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Most homeowners will need to call in a plumber at some point. Whether it’s installing a new faucet or handling an emergency, a plumber is an invaluable home professional. Especially when dealing with sudden plumbing problems, it’s important to get professional help in a hurry to ensure that the damage to the home is controlled as best as possible. An experienced plumber will know how to respond to stop or control a leak, clear a drain line, and even help deal with a faulty water heater. After the initial assessment and response, they can formulate a plan to repair the problem and make sure that the issue is resolved conclusively.
However, it can be difficult to find the best plumbing service in the area, especially if you have never had to contact a professional plumber before. For those who don’t know where to start, it may be helpful to learn about some of the best plumbing services available, as well as some details about what sets top-tier residential plumbing services apart from competitors and how to find a reliable plumber.
- BEST OVERALL: Mr. Rooter
- RUNNER-UP: Roto-Rooter
- BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE: Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
- BEST AGGREGATOR: HomeAdvisor
Our Top Picks
This list of the best plumbing services was selected for top-tier customer service, quality work, reasonable pricing, flexible scheduling, and reliable plumbing know-how.
Best Overall
Mr. Rooter
Pros
- Up-front, flat-rate pricing
- Relatively long 90-day labor guarantee
- No upcharge for weekend, holiday, or after-hours service
- Advantage Plan allows for priority scheduling and preferential pricing
Cons
- Not available in all ZIP codes
Why It Made the Cut: A long workmanship guarantee, flat-rate pricing, priority plan options, and a lack of upcharge for emergency services make Mr. Rooter a leader in the plumbing repair industry.
Established in 1970 as an Oklahoma City-based business, Mr. Rooter now provides expert plumbing services to 45 states, all of Canada, and a small area around Washington, D.C. With more than 200 locations, Mr. Rooter is well equipped to respond to plumbing emergencies in a timely fashion, and can be reached directly by phone or through online scheduling services. Just keep in mind that the company doesn’t operate in all ZIP codes with its coverage area, so it’s important to check the location tab on the Mr. Rooter website to find the nearest location.
Mr. Rooter provides up-front estimates, clear cost breakdowns, and flat-rate pricing, so customers can budget accordingly without worrying about hidden fees when the work is done. Additionally, Mr. Rooter understands that plumbing emergencies can be unavoidable, so the company doesn’t charge extra for weekends, holidays, or after-hours work. Recurring customers may want to opt for Mr. Rooter’s Advantage Plan, which allows for reduced price rates and priority scheduling. Finally, the company also has a 90-day labor warranty on repairs, so customers can feel confident that their local Mr. Rooter branch will stand behind its work.
Specs
- Service area: 45 states; Washington, D.C.; and Canada
- Scheduling: Online or phone
- Availability: Standard and emergency
- Guarantee: 90-day labor warranty
- Customer support: Phone
Mr. Rooter is a 2024 recipient of BobVila.com’s Home Improvement Hero designation.
Home Improvement Heroes recognizes the best companies homeowners could call for a problem, project, or service. Our editorial team used a rigorous process to evaluate based on availability, skills, range of services, cost, customer reviews, guarantees, refund policy, customer support, and more. We then independently reviewed each company and hired some for our projects for consideration. See the full list of honorees.
Runner-Up
Roto-Rooter
Pros
- Nationwide availability
- Convenient, easy-to-use online scheduling system
- Web-based educational information available for homeowners
- Water restoration services available
Cons
- Service guarantees may vary by location
Why It Made the Cut: Roto-Rooter offers convenient online scheduling options, helpful educational resources, water damage restoration services, and a nationwide service area.
Roto-Rooter has been in business for a long time since the company’s founding in 1935. During this time it has become one of the biggest plumbing companies in the nation, offering services in all 50 states; Canada; and Washington, D.C. As such, homeowners across the nation can hire Roto-Rooter to take care of plumbing issues. Roto-Rooter has expanded its online presence, too. The company’s convenient online scheduling process makes it possible for customers to book appointments through the website without having to pick up the phone and speak to a representative. Roto-Rooter’s website even includes educational information about plumbing systems, including blogs, videos, and infographics. These resources help customers better understand plumbing issues they may be experiencing, empowering them to make informed decisions about repair services.
It’s worth noting that workmanship and satisfaction guarantees may vary based on location, so customers will want to verify details with their local branch before hiring. In the event of a major leak or burst pipe, the company also offers water damage restoration, which is not always the case with plumbing service providers. Having this service available could save customers the hassle of finding a separate water damage restoration company to deal with the aftermath of a plumbing issue.
