elderly mother was stood over and demanded payment of bill at 5.30 at night or they will take mains board out. offered them a check. They demand cash. They asked for payment immediately or they would disconnect their power then and there. They charged $4,500 to replace mains switch board that would normally cost 2,000. These guys are predators on elderly .

Approximate cost: $4500

Plumbfirst overpriced rip off bad service
Plumbfirst agent came around spouting doomsday issues with premises. Allowed quote for various works trusting they knew what they were doing. Got quoted $360 (with supposed discount) to replace a hose... a bunnings hose to my washing machine. Seeing that, cancelled job and asked for explanation. Evidently legitimate quote. No thanks! Do not recommend Plumbfirst.

Approximate cost: $1100

Quick response. Good workmanship. Reasonable prices. Flexible. Listen to customers. They did our storm water drain, gas lead, heating system, electrical work etc at 2 properties.

Avoid Plumbfirst at all costs!!

Had a blocked stormwater drain which was causing flooding so called these guys out to investigate. After investigation it was revealed that we had tree roots and the pipe needed to be dug up and relayed. Also asked for quotes on water tank installation and plumbing the tank into the toilets. We signed off on the $10k+ quote and that's pretty much where the issues started.

There was no communication whatsoever from Plumbfirst about who would be onsite and when, there were different plumbers showing up randomly, none had any idea of the job they were there to do. A skip was left blocking the driveway for 3 weeks and not removede when requested after 1 week (required for 1 day) and was filled of waste from other job sites.

Once the work was "finished" I had to get them to return to complete the job as per the quote. This involved no less than 5 different plumbers coming in to have a go over the course of about 3 weeks, and my having to follow up Plumb first each time to let them know that it still wasn't completed as per the quote.

In the end I just got over it and did the final things myself.

Part 2

I now have an issue with the water pump that was installed on the tank. This was reported approximately 3 months ago. Plumbfirst send out a plumber who diagnosed it as faulty. I call them back on a weekly basis and get no real answer on when it will be rectified. Each time I speak to someone new who doesn't seem to know anything about anything, and each time I am promised a call back which never happens.

I have had calls from Reece plumbing (who supply the pumps to Plumbfirst) and have been told that If they come out and assess the pump, there will be a charge. I'm not even sure why I need to deal directly with Recce as I'm not one of their customers.

The whole thing is a mess and I don't feel any closer to a solution.. the buck keeps getting passed around the Plumb First office and after 3 months we are no closer to a resolution.

Again.. avoid Plumb First at all costs.

I urge people to please, please, please do your due diligence before contacting this company and get comparative quotes. If you do get a quote from this business ask for a breakdown - they will quote a comprehensive price.

Plumbfirst have excessively ripped of my elderly and illiterate parents by approx. $1,000 to replace their hot water system in December last year. They were also sold a nonsense $140 membership. This company sent a salesmen to quote the job and send out a registered (not licensed) plumber to complete the work at a fraction of the cost for them. Unfortunately this conduct is seen ok by Victoria's Building Authority as it falls under some very vague 'supervision' code.

On top of all this they did not supply a compliance certificate within the legally specified time in which they are obliged to until I prompted them. I only wish I was home to read and compare the quotes for my parents before they signed it - unfortunately my parents trusted this business.

If you've feel you've been overcharged by this business I urge you to take the matter to VCAT. If you've had work carried out that is:

-any plumbing work that has a total value of $750 or more, including labour, materials, appliances, and/or fixtures, regardless of who they were purchased by
-all work carried out on below ground sanitary drains
-all work involving the installation, relocation, replacement or conversion of any gas-using appliance
-all work involving the installation, modification or relocation of consumer gas piping
-all work involving the construction, installation, relocation, alteration or replacement of cooling towers.

Please ensure you've received a compliance certificate from this business within five days of the plumbing work being completed.

Approximate cost: $2673

Could not be more pleased with every aspect of my dealings with them. Jesse was very professional and helpful when he came to check on electrical fittings. I was so impressed with the fact that he was able to come when I was available, and that he also arranged for another person to come on the same day to look at my split-system. Very happy to have signed a comprehensive contract with them. Also would like to express gratitude to Maria who took my first call. Her manner was friendly and she went out of her way to get information for me. A huge thank you to both of them.

