Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/15/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  contracted Balkan Plumbing for a sewer repair at *************************, with an agreed price of $37,500, signed on February 7, 2025. After paying a $18,750 downpayment, they demanded an additional $20,000 change order, claiming an unforeseen utility obstruction, but refused to provide the 811 mark-out report or cost breakdown to substantiate their claim. They halted work, leaving an uncovered sewer trap in my sprinkler room, which posed a health hazard and required me to hire a handyman to mitigate the issue. They proceeded to pour asphalt without addressing the sewer repair, sent an invoice exceeding the contract amount, and threatened a lien when I disputed the change order. I requested they either complete the work per the original contract or refund my downpayment, but they have not complied. Balkans lack of transparency and unprofessional conduct have cost me additional expenses, and I am still without a functioning sewer system. I seek a full refund and accountability for their ********** sum, I paid a deposit to open and close a hole, and their lawyers are very mafia like.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/15/2025

  The agreed upon 1 page contract had a cearly written clause: 

  "Should the contractor encounter water, rock, boulder too large to move by hand, old foundations, utility obstructions mandating additional excavation (or excavating by hand for sewer work), or having to install insulation and/or plating, there will be an additional charge."

  The client refused to honor the clearly stated additionl charge for utility obstuctions, which were verified both visually and via photos. After weeks of waitng for an offer of monetary compensation for the additonal required 3 days of work, in the interest of the public safety Balkan backfilled and restored the open street excavation. The client was notified in advance that Balkan could not maintain an open street excavation in ***************** with no foreseeable positive outcome in the form of the client paying for the additional work required as clearly stated as a potential extra charge in the contract. Of course things would have worked out much better for both parties if the client simply honored the terms of the contract.

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/18/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Transaction date: December 21, 2023 Service address: *************************************************************** Dear Sir/*****, I am in need of your assistance, in resolving this dispute. This company was referred to me by Insurance. HomeServe NA Insurance Services, with whom I have a home water damage protection plan.For a few months earlier in 2023, we began to experience low water pressure in my home. I filed a claim, the claim was approved, and with that approval I was responsible for half of the total cost of the repairs totalling $8,207.00 Joseph L. Balkan was to fix the low water pressure problem I was having at home.A contract to secure the service repairs was signed on December 21, 2023 and a deposit of $2,000.00 was provided for the work to scheduled and completed. Upon completion i would be responsible for the outstanding balance.This company assured me throughout there testing, and experience/expertise that the water main line outside of my home was causing the problem. The main water line was change, the work was completed however the problem of low water pressure remained uncharged. After numerous contact/complaints, for them to return to resolve the problem. They advised problem was now the water meter. The water meter too was replaced. The water pressure issue remained unchanged. On June 14, 2023 (without my authorization) an additional $2,00.00 was charged to my account.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/18/2024

  Balkan upgraded the size of the water service, the main valve, and the tap connection into the city main as well. The work was inspected and signed off. We would be glad to perform a site visit to check on the interior plumbing. But to be clear, ther eis now sufficient water volume and wate pressure from the ctiy water main to the inside of the house to service this house, there may be additional internal plumbing issues, and we would be glad to provide a site visit at no charge. 

  BTW: Balkan was never paid for the services rendered. Perhaps once we do a pressure test and look over the inside plumbing we can get paid. Thanks in advance.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/18/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  [Your Answer Here]

   I receive a referral from big Apple plumbing. who send a guy by the name of *****, diagnoses, the problem all along was the plumbing riser in the basement. ON March 15, 2024 the riser and 9 ft of pipes was replace, which resolve the problem, at an additional cost to me. 

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriatelay process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  ***********************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/26/2024

  Balkan stands by the clear and accurate previous response. 

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/01/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  [Your Answer Here]

   I demand you refund the unauthorized charge of June 14th to my credit card immediately.

  My next step, will be contacting the Insurance company.  With the full detail of this complaint. 

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************
  
  
  
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/14/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Balkan came down to our home numerous times to fix our sewer line due to repeated sewer backups. FIrstly, they insisited that we pay out of our own pocket to build a platform for them to access our sewer line. We've already paid over a thousand dollars in platforms, only to have the issue come back. They came, snaked the lined, put down a water jet, opened my sidewalk, cleaned the sewer, but to no avail. The real problem has not been resolved and I want them to take action to replace my sewer line once and for all!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/14/2024

  Once the client provided access via a platform as required by their coverage package with their service line provider Balkan attempted to snake the line. Balkan then did a sewer repair and replaced broken sewer pipe on 05/31/2024. The client notified their service line provider on 06/14/2-24 (two weeks later) that they had an additonal backup, and Balkan is dispatching a drain tech there today (06/14/2024) to clear the line. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/15/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This past summer we hired Balkan sewer to fix a leak in our water line. We paid them about $15,000 (even though their original quote had been $4,900). Our homeowners insurance will cover $2000 of the cost. We just need Balkan to fill out a form with information about the job that they did. The insurance company and myself have reached out to Balkan by phone and by email many times. They always say they will take care of it, but they never have. How can I get them to fill out that form?Thank You.*********************************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/15/2023

  I deeply apologize for the delay in your receving an itemized bill. This certianly does not meet our typical company standards. **** will receive the itemized bill before the close of business today. Thanks for your understanding.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/19/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  ****** is repeatedly giving aw resources mistaken info re my blockage Creating an impression that this is a pre existing issue to my coverage date Meanwhile toxic sewege is piling up Please allow yourselves to be sent by aw to finish the job

  

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2023

  This individual was previously denited coverage by a serivice line protection comapmhy because their existing house sewer damage falls out of the boundary if their coverage (Balkanb has no invovlement in that determination and is a rd party). This individual then signe dup with another servic eline proection comapny, and was denied coverage due to the condition being pre-existing ( and previously dedclined bu the other company). Once again Balkan is a 3rd party not invovled in that decision. There is no basis for a dispute with Balkan, or the aforementioned facts.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/19/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

   

  As my issue does not predate my coverage date with aw, I would want clarification from ****** to aw that the issue proceeds the day I called aw, not the day I got my insurance 

  (Both policy's were bought a few months back)

   

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************
  
  
  
  
   
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/22/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************