Fergusons Plumbing Group

Zero stars for Fergusons Plumbing pricing. To install three taps, a showerhead, and a basin—all of which we supplied—they charged $3,200! Even at $200 per hour, plus a call-out fee and parts, we estimated the cost to be around $1,000. But $3,200? This pricing is simply outrageous and totally unjustifiable.
Five+ stars for Rob the plumber—an excellent tradesperson who did a 100% perfect job. It’s a shame that such a skilled plumber as Rob is associated with such predatory pricing.
We now see that Fergusons Plumbing is being investigated by the media for their pricing practices—steer clear if you value your hard-earned money.
And by the way, if you contact Dan’s Plumbing, you actually get Ferguson’s Plumbing—so beware.

$1500 to install a toilet when I needed it installed asap. Agreed to invoice because it was time sensitive pre sale of the property. Toilet was NOT installed on time and yet I am still being charged the ridiculous charges. Would not recommend

Approximate cost: $15000

No itemised accounts means that they can charge any amount. In our experience they can have a five to six hundred percent mark up. Read reviews on line before allowing them to service your needs. One job one day or less day and three hand held mixes cost nearly $7000.00. The parts cost no more that 700.00 in total which means that they are either charging nearly $1000 an hour for their labour or they have a huge mark up on the product or both.
My experience, horrible predatory way of working.

Approximate cost: $6800

The experience with Ferguson Plumbing was worst ever that we have had with any trades person in Australia. The dealings were non ethical and unprofessional that they even don't admit. We called them for a job to check our hot water system. The trades person, from the company came to check and repair. He gave us a quote of $507.10. After roaming around the premises, for 15-20 mins, he came back with opened hot water unit, to say it's dead and needs replacement. When asked about the cost, he quoted $7000 for a normal Rinnai 26 model. A higher brand-new model B26 is in fact $1000 in market. He was so rude that he interrupted us making any phone calls to family for any discussions and made us to pay the call out fee of $507.10. In fact, when the bank statements turned up, they had charged $515.47, without any information. Such a cheat. We have written them at least four times, for the refund of this ridiculous fee but haven't received anything yet. Few days later got a call from their Customer Service Manager, agreeing to refund half the amount, if we don't take up this matter further for reviews. The lady asked us for bank details, which were given, but still no one bothered to refund or reply. We didn't want to write anything taking this as another loss, but thought of saving other innocent people who may end up hiring their services, to get badly ripped off. We hope this will give some insight for others to think many times before calling these people for any home or office jobs. Would NEVER recommend them to anyone

The matter has been resolved and it end

Approximate cost: $150

While they did quality work and were professional I was definitely taken advantage of. I felt like I had no choice and was just supposed to sign away and accept the quote. They charged 1400 to “service” two toilets!! He was very good at his job but was intimidating so I paid. Ugh. Definitely avoid.

Approximate cost: $2500

I would give negative stars if possible! The Fergusons' plumber quoted us over $500 to investigate the problem with our Rinnai hot water system that was showing an error code. At the end of the investigation the Fergusons plumber declared that he couldn't work out what the problem was and suggested that perhaps the whole unit had to be replaced which he could do and it would cost us over $3000 (on top of the "investigation fee"). The fact that the Fergusons' plumber charged to carry out an investigation when he couldn't even find the problem is bad enough but the fact that he then suggested to replace the whole unit when he wasn't sure what the problem was is outrageous - what if we'd gone to the expense of replacing it and it wasn't actually the problem?!!!! Another plumbing company (this time one that was recommended by Rinnai) came out the following day and within one minute of him opening up the unit advised that the fan needed replacing- that's a one minute investigation which investigation came to a conclusion and didn't carry a $529.10 investigation fee! !!! The total cost to service the system and replace the fan was just over $700. The fact that it was a simple issue that should have easily been picked up by any competent plumber just adds to the ridiculousness of this matter. The Ferguson Plumbers total fee to "investigate" and "fix" a problem that he didn't even know what it was would have cost us over $3500 compared to $700 (which included a service as well as the repair). We have requested reimbursement of the investigation fee given the Ferguson plumbers incompetence but Fergusons refuse to respond

I was invoiced $1,277 to replace two basin taps and a showerhead (all of which I supplied). It a matter of unscrewing the old ones and screwing in the new ones. When I mentioned it to my friends, they all were of the opinion the price I paid was outrageous and it is daylight robbery. I admit, on my part being such a simple job, I hadn’t done prior research, and although I found it exorbitant, I thought this must be what plumbers charge. On subsequent research in my opinion, it appears to be more than double what I would have been charged for such a simple job elsewhere. My advice, make sure you get a number of different quotes before you agree to any job from them.

