks, you'll be able to remember our toll-free number more easily (I can't even remember the one for AB&R!!).
C'mon, if you see a big white truck roll by, with Splash Plumbing on it, and it says
888-HEY-SPLASH
aren't you going to remember that?Ah, Shakespeare! You gotta love him! He really summed it up in this line from Romeo and Juliet!
So, why am I quoting Shakespeare? Because AB&R Plumbing is changing to Splash Plumbing!
It's only a name change, though. We still have the same great people, the same excellent service, the same affordable prices. We still offer 24-hour a day service to all of Orange County, CA.
So why did we change our name? AB&R Plumbing stands for Advanced Backflow & Rooting Plumbing. It's long and cumbersome, and it makes people focus on the backflow and rooting part, instead of the plumbing.
With Splash Plumbing, you'll think of plumbing - ALL plumbing - not just one or two things we do, it's a little more catchy, it looks better on our trucks, you'll be able to remember our toll-free number more easily (I can't even remember the one for AB&R!!).
C'mon, if you see a big white truck roll by, with Splash Plumbing on it, and it says
888-HEY-SPLASH
And giving someone my e-mail address was terrible with AB&R...
"It's A-B, then spell the word "and", a-n-d, then R, Plumbing, dot com".
Now, with Splash Plumbing, it's, "at Splash Plumb dot com." Easy!
We're still making changes, so the website and this blog will say AB&R for awhile. Soon, though, it will be Splash Plumbing all the way! (And, if you go to http://www.splashplumbing.com/, it will take you to the AB&R website, until we change it!)
So AB&R Plumbing is now Splash Plumbing. Same great people and services, just the name has changed.
Noritz vs. Navien
Hey …. It’s “Dan the Plumber” blogging again!
Here at Splash Plumbing, you know we are fans of Noritz tankless water heaters, and have installed many of their models in Orange County cities like Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.
Splash Plumbing is a full service “affordable plumbing” company, and we pride ourselves on keeping up to date on plumbing technology, especially when it comes to tankless water heaters. But, when I received a phone call from a potential client in Laguna Beach, asking for a Navien Tankless Water Heater, I was stumped. I never heard of them... how embarrassing is that?
Here I thought we were one of Orange County's best tankless water heater installers and I did not even know of this manufacturer… What a shot to my ego!
As I spoke with the caller, I explained that we only install Noritz Tankless water heaters and while I was doing so, I looked up Navien Tankless Water Heaters on the internet. Indeed, I did find them at http://www.navienamerica.com/, and thought I could surf their website while talking to the caller… at least that is what I thought (with good intentions).
It literally took 3 minutes to load their HOME PAGE! What do you think I was doing while the remainder of their site was loading? Yeah that’s right, I opened a new tab on my browser and went straight to http://www.noritz.com/ and directed MY NEW CLIENT to do so as well.
The Noritz website loaded in 3.5 seconds, I was able to show my client the model I had picked out for her Laguna Beach home, and an agreement was made!
Well the deal was made, Splash Plumbing has a new client, and there is another Noritz tankless water heater installed in Laguna Beach. Whatever happened to http://www.navienamerica.com/ you ask? Honestly, their website did not fully load and from what I saw, I was not impressed.
Here are the primary reasons why we select Noritz Tankless Water Heaters for all of our clients in Orange County:
- HUGE selection
- Versatile installation
- Availability
- Stainless Steel tankless water heaters
- Direct contact to our manufacturer
- Outstanding customer support
- Gi-nor-mous (yes… it’s a word) showroom for our clients to visit!
- Fast, clean and informative website
There you have it. As far as we are concerned, Navien Tankless Water Heaters still seems to have a lot of work to do in comparison to Noritz Tankless Water Heaters … but then again, that’s only my opinion.
Oh, how is my personal Noritz Tankless Water Heater, that I installed in my Mission Viejo home working? With 4 women in my house, I still have lots of hot water!
Here at Splash Plumbing, you know we are fans of Noritz tankless water heaters, and have installed many of their models in Orange County cities like Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa.
Splash Plumbing is a full service “affordable plumbing” company, and we pride ourselves on keeping up to date on plumbing technology, especially when it comes to tankless water heaters. But, when I received a phone call from a potential client in Laguna Beach, asking for a Navien Tankless Water Heater, I was stumped. I never heard of them... how embarrassing is that?
Here I thought we were one of Orange County's best tankless water heater installers and I did not even know of this manufacturer… What a shot to my ego!
