Metropolitan Plumbing records highest number of SA consumer complaints amid customer fury

One of SA’s biggest plumbing and aircon companies has triggered the highest number of customer complaints to authorities about alleged widespread overcharging.

David Ellingsen with his wife Natalia. He is the owner and founder of Metropolitan Plumbing, Electrical and Air Conditioning. Picture: Facebook

• Tradie empire accused of ripping off customers

An embattled South Australian plumbing and airconditioning company has sparked the highest number of customer complaints to authorities about alleged widespread overcharging.

State and federal consumer watchdogs are investigating more than 100 complaints against Metropolitan Plumbing and dozens of its national subsidiary brands.

But as more disgruntled customers told of their anger while claiming they were being overcharged or handed inflated quotes, authorities raised “serious concerns” about company complaints.

It is understood the tradie empire had sparked the most number of complaints to the Consumer and Business Services watchdog over the past three years.

A longstanding CBS investigation is ongoing as is an Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner (ACCC) inquiry.

David Ellingsen with his wife Natalia. Picture: Supplied

“I have serious concerns about the complaints we have received about Metropolitan Plumbing,” Consumer Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels said on Monday night.

“CBS will continue to investigate.

“I encourage anyone who has had issues with the quality of this company’s work to make a formal complaint.”

She added: “Before hiring a tradie, I urge people to do their homework.

“Always get three quotes and ideally recommendations from friends or family.

“It is a red flag if anyone tries to pressure you into accepting a quote on the spot.”

Founder David John Ellingsen, 57, of Springfield, is also embroiled in a separate administration investigation after another business, Gas and Plumbing Australia Pty Ltd, collapsed last year with more than $16m in debts – 13 years after another firm went bust.

Consumer and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels raised “serious concerns” at complaints linked to Metropolitan Plumbing and associated entities. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Company records show his wife, Natalia Kate Ellingsen, 48, is sole director of Metropolitan’s current parent company, Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd, which has 45 different ­national brands.

These include Cyber Plumbing, Mr Emergency, 23 Hours Plumbing, ­Female Choice Plumbing, Plumber Near Me, Upside Down and Metropolitan Heating and Cooling.

Records show Ms Ellingsen owns several properties, including the couple’s $2.17m southeastern Adelaide foothills home with city views and a $1.12m Glen Osmond premises.

She owns a $1.2m Adelaide Hills sheep farm at Flaxley, near Mt Barker, which boasted of being “home of the world’s once most expensive Australian White Stud”.

The ram, called White Gold, cost a record $165,000.

Over almost the past three weeks, the Ellingsens failed to respond to emails and letters detailing ­allegations.

State and federal consumer watchdogs are investigating more than 100 complaints against Metropolitan Plumbing and dozens of its national subsidiary brands. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

They also did not return phone calls or messages.

Workers at their North Tce or Glen Osmond offices said they were not in.

A woman at home didn’t answer the door.

The parents, who have been married more than a decade, did not respond to fresh inquiries last night.

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Originally published as Metropolitan Plumbing records highest number of SA consumer complaints amid customer fury