Jim's Plumbing
Business details
Reviews (23)
Write a reviewHaider from Jim’s Plumbing Dandenong responded to the job within 30 minutes and had the job done the same day. The cost was reasonable and didn’t break my bank account like some companies do. He did a great job. Lovely man would definitely use him again. Highly recommended. Thank you Haider.
Could not get an old Aquamax gas storage hot water unit to light in a recently purchased home in Ballarat. Had no particular recommendations to work on so assumed one of the "Jim's" franchises (Metropolitan) might be a good starting point - BAD... no the WORST possible decision. Non-refundable call out fee $140. Booked an appointment for 11pm that night (OK - that should have raised alarm bells!) as they could not get there sooner. I suggested it could wait until the next day but they said they had no availability then. Guy was polite enough but did not get there until after midnight! Apparently, he had been working in Melbourne that day and I asked why they didn't use a local plumber in Ballarat. Apparently he lived locally!? Outside in the dark, with a torch, he then made less of an effort to get the piezo to ignite the pilot light than I had during daylight hours. "You're hot water's stuffed - would you like a quote on replacement?" The now infamous "Jim's Tablet" appeared and he started inputting data for a quote - new gas-line back to the meter, dedicated electrical wiring and new switchboard ("old one's too small for an additional 15 amp line")... ? Next day got 3 quotes ranging from >$5,200 (135L Dux replacement gas storage unit) to >$15,400 (Electric 250L Rheem storage unit). The unit costs themsleves in the quotes were nearly 3 times the cost I could have bought them for at Bunnings not on special. I ended up getting a really great local plumber (plenty of repeat business for him!) to install a Bosch gas instant hot water service, including line upgrade to the meter, 2 people on the job, certicificate of compliance etc for about $1,750. I'm just lucky I only wasted $140. Feel sorry for vulnerable elderly who just have to work on trust.
Got a quote (in excess of $1500) from Jim’s Plumbing Melbourne to fix the hot water system. It took 7 days to get the repair done. Plumber spent less than two hours on the job and installed a $30 component. We we asked for the price to match the work done. They said ‘Jim’s is not the cheapest plumber’ and refused to adjust the price. Don’t use them!
Approximate cost: $1500
Booked for an appointment at 10-1 then there’s a no show. They then rescheduled the appointment to 5 days later . So ridiculous. Do not go for them
Approximate cost: $141
My kitchen tap got disconnected and after paying the callout fee of $141 I was told I should replace the tap, which they supply at around $2000. I was shocked considering most similar taps cost $200 or so. They then quoted over $600 as their hourly rate to connect the tap back.
I refused to go ahead and luckily for me, a friend was here who connected it in 5 seconds.
Frankly their charges are outrageous and I would be never use them again. Nor could I ever recommend a company that thinks $600 per hour is reasonable.
I was told they will be coming for an emergency repair, after 2 days, they just keep calling sick / rescheduling. DO NOT HIRE NATIONAL COMPANIES. Look for a plumber with your local area code
Approximate cost: $150
Terrible service got charged 150$ for a quote for them to tell me it was 1500$ to do a job I got quoted less then half that amount
We unfortunately and stupidly called Jim for a plumber due to a slow flushing toilet. METROPOLITAN PLUMBING arrived instead of someone from Jim’s. Aside from the $132, we were quoted $700 to inspect the sewage pipe And then for some reason, apparently our pipes were “broken” (we took photos and the pipes were not broken prior to them doing their work — they broke them!) and they had to replace them for $16000. We were told we wouldn’t have any plumbing for the weekend without it — no toilet, no baths, no usage of the sink. Not knowing a reasonable cost for the repairs, we agreed as we were desperate and paid $8K. Issue was not resolved and the Water company had to be called to resolve the issue as the problem was within the water company’s jurisdiction and not at all on our property (something that the plumbers should have known according to the water company).
The water utility had to provide the necessary people and expertise to do the actual fixing and repair, not JIM’S PLUMBING, Not METROPOLITAN PLUMBING!
During their work, Jims Plumbing dumped 2 toilets and soiled waste from other jobs without permission on our driveway blocking access to our backyard (we did not have any toilets replaced at our property). A skip was arranged and arrived 2 days later. As no one from Jims Plumbing returned to remove the waste We had to manually place the dumped waste products into the skip. This has exposed us to foreign toxic materials and hazardous waste that has been illegally and unauthorisedly dumped into our property. JIM’S PLUMBING finally returned to close the massive hole dug up in our backyard several days after the skip arrived.
