Would like information on nationwide number of consumer complaints
against plumbing contractors and/or remodelers (kitchen and bath
preferably) for any given period of time, with special emphasis, if
possible, on price gouging.  Nothing elaborate, just a few summary
type sentences.  The more authoratative source, the better.

Hi there,

Thank you for your question.

My search returned the following results:

Home remodeling contractors ranked number 5 in a list of business
categories receiving the most consumer complaints in 1998 according
to a January 1998 Home Improvement Magazine article entitled "Pros or
Cons.”

“Each year the Better Business Bureau compiles and releases a list of
business categories receiving the most consumer complaints from the
past year. Of the more than 300 categories, most of the top 10 come as
no surprise. The notorious new and used auto dealers, unscrupulous
auto mechanics and unethical home furnishing dealers all rank high on
the list. Another top 10 finisher is the home remodeling contractor .
In 1996, Remodeling contractors placed number 5, replacing used car
dealers, computer sellers and telephone companies.
    The Better Business Bureau has received about 7,000 complaints
against remodelers every year since 1990. The worst year was 1994 with
7700.
    This grim picture is only partially complete. The category "home
remodeler" is but one of many home improvement categories that amassed
nearly 1,000,000 inquiries and 30,000 complaints.
     Americans are wasting an estimated $35 million per year on shoddy
home workmanship and outright people do not file a formal complaint
with the Better Business Bureau. Remodeling contractors who prey on
peoples trust and lack of knowledge are not uncommon.”
A1Data Website
http://www.a1data.com/news.html

Better Business Bureau "Top 15" rankings of the types of businesses
that generated the most inquiries and complaints in 1999:
Home Construction/Remodeling Contractors ranked #6 with 180,240
inquiries and Plumbing Contractors ranked #11 with 88,429 inquiries.
http://home.att.net/~pulte/

Plumbing Contractors are ranked number 10 in the list of the 15 types
of businesses that generated the most inquiries to Better Business
Bureaus in 2000.

2000 RANKING OF INQUIRIES 

1. Work-at-Home Promotions  -270,517 inquiries
2. Roofing & Guttering Contractors 266,838 inquiries
3. General Contractors 228,345 inquiries
4. Home Remodeling Contractors 168,442 inquiries
5. Moving and Storage Companies 163,321 inquiries
6. Automobile Dealers - Franchised (new & used sales) 156,324
inquiries
7. Mortgage & Escrow Companies 145,784 inquiries
8. Auto Repair (except transmission) 115,135 inquiries
9. Home Builders 107,781 inquiries
10. Plumbing Contractors  106,862 inquiries
11. Air Conditioning Repair Contractors 90,352 inquiries
12. Swimming Pool Service & Supplies Contractors 89,450 inquiries
13. Credit Card Offers & Plans 83,699 inquiries
14. Pest Control Services 77,775 inquiries
15. Windows Installation & Services  77,736 inquiries
Better Business Bureau Website
http://www.bbb.org/alerts/2000stats.asp

Additional links:

Facts for consumers on dealing with contractors
Federal Trade Commission Website
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/homeimpv.htm

Search criteria: 
://www.google.com/search?hl=es&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=complaints+against+plumbing+contractors&btnG=B%FAsqueda+en+Google&lr=

://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&hl=es&querytime=EWg&q=price+complaints+with+regulatory+agencies+against+plumbing+firms

I hope this provides you with the information you are seeking.

Best regards,

Bobbie7-ga

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 06 Aug 2002 12:08 PDT

Thank you for your kind comments in your rating of my answer.

I searched the BBB site with no luck.  Even went to the local BBB and
was told they didn't have such info as you provided.  My hat's off to
you.  The other information you supplied I'll use as well.  Thank you