A PS as I was able to gain the services of Harley Inglis to deal with the split-system on my day off. He arrived promptly and undertook the world efficiently and politely. Could not praise all the workers enough. Very satisfied with the work they have done. Again - thank you to all.

Excellent service. Ben came out to check my blocked drain, the price seemed fair, but best of all they came back the same afternoon and did the work. Terrific job, all problems solved. And my yard was left cleaner and tidier than before they started! Would recommend Plumbfirst 100% and would not hesitate to use again.

Approximate cost: $600

These guys did not live up to any of their values. Vote with your wallet and your dignity and shop around for an honest, local plumber.

- great value- NOT
I was charged $675 for someone to spend an hour installing a water pressure valve (the plumber implied he would do more labour eg. Digging around the water meter to check the clips, which he did not do). The ten other plumbers I called after the fact provided quotes of $300/$350. Installing the valve also did not rectify the problem as I was initially told it would.

- satisfaction guaranteed service- NOT
The banging in my pipes has not been rectified. After I complained, they said they would need to quote more work to be done. No thanks, after my experience with you.

- professional- NOT
After escalating the matter with their management *NAME* proceeded to verbally abuse, intimidate and threaten my husband. *NAME* could not explain why the values of 'satisfaction guaranteed service' and 'great value' were not met, told my husband that what he was saying was "irrelevant" and said for him to shut up when my husband asked for him not to shout at him.

- smart plumbers- NOT
The initial plumber I dealt with *NAME* was more interested in trying to upsell other additional jobs as well as the $150 membership fee than investigating the problem in question (his colleague actually told me he next day that *NAME* was in fact a Salesman!- no doubt trying to inflate his commission) When I called back the next day as I was experiencing the same problems, the next plumber *NAME* said that my tap washers were worn and if we replaced them, the banging would be rectified. My taps are mixer taps and do not require washers! He also informed me the water pressure valve could not be adjusted when in fact it was variable and it could be- so he was lacking basic plumber knowledge!

- workmanship provided by a written guarantee - NOT
I was not provided with any written guarantee.

We are very disappointed with all of the matters mentioned above and will be escalating the matter with Consumer Affairs Vic, VTAC and the Plumbers Association.
We are very disappointed with all of the matters mentioned above and will be escalating the matter with Consumer Affairs Vic, VTAC and the Plumbers Association.

The WORST service I have ever experienced in life. They sent a plumper to check gas connection. he didn't even investigate properly simply gave quotation for 2500$ to replace entire gas line. Saying there is a leak. And also disconnected my connection for gas saying it's illegal to have gas connection if there is a leak(which is fair). Then I called gas company they came and fixed a new meter, since the leak is there in meter not in house.And told me the plumber not supposed to disconnect the pipe like that because the way he disconnected is more dangerous, that's the reason they have given lever in gas connection which is used to on/off. Gas company asked me a question have you done yourself or used licensed plumber, that type of work carried by so called licensed plumber from plumbfirst. If you have more money to throw out then go for plumbfirst or you may need to re-mortgage the house for plumbing work. HORRIBLE service. I called customer which seems to be ok in the beginning and said they will call back but never called back, they said they are going to resolve the issue but haven't come back yet...OMG this is worst experience had in my life so far.

Don't call PlumbFirst. Dishonest, unreliable and incompetent.

Rang PlumbFirst because I had a problem with an air conditioner.They didn't show up on the agreed time and date and after 1 hour they rang me and said that they couldn't make it and would come the next day. When they came they told me what the problem was and how much it would cost. They wanted the money upfront before they would start work. After some arguing I paid them a deposit and the rest when the job was finished.

After about a month the air conditioner had the same problem so I rang PlumbFirst again and mentioned that on their website they say that they guarantee all their work. However, I was told that the only guarantee they provide is what the manufacturer provides on the parts.

So stay away from this mob.