The Water utility told us that we were “stitched up”by Jim’s and that they should not have touched the pipes as the issue was not within our boundary.
Jim’s Plumbing conducted works on pipes whose responsibility belonged to the local water authority and should have know better than to give dodgey advice and start digging without consulting the Water utility. We have tried contacting Jim’s, providing them with proper documented evidence including notes from the Water utility advising that what Jim’s did was incorrect, and yet they refuse to provide us with any compensation. No documentation (no email, NO TAX INVOICE, NO COPY OF CONTRACT we have signed have been provided at all, until we hounded them for our copies. They have finally sent us an invoice, but still no signed contract and still no detailed work order or report.
We have everything duly photographed and documented as evidence of this unprofessional, fraudulent and extremely improper behaviour. We are escalating this to VCAT and VBA as this is horrible service and blatant taking advantage of people during desperate times. Consumer rights demand that reasonable care and skill must be used while working and providing service. Based on all the evidence we have collected, JIM’s PLUMBING did not use reasonable care and acceptable level of skill when they carried out this deceptive work and they have broken their contract with us. Service was not done with due care and skill, and any reasonable consumer would never have bought the service had they known beforehand about the problem, or about how this not within JIM’S PLUMBING’S jurisdiction.
This is a service that we do not advice anyone to use ever. I’d rather live with a slow flushing toilet than have to deal with JIM’s services ever again!
Approximate cost: $16000
Jim's Plumbing is also Metropolitan Plumbing and in our case Upside Down Plumbing turned up to do the job when we call Jim's. I will now not use any of the Jim's franchises (mowing, cleaning etc). Everyone needs to know that they are actually Jim's Rip Offs.
These guys are scammers!
PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS JIMS PLUMBING FOR ANY PLUMBING
I used Jim plumbing thinking i would not be scammed sadly I was. I was charged 132 non refundable call out fee which I accepted. I needed a two inch copper pipe installed to replace a leaky fitting on a gas hottie.
The lady on the phone would not give me a fixed price saying it it would be 132 plus materials. After waiting 5 hours i get a call saying Jim's green van would not be coming but a different plumber in a different colour van will do the work for the same price. This plumber comes out with a laptop and quotes me a price of $1100 on top of the call fee. I refused and got the job done by local plumber for $250.
Please don't use Jim's Plumbing, if you do you will be lighter $132, be sent a another plumber that price gouges you and you have the same problem.
Avoid JIMS PLUMBING TO SAVE YOURSELF HEARTACHE
Very unethical business and a massive ripoff. Their fixed price for installing a dishwasher was $839 (in addition to callout fee) for a job that usually costs under $200. But even though they use a fixed price schedule they'll only quote after you've paid the $132 call out fee. Do not use them
House was flooded with sewage, Ali came to site and quoted it up he cleared the blockage and showed me the drains with a camera, then came inside and cleaned my main bathroom for me, What an amazing service thank you Jim’s and Ali, would recommend asking for ali when having drainage issues
Had a plumber come from Jim’s to replace a toilet as had done in past for other toilet. This time the cost was so much more than other one two years ago. Unsure why so expensive to be honest as previous toilet suit installed is all porcelain, this one is porcelain bowl and plastic cistern. It all works well and installed. There was a bit of annoyance with initial appointment he come so late in day no time to replace as it was after hours so another appointment made. Cost was hugely e pensive but we needed it done, googled toilet suites and price was no where what we paid but it’s done. Will shop around next time need some plumbing.
DO NOT ENGAGE! I have never left a review on Google but was so driven by the bad experience provided by Jim’s Plumbing /Metropolitan Plumbing I felt obliged to warn anyone even remotely considering Jim’s Plumbing or Metropolitan Plumbing to think twice.
We had a leaking hot water system leaving us with no hot water. We called Jim’s Plumbing thinking they are a reputable company. They also say that they do not charge more on weekend when on wait on the phone, I thought the pricing would be reasonable. Their call out fee was $132 which I thought was ok but then they told me that the job will be contracted out to Metropolitan Plumbing. I was a bit suspicious. The contractor arrived the same afternoon and he quoted me $6822 to replace the hot water system, to make everything to code and he could complete the job that same day. Given I had no hot water in the house and was given the impression that if I don’t act while he’s there; it would cost more if he was to come back. Reluctantly, I accepted the quote. Twenty minutes later, the cost did not sit well with me so I decided to call another plumber I found on Google and explained the situation. He stated that a new hot water with the worst case situation on site would cost approximately $2,000. He explained that Jim’s Plumbing/Metropolitan Plumbing is taking us for a ride and advised us to call Jim’s Plumbing contractor to stop work. I did as advised given the significant price discrepancy. The contractor was on site for less than 40 minutes. I explained that I’m happy to pay for the time he has already been there. He came back with $990 for 40 minutes work. This is on top of the $132 we already paid for the call out. So that’s a total of $1,122 for one hours work. The other plumber came in the next morning and had it all fixed for $1,900, saving us a whopping $4,922. Would strongly recommend you find anyone but them!
