M.C. H.

7/28/2007

The real estate agent picked a plumber out of the phone book, seemingly at random, and Mr. Rooter showed up to check the sewer compliance on the house we were going to buy. The guy showed up on time, did his job thoroughly, had all the proper equipment. He was very professional and seemed happy to explain what he was doing and what we needed to do. Came up with a quote for the job on the spot.

Unfortunately, their bid was about $1000 - $2000 more than any of the other plumbers we later contacted! According to the other plumbers we talked to, Mr. Rooter tends to pad their estimates with a lot of extras -- this may very well be the case. The guy was playing up the fact that Mr. Rooter's pretty big-time. They've been around for a long time, they've got multiple operations in their franchise, they have no problem getting compliance from the city, so on and so forth. Uh, if you do it correctly, getting compliance for your work is a pretty *routine* procedure, don't you think? Of course, the plumber that can't guarantee compliance for their work isn't worth your time or money, but since any professional plumber is able to give you their word that they'll get your pipes to meet standards, Mr. Rooter really seemed to be grasping at straws in order to justify their outrageously high bid.

Jake B.

9/20/2017

Above and beyond. My wife and I just moved to Berkeley and our house needed a new sewer lateral and all new indoor plumbing. I researched all the best local plumbers and got bids from 4 different companies. Mr Rooter was the best price, the fastest response time, the friendliest service and of course there were a bunch of unexpected odds and ends that came up around the house. Spencer and his team took care of it all in an efficient and friendly manner. It's also a family business which is nice to support for a change and the owner/father Steven was available and helpful as well. I'm new to the neighborhood but already have a loyalty for any future plumbing work we might need.

Barbara M.

6/20/2018

24/7 service is pure false advertising! I called these guys' emergency number at 10 PM last night when my water heater sprung a major leak. I eventually WAS connected to a 24/7 answering service/call center that sounded like it wasn't even in California, where a very nice lady told me she'd put out a call and someone would get back to me. Well, a different local plumber (who does not claim 24/7 service) told me over the phone how to shut off the water to the house temporarily till he could get out today -- he's been here, stopped the leak, and set me up for a replacement job on the 30 year old heater (which I suspected I needed soon anyway) for tomorrow morning. ALL THE WHILE, I HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM MR. ROOTER (It's now 5 PM).
Bottom line: if you are actually having a plumbing emergency and need 24/7 service, DONT call these guys.

Jen F.

4/26/2019

Sal (Salih) from Mr. Rooter came and fixed an emergency plumbing situation (we had sewage coming out of our bathroom drains). He was very courteous, professional, and helpful. He showed up very quickly after my call and worked quickly to get things fixed. Price was reasonable too.

Jeff W.

7/20/2011

$400 for a garbage disposal unit. (not including $150 to install said unit.) $800 total labor for 2 hours of work. Need I say more? I feel sorry for the dispatch people that work there. They're all very nice. But this is a plumbing business, and the actual plumbers both overcharge and are rude.

Cary J.

5/15/2019

When your kitchen sink disposal breaks down, call these guys! Great customer service. We had food sitting in there for days and couldn't grind it up--super gross! Got an appointment and problem fixed ASAP. Thanks guys!

Karl L.

8/17/2022

I've called Mr. Rooter twice and had a great experience each time.

The first visit was fixing a toilet which was leaking to an apartment downstairs. The plumber was great about communicating with both of us and making sure everything was clean and protected. They worked swiftly, expertly, but also updated me clearly about what was happening, or could happen at different stages. The pricing was fair, and I felt in good hands.

Most of the time when I called I spoke to Diana. You can tell this is a small business and she personally cares about it.

I had a 2:00 appointment last Friday, and they were able to come early, but I was still at work. This was great communication, but I was worried that, since I wasn't able to respond (due to work) now I would get sidelined. Dianna told me they we were still go, but then called me back to check in because something had happened at the other jobs. Apparently it was busy day. I understand in businesses like this, simple jobs can end up being very complicated. The important thing to me as is communication and responsibility.

What ended up happening was the owner himself came to fix my sink! Spencer is a real gentleman, considerate and patient. I didn't need to ask him to take his shoes off, he must have noticed mine were off and just did it without hesitation. He took a careful look at our situation and explained things very clearly. It ended up being a pretty simple fix and he didn't charge us for it. In fact, he seemed to enjoy being on the job as a change of pace. No doubt this was a stressful day for him, so I was impressed with his good humor, passion, attention to detail and care for the customer.

Simon L.

