ComplaintsforCummings Plumbing, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  11/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 7/2/24 we called Cummings because using the washer caused water to back up into the sink. A plumber came, to my husband. We expected to take use the $99 drain cleaning they advertise but they didn’t want to do the work. We were told not to worry about it, old houses do that. On 9/29/24 we noticed that the flooring in the kitchen was wet. Water seeping from the pipe behind the washer. On 9/30/24 we called Cummings again and someone came out to look at the laundry area. This person told us they would have a crew come by the following day to put a camera down the pipe to diagnose the problem. On 10/1/24, Cummings showed up to look at the pipe with a camera. They told my husband that the pipe below the laundry room had collapsed and we needed to try to fix it with perma liner. It was either that or remove flooring and jack hammer through the foundation. The situation became very high pressure at this point. They told my husband that they had a crew in the area and they needed to get started right away. They pressured my husband into accepting an estimate for a whole house perma liner so they could start the work. Our insurance company needed a formal diagnosis and the original camera footage that diagnosed the problem. We authorized Cummings to provide this information and video to our insurance adjuster but they never did. On 10/4/24 Cummings provided estimate details that were too vague for the insurance company to use. I sent a certified letter demanding the video. It is now too late for the insurance company. Because Cummings refused to provide the video and a detailed description to our insurance company in a timely fashion, the insurance company cannot even process the claim. At this point I am convinced that this was a high-pressure sales tactic used against an elderly man for work that was not needed. They refused to discuss repairing just the damaged area and instead insisted that he accept an estimate of $22,430.00 for a whole house perma liner.

  

  Business response

  11/19/2024

  We have contacted the AZ ROC for an in-person meeting with this customer. We will also be submitting all job start and completion documents including, the last signed document, which was singed the day we completed this job- Called " Customer job satisfaction"- document- signed the day we collected our final payment on this project, by this customer. We also have video documentation of before and after, job start, and job completion video documented evidence... We look forward to respectfully discussing all the above claims with a 3rd party.   Best Regards, Mike Determan GM, Cummings Plumbing Heating&Cooling.    

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 7/14/24 a catastrophic storm resulted in major roof damage. I contacted Cummings Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling to give me an estimate for the removal and replacement of utilities and one HVAC unit because in '23 had bought two HVAC units for 25k. On 8/9 I received estimates from Cummings for all the work, totaling $10,400, including $2,400 for “removal and reinstall of HVAC system and reinstall.” Note “system, not systems.) On 8/26, I received a new estimate of 5,250 to “remove unit and ductwork and reinstall. Please note that nowhere in either estimate does it say “systems” or “units”, yet I found both of my new HVAC units, including my new 2-ton unit plus ductwork from my bedroom roof, and that connected to the larger unit (which was NOT to be removed) in my front yard. Cummings never acknowledged their error and assured me when I called that I was only charged for the removal of one unit. I am 74 years old, and trusted Cummings to do the work as requested and do it well. When I was able to go up and saw the disaster that their work had caused, I called and sent photos to the General Manager. The HVAC supervisor came out and assured me that the proper repairs would be made. Again, since I can’t get up on the roof as an elderly woman who lives alone it was yesterday before I was able to have a repairman come to look at the roof and give me an estimate to coat the roof, since Cummings workers tracked tar all over the whole roof. The attached photos show what we found. I have now paid him, Francisco Velasco, $1,600 to coat my roof and fix what absolutely needed to be fixed immediately. I am so distressed at the poor quality of work and resolution of my concerns by Cummings. I am told that Cumming’s unsatisfactory work will not pass inspection for future sale. Cummings took advantage of a homeowner who had major storm damage, insurance coverage, and, due to my age, the inability to get up on the roof to check the work. Rev. Dr. Delle McCormick

  

  Business response

  11/19/2024

  We have requested a meeting with Ms. McCormick and all the contractors on the job site (roofing and otherwise) the same day with the AZ. ROC, and a representative with Pima County inspections to resolve this matter. We have all the documentation that was signed at the start of the project and on 9/3/24 - the day we completed the project and collected our final payment.  Including the CUSTOMER JOB SATISFACTION DOCUMENT, was signed by Ms. McCormick on that particular day. Our request has been submitted with the AZ ROC and we are waiting for a return email to respectfully resolve this issue.                                                          Best Regards, Mike Determan GM CPH&C     