These guys TOOK ADVANTAGE of me. How do they sleep at night????????

They were very cunning about their whole process when taking advantage of someone naive at the time. I dealt with two men from Fergusons plumbing on the same day. The first plumber inspected and gave a quote for the bathroom toilet and taps, and the second plumber did the works and gave me another quote for the kitchen safety valve. Both were super friendly, positive and polite. They both gave me the ‘scare speech,’ ‘if I don’t get it fixed now, then etc etc.’ They then presented me with a crazy quote for me to sign quickly. How do these plumbers who, deal their clients face-to-face, sleep at night?

In one day, for such a small one bedroom apartment, including GST, I paid a total of $8473.30.
For the supply and installation of basic toilet I was charged $3261.
For the supply and installation of an emergency isolation valve I was charged $2814.
To just amend (not replace) of 2 existing wall taps I was charged $1628.

On top of that, at the end of the works, when ALL plumbing was done, the second plumber (who did the works and was the only one there at the end) asks ‘is there any other plumbing that you need done?’ I responded with ‘no, I think all the plumbing is done.’ He did the bathroom and the kitchen and there was literally no other place for plumbing. He then had the insanity to say ‘no, no, no, is there any OTHER plumbing that you need done?’ With a smile on his face. I was so shocked that I laughed and I said ‘no man, I’m fine thank you.’ When he shook my hand after he squeezed my hand suggestively. I then had to motion him out of my door with my free hand and then closed the door. I was laughing in shock at the time, but I have been left with a very uncomfortable feeling ever since that incident.

After the service, I realised that my bath tub sink taps were not so good. There was barely any hot water pressure. I wanted to call them back and ask them questions about that, but because of what happened with the plumber at the end of his service time, I was too uncomfortable to call them back. This has not sat well with me ever since.

It was days after my experience with Ferguson plumbing, after I told a handful of friends and family about my experience and the insane price they charged me with, that I realised how badly I was taken advantage of.

I am disappointed that an Australian company like this exists.

UPDATE:
These guys THREATENED ME with my safety after I posted the truth.

Update on what happened after I posted the original review:

11th of September 2024
7.15am
I was awoken by very loud knocking at my front door. I was unsure if the very loud knocking was being done to my door or my neighbour’s door, as the doors are side-by-side, so with only a towel wrapped around me, I answered it.
Someone (unsure of the name he said his name was) from Ferguson’s Plumbing (tall, big build, blonde hair) introduced himself from Ferguson’s plumbing and asked me if he could check the works done by his company on the 29th of July. He mentioned that he wanted to check the works because I was requesting a 100% refund.
I said:
‘You can’t be here.’
‘Why was I not informed that you were coming?’
‘I do not have any clothes on, why would you just show up like this?’
‘My request for a refund has nothing to do with the works. My refund request is because you guys ripped me off and took advantage of me.’
He then continued to speak but I closed the door on him.
I felt so violated, how can someone just show up unannounced, just because they have my address. I do not feel safe anymore with Ferguson’s plumbing having my details, and making their plumber show up, unannounced, at 7.15am in the morning, waking me up with banging on my door, in my most vulnerable state, with nothing on but a towel. Because this violation happened, I am now worried about what could continue to happen to my privacy and safety, regarding Fergson’s Plumbing, in the future. I’m wondering if I should inform the police.
10th September 2024
9.15am
I was in communication (first via phone) with Ferguson’s Plumbing’s customer care manager, Kylie Wilcox. On the phone she insinuated that it was my fault for being ripped off because I signed the document that was ripping me off. I told her on the phone, that my upset was not because I signed, my upset was because Ferguson’s Plumbing saw a vulnerable/naïve person and took advantage of that person (me) both financially and physically.
I told Kylie Wicox that A Current Affair saw my review online about Ferguson’s Plumbing and they have been calling me every day, wanting me to be on their show. Ferguson’s Plumbing have already been on A Current Affair twice, and A Current Affair want to do a third show on Ferguson’s plumbing because they continue to have numerous people tell them very similar stories to my own.
I also told Kylie Wilcox that I was going to report their misconduct to Fair Trading.
I had to hang up the phone on Kylie because she was insinuating that it was my fault for signing, so I knew the conversation was not going anywhere, and that she simply did not understand, nor want to address, the reason for my grievance, in that phone conversation.