Specs
- Service area: 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and Canada
- Scheduling: Online or phone
- Availability: Standard and emergency
- Guarantee: Varies by location
- Customer support: Phone
Best Customer Service
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Pros
- Up-front flat-rate pricing
- On-time guarantee pays customer $5 for every minute a technician is late
- Customer complaints resolved by impartial third party
Cons
- Relatively small service area covering 36 states
- Some services may not be available at all locations
Why It Made the Cut: Putting customers first every step of the way, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing doesn’t charge additional fees for after-hours service and settles customer complaints via an impartial third-party service.
Despite the prodigious name, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing was founded in 2000, which is relatively recent when compared with other top plumbing companies that have been around for over 50 years. While this difference hasn’t hurt the customer service and professionalism offered by Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, the company has had less time to expand its service area, which is limited to just 36 states. In addition, some locations may not provide the same service list as other locations, such as irrigation or sprinkler system maintenance and installation. With that in mind, customers may want to check the exact services offered by the nearest location before booking if they are looking for more specialized plumbing services.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing stands out for its outstanding customer service and pricing. The company’s flat-rate pricing means that customers will get a firm quote for services and repairs up front rather than being charged by the hour. This approach provides customers with peace of mind knowing that they won’t be surprised by unexpectedly high costs or additional fees. The company even guarantees that the customer will receive monetary compensation if the plumber arrives late. The rate of this compensation is $5 per minute, up to a maximum of $300. It’s also worth noting that customer complaints cannot be swept under the rug with offhand excuses because all complaints are evaluated and addressed by a neutral third party that helps to ensure that Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is kept accountable if any problems arise.
Specs
- Service area: 36 states
- Scheduling: Online or phone
- Availability: Standard and emergency
- Guarantee: Satisfaction guarantee, on-time guarantee
- Customer support: Phone, live chat
Best Aggregator
HomeAdvisor
Pros
- Nationwide availability
- Wide range of local plumbers available for hire
- User-friendly website with numerous project filters
Cons
- Name, phone number, and email required to browse local services
- Service availability and guarantees vary by provider
Why It Made the Cut: HomeAdvisor’s extensive and easy-to-browse database of qualified local professionals allows homeowners nationwide to quickly find the right pro for their project.
Searching for an experienced, reliable plumbing company online can be difficult, but HomeAdvisor works to streamline the process by compiling a list of licensed and qualified plumbers and plumbing companies. The platform’s nationwide service area allows anyone in the country to find a local plumber near them. HomeAdvisor is an aggregator, so it’s a repository of information rather than a service in and of itself. Because HomeAdvisor doesn’t provide the plumbing service directly, warranties, availability, scheduling, and service area cannot be guaranteed and can vary from company to company. Customers also need to input their name, phone number, and email to browse for local plumbing professionals, which some customers cite as a drawback in HomeAdvisor reviews. That being said, the website is free to browse, so prospective customers can search the database of professionals, get information on pricing, scheduling, and services, and then contact the plumber they want to hire. The site also features several project filters to help users navigate the extensive library and narrow down search results. What’s more, HomeAdvisor thoroughly screens all professionals listed on the site so users can feel confident that they are getting quality recommendations. The wide range of plumbing services listed on the site means that homeowners can easily get multiple quotes and compare services to find a professional who meets their criteria.
Specs
- Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online
- Availability: Varies by provider
- Guarantee: Varies by provider
- Customer Support: Phone
Our Verdict
Homeowners looking for the best plumbing service available to them may want to compare Mr. Rooter vs. Roto-Rooter. Mr. Rooter is notable for its up-front, flat-rate pricing regardless of whether the work is being done on a weekday, weekend, or after hours. Roto-Rooter stands out for its convenient online scheduling and water damage remediation services.
How We Chose the Best Plumbing Services
Experience in the plumbing industry provided a foundation for understanding the extent of professionalism and the expertise of the service offered by each company that was considered. In addition, extensive research into each company helped to form the basis for the selection of the best plumbing services. Key factors that were considered during this selection process included customer service, pricing, scheduling, and plumbing experience.
Additionally, the available service area of a company, as well as any guarantees or warranties that were listed by the company, were factored into the final selection. Well-known companies were given preference over relatively new plumbing companies because a positive reputation speaks to high customer satisfaction and reliability, while a company with a relatively limited or unknown reputation is essentially a gamble.
Before You Hire One of the Best Plumbing Services
If an emergency happens at home and you need help in a hurry, then it’s important to get in touch with a local plumbing company to at least get the situation under control. However, if the situation isn’t urgent, then it’s important to evaluate the plumbing problem and determine whether the repair is something you have the experience and skill to handle with the help of a few plumbing tips, like clearing a clogged toilet with a plunger or cleaning out the aerator on a faucet.
