My kitchen sink was backing up and I had tried everything I knew to do; enzymes, plungers, baking soda and vinegar, and even the not so friendly drano and its ilk. I took apart the pipes but saw nothing, so I knew it had to be in the wall and beyond the reach of any of my tools, so I knew I had to go professional.
I contacted this service wanting to support neighbors and neighborhood businesses. I sent in a request for service through their website, which was nice enough to give starting prices. In my case it was 75 dollars. I further asked if they could hook up my ice maker to the line, not using a saddle clamp. I figured since they were going to be here anyway. I did not hear back from them. I decided I'd call and found out that they aren't actually local, I guess they actually work out of mukwanago. Ok, fine. Also, he gave me a price up front - about 120 dollars. Not as advertised, especially before they knew anything more about the job - but it was more about what I'd expect of the type of service.
They told me they would be able to make it out the next day, afternoon. Good. I was working third shift the night before and the night of but I foolishly thought afternoon meant some time around 1400. I finally texted them at about 1600and asked if they were still planning on coming by. They replied promptly and said that they still had a couple jobs to do before they were able to get to my place. At 1758 they called to let me know they were on their way. I was very tired and had thought about just telling them to reschedule, but I didn't say anything.
Two men came to my home. Personable and nice. I asked about the message that was not responded to about the ice line, and I was told that they don't really do that kind of thing... While they were working they kept asking ME for things to help them do their job; a small pip wrench, buckets, and towels. Is this common? What other job does a contractor show up without the necessary tools? I think buckets, pipe wrenches, and towels are pretty easily foreseeable items.
Anyhow, the clog was apparently fairly daunting, more so than they expected. Never the less, they were done within about an hour, maybe less. I prepared to write a check, and the fellow stated that he told me that he didn't take checks, and that if I didn't have cash, he'd take my card. I don't know what application he was using but he typed everything in.
They left a relative mess in the kitchen - drainage, a few minor smears here and there - but it was done - it was working - great. This morning I go down to the basement and see that the pipe the fellow working downstairs was tending to was surrounded at its base with muck, and splatter radiated 4-5 feet away !. There was NO attempt to clean it up.
Positives:
-they did what was asked of them
-they were quick
-they were relatively inexpensive
-cordial
Negatives:
-unresponsive
-unprepared
-did not clean up after themselves
-they took much longer than I thought to arrive for the job
Maybe I was their last call. Maybe the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. Whatever the case, I am pleased with the specific job - my drain is clear. But the muck that was cleared now seems to be on my basement floor.