12/12/2019 12:00:00 SA

The owner Spencer had followed up with me, inquiring about the service I had received. He was patient in listening to my dissatisfaction with the service I had received and I was able to explain fully what I had experienced. The owner had taken initiative in refunding me and showing me that this was a trustworthy company that takes the time in listening and caring for their customers. My review before may have been harsh and jumping to conclusions but in the end Spencer at mr. rooter had taken the time to make things right. Nowadays there are not many companies that will take time to address negative issues, because of this they have gained my trust in considering them for future work.

Nathalie H.

09/07/2017 12:00:00 SA

Spencer's was awesome. On time, funny, knowledgeable and waaay over delivered on customer service. I can't say enough how awesome Spencer was!

Susan D.

11/20/2016

Scott was professional, courteous and energetic about doing the job. He offered suggestions & options. Did the work quickly, effectively and without harming any landscaping (it was an outside drain). Highly recommend them. Only down side: they got held up on earlier jobs so arrived later than scheduled. But were willing to stay late to finish.

James S.

11/08/2021 12:00:00 SA

They are friendly reliable and responsive! They came out quickly and took care of our clogged sink. When it clogged again the next week came out a second time and took care of it free of charge.

We also had them drain the crawlspace under the house when the sump pump failed during a huge rainstorm. They replaced the sump pump and did a great job.

patricia s.

3/13/2009

As the plumber was leaving just now, I told him what great news the result of his estimate was, and laughingly added that I should put it in writing for him to clip onto his dashboard to see often - he agreed that it was rare for someone to be happy when the plumber came, and why not put it on YELP. That's right - 5 stars This is my second service experience with them, and was a sump pump issue. The first was a firehose-like kitchen faucet incident, at which time I was so pleased I signed up for the the lifetime contract. Today just validated the value of that decision. Something I am especially impressed with is their willingness to explain every possible solution to a problem so you can make an informed decision - They're the best!

Mike M.

3/19/2009

Organized, professional and extraordinarily expensive. A couple of weeks ago they wanted to charge $500 for $20 parts and 1hour of labor to replace a P trap and tail pipe? They also recommended replacing solid parts because someday they would corrode.
They use a book to determine their standard price regardless of how easy a job is. Each part replaced gets a full price, even if the assembly is already in pieces and the additional cost should only be for the part. ie they effectively double charge for labor.
Get estimates and save yourself 50% or more. I think this company exploits customers who are in urgent situations and have no or little knowledge, but they wear nice uniforms and have nice trucks and make an orderly presentation so people think they must be giving a fair price. Not true.

Get several estimates!!! We got the job done for $60. Michael Your Plumber in Berkeley and Women's Plumbing Repair are both MUCH more reasonable.

John T.

7/19/2021

I called Mr. Rooter because we had a clog in our drain that caused water to spew all over the kitchen and laundry room. Got a same-day appt very quickly for later in the day. Uriel showed up and was absolutely a pleasure to deal with. He went under the house to verify his course of action and ended up using a machine-driven snake for the job due to the length, configuration, and pipe size. An hour later the clog was gone, water flowing down the drain rather than onto the floor - and enjoyed chatting with Uriel as he packed up his equipment.

I have gone with Mr. Rooter several times over the years - they replaced our sewer lateral, and installed a new toilet and flange when ours broke. My experiences with this company have always been positive. I have dealt both directly with the owner and with employees on different occasions. It has always been an easy and painless experience, which is why we are repeat customers. They do excellent work, this outfit is clearly run by good folks and they hire good people to work there.

Highly recommend them for any plumbing issue big or small!

Suzette N.

5/20/2012

Called Mr. Rooter a little after 8 AM after seeing the van on the freeway. Was able to get an immediate appointment at 9:30 AM that same morning. Had been having issues with my garbage disposal and Jose came in and quickly fixed the blockage while patiently explaining every aspect of his work. And to top it off the price was extremely reasonable. Mr. Rooter gives you the pricing before they do the work, after assessing the issue, unlike most plumbers or handyman companies - who charge a flat fee for coming out to your house, in addition to charging you for the service. I will definitely utilize their services AGAIN!

Ronnie C.

8/13/2017

On Saturday night I realized I had a terrible leak under my sink. On Sunday morning I called Mr. Rooter and left a message with their answering service. Within 15 minutes I got a call back from Spencer Ferguson..90 minutes later he was at my condo just like he said he would be and fixed my leak, which required that several pipes be replaced. He had all the necessary equipment with him. It was a huge relief to get the problem taken care of so easily and quickly. He was fast, efficient, punctual, polite and very personable. I cannot recommend him highly enough. Given the fact that he came out on a Sunday afternoon the charge was very very reasonable.

