Need to file a complaint?
BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.
Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
06/18/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Transaction date: December 21, 2023 Service address: *************************************************************** Dear Sir/*****, I am in need of your assistance, in resolving this dispute. This company was referred to me by Insurance. HomeServe NA Insurance Services, with whom I have a home water damage protection plan.For a few months earlier in 2023, we began to experience low water pressure in my home. I filed a claim, the claim was approved, and with that approval I was responsible for half of the total cost of the repairs totalling $8,207.00 Joseph L. Balkan was to fix the low water pressure problem I was having at home.A contract to secure the service repairs was signed on December 21, 2023 and a deposit of $2,000.00 was provided for the work to scheduled and completed. Upon completion i would be responsible for the outstanding balance.This company assured me throughout there testing, and experience/expertise that the water main line outside of my home was causing the problem. The main water line was change, the work was completed however the problem of low water pressure remained uncharged. After numerous contact/complaints, for them to return to resolve the problem. They advised problem was now the water meter. The water meter too was replaced. The water pressure issue remained unchanged. On June 14, 2023 (without my authorization) an additional $2,00.00 was charged to my account.
Business response
06/18/2024
Balkan upgraded the size of the water service, the main valve, and the tap connection into the city main as well. The work was inspected and signed off. We would be glad to perform a site visit to check on the interior plumbing. But to be clear, ther eis now sufficient water volume and wate pressure from the ctiy water main to the inside of the house to service this house, there may be additional internal plumbing issues, and we would be glad to provide a site visit at no charge.
BTW: Balkan was never paid for the services rendered. Perhaps once we do a pressure test and look over the inside plumbing we can get paid. Thanks in advance.
Customer response
06/18/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:[Your Answer Here]
I receive a referral from big Apple plumbing. who send a guy by the name of *****, diagnoses, the problem all along was the plumbing riser in the basement. ON March 15, 2024 the riser and 9 ft of pipes was replace, which resolve the problem, at an additional cost to me.
In order for the BBB to appropriatelay process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
***********************
Business response
06/26/2024
Balkan stands by the clear and accurate previous response.
Customer response
07/01/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:[Your Answer Here]
I demand you refund the unauthorized charge of June 14th to my credit card immediately.
My next step, will be contacting the Insurance company. With the full detail of this complaint.
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
***********************
Initial Complaint
06/14/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Balkan came down to our home numerous times to fix our sewer line due to repeated sewer backups. FIrstly, they insisited that we pay out of our own pocket to build a platform for them to access our sewer line. We've already paid over a thousand dollars in platforms, only to have the issue come back. They came, snaked the lined, put down a water jet, opened my sidewalk, cleaned the sewer, but to no avail. The real problem has not been resolved and I want them to take action to replace my sewer line once and for all!Business response
06/14/2024
Once the client provided access via a platform as required by their coverage package with their service line provider Balkan attempted to snake the line. Balkan then did a sewer repair and replaced broken sewer pipe on 05/31/2024. The client notified their service line provider on 06/14/2-24 (two weeks later) that they had an additonal backup, and Balkan is dispatching a drain tech there today (06/14/2024) to clear the line.Initial Complaint
09/15/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
This past summer we hired Balkan sewer to fix a leak in our water line. We paid them about $15,000 (even though their original quote had been $4,900). Our homeowners insurance will cover $2000 of the cost. We just need Balkan to fill out a form with information about the job that they did. The insurance company and myself have reached out to Balkan by phone and by email many times. They always say they will take care of it, but they never have. How can I get them to fill out that form?Thank You.*********************************Business response
09/15/2023
I deeply apologize for the delay in your receving an itemized bill. This certianly does not meet our typical company standards. **** will receive the itemized bill before the close of business today. Thanks for your understanding.Initial Complaint
05/19/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
****** is repeatedly giving aw resources mistaken info re my blockage Creating an impression that this is a pre existing issue to my coverage date Meanwhile toxic sewege is piling up Please allow yourselves to be sent by aw to finish the jobBusiness response
05/19/2023
This individual was previously denited coverage by a serivice line protection comapmhy because their existing house sewer damage falls out of the boundary if their coverage (Balkanb has no invovlement in that determination and is a rd party). This individual then signe dup with another servic eline proection comapny, and was denied coverage due to the condition being pre-existing ( and previously dedclined bu the other company). Once again Balkan is a 3rd party not invovled in that decision. There is no basis for a dispute with Balkan, or the aforementioned facts.Customer response
