FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We are Professionals. We work Fast. We always charge $150 for the First Hour, minimum--which begins when we arrive @ the job, and includes an experienced Plumber (Jim), AND a helper. We don't charge travel time to or from the job. We don't charge a trip charge or service charge, in addition to our charge for the first hour. We do charge for travel time to buy materials, and time to purchase materials @ the nearest supply or home center, to the job. Minimum charge to clear a clogged main sewer is $350 which includes up to 1-1/2 hrs of labor. Add $50 if we have to pull up and reset a toilet to access the sewer. We charge overtime from 5pm-8am weekdays w/o a scheduled appointment at least 1 day prior, and we charge overtime on weekends- w/o a prior scheduled appointment. We don't charge overtime for work begun during regular business hours-but not completed until after hours. We will stay overtime to finish work, if necessary. We offer free estimates when the scope of work is known, but we must charge when an "estimate" begins to involve troubleshooting, diagnosis, and suggestive solutions, and when the cause and scope of work is undetermined. We also charge overtime on Holidays. We do offer scheduled evening and weekend work appointments at regular rates. We offer payment arrangements. m We accept cash or check upon completion of work, and we may require an upfront deposit to purchase materials valued over $250. We will accept a check post dated up to 15 days, for payment. We will pick up (for a small fee) and install materials purchased by customer. We will perform any part of any job that customer intends to start or finish themselves. We offer a 10% discount on labor charges to Sr. citizens 65 or older, Police and ire personnel, Military Veterans, and single parent families w/ children.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We listen closely to the customer's description and comments regarding their problems and/or projects to be completed. We ask the customer questions to clarify symptoms and details of their particular problem and/or project. We offer suggestions to save time and money. We also tell customers where to shop for materials at the lowest prices. Our trucks carry most supplies for most installations and repairs. We sell and service all brands, though we don't stock water heaters, faucets, fixtures, and some other materials. Therefore we don't pressure customers into buying such materials from us, or buying such "off of our truck". We don't work for commissions, we don't flat rate price. We sell top quality workmanship, and strive for customer satisfaction.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I Learned the craft of Plumbing, electric, and heating, from my father Roy, who operated Riverside Plumbing Co., in Riverside, IL., for over 35 yrs. I graduated from Riverside/Brookfield Twnshp High School a year early, and started performing independent service calls, for Riverside Plumbing, in a rusty 1973 Dodge van, when I was 17 yrs old. I had completed my 5 yr. apprenticeship when I was 21 yrs old, and I became a Journeyman Plumber. During my apprenticeship, I was trained by Rheem Corp. for forced air furnaces and water heaters. I also learned about hot water and steam heating by Weil-Mclain boiler corp. at their factory in Indiana. When I was 25 yrs old, I left Riverside and moved to Lemont, to start up my own business--Lemont Plumbing & Heating Co. I became the second business to take the name-"Lemont"... (Lemont National Bank was the first). My wife Patti attended Joliet Jr. College and earned a Universal CFC license for HVAC. My wife had been taught Drywall, Plastering, and Tile work by her Grandfather, who owned a few Apt. buildings in Chicago, before we met.