This report is to warn any consumer considering doing business with Josh and Jennifer Fox Aka Crest Plumbing. CA contractor license number 974020.
We purchased a home 11/2/12, and through escrow this plumbing contractor was supposed to replace the water heater with a brand new unit. Said it would be warrantied through his company for 5 years. He said while it was being put in that he would throw in a water heater wrap at no charge "Pretending to be a good guy". This is Southern California. Why do I need a water heater wrap?!?!
In a separate conversation, when my real estate agent asked him about it he said "oh, Kris wanted it. I know its Southern California and all but he asked for it."
After some remodeling. we moved in the home on Sunday November 18th. The knob on the water heater was broken and he was supposed to come over that weekend to fix. No call, No show. The night of the 20th we went to take a shower and
No hot water. I went outside, pealed back the cover and tried to light the pilot light. It would not stay lit. Called and texted Josh with no answer. We have 16 month on Twin infants in the house and cannot go without hot water. Josh then Texts at 5:00am letting me know he was "Out of Town" and that I needed to call another plumber an that he would reimburse me for the costs.
I call a large local company the next day and they come out, remove the covering and notified me that Josh had
NOT installed a NEW water heater. It was a Scratch and Ding one, which is sold at a discounted rate. The serial number was scratched off the water heater and Josh was trying to cover it up with the water heater cover! Deceit! During this time Josh contacted the Water heater Depot where he purchased it from and had them send their people to look at it as well since the first guy had to replace the thermal couple and knob. $350 charge.
I texted josh since he would not pick up and he played dumb, saying he bought it new, texted me the invoice within 10 minutes (If he's out of town how does he have the invoice). Invoice showed the GE water heater he purchased for $275. I showed the text to the Water Heater Depot people and they said he knew exactly what he was buying that new ones were $350. Josh was paid over $800 for the water heater through escrow and he had to use the cheapest parts he could find. They also said he should not have hard piped the water heater in; but rather use flex lines. All these hassles could have been avoided for $75 to get a real NEW water heater.
Josh is inexperienced, a liar and a cheep.
To further explain why anyone dealing with Crest Plumbing or Joshua John Fox should immediately stop. We contracted him to also install carpet and do some painting in our house prior to move in. The sub contractors he used were extremely unprofessional, sub floor in carpeted rooms are uneven, he had to fire his painting crew because of the poor job they did (painting over stickers, uneven lines where wall meets the ceiling, etc). He has still not fixed these issues.
Josh tries to play it off as being a nice genuine guy- Don't believe him, what I am giving you are facts. You can come see for yourself. I have everything documented.
He was supposed to finish the carpet, and paint within the 2 week period of time before we moved in. This did not happen. So he agrees to allow me to hold back $300 from the amount owed to him so that I can make sure he comes back to do the job. He took the paint, so I cant even touch up myself. 5 + bedrooms that I have no paint for and now needs to be re-painted.
Since he owes me $350 for the Warrantied water heater he installed he has not contacted me since. I have made repeated phone calls to the business 951-315-2011 and his cell 951-317-7515 and emails to
[email protected].
All phone numbers are disconnected.
Email from Jennifer Fox ( His wife and "office manager") on 12/7/12. In regards to the disconnected numbers she says they have "changed plans" but doesn't give me the new contact numbers. Said that Josh is still "Out of Town" but will contact me "Soon". Today is 1/6/13 and no contact!!
I have emailed them simply asking them to drop off the paint so I can finish the painting. No response.
Their business card says "Guaranteed Clean Quality Work" I can tell you that NONE of these words describe this company at all!
Stay away from these people!!!
Joshua John Fox
Jennifer Fox
Crest Plumbing
951-315-2011
951-317-7515
[email protected]
CA Lic Number 974020