Emergencyplumbers24hr Reviews 8

Having exhausted the limited number of local plumbers I could find via a Google search, I telephoned this company. To cut a long story short, what they do is maintain a large national database of various sorts of tradesmen and then offer the job to one, telling them what they should charge the client. They wanted a £90 deposit up front out of the £180 per hour fee. It transpires that this £90 is just for them and does not form part of the payment required to the tradesman once the work has been done. They ask for a text message to confirm the tradesman has arrived and that apparently starts a clock. Once the plumber had been with me for an hour after I sent the text, they sent me another demand for £90 and a time after which a further £90 would become due. Once the plumber had finished, I asked about paying him as I had already paid £180 to Emergencyplumbers 24hr. He called them and an argument ensued as none of that £180 was going to offset his bill - he would receive none of it. What they do is charge £90 for every hour or part thereof that the tradsman is on site (or even travelling to get parts) and keep it all for no more than a few text messages. They even demand that if the tradesman and the client do other work beyond the emergency call-out that the fees to them continue. This is a scam.

If I could give minus stars I would. DO NOT USE. Absolute cowboys who think they can charge what they want for an "emergency service". THEY DO NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICE they just call tradesmen on your behalf and charge you whatever money they see fit for the privilege. Then threaten you if you don't pay within two hours. Don't be fooled by their website!!

came out in an emergency, water leaking into bedroom, thanks for sorting

Called at 1pm and paid deposit and was told that a plumber would be with us by 3pm. I called several times only to be fobbed off with the promise of updates that never materialised. The guy on the phone was very rude and abrupt, clearly had other priorities at home and text messages were not coherent. Around 7.30pm I requested a refund and I'm still waiting for a response. I will never use these jokers again.

EXCEPTIONAL , attended my property within 45 minutes and sorted out my toilet blockage, very grateful. Sara W.

called several other companies and no one could be bothered, called this company and pete came out to save us in our flood and fixed the stopcock, thanks so much

One star is too much but no option to give lower. Phoned today at 12.20pm, for a leaking boiler and unable to turn stop valve off. Was told a plumber would be out within 2 hours. Had to chase numerous times and was fobbed off with promises of return calls which didn't happen. Its now 17.45 and no sign of the plumber, a flooded floor, water leaking everywhere, no heating or hot water and no chance now of getting anyone else on a Sunday night. We have just phoned again to cancel and get a refund of our deposit. Wish we had read the awful reviews before booking . An utter scam. Avoid at all costs.

I booked this service online (for an emergency plumber) for a leaking toilet and paid upfront for the initial 30 mins as requested. I knew that I would have to pay a further 30 mins minimum + parts after work done. The website page (when I paid) had a long list of terms to read (copy not available on front page, or sent by email once booked), and I recall reading that subsequent "fees" would also be taken by card.

Once booked I received a text confirmation.

The service was chosen as they appeared to be local from the way the website was labelled (i.e. with my specific town mentioned).

The tradesmen who came were actually from another city (just over 25 miles away), and they stated it had taken them almost an hour to come. They were not impressed they had been called, rather than someone more local.

They cracked on with the work, and communicated well. They stated they had put sealant around the leaking points, and this needed 24 hours to "cure", so to ideally use the toilet after this time. They also pointed out the damage caused by slow leakage over time that had not been identified by us.

The tradesmen did note that for the cost I had to pay for a "1 hour callout + parts" via this service, I may have been able to purchase a brand new toilet and get it fitted. The implication was that this service was more expensive than a local tradesman contacted directly.

Payment had to be cash. Card was not an option, and this was not clear on the initial website. I had to go into town and back (approximately 20-25 min round trip) just to get the cash required. I did call the number on the website to check and was told there was nothing on their website that stated payment was by card (I couldn't access the page of terms any more for the part I'd read) and cash payment was ok. I paid by cash and the tradesmen left after stating to call the original booking website if any issues.

As this is the downstairs toilet we don't use it much. It was therefore only used twice in the 10 days after the initial work was done. Leaking was spotted on the 2nd use.

We immediately contacted the booking website by phone and the gentleman I spoke to asked me to text my address and original job details so they could find it. I immediately did this, but the next day received a text stating "Hi what is your message regarding". I explained the situation again by text.

I then had to contact by text again almost 24 hours later because there had been no response. I received a response over 9 hours later stating "Hi we have received your information , we are confused, this was carriedout on XX august, any Water leaks etc must be reported within 72hrs as stated clearly on our booking terms and conditions, not nearly 2 weeks later, I have contacted the tradesman and will leave a text with your number on again".

I did point out how we don't use the toilet much and reported as soon as we noted a leak. The response was "Our booking terms are extremely clear on our website, your text or contact was sent on the XXth. Maybe if just had work done on something you should have tested it more, will pass on your text to the tradesman , will update you tomorrow".

In view of the tone/delay of responses and lack of timely action (and the fact we have no wish to fall afoul of "booking terms"), I have asked the company not to ask anyone to attend on their behalf and to end their involvement with us. We will sort our own local tradesman (which hindsight tells me now I should have done, rather than rely on a website).

While the original work was thought to be acceptable at the time (hence I have given 2 stars instead of 1), it is clear it did not resolve the problem. Normally I would expect when a service is told their paid for work did not fix the issue they were hired for, they arrange for it to be sorted as they have essentially not completed their original task. Not to be told I am failing to follow "booking terms" that cannot be accessed except on a payment page (as far as I could see) and be made to feel they are doing me a favour now. Not the way I would expect a professional service to communicate/deal with its customers.

Forgot to note that if you click "Testimonials" on the booking website, it directs you to a blog website (which appears to be controlled by the company) and you need to sign in to be able to post. Not a more reputable, open and transparent method of feedback like this website.