Plumber shut off water!

I called them again for other work- they sent a plumber who took a long time fixing the problem and preparing the bill. I had other things to do and asked kindly that the plumber bill my house as I had prior history with the company and my name is on the deed and he has my cell number. I left on good terms expecting a bill in the mail.

Long story short- he called me minutes after I left to say that I had to come back. Apparently, the plumber's central office must've thought I was absconding from the bill (when I had already signed the work order authorization). I reiterated that they could bill the house and I was good for the bill. Regardless, the plumber shut off the water and I then I had to call their head office to get them to turn it back on again.

Isn't this illegal activity? Can a plumber shut off water just like that? This was the strangest, worst customer service?

State Specific Question About: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (DC)

--169.253.x.xx

Plumber shut off water! (by MrRational [MD]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 9:23 AM
Message:

All your statements are about what YOU said to them and what YOU want and what YOU believe to be understood.

Maybe next time you'll ask what THEY say and what THEY want and what THEY believe to be understood.

--96.234.xxx.xx

Plumber shut off water! (by Virden [OH]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 9:58 AM
Message:

You need to go to the plumbing company office and get this corrected. Maybe they wrote the wrong number to tell you more serious problem and could not repair underground without more retainer fee? --99.147.xx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by John [NJ]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 10:25 AM
Message:

I don't think the plumber has the right to shut off the utility because of a bill in question. If your water comes as a city utility, call the city and ask if legal. If it is NOT legal, IMMEDIATELY SIGN A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE PLUMBING COMPANY WITHOUT HESITATION!!

John

New Jersey

--192.4.xxx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Rob [DC]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 10:42 AM
Message:

Thanks for the feedback.

Re: MrRational's feedback- I actually have a voice mail where the plumber left the threat to shut-off the water. They can't deny it.

I really think it was illegal and was trying to find out if so. --169.253.x.xx

Plumber shut off water! (by John... [MI]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 11:06 AM
Message:

Did they shut this off at the city's valve where it connects to you? Or within the property (i.e. some main valve that you own after it gets to you)?

- John...

--64.25.xxx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Rob [DC]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 11:09 AM
Message:

John, he shut of the valve at the property. And I have witnesses that saw him do so. --169.253.x.xx

Plumber shut off water! (by ManateeAlley [FL]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 11:17 AM
Message:

If a LL can't shut off the water, how can a plumbing company? --67.191.x.xx

Plumber shut off water! (by RR [WA]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 11:26 AM
Message:

Sounds illegal, but I doubt you'll get anywhere trying to make a case out of this.

I would turn it back on(plumbers don't own/control the water supply system), pay the bill, and find a new company for future biz. Or find a handyman whos bills will be less than $1000.

--216.251.xxx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by John... [MI]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 11:33 AM
Message:

Rob -- "the valve at the property" still isn't clear. He shut off a valve that you own that is at the house? Or he shut off the valve that the city owns (usually buried underground or out near the curb that often requires a special tool to get to)?

If it is just YOUR valve, then just turn it back on. If it is the city valve that they usually control, then I would report it.

- John...

--64.25.xxx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Wallace CPM [VA]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 12:51 PM
Message:

Great Angie's List story!!! --205.188.xxx.xx

Plumber shut off water! (by Echo [GA]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 2:47 PM
Message:

I don't think they can do that no matter where the valve is. They would have to place a mechanics lien and thats all they could do here. Now that being said I don't know if you can get anyone to push the point for you. But regardless , they be getting a nasty call from me and definatley no more owrk. Nasty call after the bill, or they may inflate the bill. --74.243.xx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Jenn [OK]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 3:02 PM
Message:

First of all, what he did was very petty. I would probably either call the company or write them a complaint informing them that they just lost your business.

I think you'd be wasting your time taking it any further.

One thing to think about....He might have been pressured by his company to get payment 'upon completion' of the job. Maybe he was frustrated that you didn't understand that when he called you and therefor acted out in anger because you would not come back and pay him. You never know what HE was dealing with. What if he's behind on his mortgage and his company takes any unpaid bills out of his check. Next time take MrRational's advice and try to listen to what they require, even if it sounds ridiculous. --68.12.xxx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Dejay [TX]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 3:29 PM
Message:

Turn the valve, the water is back on. Problem solved.

Find a new plumber; if you ever find one you like let us know. Nobody will believe you. --76.233.xxx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Anderson [IN]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 8:17 PM
Message:

I would have just turned the water back on. I have a great tool to turn the street main on and off. Welded some rebar to make it long enough, as our water mains are much deeper than the tool you can buy at Harbor Freight. --72.86.xx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 8:39 PM
Message:

I am a licensed plumber and owner/manager of many income properties. As a plumber, I make sure my clients know how I expect payment before I start any job. As a property owner I ask my contractors if they can bill me when the work is finished with the understanding I will mail payment the next day. In your case, it was both you're fault. Never make a payment agreement with a worker, contact the central office to get the okay first. --207.200.xxx.x

Plumber shut off water! (by RR [WA]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 8:43 PM
Message:

Robert J [CA] - as a plumber do you expect 100% payment before starting the work? If so, what incentive do you have complete a quality, timely job? I see both sides, but wonder why a customer would ever prepay. --216.251.xxx.xxx

Plumber shut off water! (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Mar 25, 2009 11:26 PM
Message:

PR (WA) No California contractor may take more than 10% OR $1000 upfront,(which ever is less) as a deposit, and may not charge more than the work completed! I do expect the owner of the rental property to provide me with his billing address and agree to send payment within a 10 to 30 day period. If this is a first time client who has agreed to provide payment after the work has been completed -- then I do not expect them to dissapear. About 1 in 100 clients, mainly income property owners play games. When they see a job is almost complete they say they will be right back, they have to pick up a rent check on the next block -- and never return. Thinking that they never singed a contract, they won't have to pay. If the job was less than $500, I don't need a signed contract so I bill them, call them, then file an action in small claims court, get a judgement and then file a lien against the property. --207.200.xxx.x

Plumber shut off water! (by Jason PA [PA]) Posted on: Mar 26, 2009 2:28 PM
Message:

File a complaint with your state attorney general, here it is free to do and they can prosecute. --69.253.xx.xxx

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