Rhonda in Scarborough

After the nightmare no one wants to experience--sewage backup in the basement shortly after moving in--we, of course wanted to make sure this would never happen again. Every plumber we called, including some recommended on homestars, wanted to charge us $265 or more for the first visit, claiming they were going to put a camera down our basement drain to check if we could install a back flow valve. For pete's sake--we just wanted someone to come look at our basement and talk to us! Fortunately, Fred from Mr. Rooter came out no problem and no charge, spent about 1/2-hour to an hour in the basement with us talking through different options. When he was done, he left us with two different quotes for two different options. We went with the option of replacing the sump pump and installing test valves on the basement drains. When John came, he finished much more quickly than I expected him to. He answered all my questions, showed me his work, left the space cleaner than he had found it. The only reason I gave them a 4-star instead of a 5-star is because for both appointments I ended up calling to see where they were, since they showed up at least an hour after the time they had said. But honestly, that is not a big deal now that I have the peace of mind knowing my basement is going to stay clean and dry. Great job, and thanks for making it so painless.

I sure wish I had known about HomeStars before I contacted Canadian Home Services. They came immediately when I asked them to fix my skylight, charged me $700 cash, spent some time on my roof, and told me it was fixed. When it leaked again with the next rainstorm, I could not get in touch with them to fulfill their warranty (which they had told me was 5 years). Finally I found the cell phone number for the guy who had arranged the appointment, and he grudgingly agreed to send someone out to fix it. Again, they claimed it was fixed, and again it leaked. This time the guy's cell phone had been cancelled. I called their office every other day for 3-4 weeks. Every time I called, they claimed someone would call me back tomorrow. I never ever received a call back. I put through a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, which they did not reply to. I am in the process of complaining with the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services. The next time I get a brochure from them, I am going to photocopy it and put it in all my neighbours' mailboxes telling them not to call this business. How frustrating!

Thank you Flavio for making our toilet work right before we were scheduled to have a houseful of people! Flavio was able to come before the holiday weekend, when my entire family of 20 was going to fill my house. He not only unclogged the toilet. He spent a good 15 minutes testing it again and again to make sure that after he left it would still work (don't you hate it when it works for the fix-it guy, and then he leaves, and it won't work for you?) As all the reviews stated Flavio did an excellent job on all counts. We sure appreciate it.