Wally Blanton Plumbing and Sewer in Antioch, IL

Response from the owner

Thank you for sharing such a detailed review! We’re glad Gary and Cody could help with the hydrojetting and new sump pump line, and that the work was completed as promised while taking care of your landscaping. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with the entire team!

Response from the owner

We couldn't help but notice that your Google profile indicates you have contributed more than 380 reviews. You are clearly a very active reviewer, and we respect your right to share your experiences. However, given that level of activity, we would hope there would also be an appreciation for the seriousness of publicly labeling a local business “predatory” simply because you received an estimate you considered too high. We respect every customer’s right to get multiple estimates and choose the contractor they feel is the best fit for their project. However, we strongly disagree with characterizing our pricing or business model as “predatory.” This was an estimate for a planned bathroom remodel, not an emergency service, not work that had already begun, and not a situation where anyone was pressured into making a decision. You were provided with our price upfront and were completely free to accept it, decline it, or obtain additional estimates, which you ultimately did. Comparing two contractors based solely on the final price also does not mean the proposals are equivalent. Different plumbing companies have different labor structures, staffing, overhead, insurance, licensing, warranty coverage, materials, installation standards, and costs associated with standing behind their work. A company employing dozens of people simply does not have the same operating economics as a smaller operation, and price alone does not determine whether either company is charging appropriately. There was no pressure, no obligation, and no transaction. You requested a price for a remodel, we provided one, and you chose another contractor. That is exactly why customers are encouraged to obtain multiple estimates. We understand that our company will not be the right fit for every customer or every budget. We have no issue whatsoever with someone choosing a lower-priced contractor. We do take issue with the suggestion that a legitimate, upfront estimate constitutes predatory behavior simply because another company was willing to perform the work for less. We’re glad you found a contractor and price that worked for you, and we wish you the best with your remodel.

Response from the owner

William, thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry we were unable to reach a resolution that left you satisfied. We would, however, like to provide some important context. The deposit was collected after the bathroom project was reviewed, approved, and authorized. Our cancellation terms and associated fees are disclosed in writing during the authorization process and were acknowledged as part of the signed project documentation. When you contacted us the following day requesting to cancel the project, our office discussed the cancellation policy and applicable cancellation amount with you. While we recognize that subsequent communication may not have occurred as promptly as either of us would have liked, this was not simply a matter of waiting for an outstanding refund. There was an unresolved disagreement regarding the cancellation terms that had been disclosed and agreed to when the project was authorized. We understand that circumstances can change, and we always want our customers to feel comfortable communicating with us when they do. Our cancellation terms are provided in writing before a project is authorized so expectations are clear for everyone involved, particularly once scheduling, personnel, equipment, materials, and other resources begin being allocated to a project. William, we’re genuinely sorry that we weren’t able to reach an outcome you were happy with. We appreciate that you initially trusted Wally Blanton Plumbing & Sewer with your project, and we wish you nothing but the best moving forward. Wally Blanton Plumbing & Sewer