Franklin Report Report Card for Fred Smith Plumbing & Heating Co. in New York City
★ Franklin Report Card

Fred Smith Plumbing & Heating Co.

1674 First Avenue
New York, NY 10128
(212) 744-1300
www.fredsmithplumbing.com
info@fredsmithplumbing.com
Main Contact: Phil Kraus, Sandy Kraus

Categories
Plumbers

FRANKLIN REPORT RATINGS
RECOMMENDATION
 
4.5
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Top-notch plumbing installation and service

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FR Review:
The professionals at Fred Smith–known informally as the “rocket scientists” of plumbing–lend their NASA-level expertise to both small and large jobs at all phases of the plumbing process. The company brings over a century of experience (really!) and one of its field supervisors to troubleshoot and assess each job, free of charge, before sending the mechanic. Led by principal Phillip Kraus, the firm reportedly can “adjust to anything” and consistently delivers efficient, top-quality work. Based right in the heart of the city, we’re told Fred Smith keeps service technicians in reserve to ensure a quick response time.

While references tell us the firm has “A” and “B” crews, clients describe all the Fred Smith’s men as consummate professionals–courteous to clients, respectful of space and highly skilled. Managers of prestigious co-ops and flagship general contractors all recommend Fred Smith without exception. Interestingly, as a result of economies of scale and the firm’s meticulous troubleshooting, Fred Smith’s prices are competitive with anyone in the city. And considering the fact that about 60 percent of the firm’s repair jobs are done with one man and charged accordingly, the firm may be not only the city’s best overall plumbing contractor, but one of its best values as well. In recent years the firm has been focusing more on larger projects, and may not have time for repair work. Additional services include installation & maintenance of Culligan Water Filtration Systems.

Representative Client Comments:
“They are fabulous. Fred is tremendous!” “The best of the best–no question.” “Has the best response time in town because of the large staff. Does great work.” “I’m a woman who has often dealt with Fred Smith individually at fairly affluent addresses to stop leaks, install fixtures and install and service a water filter. They are the only plumber I will call.” “Good quality work at reasonable prices, though they did cancel my appointment once.” “They are fast, extremely knowledgeable and they will return without charge if things don’t work out properly and fi x them so that they do.” “Clean, efficient, friendly.” “No job is too tough.” “Came in under their estimate. What more could I ask for?” “They are the only plumber I will call.”

5 Stars
 
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4 Stars
 
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3 Stars
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2 Stars
 
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1 Stars
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FR INDUSTRY COUNCIL (1 review)
Kathryn McGraw Berry: Architecture and Design, New York, NY
The go-to guy for every single co-op in NYC. I know I can really rely on them.
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REGISTERED (5 reviews)
Posted 3/8/2011
Reviewed By:
Tom Smyth Brooklyn ,NY

Bottom Line:
Recommendable
Recommendation
Work Quality
Cost Evaluation
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Project Description & Comments:
Great people and great service
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Posted 6/11/2014
Reviewed By:
Ruth Eisenberg New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
Save your sanity. Call Fred Smith.
Recommendation
Work Quality
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Project Description & Comments:
I'm a woman who has often dealt with Fred Smith individually at fairly affluent addresses to stop leaks, install fixtures, and install and service a water filter. They are the only plumber I will call. They are fast, extremely knowledgeable, and they will return without charge if things don't work out properly and fix them so that they do. They don't destroy a wall or floor if a small opening will serve their purposes. And they clean up after themselves when they are done. I also understand that they are one of the few plumbing firms in the City which does not pay kickbacks to supers, which is why some building won't use them, citing "expense" as the reason.
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Posted 5/28/2015
Reviewed By:
James Hsu New York ,NY

Bottom Line:
Good quality work at reasonable prices WHEN they don't cancel your appointment as they handle a large number of building accounts and as an individual customer you are clearly a second class citizen and will be the first to be bumped.
Recommendation
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Project Description & Comments:
Various plumbing work around the apartment from fixing leaky showerheads to unclogging drains to installing new fixtures.
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Posted 1/11/2017
Reviewed By:
Maevefiona Butler

Bottom Line:
Work is great when they turn up but generally they don't turn up. More effort on your end required than it's worth. You are always the last priority for them.
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Project Description & Comments:
I have used Fred Smith Plumbing throughout the years. High standard work done by courteous professionals The problem: the last few times I've used them, I've made appointments, been given a window during which they're supposed to arrive and they just don't come and more often than not, don't call to let you know they're not turning up. It's always an emergency in a building for which they're the in-house plumbers that takes precedent over the job for you. You are not told when you make appointments that this will more often than not happen and that you will have to keep persistently making appointments and waiting fruitlessly and basically harassing/cajoling them into finally turning up. I feel lied to when I make appointments and they're consistently not kept, despite assurances at the time of making them that they will be. I want to charge them for the 4 days I wasted waiting last time and the one day I wasted this time - and then said enough is enough.
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Posted 12/3/2019
Reviewed By:
Robert W F McNally

Bottom Line:
Unreliable
Recommendation
Work Quality
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Value Analysis
Project Description & Comments:
They failed to make their appointment after I took a day waiting and repeatedly called to be told his guy would be here “ by late morning “ “by 2:00” “ on the way within an hour” finally I cancelled after being told it is the seasonal weather that delayed them?!?
        Cost of Project: $0 - 300
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