Indiana plumber returns to re-clog pipe at a restaurant after a dispute over the bill. What went down and how to avoid similar pay disputes

Why the police got involved

Sanders told reporters if the balloon was left in the grease trap, it would have overflowed and the restaurant would have been flooded with dirty water. “Basically, we would’ve had to shut down,” he said. He called the police to help mediate.

The police told WFIE that matters where there are disputes over work done and invoice payments would normally be settled in small claims court.

However, Joel Heavrin, the owner of the plumbing company, decided going that route wasn’t worth his time. He also defended his actions to WFIE by saying that his business offers no warranty for drain cleaning.

“I don’t have a magic wand I can wave and remove all the garbage and debris from the drain line,” he said. “What we can do is we can snake it, we can verify that it’s open and working correctly. Which is what we did.”

He added that Thai Bistro & Bar has a history of being slow to make payments.

After the police arrived, Thai Bistro & Bar ended up paying the invoice, which was marked “paid under protest,” and Heavrin Plumbing removed the blockage.

“It’s ridiculous that it had to come down to this,” Sanders said.

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How you can avoid similar issues

Property owners or operators who need to hire other businesses for services like plumbing may be able to avoid these issues by taking a few precautions.

For one, do your research before you need to call any business. Check to see if the business is reputable and read any reviews from third-party organizations like the Better Business Bureau. Consider looking at how the business has handled any disputes in the past.

When you do engage with a company, ask the representative about specific fees for any work you may need done.

It could be the case that a service provider may not be able to give you an exact quote until the worker shows up. Still, you may be able to at least get a price range so you know what to expect.

Asking about potential add-ons like extra surcharges for rush jobs or work outside of business hours could help you prepare for increased costs. Whatever answers you get, be sure to document them, including the name of the person you spoke with.

When you do hire a company, be sure to double check the fees before any work is done. If possible, get a copy of the invoice and resolve any issues before the service person leaves.

Worst case scenario, you may have to go through small claims court to settle the matter. Each state will have its own rules around how it handles minor legal disputes, such as the dollar amount involved.