Fergusons charged;
$6,200 for replacement of the hot water system
$1100 for clearing a blocked kitchen sink

I had no time to search around so I accepted and that's on me. On the good side, the plumbers who actually did the work were all super-professional and friendly, and did great work.

However, my real problem was the money-chasing. The job took 3 days but after the tank was replaced on day 1, they kept asking for full payment before the rest of the work was complete (email, phone, face-to-face).

I was clear that I wouldn't pay until the job was complete but they kept asking. Then when it was complete, payment was due immediately before they left but I couldn't pay for another 5 hours (my fault, landlord was paying but I didn't have his CC number). They first said they wouldn't leave until I paid up. I said there was nothing i could do for a few hours so the guys left. An hour later, I got an incredible phone call from one of the bosses.

I understand they need to get paid but this guy was bullying and threatening ("if you don't agree to pay right now, I'll send the guys back to your house right now and they won't leave until you pay up"). He continued a barrage of abuse until I told him he should do whatever he wants, but I was ending the phone call. I paid the bill soon after but I was left a tad shell shocked.

I can easily take care of myself but I feel for anyone that is less able to defend themselves. I complained on email to the company this morning.

Beware the "lifetime guarantee" promise. It is an outright lie.

Cost was way too much. Had no choice as they came late in day and needed repair dine by public holiday. Had no time to get anyone else.

Called the plumbers as we needed a new gas hot water system as we were having issues.
Charged a $85.00 call out fee over the phone.
Plumber attended and stated had to perform a “search and Investigate” which would cost an additional $500.00 to see what issue was.
We were told that the $500 dollars would be deducted from the cost of a new hot water system. After test was completed we were informed it needed to be replaced at a cost of over $7,200.00!!! Which we declined. We then contacted 2 other companies for a quote and they were between $2900 and $3,200 for the same gas water system that Fergusons were going to supply us with. Plumbers that I contacted for quotes also stated that the search and investigate was not really necessary but if it was to be done would cost no more than $200.00.
I then contacted Ferguson’s regarding the $500 charge requesting that it be refunded to which I was told that they would forward the issue to customer service and they would be in contact with me , this never happened.
Have since enlisted a different reputable company to install and remove our old hot water system for a total cost of $2,980.00.
DO NOT DEAL WITH FERGUSON’S……BUYER BEWARE ****
We have since been told to google Ferguson’s plumbing a Current Affair for overcharging customers.

This group are despicable and lied to me about needing extra very expensive work done. They ripped me off a lot of money. Also Be very careful as they trade under other business names too - dans plumbing is one of their other names. A guy came out to my house to unblock the kitchen sink drain and charged me $1500 to do this he told me it was straight forward job. He started the job and not long after stopped and packed up and then quoted me $13300 and said to me that he needs to dig up my concrete and replace piping as there is an obstruction. I don’t think he had a clue what he was doing. He wanted me to accept the quote on the spot but I refused and had already paid him the $1500 to unblock the drain which he didn’t do and left. I got a second opinion the next day from a local plumber who flushed and cleared the blockage which was a build up of fat and grease. The job was done in under an hour for $200. I complained to Fergusons plumbing and they refunded only $120 and asked me not to put a bad review.

Prompt, friendly service and fixed the leak problem straight away.

Definitely called the right plumbers, installed my bidet in no time at all and my partner is wrapped

Approximate cost: $1100

Arrived within half an hour of me booking the job, replaced my washing machine and laundry taps very quickly and efficiently so I could get on with my day and walk my puppy

Jordan was prompt polite and friendly, he was also very nice to my cat

Approximate cost: $2300

Jordan was very friendly and thorough with his recommendations, punctual with timing and communication and very quick with the work

Approximate cost: $450