DO NOT GO WITH THIS COMPANY!!!
My bathroom tap needed replacement. I did my research and it was the general consensus that it would cost between $150 - $200 to change over. I contacted Jims plumbing to ask for a quote. The plumber came to my house, looked at the tap and said that it would cost $800 - $1000 to change it. I was stunned. I told the plumber that I could get a whole new vanity unit for under $300 and install it for less than this. He told me that I could, but that this was at least an $800 - $1000 job.
After this, he charged me a $132 call out fee and warned me that I would have to pay that again if he came out again at a later date, so I should get it fixed now.
I declined and I asked for a written quote numerous times for my records and he guaranteed that he would provide this to me later (including as he left). I never received this.
So not only was I provided with a [Removed word] quote, I never even received the service I paid for.
After receiving the ridiculous quote, I went down to Bunnings, got a new tap for $69 and installed it myself within 10 minutes. If Jim's believes that this simple job is worth up to $1000, I am stunned.
I then contacted them to complain. I recieved an email saying that they would get back to me. No one ever rang.
Unless you want to get overcarged, avoid this [Removed word] company!
Approximate cost: $132
This review has been edited due to correspondence with this Plumbing Services Provider
This business was satisfactory in it's performance and application. The tradesman arrived, completed the work they can and departed.
The above is my personal opinion in the form of a review, of the services provided and is in no way intended to influence the purchasing behaviour of others
Always held the Jim's franchises in the highest regard, and saw them as a trusted brand. Used Jim's plumbing for the first time, and it appears they hold themselves to substantially lower standards than any other Jim's franchises.
Rather than spend time seeking multiple quotes for our leaking hot water unit, we (naively!) opted to just call in Jim's Plumbing. Paid $3,600 for (what we later discovered) was a c.$900 Vulcan 170L gas heater. Local plumbers contacted after the event quoted in region of $1,300 to $1,600 (including installation).
Reaction of the franchise manager to questioning the business practices (ie. being verbally told a Rheem would be installed only for a Vulcan to be installed, and being asked to sign blank forms) was extremely aggressive.
If, like us, you've had great experiences with other Jim's franchises, don't assume they are all the same.
Approximate cost: $3600
We welcome all feedback from our customers but in cases where reviews are not truthful we have no other choice but to respond. So in response to your review our plumber gave two quotations, one was for a Vulcan and one was for a Rheem. You and your wife chose to go with the cheaper option which was for the Vulcan, that quotation was documented including the brand of unit that was to be installed and signed for by your wife as she was the one onsite. We then organised a second plumber straight away to attend as two plumbers were required to complete the installation. Later that day you called our office to try and get the job cheaper. We have reviewed all the phone conversations with our national operations manager and in no way was she aggressive, she was professional at all times even when your wife was yelling at her over the phone. These calls also show how many times you changed your version of events to try and back up your complaint, even to the extent of lying about your wife signing for a Vulcan to be installed. Our plumbers are not franchisees, they are employees and they all follow the same process which is to get all work approved and signed for before carrying out the work. Now in your review you are saying your wife was told to sign a blank form, we listened to the calls and this was not mentioned when you spoke to our operations manager so we can only presume that you have added this into your review to try and back up your complaint. Our operations manager tried to resolve your complaint but instead both you and your wife declined and demanded a refund of $1000. Jim's Plumbing 661860
Given the way you consistently respond to customers who post negative reviews of lying, being dishonest, being untruthful etc, this is a predictably nasty response littered with "alternative facts". A few questions would be:
1. You still haven't addressed why you charged $3,600 for something other plumbers would only charge $1,300 to $1,600 for? Given the product cost c.$900, how do you justify $2,700 for 2.5hrs labour?
2. If you hadn't done anything wrong, why did your Operations Manager offer to come back and for no charge swap the cheaper Vulcan unit for the Rheem unit? And why was one of the conditions of accepting that offer that we didn't put anything on social media? If you were 100% in the right, why the need to try and silence us like that?
3. If, as you told us, taking away the Vulcan unit would mean that it effectively becomes damaged goods, and you'd incur the labour costs for the swap-over and a higher replacement cost for a Rheem, then why didn't a $1,000 discount make business sense to you?
