Rapid Rooter

Don't let these guys in your house!

Useless predators with no desire to provide any service unless they can charge 100 times the price. They want to make at least $500 per call and collect fees. They write up lawsuits before invoices, and they try to get money over and above the services rendered.

I believe they have changed their name to Service Rooter. If you want trouble call them.

After trying to replace our faucets, we had to shut off the water from the basement. Unfortunately, the faucet started leaking and would not stop. Our property manager told us we would have to wait two days so that the water could be shut off for the entire block. We then called Rapid Rooter, and they sent someone over. After inspecting the pipe the plumber told us we needed a replacement valve, and he would have to order one. He then informed us that a valve would require us to pay over $300 as a security deposit, and over a $1000 for the valve itself, plus installation. In a bind, we agreed to pay for the deposit. The next day, we decided to call around and get estimates for the job. We found out that not only should we not have needed to pay a deposit, but Rapid Rooter was charging twice the amount for the valve. So, we called them, cancelled the appointment, and hired someone else. Two days later, someone from our neighbourhood stopped by and inspected the pipe. Turns out, it only needed to be tightened with a set of pliers, and a replacement valve was not even necessary. We tried to cancel the credit card payment for the deposit, but were unable to do so. Several calls were made to the company to get our money back, but we never heard back from them. As we are senior citizens, we feel we were taken advantage of this company when we were in urgent need of a plumber.

My elderly Mother called them to fix a leak at her laundry tub. They replaced the tub and faucet (both of which I believe were unecessary because the cause of the leak was a corroded pipe between the tub and the trap). The total retail value for parts for the job was less than $150 and the plumber took less than 3 hours to complete the work - which should have represented less than a $500 repair. They charged her $1966 for the work! I first called the company on a Saturday. The on call emergency plumber tried to justify it as their "flat rate" pricing. After getting nowhere with him I told him to have a manager call me. Nobody did and since that time I've called them 4 times with no return phone call.
This company is listed on the Consumer Protection Branch's beware list with 7 charges for similar practices. I've filed a complaint letter with them demanding the return of the money. If I get no response I will file a complaint with both the Consumer Protection branch and the Better Business Bureau.

Bottom line - they're a predatory and unethical company