If the project requires the expertise of a plumber, then the next step is to look up the costs of the repair online and compare the prices and quality of local plumbing companies. It’s a good idea to verify that the company can complete the work required for the repair, and check to ensure that the plumber is licensed and insured, if this is necessary in your state. Before hiring, it’s important to get a written agreement and breakdown of the fees, including any guarantees the company makes on the work.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Plumbing Services
Plumbing systems are complicated. It’s easy to get confused by technical jargon or a hurried explanation of the situation, so in order to ensure customer confidence in the abilities, experience, and customer service potential of a company, it’s a good idea to consider several key factors: service area, scheduling and services the company offers, what licensing and insurance the plumbers have, and the exact breakdown of pricing and payment.
Service Area
While a quick internet search of “best plumbing company near me” or “best-rated plumber near me” is a great way to find an entire list of qualified companies to handle a plumbing emergency, if the home is outside of the service area, then the company will be unable to send a plumber to resolve the problem. Before contacting a company or going any further into the assessment, it’s worth checking the service area to determine exactly how much range the company has and whether they typically work in your area. Large plumbing companies are likely to have a vast service area that can reach most homeowners, and some may even have a nationwide footprint.
Some companies may be able to send a plumber to an address outside of the service area for an additional fee. However, this would need to be discussed and agreed to beforehand so that the customer can be certain of the cost. In this case, it may be better to opt for a plumbing company that is a little closer to home. Also, keep in mind that the farther away a company is, the slower the response time to emergencies will be.
Scheduling and Services Offered
After verifying that a plumbing company actually works in the area, the next step in assessing its potential is finding out whether the company has the availability to deal with the problem. Customers may want to check the company’s website to determine the working hours, and consider contacting the company for more information on time-block appointments that are booked over several hours or exact-time appointments that require the plumber to arrive at a specified time.
Also, it’s recommended to check the plumbing services that the company offers. Common services include repairing leaking faucets or pipes, resolving low water-pressure problems, fixing running toilets, and assessing issues with the water heater. Those dealing with clogged drains or toilets may need a plumber from one of the best drain cleaning services. If the problem falls outside of this general list, then it’s important to verify that the company has a plumber that is licensed and capable of performing the required work.
Licensing and Insurance
One of the first questions to ask before hiring a plumber is whether they are licensed, certified, and insured by the state. This includes any workers who will be on-site performing repairs or preparing plumbing parts for installation. Ensuring that the workers are both licensed and insured doesn’t just give peace of mind; contractors’ insurance prevents a homeowner from being held liable for any accidents or injuries that may befall a plumber when on the job.
Keep in mind that some states do not require plumbing contractors to have official licensing or insurance. Unfortunately, in this case, the best option for finding a skilled, reliable company is to rely on word-of-mouth reports and online reviews that break down the company’s performance, including customer service, pricing, scheduling, services, and more.
Pricing and Payment
When it comes to understanding the price of plumbing work, it’s important to ask any questions up front so that there aren’t any surprises on the bill. Before signing a contract or agreement, customers will want to find out if the price of the work is going to be a flat rate or if it’s based on an hourly rate, and also consider whether the initial diagnostic assessment is included in the final price or if it will be billed separately.
The work is being completed at the behest of the customer, so it’s only reasonable to ask for a clear breakdown of the costs in the estimate and to verify whether there will be any additional costs or if the entire price of the repair has been accounted for in the total. If the cost is reasonable then find out if the work needs to be paid in cash, credit, or debit. The company may also have an online method of payment, such as an email money transfer.
Guarantee or Warranty
Assessing the experience and services of a plumbing company is necessary for finding a reliable plumber to complete repairs or upgrades. However, even the best plumbers can sometimes make mistakes or end up with faulty parts, resulting in leaks, floods, or water damage. To ensure that the home is protected in case something goes wrong during or following the repair, check the company website for information about guarantees or warranties on its work.
If the site doesn’t have any information, consider calling the company directly for a clear understanding of its policies and guarantees. Keep in mind that specific parts, like a valve or faucet, may have individual product warranties, but a clear sign of a reliable plumbing company is that it has a separate warranty on the work performed by the plumber so that if a soldered joint begins to leak in the middle of the night and the basement is partially flooded in the morning, the customer isn’t stuck paying for additional repairs as well as the cost to clean up and fix the water damage.
Customer Support
There are few things more important than clear communication when dealing with an emergency situation, like flooding, which is why superior customer support is essential for top-tier plumbing companies. Instead of 3-hour wait times, it’s a good sign if calls are answered promptly by a knowledgeable individual who can listen to the issue and either provide immediate help or connect the caller to someone who can solve the problem. Keep in mind that if this second company representative pushes the caller off to a third person, then the support process has likely fallen short, and most customers will begin thinking about hanging up.
Emergency response times are also very important. When a pipe bursts and water is gushing into the home, the last thing anyone wants is to wait on hold. Reliable companies will be able to respond quickly and send an experienced plumber anytime, 24/7.