4. If you think you didn't threaten legal action, I'd refer you back to your email of the 15th Sept.
Here is my advice to potential users of Jim's Plumbing:
1. If you are 100% confident that you'll get a top quality service for a reasonable fee which you've benchmarked to local trusted plumbers, and there is no risk of having any issues or problems that require follow-up, then maybe Jim's Plumbing could work for you.
2. If, however, you want the surety that if you have an issue that it will be dealt with in a customer-centric, mature way, with a view to getting to a mutually acceptable solution, then I'd suggest you take a few minutes to read the Jim's Plumbing responses to negative reviews below. As you'll see, the standard response is to be directly called a liar, and to have your integrity (and sometimes that of your spouse) challenged. Clearly Jim's Plumbing feels the best was to address customer complaints is to launch a personal attack. As you'll see, they are never at fault, and the only people who have any kind of service issue are clearly nasty little liars like my wife and I and the other people who have taken the time to write less-than-glowing reviews of your service. So, if you have a complaint, you are a liar. It's as black and white as that with Jim's Plumbing.
3. If you compare the relative ratings of Jim's Plumbing to other major Jim's franchises you'll see that the average score on this website is significantly lower. So if you've had good experiences with Jim's franchises elsewhere, you may not want to extend that brand trust to Jim's Plumbing. These guys hold themselves to depressingly low standards of customer service.
Rather than firing back with your standard "you are lying" and "we record all our calls", just answer my questions. It's up to you to demonstrate that you are not an exploitative business that tries to trick customers and charges >$1,000 per hour for semi-skilled labour?
Interestingly, despite your attempts to take the moral high ground every time you are critiqued by your customers, I see that Jim's Plumbing was subject to insolvency proceedings less than 12 months ago (no doubt at great cost to the creditors). But you're back!
I happily recommend Adam to everyone. He has a confident manner and is polite and well-mannered. He works quickly and efficiently and does not leave a mess behind. I would Pa engage Adam again and will recommend him to anyone in need of a plumber.
I had the displeasure of using Jim's Plumbing, I am currently having my bathroom remodeled and had the sheeting taken down from the walls. I requested to have 2 mixers installed in each ensuite, which I had supplied. Once completed the plumber handed my wife a bill for $815.14 which included $339.04 for materials, $73 call out fee, and $329 labour costs excluding GST. I can not comprehend how having 2 mixes installed in an existing shower can equate to more than an average wage, thats excluding the cost of the mixers which I had already bought. I was contacted by both the plumber and Jims Plumbing both of who stated that it was a justifiable cost
Approximate cost: $815
We called Jim's Plumbing on a Saturday when we ended up with sewerage all over our back courtyard. We are in Brunswick, and the plumber who helped us was Sven. Sven worked really hard for hours to try and unblock the sewer/drain for us, and it was revolting work - he found that the previous owners of our house had paved over an outlet which caused this huge problem.
It was an expensive rectification, but Sven organised everything to have it fixed for us. Obviously nobody is happy to have to call in a plumber, and I had no idea who to call, but I'm really glad we went with Jim's. He organised an excavator, crane to get it over our back fence, skip.. and they cleaned our yard up beautifully. The damage to the courtyard was minimal considering what they had to do, and I am so, so pleased to have this revolting problem fixed!
Highly, highly recommended. If you're in Sven's service area, he's great - very friendly and approachable, and worked really hard for us.
After trying to contact several other plumbers to come fix a cracked water pipe, Jims Plumbers were the only team willing or able to come out in quick time. As promised the plumber was there as arranged and got to work straight away. Even running to and from his van for parts. I was very impressed with the service but the pricing was a bit extreme for 1 hrs work
Approximate cost: $450
We always asked for Jason at Jim's Plumbing at Glen Waverley. Efficient, clean & perfect jobs done, within the time promised. This is the first name popped into my mind when I have plumbing needs.
Thank you for reviewing!!!
they fixed a blocked pipe
luckily they arrived on time and quoted me a really good price
so we went ahead with work and they explained the problem and told me how long the job was going to take
Approximate cost: $400
Doing renovation work on the Queens Birthday weekend (Sunday). broke cooper cold water pipe. Rang Jims Plumbing and booked a plumber, estimated time for the plumber to arrive was between 3pm and 6pm he arrived at 3.10pm carried out the work capped the pipe and was gone within minutes. Very happy with the work and the service would recommend to anybody in an emergency. The cost of the service was less than I expected for a long weekend, very happy
Approximate cost: $263.00
