Aaron's Plumbing — Local services in Grand Ledge

I've used Aaron's plumbing a few times because they are close to my house, but I will not be using them again. The workers have been friendly, but GEEZ DOES THIS COMPANY NICKEL AND DIME YOU.

The first time I got screwed, I was installing a new dishwasher and I needed to put a new valve onto my existing pipe that would fit a modern dishwasher. I wasn't sure if I needed to replace my old pipes and even if I didn't have to, I don't have the tools to thread a pipe for a new valve fitting I figured Aaron's would provide consult for the best possible solution. I had all the cabinets out of the way, and towels ready for any water leaks. The guy came in, didn't inspect my pipes at all, got out some plumber putty/glue to stick a new valve on the tip of my current pipe. He was in and out in about 7 minutes. They charged me $170.

Another time, my bathroom sink and toilet had been draining slow, so I figured that it was time to clear the main lines from my house. My neighbors have all had issues with roots growing into their lines within the last couple years. I had Aaron's over to clear out the main line of my house. They quoted me $366 which included a camera inspection of the main line and the snaking of the line with giant 100 foot heavy duty coil. The guy told me sometimes it's better to use the "jet" which is pressurized water to clean them out, but it would be more money and he wouldn't know until he used the camera. He ran the camera and didn't see much in the main line at all. I said "Well, the bathroom is definitely slow, so how much does it cost to use a tiny snake on the bathroom?" The plumber said "Maybe this will work instead of a snake." and he pulled out a small plastic plunger. He unscrewed the sink stopper thing with his fingers, plunged the hole, and pulled a pinch of gooey hair/soap out (about the size of a tablespoon). He said "There's your problem". I said "Well how much is it for the camera that you did, because I don't think I need to use the giant snake on the main line." He said "Well I'll save you some money and just leave the price the same, because if I change it, it will be more expensive for you, because unclogging the bathroom sink would be $160 on top of the camera charge." I said... "$160 for that sink thing?" which is bonkers to me because HE NEVER ANSWERED MY QUESTION AS TO HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST. He said "Yeah it's saving you money because it would be more if I changed it." So they did NOT run the 100 foot industrial snake down the main line They pinched some hair out of the sink (something that literally anyone could do) without telling me the price of it, and then said that they were saving me money.... Wow... I'm still expecting a call from management with a refund but it's not likely. The negative google review won't do much either because they tell people to leave 5 star reviews to have a chance to win $500 dollars in a drawing. Hopefully people read this before making...

The issues: Toxic company standards *1.) Different teams would come and go and there was always back-biting conversations behind other employees backs. (I didn't want to hear it) *2.) I, the client, was thrown under the bus to the owner of the house because they initially dug in the wrong place when this was the diagnosis of their employee. (This information came back to me by the owner, when the initial bid was changed) *3.) A new shovel (composite handle), of mine was taken at the end of the job and an old shovel left in its place. (People that handle tools, know their tools from others, not a random mistake)

Initially, the first time they came out to troubleshoot and offer an estimate, I was happy with the experience. They were able to come out in a timely manner and offered up, what seemed to be, a solution to the problem. They believed that it was a crushed pipe imbedded in the concrete based on what their camera was showing. I chose Aaron's above other companies to address the problem. We looked at other bids and after two weeks, we explained that the problem had escalated and were now getting sewage backed up into the house. They broke up the cement, inside the house, and discovered that there was no crushed pipe. Then, they discovered that the issue was on the outside of the house, the main pipe running to the street. It was a bigger job than anticipated and the bid changed. Understandable, *--but don't throw the client under the bus when the diagnosis was wrong. *Keep negative comments about other employees to yourself -it's unprofessional. *Don't abscond with items that you know don't belong to you because you believe you are owed because the job was bigger than...

EXPENSIVE AND NOT VERY OPEN AND HONEST FEE PROCESS IS UNCLEAR I had a leaky shut-off valve (cold side) for a bathroom sink. If it was the weekend I would have done the repair myself. A compression valve at Menards is $15 . The repair would take less than an hour. I figured to try this local company. I won't make that mistake again! I even shut the water off and removed the shut-off. The repairman came while I was at work and my wife was at home. I was surprised when my wife called and said he was in and out in less than one hour but charged us $263. I called to see why so much and to see the bill, I expected an itemized bill listing parts (cost per part) labor (per hour) but just got a description (notes) on what the repairman did and a total dollar amount. Come to find out he also "repaired/replaced" the hot side that wasn't leaking and replaced the hot side supply line too "to ensure it wouldn't leak" Still the three parts are 10-$15 each and the repair was 23 min from start to finish. They wouldn't tell me what the parts cost was or what their hourly rate is just that they use a "flat rate". So I guess they just charge whatever they feel like? In my case it was $200+ per hour. Disappointed I asked to speak with the owner and was told of course that he wasn't available. So I requested a call back when he was "available" and never got one, just another email to my wife saying "sorry it is what it is" whether the job took 30 minutes or 3 hours the price would be the same. Really I seriously doubt that. Not very professional IMHO. Needless to say I won't be using this...