Best Plumbing Companies

Plumbing services include a wide range of repairs, as well as preventative maintenance and inspections. 

Routine maintenance and inspections

Average cost: $100-$400

Maintenance and inspections are preventative services that can catch plumbing issues early, increasing your system’s efficiency and longevity. Professionals often recommend performing routine maintenance, like flushing water heaters, annually. 

Common maintenance and inspections include:

• Flushing water heaters to remove sediment buildup 
• Checking for hidden leaks in toilets and pipes
• Inspecting water heaters for signs of corrosion 
• Checking for blockages in sewer lines with a sewer camera 

Repairs

Average cost: $500-$3,000-plus

Repairs can range from minor fixes to major system replacements.

Common repairs include:

• Unclogging toilets and drains 
• Fixing leaky pipes and faucets 
• Addressing low water pressure 
• Replacing or repairing damaged pipes or water heaters 

It’s important to find a reputable, established plumbing company with the proper accreditations. Here’s what to look for: 

Licensing and insurance 

“Proper licensing is a nonnegotiable. If they can’t provide a license number, they shouldn’t be in your house,” says Caleb Caviness, general manager at AryCo, an HVAC and plumbing company in Decatur, Texas. He also notes that plumbing companies should have general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Communication

Plumbing companies should answer your questions and communicate with you throughout the process. “It starts with the person on the phone. When calling a company, you should receive clear answers, and they have to be able to give you a ballpark pricing if you’re asking for it,” said Megan Doser, owner of Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric in Denver, Colorado. 

Pricing transparency

Once plumbers have performed a diagnostic, they should provide you with a written estimate and explanation of the services you’ll receive. Vague pricing and high-pressure sales tactics are red flags. “A reliable plumber is more likely to walk you through multiple solutions, explaining how each works, instead of pushing the most expensive fix right away,” Doser said. 

Positive reviews

When researching plumbing companies, look for a business that has positive reviews and a longstanding presence in the community. You can see what people are saying in neighborhood Facebook groups, Google reviews and other online platforms.

24/7 repairs

Some plumbing issues, like burst pipes and sewer backups, require immediate attention in order to prevent extensive damage and high repair costs. A reliable plumbing company should be able to respond quickly during emergencies and come outside of business hours if necessary.

Plumbing services can generally range anywhere from $75 for a diagnostic visit to several thousand dollars for major replacements.

Even smaller repairs can get pricey. “For quick calls, where a plumber is on site for less than thirty minutes, a charge might be around $200,” said Aaron Adams, CEO of Aaron Services, an HVAC and plumbing company in north Atlanta. “This often feels expensive to a customer, but plumbing is a very expensive line of work. Auto insurance, liability insurance, vehicle costs and staffing are all major expenses.”

Plumbing repair cost factors

Several factors influence the cost of plumbing services. “Two next-door neighbors can have the same type of issue, but the repair can be vastly different based on the context surrounding the problem,” said John Akhoian, founder of Rooter Hero, an HVAC and plumbing company that provides service in California and Arizona. Considerations include: 

• Type and size of the issue 
• Location 
• Material and part costs 
• Condition of the property and appliances 
• Repair time 
• Urgency (emergency calls or after-hours requests) 

Typical plumbing repair costs

While plumbing costs vary widely, you can expect services to generally fall within the following ranges:

Plumbing repair cost factors

It’s important to keep in mind that emergency plumbing calls can incur extra fees. “The biggest jump (in price) is always an emergency call, as it can increase the cost by 100%,” Doser said.

Functioning plumbing is a crucial component of an operational, safe home. A skilled plumber is a valuable resource to have at your disposal. They help quickly diagnose problems, prevent costly damage and keep your home’s systems running. 

And while it’s good to have a plumber on hand for emergencies, preventive maintenance and even simple repairs can also save you about 10% on your water bills.