2 Rivers Contracting & Services

I want to set the record re-​setting reviewers straight again. First off, I really, really want to like the owner John. He serviced our furnace a few weeks ago. He’s a friendly guy and seems extremely honest. I’ll even forgive the fact that his helper took a large smelly poop in our bathroom that disgusted my wife and daughter.
Let’s talk about 2 Rivers the business though, not John. After the $ 350 visit for routine testing and a digital t-​stat replacement, we had an issue with the furnace where it was short-​cycling on and off without igniting. Had it been the middle of the winter it would have been an emergency. I called John — he picked up the phone while on a ladder — and asked me to send an email describing the issue. That’s fine, I understand he’s the owner of a small business and cannot do it all. I sent a complete description to his email. It’s been over two days now without a response. The same thing happened when we tried to setup our original meeting — so I really shouldn’t be surprised. I sent him an email, and had to follow up by phone three days later. He acknowledged receiving the email and was getting around to replying.
I’ll emphasize again that John is a great guy, just not a great businessman. As we approach another New England winter, I’ll be looking around to find a service that is more reliable.

I was googling 2 Rivers to call them to come to do some work in my house when I stumbled on these Unilocal reviews and I am determined to set the record straight. I’ve had 2 Rivers – John is the owner – to work in my house for about 6 years by this time and I have been more than happy with the service. John is the kind of guy who will show up and do the work while you are out, who will evaulate the situation without charging you and come back to do the work when he’s got the part. He’s come in emergencies and he has come on scheduled visits. He’s a sole proprietor and sometimes his answering service is terrible but he’s tried to work around that in a number of ways. He’s utterly reliable, extremely honest, and quotes a fair price. Before I found 2 Rivers – on the recommendation of another handyman – I used to use Winters Plumbing but I really didn’t like the service, the pricing, or their attitude about doing two jobs on one visit such as when you have them in to fix a toilet and then ask them to also look at a sink. As for John’s propensity to put stickers on things he’s worked on I love it! If I were in my basement right now I wouldn’t have been googling their number!

I have called 2River’s twice:
1) 2012. Clogged drain in kitchen sink. I was charged $ 350, but they appeared promptly as promised. I was not home at the time of the visit, when I came back the drain was functional, new cleanout installed… with the cracked PVC plug. I called them, they came back in a couple of days and replaced the plug. You can get the plug for $ 2 in Homedepot, why would not do everything properly form the beginning?
2) 2014
It was Easter Sunday, John from 2 Rivers came promptly and replaced toilet gasket for $ 650. Total time spent was 1,5 hours… No estimate was given before starting the work…
John also achieved to break the back outlet which is made from PVC for this toilet (Caroma Sydney Smart). Indeed, he claimed after competing the work that it was broken before. Unfortunately, I was not home and my mother in law could not argue anything since she was just asked to let the plumber in and write the check.
From John’s problem statement: «…odd backmount toilet is leaking …». John referred as «odd» to water efficient style toilet with PVC outlet which can be bought in any bath&plumbing supply store (my was bought in Green Depot, Stoneham, MA). As a result, we will have to bring another plumber to replace PVC outlet and gaskets, since cracked outlet will start eventually leaking… Thanks John!!! Great job!!!
Summary: I let you judge 2Rivers’s rates.
I would advise to do not call 2 Rivers if you you have something different installed than simple commodity stuff, like American Standard, etc. Otherwise, your «odd» plumbing equipment can get not functional after 2 Rivers’s «professional» repair.

My condo association used 2 Rivers for years. They were never the least expensive but they always showed up even after hours. But our last repair by them did not work out smoothly. They replaced our broken hot water that had a guarantee. But they charged us $ 1200 labor for 2 guys to bring the old hot water heater «somewhere.» So the free hot water heater cost about $ 1800! I understand that only the tank and not the fittings are guaranteed. But still ! Also they pulled a permit but never had it signed off. Too bad. I like John the owner…

They definitely respond when you are in a jam for HVAC issues but you definitely pay $$$ for it. Their services are adequate but I have other local HVAC companies who are just as good. The one thing these other services don’t do that 2 Rivers does is put ‘2Rivers’ stickers on all the HVAC units in our condo building basement — even the ones they don’t service! Weird way of advertising or taking credit for work they didn’t perform… Littering their stickers and their higher rates are the reasons that I don’t use them anymore.

I’ve used them in the past and was always pleased however my recent experience has totally soured me on them. the fan on my furnace wouldn’t shut down so I called and left a message with his service. In the meantime, the fan had shut down and I went out. he called me back and I told him the story, he said well I can come by now its best in case I need a part the store closes in 90 minutes. I told him I’m out on errands won’t be home for a while, the fan stopped anyway so we can probably wait until monday. he said, I should stop by is the house open I can take a look to make sure, I said I guess so he ends up getting to my house when I returned. We went downstairs, told me to turn the heat on so I did, when the heat hit the temperature the thermastat turned it down the fan stopped as well. Bottom line he did nothing. he was there 15 minutes total on the way out he said, I’ll just have you buy me lunch that’ll be $ 50.00. I was a little taken aback as he’s done work at my house in the past. I gave him the check and as he was walking out I asked for a reciept, he didn’t seem to pleased I asked for it. Now I know you have to make money and charge for a service you provide and was totally in his right to do so but i’ll tell you what, he’ll never get my business again. I’ll be posting this on a’s list as well. just cheap and wrong

I had to weigh in — I completely disagree with the negative reviews here! I wonder if these two were mistaken with a different company? I have used John on 3 occasions over the course of the past 2 years: once to replace my hot water heater, once to estimate the cost to re-​do some of the hot water heating pipes, and just recently to replace a leaky pipe under the kitchen sink. Each time he has been on time (if not early!), come within a day or two of my calling, fit us in for the first appointment of the day (7am) so that a plumbing issue doesn’t ruin my work day, and been quite fast and efficient. I know that I called 5 different plumbers to get a cost estimate on my hot water heater installation and he was the least expensive that I called, so I don’t think his costs are too high.
He is very thorough, nice, and I completely trust him and his work. I am literally shocked anyone would say differently!
EDITED: They might be closed. We tried calling them a couple of times with no return phone call.

Billing issues, resolved in the meantime; but still pretty expensive — and they ALWAYS try to make you pay more.

Wow, I can’t believe the previous review. John Ellis has been taking care of my 6 unit building for more than 10 years and has always been reasonably priced and has done the work in a timely manner. He has made tremendous improvements to the building and saved us money all around. The things he has fixed have been guaranteed and nothing he has ever repaired has failed afterward. I have a long history of using this company and couldn’t recommend it more highly!

DO NOT USE these guys — make sure to ask for ALL services and costs up front — they will overcharge you for their services and refuse to break down the itemized costs — BUYER BEWARE — you have been warned!