• Initial Complaint

  07/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  On 7/19/24 I had a garbage disposal replaced by Cummings Plumbing that was leaking. The technician that came out mentioned it was very corroded and that he had a tough time disconnecting it. Once it was replaced, I noticed the inside of the cabinet was wet and dirty. I had to vacuum the area and wipe down the cabinet walls/pipes as they had dirty water splashed on them. I spent the night drying the area with a fan. I feel that better coverage to protect the work area would have been appropriate. Once he left, I noticed that base of the sink faucet was loose allowing water to seep under it. I called Cummings Plumbing 7/20/24 and they were able to send someone out the same day to take a look at it. I was informed that the bottom of the faucet under the sink was rusted and this was confirmed with a picture the technician took to show me. He was unable to try to tighten it further given this. He offered to use silicone caulk around the base, but I do not feel like this is a good solution given the movement of the piece and believe the caulk would start to break away shortly after. If it cannot be repaired, I am requesting to have it replaced or a credit to have it replaced by a different plumbing company.

  

  Business response

  07/26/2024

  This Complaint was immediately resolved. Customer indicated they will remove the complaint, however, due to BBB guidelines it cannot be removed, apparently, We have a conference scheduled with BBB management to see if removal is an option.    

• Initial Complaint

  03/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On July 17, 2023 Cummings Plumbing checked the line between our house and our septic tank, with a "camera" line. No blockage was found. They had installed that pipe in December 2021, with a 5 year warranty. Despite the no blockage finding, they strongly suggested hydrojetting the entire house plumbing for $2,223.59. They also suggested that I have the septic tank cleaned out, and they would return to hydrojet after this was completed. We had Old Pueblo Septic clean out the tank at which time they discovered a problem with the leaching field. We had another company put in a new leaching field. Once this work was completed, I realized, based on talks with experts and my own research, that hydrojetting was not necessary (after all, no blockage was found in the clean outs to the septic tank). I contacted Cummings Plumbing and spoke with a manager by the name of Mike Determan about a possible refund. In my opinion, he was very close-minded and did not listen to my side of the story. He argued that hydrojetting had been done, but it was not. All that was done was to hydrojet the two clean outs; no plumbers went on the roof or inside the house. Incidentally, the house was built in 2005, and is a custom home about 5000 square feet and two stories.

  

  Business response

  03/29/2024

  On 14 July 24 Mr. ****** called our business at 10:28 am and requested $2,223.59 back for "a hydrojetting job that was not performed" approximately 8 months prior to his call to our office. The job was performed and completed at his place of residence. Both technicians that were at his residence confirmed they received 1/2 down to secure the start of the job the day prior on 26 July 23. They arrived at Mr. ******'s place of residence and completed the hydrojetting service. On 27 July 2023, Mr. ****** signed our job completion document stating "I acknowledge the work has been performed to my satisfaction for the amount of $2223.59". Cummings Plumbing is thankful for this forum to have a third party help us come to a conclusion to this unusual request. We had a discussion with Mr. ****** on two separate occasions on this matter and did not come to an agreement. We recommended to Mr. ****** to go to the Az. Registrar of contractors for help with this matter and they summarily dismissed the complaint lodged by Mr. ******- due to the fact there was no issues with workmanship. Simply put Mr. ******'s assertion that we did not perform the hydrojetting service is not factual. What makes this so unusual, is he asked for total cost refund of the job we performed - approximately 8 months prior - at the end of July, after he personally signed our customer satisfaction document upon job completion. We offered a secondary visit at no charge to clear debris in his sewer system- to which he deigned. We look for a reasonable solution to this unusual circumstance. As always, we respect all of our customers and always look for equitable solution if an issue arises. We value our A+ BBB rating we have earned over many years in business in southern Arizona.                           

  Customer response

  04/01/2024

  NOT satisfied with response from Cummings plumbing. Here is my response.