05/19/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:As my issue does not predate my coverage date with aw, I would want clarification from ****** to aw that the issue proceeds the day I called aw, not the day I got my insurance
(Both policy's were bought a few months back)
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
*****************
Customer response
05/22/2023
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
Sincerely,
*****************
Initial Complaint
06/01/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I have American Water Resources to insure my sewer line outside of my house @ ***********************. on the street I had a back up I called them and they sent me down Balkan Sewer & Water Main Service to fix it they made a camera inspection and it showed that the pipe outside on the street is totally broken they digged the ground replaced it to a new pipe and covered it up but the problem did not resolve I called them back they sent back Balkan they made a norther camera inspection and they are telling me now that it has a brake by the end of the pipe in the foundation so American Water Resources is not responsible for it and I have to pay it out from my pocked so I told them that since they did not see that it has a brake in the foundation by the first camera inspection that means that it happened while connecting the new pipe outside from the foundation to the pipe in the foundation I spent on the phone with them a long time but I feel like I'm talking to the wall nobody is there to help me and they don't even care what I am telling them I requested to see the video of the camera inspection and they don't wont to show me it they are just denying it without a normal reasonBusiness response
06/01/2022
I have American Water Resources to insure my sewer line outside of my house @ ***********************. on the street I had a back up I called them and they sent me down Balkan Sewer & Water Main Service to fix it they made a camera inspection and it showed that the pipe outside on the street is totally broken they digged the ground replaced it to a new pipe and covered it up but the problem did not resolve:
Response: Specifically Balkan did a spot repair outside of the foundation wall. The existing pipe as evidenced by a video before the work commenced showed damaged inside the foundation wall itself, and damage outside of the foundation wall as well. AWR coverage is specifically limited to sewer piping outside of the foundation wall.
I called them back they sent back Balkan they made a norther camera inspection and they are telling me now that it has a brake by the end of the pipe in the foundation so American Water Resources is not responsible for it and I have to pay it out from my pocked so I told them that since they did not see that it has a brake in the foundation by the first camera inspection that means that it happened while connecting the new pipe outside from the foundation to the pipe in the foundation.
Response: Balkan is a vendor of AWR. It is standard for the complainant to deal directly with AWR for covered expenses. With that said, we are not permitted to release videos directly to the complainant. However, we do have a video clearly showing defective pipe present inside the foundation wall before any excavation was performed, and this has been repeatedly explained to the complainant.
I spent on the phone with them a long time but I feel like I'm talking to the wall nobody is there to help me and they don't even care what I am telling them I requested to see the video of the camera inspection and they don't wont to show me it they are just denying it without a normal reasons why here...
Response: Balkan has spoken numerous times and formally responded to the complainant as well. Balkan actually provided a formal proposal to re-dig and correct any defect in the repair performed outside of the foundation wall for no charge, if in turn the complainant agreed to pay Balkan for replacing the pipe through the foundation if so required (and again, this is expressly out of the scope of their AWR coverage). Note that contrary to the complainant accusation, it is virtually impossible to cause 3rd party physical damage to existing pipe located inside a concrete foundation wall.
Customer response
06/16/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:Balkan says that they want i should sign a waiver that if it is in the foundation i will have to pay it but my concern is that if it is a brake in the foundation it happened while connecting the new pipe to the old one since the camera inspection did not show it the first time
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
****** *****
Business response
06/24/2022
A video is a complete video, from the time the camera is inserted through the house trap to the end of the inspection. Therefore it most certainly includes the piping inside the foundation wall. Did you ask AWR for a copy of the video?Customer response
06/27/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:[yes they told me that they only have from out side so if you say that you have from inside also let me see it
In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.
Sincerely,
****** *****
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. ↩
BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.
Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating
Contact Information
Want a quote from this business?
Get a QuoteCustomer Complaints Summary
6 total complaints in the last 3 years.
2 complaints closed in the last 12 months.