As I spoke with the caller, I explained that we only install Noritz Tankless water heaters and while I was doing so, I looked up Navien Tankless Water Heaters on the internet. Indeed, I did find them at http://www.navienamerica.com/, and thought I could surf their website while talking to the caller… at least that is what I thought (with good intentions).
It literally took 3 minutes to load their HOME PAGE! What do you think I was doing while the remainder of their site was loading? Yeah that’s right, I opened a new tab on my browser and went straight to http://www.noritz.com/ and directed MY NEW CLIENT to do so as well.
The Noritz website loaded in 3.5 seconds, I was able to show my client the model I had picked out for her Laguna Beach home, and an agreement was made!
Well the deal was made, Splash Plumbing has a new client, and there is another Noritz tankless water heater installed in Laguna Beach. Whatever happened to http://www.navienamerica.com/ you ask? Honestly, their website did not fully load and from what I saw, I was not impressed.
Here are the primary reasons why we select Noritz Tankless Water Heaters for all of our clients in Orange County:
- HUGE selection
- Versatile installation
- Availability
- Stainless Steel tankless water heaters
- Direct contact to our manufacturer
- Outstanding customer support
- Gi-nor-mous (yes… it’s a word) showroom for our clients to visit!
- Fast, clean and informative website
There you have it. As far as we are concerned, Navien Tankless Water Heaters still seems to have a lot of work to do in comparison to Noritz Tankless Water Heaters … but then again, that’s only my opinion.
Oh, how is my personal Noritz Tankless Water Heater, that I installed in my Mission Viejo home working? With 4 women in my house, I still have lots of hot water!
Friday, February 19, 2010
“Nowadays, everyone has something to say!”
I overheard this complaint the other day, while drinking my coffee. I was lucky to have the time to sit and listen to the explanation that followed.
To sum it up, apparently, this man’s complaint was that everyone talks, but very few people actually say something! As I thought about it, I realized that it was true.
Everyone you hear, whether on the news, award shows, American Idol, or anyplace where people are saying things live, they all seem to be talking in sound bites. They are all saying something that can be quoted.
When was the last time you saw someone interviewed and they said something that you thought came from the heart?
When was the last time a politician said anything that didn’t sound like a speech writer wrote it?
To sum it up, apparently, this man’s complaint was that everyone talks, but very few people actually say something! As I thought about it, I realized that it was true.
Everyone you hear, whether on the news, award shows, American Idol, or anyplace where people are saying things live, they all seem to be talking in sound bites. They are all saying something that can be quoted.
When was the last time you saw someone interviewed and they said something that you thought came from the heart?
When was the last time a politician said anything that didn’t sound like a speech writer wrote it?
Most of the people whe see and hear on TV and radio either seem to be attacking justifying or making an excuse. (At least, that's what it seems like to me.)
It’s so hard to listen to people who talk, who aren’t really saying anything.
So, why did I bring this up? I’ll tell you…
On our website, we have a page for “testimonials”. I really like that word, because it has the same derivation as the word “testimony”. It always seemed to me that, when you give a testimonial, you need to tell the truth.
Not very many people go to our website and give us a testimonial, but some do. It’s much more likely that someone will call to tell me if they liked – or disliked – our service, but I have also received e-mails and, once, an actual letter!
So, what are people saying about our service? Here are a few examples:
“Our company has depended on the honest diligent work of AB&R Plumbing, Inc. many times over the last 6 years. We find their service to be exact, dependable, and they have always made themselves available to help us when emergencies erupted.I would best describe AB&R Plumbing, Inc. as being of excellent work ethics, knowledgeable and trustworthy”
That one is right on our website. Another says:
“AB&R Plumbing is phenomenal. After suffering through numerous bad plumbers who performed shoddy work and less-than-perfect repairs, AB&R was a savior. Its plumbers have consistently proven to be skilled, reliable, honest and professional in all aspects of my plumbing issues.
From menial tasks to difficult-to-repair problems, AB&R has always come through for me. Odd as it may seem to be so effusive about a plumbing company, I’m sure I’m not the only super satisfied customer to sing praise. This company deserves all the accolades.”
Again, this one is on our website.
Some testimonials that are not on our website are:
“Just wanted to let you know that Juan M. is the man! He did a fantastic job fixing the plumbing issue on our rental property. Coming out on a holiday and crawling through mud so our tenants could have water was commendable. We really appreciate the fine job he did!”
That was a homeowner in central Orange County. We went out just after midnight on Thanksgiving morning!
