We needed several things done to our steam heater, so we called A. Baileys to come out and give us an estimate on putting a automatic water feeder, replace a bad valve on the pipe and normalize the steam throughout the house on every radiator.
The Plumber came out and seemed to be knowlegeable and gave us an original estimate of around $1000. We thought that was high but we wanted to get everything fixed. To cut costs, He showed me how to tilt the radiators so the steam would distribute properly and stop knocking.
The plumber would only come on a weekday. So I had to stay home and miss work. He came with an apprentice. They put on the automatic water feeder but didn't know how to wire it properly so they ran out of time. THe plumber to replace a valve on the downstairs pipe originally wanted around 250 dollars (which takes a second to replace you unscrew the old one and screw in a new one). (bait and switch) THen he said that it was the wrong valve and installed inproperly in the first place and they would have to cut the piping out and replace the piping and valve in one area and cut out pipe and replace the piping in a second area and put a second valve that was never there. The plumber got confused about the wiring and which diagram to wire the new device, so he ran out of time.
They then called a supervisor to come look at what they had done. He said that the subordinate guy had more experience than him, but it looked like all they needed to do is replace the valve instead of cutting the pipe and adding a second valve. He also, couldn't understand why they couldn't get it wired properly.
2 days later, I called them and they said they were sending a more experienced crew. However, when they arrived it was the same 2 guys with a new supervisor. THe new supervisor showed the subordinate plumber how to install the automatic water feed and to get the correct current in all the wires.
THe subordinate plumber turned bright red and seemed to be embarassed. Then he showed the pipe with the bad valve to his supervisor. The supervisor validated what the subordinate plumber said that he needed to replace piping and install 2 new valves.
I was running late for an appointment needed to get there. They tested it once and at the end charged me for just replacing the automatic water feed. (bait and switch) Then they told me it would be thousands of dollars to fix the pipe and the valves on the steam pipe in the basement.
I was not happy so I told them I needed to get another opinion. But I would contact them later.
I had an honest plumber come in and tell me all I needed to do was replace the valve on the pipe because the ball in the valve was shot and the steam wasn't cutting off when it should have.
I went to the plumbing supply store the next day and bought an new valve for the pipe which cost around 18 dollars and a couple of new end valves for the radiators. I replaced them myself and saved almost $2000 based on the second estimate.
I will never use A. Bailey plumbing and heating again. They tried to rip me off and want to warn others who want to consider using them. They will try to charge you the most they can on every deal.
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