Grand Lake Plumbing Company

This review is prompted by a series of events from May through November, 2011. I had been a loyal customer of GLPH since 1995 when I purchased our vacation home in Columbine Lake Country Club (CLCC) in Grand Lake Colorado. In May, 2011 I contracted with GLPH to install a sump pit, and pump in the crawl space due to flooding as a result of 250% of normal snow fall in the winter 2010-11. And in the fall, 2011 I contracted with GLPH to perform its standard fall furnace inspection (they sent a flyer via email that outlined a 10 point inspection). The following is a recap of the issues I experienced with GLPH between May and November.

SUMMARY:

· POOR WORKMANSHIP

· HIGHEST PRICES

· POOR COMMUNICATION

· ARROGANT OWNER (Travis Appelhans)

May 2011 Sump Contract:

· GLPH contracted to install SUMP PIT, PUMP and Discharge line

· Sump pit improperly installed: in excess of 4 inches ABOVE grade level & improper location

· Discharge Line improperly installed in violation of Code: connected directly to house main sewer line

· Discharge Line pipe shoddy workmanship: PVC joint not glued (resulted in separation and water being pumped, sprayed, into crawl space)

· Discharge Line improperly installed: pipe not isolated from joists causing excessive vibration and noise throughout house when pump cycled on-off

· Discharge Line: installed cheapest backflow valve which caused excessive noise (slamming) when pump shut off; caused excessive noise and vibration throughout home

All of these items were discovered only by sheer luck within a few days of the installation since I rarely visit my vacation home in “mud-season”. I went to the cabin to check the work and discovered the water spraying into the crawl space. I also noticed the excessive vibration and noise when the pump cycled on and off: intolerable. Since this home is also a vacation RENTAL, I could not accept this situation. To GLPH’s credit, they did come back and install a high quality back flow valve, isolated the piping with proper stand-offs and insulation, and glued the joint together. They also disconnected the discharge pipe from the main sewer line and routed it outside per code. They charged me an additional $100.00 to do so.



Important to note that given their pricing, I opted to sign up for their monthly service contract ($19.99) and they discounted the entire bill by the standard (I think) 10%. On subsequent investigation (I needed the sump installed ASAP); I discovered GLPH charged the highest amount of three plumbers contacted for a sump pit/pump/discharge line installation. GLPH also sent an email stating the first 10 callers would receive a FREE sump pump. Thinking this was a really good deal I accepted the offer. Unfortunately, I did not get three competing bids BEFORE I accepted their offer. Total for the entire work including “FREE” pump and the add-on charge for the outside discharge line, including the discount for being a “preferred monthly service customer” was a whopping $1,110.22!

My claim concerning the improperly installed sump pit is based on another contractor in the area. In August, 2011, the crawl space was encapsulated (water proof liner, sealed, wall spray foam insulation, and sump pit and discharge line installation). That contractor relocated the sump pit to the proper location in the crawl space and buried it at the proper depth. It was their professional opinion the work performed by GLPH was sub-par.