Another one that is not yet on our website…
“AB&R plumbing was recently referred to me by one of our material vendors. They did an amazing job of installing a Noritz tankless water heater at my Anaheim Hills home. They were friendly, tidy and efficient. I have already referred them to friends for after hours emergencies and they have also been impressed by AB&R’s clean work. We will definitely be using them on our projects in the future.”
This one came from a construction company VP.
One of my favorites, that will soon be on our website is:
"I have been in building maintenance for many years and have worked with many plumbing companies. I have found AB&R to truly be the most helpful, responsive and reasonably priced company out there. They listen to me and my needs, they have responded quite well in emergency situations. I have full confidence in their abilities and their professionalism. I won't use anyone else."
Can you tell why this is one of my favorites? This is from the head of maintenance at a retirement community in south Orange County.
So, have people ever said bad things about us? Sometimes, but even when they do, we can usually discuss the situation with them and make them happy. Our philosophy is that it’s all about the relationship. Our customers are a huge part of our business (because, if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t be in business)!
At AB&R Plumbing, we can handle almost anything that has to do with plumbing. From clogged drains, to leaky pipes, to backflow tests and repairs, to gas leaks, to water heaters… We even install and service softeners and reverse osmosis systems!
We have spent many hours working on our price book, trying to give you the most “bang for your buck”. We didn’t cut quality, just costs!
If you need a plumber, anywhere in Orange County, give us a call today. We will make the right repair, at an affordable price, and you will like our plumbers!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Plumbing During a Recession
Yes, I used the "R" word! Recession!
The recession is happening to everyone; not just Southern California, not just the United States, everyone! Jobs are being lost, stocks are losing value, people are losing their homes and so much more.
In the last year, I have noticed the trend. Some of our customers started holding off on small repairs, or having their own "maintenance" personnel make them. Then the questions about the bills started - from customers who had never questioned a bill!
Now, we get the bargain shoppers; the ones who call ten different plumbing companies trying to find the cheapest. In many ways, this is a good idea, but I think there are times when it can come back to haunt you.
About 14 months ago, my boss and I sat down and went through every line item in our price book. Since we have well over 1,000 items in our price book, this took quite a bit of time. What we were trying to do was find places where we could cut our prices, without cutting our throats financially. I mean, you have to make enough money to stay in business!
We managed to cut almost every price in the book and, when we were done, we felt pretty good about it. We have always believed that we charged a fair price for a good job, but now we can say that we have cut our prices even further to help get us through the recession.
I am rambling a little bit here, but I wanted to give you some background in order to pose a question.
Is the lowest price always the best price?
I am sure that most of you know that the answer to this is a resounding "NO!"
You have probably heard the expression, "Buy cheap, buy twice". If you buy the cheapest dishwasher (for example), it will probably not last as long as the more expensive models, and you will probably have to pay for repairs more often. You may end up paying more for the cheap one (with all the repairs, etc.) than you would have it you bought the more expensive model.
Another example is tires. I recently bought a set of 4 tires for $300.00, including mounting, balancing and disposal of the old tires. I thought this was a great deal and was very excited to get it. Well, the tires run very rough and make a lot more noise on the road than my old tires. They don't seem to hold the road as well (this could just be my imagination). I have to add air to them a lot more frequently than I have ever had to add air in the past. One of them blew out while I was on the 55 the other day and completely shredded, and it only had about 8000 miles on it. I think I will buy better tires next time.
The same holds true for services. You can hire the cheapest electrician, auto mechanic, or plumber. You may get lucky and find someone who is both good and cheap. It is much more likely that you will find someone who is cheap because they are not very good. Either they won't be on time, they will take too long, they will have to go find parts (for which they will charge you more for the extra time) or something will probably come up. I have heard horror stories about people being ripped off by service people who come to their home. Here are a couple of ides to help keep this from happening to you.
1) Make sure they have a license. All plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc, anyone who does work on your home, has to be licensed by the state. Ask them for their contractor's license, then you can go to the Contractor's State License Board website and check them out. If they do not have a license, you have basically hired an employee! This sets you up for a whole different set of problems.
2) Make sure they have insurance. All licensed contractor's in California are required to have insurance. Ask to see proof of both General Liability and Workman's Comp. insurance. Don't take the risk that if they get hurt on your property, they will sue you!
3) Get a written estimate or contract up front. I will grant you that I do not know everything there is to know about every contractor's business, but I do know that - in most cases - they should be able to give you a price before they start. If nothing else, they should be able to give you a "Not To Exceed" (NTE) price. An NTE price says, we will do this exact work and we will not charge you more then this amount. If we find anything that will cause our price to go up, we will stop and inform you. At AB&R Plumbing, we always give a written price up front.