The Cost of Hiring One of the Best Plumbing Services
It’s difficult to determine the exact cost of hiring a plumber because every company handles pricing in its own way. Some companies offer flat-rate fees, while others rely on hourly rates to pay the plumber according to the time spent on the job. Smaller jobs will take less time and will require fewer parts, so the overall cost is typically lower, but any significant upgrades or repairs can quickly get expensive, especially if problems occur, resulting in more time added to the hourly rate.
Getting a written contract or agreement and a clear breakdown of the pricing can help prevent surprises. On average, the cost of hiring a plumber for a common plumbing job is about $180 to $489, or $45 to $200 per hour. The average cost for flat-rate work is about $300, depending on the company, parts, and work required.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Plumbing Services
There are many reasons it’s a good idea to hire a top plumbing company instead of trying to tackle plumbing emergencies from a DIY perspective. One of the best reasons is the opportunity to get expert service from a licensed plumber to help assess the problem, give you options to deal with the situation, and finally, complete the work.
Another great reason for using one of the best plumbing services in your area is that the trained, reliable plumbers who come to the home will take all appropriate safety precautions to keep you and your home safe. This isn’t just a part of great customer service; it’s mandatory to follow appropriate safety protocols to prevent injuries in the workplace.
Professional plumbing companies also have the added advantage of stocking tools and a surplus of commonly used parts. This means repairs can be done in one visit, whereas a homeowner attempting to make repairs might search endlessly through the local home improvement store for the right parts.
- An expert assessment and clear guidance helps to resolve problems quickly.
- Appropriate safety precautions will be taken by trained individuals.
- Professional plumbing companies have access to the necessary parts and tools for the repair.
FAQs
For more information on your plumbing system, common plumbing problems, and the services offered by these top-tier plumbing companies, you can find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below.
The most common plumbing problems the average home experiences include leaking faucets or pipes, clogged drains or toilets, low water pressure, running toilets, and issues with the water heater. Regardless of the problem, the best plumbing Cincinnati, New York, or any other U.S. city has to offer is just a phone call or an internet search away. So don’t hesitate to get professional help when one of these issues happens in your home.
When heavy rain hits, you may need to search for “plumbing companies near me” or “plumbers near me” in order to deal with the potential plumbing emergencies that can occur. For instance, heavy rain can soak deep into the ground, putting additional pressure on the buried water lines. The water can also loosen the soil around the pipes, resulting in the pipes shifting and possibly rupturing. Heavy rain can also overwork the sump pump if you have one installed.
Even the best plumber cannot rely solely on physical skills to get the job done every time, so it’s important that plumbers have a mix of mental and physical abilities including a basic high school understanding of math, problem-solving or troubleshooting skills, attention to detail, manual dexterity, physical strength, and customer service skills.
More specific mechanical skills that are required for the position include the knowledge and skill to install faucets, solder plumbing joints, fix leaks, clear clogged drain lines, drain hot water tanks, replace valves, and more.
Most bathroom drain clogs result when dirt, skin flakes, and especially hair binds to soap scum on the walls of drain pipes. Over time, this gunk accumulates and reduces water flow.
Chemical drain cleaners are a popular way for DIYers to handle small clogs without needing to find a qualified professional to deal with the situation. However, chemical drain cleaners can do lasting damage to your plumbing system, so it’s best to learn how to use a drain snake or find a reliable plumber in the area to resolve the problem.
There are a few easy ways to recognize the best plumbing companies. Our choices are a good bet, but there may be even more options in your area. The technician or plumber will answer your calls promptly and typically arrives on time or provides updates if they are running late. High-quality residential plumbing contractors will also have a clear, reliable communication process and use plumbers that are both experienced and licensed to perform the work. In addition, the plumber should come prepared with everything they need to complete the job and then clean up afterward, instead of leaving a mess behind.
The best home repair services, including plumbers, put the needs of the customer first. Even if you end up paying a bit more, the reliability and peace of mind are well worth the expense for high-quality service. A great way to identify quality companies is to do a quick search for “top plumbers near me.” This will give you a list of local companies, which is often accompanied by a review of the best plumbing services in the area.
A misconception of many renters is that when damage occurs in their unit the responsibility for the repairs falls on the property manager or that any work is covered by renters insurance. However, unless specifically stated, renters insurance does not typically cover the cost of hiring professional plumbers.
Similarly, the responsibility for repairing the damage depends on the tenant contract and state laws. Check the terms of your contract and speak to your property manager to determine when you would be responsible for any plumbing problems.
When an emergency occurs at home, it’s a good idea to know whether you can rely on home insurance to help cover the cost of the damage and if insurance will cover the repairs. Unfortunately, in many cases, home insurance doesn’t cover the actual repair. To know whether your home insurance covers the cost of hiring a professional plumber, check your insurance policy and speak to your insurance provider.
