Customer ReviewsforJim Bertolino & Son Plumbing and Drain Service Inc.

We had a drain pipe from a downstairs bathtub not fully connected the original cast iron pipe. Jim charges approx. **** to come out and inspect. Applies **** of that if any work is done. All good so far. He looks at the connection and explains how difficult this job will be, may have to break out concrete, etc. Says how he is one of the only people that can even do this job, on and on. Told me this will have to be a 'Sunday morning job' and will take '2 and 1 quarter hours'. Cost will be **** plus some other fees totaling ***** It's Thursday evening and I'm trying to figure out if I can get a couple more quotes before Sunday because this price is stupid high. Or maybe it is a lot of work and a bigger problem than it seems. So then I ask him, you can come back and do it Sunday morning? He says, I'll do it right now. Wait, what? So now I have to make a decision and I made the wrong decision to just get it taken care of. Timeline up to this point: Approx. 7pm arrival, sits in van approx 10 min. (writing up work order, he is definitely a writer), comes into house approx. 7:15. Inspection takes approx. 10 min. Says how hard job is, how long it takes (2 and 1 quarter hours), how only a master can do it, blah, blah, blah. Bad decision to proceed occurs at approx. 7:30. Starts working approx. 7:35, wrapped up at approx. 8pm. Whoa! Man that was super fast Jim, must have been much easier than expected. It seems that with 30 years of experience this must be an anomaly since you incorrectly estimated over 2 hours. But hey, great, saves me money, right? Wrong. "Jim, since that only took 30 minutes and was way easier than you expected, the price is lower since you did quote a per hour fee?" No, the price is the same. And feeling like a ripped off fool I did pay him **** on the spot. I got a leak fixed, but also a super valuable lesson. And you get that lesson for free, definitely call a different company.

Mr. ****** every year there seems to be a few customers that leave false and misleading reviews that frankly don't bare any sense of reality. Your review is certainly one of them. When I looked at your job and saw what was going on I explained in great detail not only verbally but in writing in a contract so not to have any gray areas. Yes it was possible your concrete slab would need to be exposed hence the reason the contract was drawn up as an "attempt". If my attempt didn't work I disclosed I couldn't return until Saturday or Sunday it being 6:30pm Thursday evening.Your review left all that out. I spoke to you in great detail referencing how we had one chance for this to work being there was zero room under your tub below the concrete slab where your 50+ year cast iron trap was as positioned to your tub waste. The work area was less then the inside diameter of a cinder block. That area was in a tiny closet and behind a wall stretching under your tub, an extremely arduous tricky job that takes a skilled plumber NOT a handyman to perform. There was 1x's and 2X4's in the way etc. You were never told I could only do the job on Sunday. Sunday only came up when we were discussing the job before the contract was written. Sunday was only if I couldn't get the job done right then and there. You make it sound like you had to decide that moment. That's a lie period. You were told my price was good for 30 days and the ******* would apply to the quote. You had ample time to get quotes. I can't honestly believe your not jumping for joy I saved the day for you. Your not being honest at all! Before you signed the contract twice for the diagnostic you weren't aware of the problem until I diagnosed it and shown you (your first sentence leads folks to believe you knew the problem, you didn't know the problem until I showed you.) You asked what if the repair takes less time then the trade time I quoted on the job (2 1/4hrs). My direct response was I don't work by the hour the labor fee doesn't change it would still be ***** I explained the trade time I used is only used to quote the job as a guide. Remember I show up with all the parts and equipment and 40 + years of "no how" which factors in the trade time of 2 1/4 hrs. Having a 2nd set up the electric cord fetch the saws and equipment while I'm working disconnecting and exposing the work area prepping for the repair while my other man gets the materials needed glue cleaner etc. I answered those questions you had while you were deciding before you ever signed the "Attemp" Addendum in 2 more places already having signed in 2 places for the service fee and diagnostic at that point. You've signed now in 2 more places after going over the Addendum. Mr. ****** you asked ever question possible. I answered every one of your questions.

I never quoted a per hour fee period that's a flat out lie.

The job never was less then I expected. I am a professional service plumber. I new exactly what I was going to try and do. I also new exactly how long my try/attempt would take! What I didn't know exactly was if I had the room to fit what was needed as to the transitions and fitting the band to fit below the tub waste and your 50+ cast iron trap which I was able to savage and use. I saved you a few ******* and you don't know it. The job was done perfectly. It took the 2.4 man hrs anyway not whatever time your review says (another falsehood) you were not ripped off and yes you are a fool not to mention a spreader of lies.

Jim's a great guy, knows his craft, quoted me a fair price for all the work we agreed on, arrived when promised. I would strongly recommend him for his services. **

Thank you very kindly Mr. ***** for taking time from your day to write and share your experience publicly. I've been in business for over 40 years I take great pride in my work. Thank you again for recognizing and sharing. :-) 👍😃

Mr Jim Bertolino was prompt and very knowledgeable. He fixed the problem in a timely manner.He was very polite If we ever need a plumber he is the man to call.

Thank you so very kindly Mrs. ****** for taking time from your day to write and share publicly your experience with my company. After 40 years of service work we certainly have service repairs down pat. Thank you for recognizing that and using such kind words. :-)

Mr. Bertolino is a brilliant plumber. I had two tricky problems including one under a deck with no access. He fixed everything and explained to me what he was doing and why. He used his talents and skills to fix my shower problem that saved me over **** from the first estimate. That was awesome. He even gave me a tube of silicone caulk for free for another issue he noticed. When I next have a plumbing problem, I will definitely be calling Jim *********.

Thank you so very much Mr. **** for writing such wonderful words about your experience and sharing them publicly. It is great customers like yourself that help spread the word. Unfortunately members of my family in the last few years are attempting to capitalize on my reputation and my company name. I'd like to let the public know that my name is Jim, my son's name is Jim, I'd like to remind the public to please call "The Original " Bertolino Plumbing, Jim *********. Customers will then get the right Original Bertolino Plumbing company thanks again for sharing. :-)