   

   

  ****** ******

  *************

  

  Business response

  04/04/2024

  After communicating with Mr. ****** multiple times to come to any kind of equitable agreement including a $500.00 good faith proposal recommended by our BBB, for which he refused. We have resourced all avenues including the AZ. Registrar of Contractors that dismissed his complaint. It is always our goal to resolve any issues with our services that arise, immediately, the fact remains we completed the proposed work, gave the exact cost of the work before the job was started, signed by this customer, we completed the work in question 8 months ago to the signed satisfaction of this customer. In addition, we have all signed documents from before the start of work, all the way to the completion of our work. As explained, the final document that was signed by Mr. ****** happens to be our Job completion satisfaction document for which he also signed. ( 8 months ago), we have submitted these documents to the BBB. We are always open to further discussion with this customer to resolve his complaint.                                                           Regards, Cummings Plumbing Cooling and Heating.                 

  Customer response

  04/08/2024

  Cummings Plumbing did NOT reply to the 3 specific complaints I made in my last email.

   

  There is a Persian story about a thug who stole a man's wallet. When the thug was arrested he offered to return 25% of the man's money. What do you think the man's response was?

• Initial Complaint

  07/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On July 11, 2023, I received an invoice from Cummings Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling. This invoice was for a sewer remediation for a house I was selling. The total cost was $15,800. In the proposal or invoice for the statement of work proposed, the following (7) line items appear; 1. Saw cut and remove curb and asphalt. 2. Dig down to pipe and cut out approximately 5’ of pipe. 3. Install new 5’ section of pipe. 4. Parts and labor included. 5. Permit will be required. (Included) 6. Shoring included if needed. 7. Barricades included. I asked the company, Mr. ******* ********* why it was so expensive, he said it was because the pipe that needs to be corrected is below the street and we will have to go through the street, get permits, etc... I asked him for photos and videos of the work as it is performed since I live in Florida and would not be present, he assured me that I would be receiving those with my final bill. On July 14, 2023, I spoke with ******* ******* and paid 1/2 of the bill to begin work. That total paid was $7,900.00. Today, July 26, 2023, I received a call from the manager ****, he said that he was calling for the other half of the bill and that everything was completed. I asked him for the videos and photos that I was promised, he said that he would email them to me. I informed ****, that my realtor went over there and took photos to help me to monitor their work. After, reviewing those photos, it was obvious the work performed did not match the work proposed on the original invoice. This job did not involve permits. This work did not involve going through the asphalt. It was not a three day job as I was originally told. I challenged **** on the amount remaining and asked him to revise his statement of work since his company exaggerated the size and scope of work being performed. He became agitated and raised his voice. Two hours later I did receive an invoice #******** with the same total amount with no photos or videos.

  

  Business response

  07/31/2023

   

  Upon completion of the 5' section of sewer line repair as per contract with the removal of curb and tunneling approx. 12" under asphalt as explained in great detail on the phone, we were able to repair the sewer main without cutting into the street. which would've required a "right of way permit" and minor asphalt repair to cut into the street... Since your physically in Florida and never was able to see the repair in person. Your Real Estate representative was at the job site and was aware of exactly what we completed. Selling a home can be stressful, we know, In our conversation you stated that the job should've never been completed in the first place - this was your first recorded complaint to me. You also stated that the existing sewer line had nothing wrong with it and "you have 2 plumbing companies" to back you up on your statement... One of which is the local plumbing company in Green Valley. As, I stated, I challenge anyone with any plumbing experience to look at the video you have in your possession to put in writing that there was nothing wrong with your sewer line before we repaired it. The sewer line in question was one of the worst I've seen in my 30 plus years of plumbing. Before you hung up the phone on me or we may possibly got disconnected at a very crucial point in our conversation, I was going to adjust the amount owed. Unfortunately, this was difficult to do because your last words to me was get in touch with your legal department. - before you hung op - or we were disconnected... I'm more than happy to talk to you to resolve the issue at hand. Respectfully **** ******** GM Cummings Plumbing Heating &Cooling

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