A New York-based single father says he was horrified when his basement began to flood as his water boiler broke. However, after receiving service from 1-Tom-Plumber, he believes the company overcharged him.
In a since-removed video with around 10,000 views, TikToker Andrew (@ashkenazy11) says he called the plumbing service on Monday night to replace the hot water heater.
“I have a three-year-old at home. I’m a single dad. So I freaked out,” he says. A restoration company came that night and sucked the water out of the basement.
Then, he calls 1-Tom-Plumber, an emergency plumbing service chain, to replace the boiler. The service arrives just an hour later, and he tells them he doesn’t plan to “shop around” for a deal. Andrew says he just wants to ensure his son can take a bath for school the next day.
The plumber calls his boss and tells Andrew he can replace the water heater for $6,000.
“I work in finance. I know nothing about home appliances, nothing,” Andrew explains. “I didn’t think anything of it.”
Why does he think 1-Tom-Plumber ripped him off?
After they install the new water heater, Andrew notices that his kitchen sink stops working. He points it out to the plumber, who takes a look and insists he needs a new faucet because it’s clogged with sludge.
“What are you talking about? You’re a plumber. Just unclog it,” he says. “It was working perfectly 10 minutes ago. That’s ridiculous.”
The plumber insists he needs a new faucet and quotes him $600. Andrew says he is frustrated because he believes the plumber caused the faucet to stop running.
Shocked at the high price to replace the faucet, he starts to suspect that 1-Tom-Plumber is taking advantage of him.
“I know a new faucet is about $125. So you’re telling me that you want me to pay for the whole faucet and another $400 something for you to install it?” Andrew continues.
However, Andrew reluctantly agrees, as he needs the repair quickly.
The final bill for the service was $6,000 for the water heater and $375 for the sink after Andrew negotiated.
Andrew talks to his friends, who suggest that the plumber overcharged him for the water heater.
“They robbed the [expletive] out of me,” he says. Other homeowners on Reddit suggest that the new heater and installation should have cost between $1,000 and $2,500. However, prices can depend on location.
Since his initial video, Andrew has posted two follow-ups asking 1-Tom-Plumber to rectify the situation. He says he plans to continue making videos until he receives a response.
How did viewers react to the repair cost?
In the comments, many viewers are empathetic to Andrew’s frustrations with the high water heater replacement cost.
“$6000 is a lot of money to install a water heater,” a commenter suggests.
“I would honestly dispute with the credit card company on the grounds of price gouging. File a claim with your state there needs to be and should be price gouging laws. This is an outrage. Please advise where this plumber is located so we can stay far away,” another writes.
Others say they also felt overcharged by 1-Tom-Plumber.
“Yep. They take advantage of people during emergencies. Happened to me. My gas was turned off by gas company cause vent pipe was under my deck. This guy basically put extension pipe so it would vent out above my deck probably took him 10 minutes. Pipe was probably $10 charged me around $700,” one shares.
However, some notice that Andrew commented that he has an oil water heater, which can be more expensive to purchase and install. According to Modernize, an oil boiler can cost between $4,500 to $12,000, depending on the size of the home.
“Water heater : $2700,Misc Parts $200 = $3103 w/tax ,60% Mark up $1862 ,Total material =$4964 Labor $1000-1200 brings your total to $6,000-$6200. You did not get ripped off you got a great price,” one viewer writes.
“Should have started with I have a oil fired water heater. Big difference in price of the unit,” a second notes.
@ashkenazy11 When it rains it pours, not only did my basement flood which is already a stressful time but bringing in workers who you expect and think are doing the right thing by you because you need it done asap to find out they robbed you because they saw you were in a rough spot and needed it is so fucked up and wrong .. I’m so pissed pff you have no idea karma will get them I fully believe it #fyp #viral #trending #scammed #1tomplumber @1-Tom-Plumber ♬ original sound – Andrew
The Mary Sue reached out to Andrew via TikTok direct message and to 1-Tom-Plumber via email for further comment.
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