4) Ask questions. This sounds like a no-brainer, right? Of course you will ask questions! The problem is, many people do not ask. They think they will offend the guy or that he will end up charging them more if they ask! (I am guessing, I really don't know why people don't ask questions, it's your money!) You don't have to be antagonistic and get in the guy's face! Just ask! "What is this charge for?", "Are you offering any sort of discount right now?", "Is there a way we can get this done for less money?", "I can't be home before 4:00PM, can you come then?" ASK!
There are other things to look for, but you get the idea.
Good luck and, if you need a plumber, we have already cut our prices to allow for the recession. We didn't cut our service, the quality of our work or our concern for our customers, just our prices.
The recession is happening to everyone; not just Southern California, not just the United States, everyone! Jobs are being lost, stocks are losing value, people are losing their homes and so much more.
In the last year, I have noticed the trend. Some of our customers started holding off on small repairs, or having their own "maintenance" personnel make them. Then the questions about the bills started - from customers who had never questioned a bill!
Now, we get the bargain shoppers; the ones who call ten different plumbing companies trying to find the cheapest. In many ways, this is a good idea, but I think there are times when it can come back to haunt you.
About 14 months ago, my boss and I sat down and went through every line item in our price book. Since we have well over 1,000 items in our price book, this took quite a bit of time. What we were trying to do was find places where we could cut our prices, without cutting our throats financially. I mean, you have to make enough money to stay in business!
We managed to cut almost every price in the book and, when we were done, we felt pretty good about it. We have always believed that we charged a fair price for a good job, but now we can say that we have cut our prices even further to help get us through the recession.
I am rambling a little bit here, but I wanted to give you some background in order to pose a question.
Is the lowest price always the best price?
I am sure that most of you know that the answer to this is a resounding "NO!"
You have probably heard the expression, "Buy cheap, buy twice". If you buy the cheapest dishwasher (for example), it will probably not last as long as the more expensive models, and you will probably have to pay for repairs more often. You may end up paying more for the cheap one (with all the repairs, etc.) than you would have it you bought the more expensive model.
Another example is tires. I recently bought a set of 4 tires for $300.00, including mounting, balancing and disposal of the old tires. I thought this was a great deal and was very excited to get it. Well, the tires run very rough and make a lot more noise on the road than my old tires. They don't seem to hold the road as well (this could just be my imagination). I have to add air to them a lot more frequently than I have ever had to add air in the past. One of them blew out while I was on the 55 the other day and completely shredded, and it only had about 8000 miles on it. I think I will buy better tires next time.
The same holds true for services. You can hire the cheapest electrician, auto mechanic, or plumber. You may get lucky and find someone who is both good and cheap. It is much more likely that you will find someone who is cheap because they are not very good. Either they won't be on time, they will take too long, they will have to go find parts (for which they will charge you more for the extra time) or something will probably come up. I have heard horror stories about people being ripped off by service people who come to their home. Here are a couple of ides to help keep this from happening to you.
1) Make sure they have a license. All plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc, anyone who does work on your home, has to be licensed by the state. Ask them for their contractor's license, then you can go to the Contractor's State License Board website and check them out. If they do not have a license, you have basically hired an employee! This sets you up for a whole different set of problems.
2) Make sure they have insurance. All licensed contractor's in California are required to have insurance. Ask to see proof of both General Liability and Workman's Comp. insurance. Don't take the risk that if they get hurt on your property, they will sue you!
3) Get a written estimate or contract up front. I will grant you that I do not know everything there is to know about every contractor's business, but I do know that - in most cases - they should be able to give you a price before they start. If nothing else, they should be able to give you a "Not To Exceed" (NTE) price. An NTE price says, we will do this exact work and we will not charge you more then this amount. If we find anything that will cause our price to go up, we will stop and inform you. At AB&R Plumbing, we always give a written price up front.
4) Ask questions. This sounds like a no-brainer, right? Of course you will ask questions! The problem is, many people do not ask. They think they will offend the guy or that he will end up charging them more if they ask! (I am guessing, I really don't know why people don't ask questions, it's your money!) You don't have to be antagonistic and get in the guy's face! Just ask! "What is this charge for?", "Are you offering any sort of discount right now?", "Is there a way we can get this done for less money?", "I can't be home before 4:00PM, can you come then?" ASK!
There are other things to look for, but you get the idea.
Good luck and, if you need a plumber, we have already cut our prices to allow for the recession. We didn't cut our service, the quality of our work or our concern for our customers, just our prices.
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