New Canadian Drain & Plumbing Ltd

We have had wonderful experiences with the Homestars.com providers we've engaged the past so when our water heater mixer valve failed, we expected that a top rated provider like this company would provide a similar experience.

We called on a Saturday and the person on the phone said it could be fixed the same day (good) and called ahead of when the plumber was to show up and asked if it was okay if they came earlier (also good).

The job was to remove the mixer valve which was basically cutting it out of the water connection and capping both ends. We were quoted $320 for this and because we were without hot water for days at that point, I accepted. Apparently we were charged an additional $120 ($200+$120) because the water tank was positioned such that he would have to squeeze between the furnace and the tank in order to get behind it to do the job.

The plumber was there for 1 hour and 42 minutes from arrival to departure.

As an hourly rate, this seemed excessive. But when I called the office they said they quoted by the job rather than the hour. Fine.

In short, I shouldn't have assumed all Homestars highly rated providers are charging reasonable (when considered by the hour) rates. And I should have asked the person on the phone first what this would cost.

My low rating for this provider has to do with 1. the $120 surcharge for the position of the tank and 2. the buyer's remorse feeling of being ripped off.

There's a 1 year warranty on the work so that's fine. But cutting and capping a couple of pipes for $320? Well, that just leaves a bad taste...