M R.

8/30/2022

Mr. Rooter and team have always been on time and on budget for me. Courteous, professional service too!

David D.

10/26/2016

Spencer provided efficient, clean and professional service. He did a great job solving a serious problem. He is an expert because he has seen and done it all. If you want the job done right by honest professionals, then Mr. Rooter is your solution.

Bill O.

01/05/2015 12:00:00 SA

Excellent work...a broken water main was the problem and they responded quickly and on time even though it was Xmas Eve and came again the day after Xmas...nice guys good work ...explained it well and came in on the exact estimate....
Would recommend highly

Steven T.

09/03/2011 12:00:00 SA

STOP!! The wife donated $500.00 to Prop 8. I was about to make an appointment until I did my research.

Girlz M.

10/29/2014

The two good things about Mr. Rooter are: Carl (a master plumber) was showed up in a couple of hours on a Saturday and the dispatcher who took the call was pleasant. Now for questionable issues:
Earlier this month, I totally remodeled my upstairs tenant's bathroom -- tile surround, new tile floor and reinstalled toilet. The tenant on the lower floor noticed his ceiling was discolored directly where the upper unit's toilet is. We assessed the problem and it looked like toilet seepage and a possible clog.
Carl takes a look at the situation and says clearing the clog would require a second person and additional equipment. The estimate was $400-$500. I asked if he could take up the toilet to make sure it was seated correctly with a wax ring, check for a flange problem -- specifically check out the toilet. Carl did not agree the brown seepage on the first floor tenant was from the toilet. At the end of our time, he filled me almost $200 for just showing up (I received a $20 discount --so the final bill was $180). Another plumbing company fixed the problem (the toilet was the problem).
Sadly I must agree with Ben S. they charge you an unbelieveable high rate for not fixing or diagnosing the problem.

Alan W.

08/08/2020 12:00:00 SA

I simply do not trust Mr Rooter to be honest and fair. Over the phone, the plumber quoted me $1800 to replace a pipe that he said was leaking at my apartment building in Oakland accompanied with a photo. I decided to see exactly what was wrong, so I drove from San Francisco to Oakland to see personally what was going on. When I got there, what the plumber was quoting $1800 was a simple fix that I could do myself. It required taking out the old galvanized pipe and joint and replacing a 4' piece with PVC. Hardly worth anywhere close to $1800. I told him to just clean out the clogged pipe as originally requested and I would do the rest. All the sudden the $1800 dropped to $275, which was still kinda high, but he was there with the parts, so I agreed. The total job took less than an hour to do. The charge, $300 to clean the pipe and $275 to replace the leaking joint and galvanized pipe.

If I didn't have a basic understanding of plumbing, enough to question his assessment, that job would have totaled $2100 ($300 for the clogged pipe and $275 for replacing the galvanized pipe) for about an hours worth of work. Do you really think I should recommend your services to another unsuspecting victim? Hell no. Your company is what I would call a predator company, preying on those that have no knowledge of what is required, and relying on trust that is evidently absent.

I rarely post reviews. Something has to be really good or really bad for me to be motivated enough to post a review. I don't like companies that do this kind of predatory charging in hopes that the customer doesn't know what they are actually charging for.

Lenny O.

4/18/2018

We had a 140 foot gas line that needed quick replacement, including concrete trenching. After a few quotes I decided to work with Spencer (the owner) and very glad I did. His team did the job well, quickly and professionally, and was easy to communicate with especially dealing with the city and PGE to reactivate serivice. There was even a snag on a Sunday night, and Spencer came out personally to repair it so get the heating working again. Highly recommended!

Ron T.

06/07/2016 12:00:00 SA

We called Mr. Rooter to unclog an upstairs bathroom drain (tub, sink, toilet) line on a holiday. The service plumber arrived on time and inspected the situation. He was very careful to use shoe covers while inside the house. Our main sewer drain line had a cleanout half way under the house, but it was only one way which led to the street and not back up to the upstairs bathroom. We agreed that a 2 way cleanout would be best for the long run, so another appointment had to be scheduled for the next day since he had to get all the parts needed to modify our drain line. This was disappointing and we had to endure another day of slow draining tub and toilet. Finally, the work was done and the drain unclogged the next day! The entire job was done neatly and the service plumber was very professional. I will call them again for any plumbing problems that may come up in the future.

Michaela G.

07/01/2017 12:00:00 SA

Steve came over for a free estimate and was on time (!) and very professional. Sent me the estimate within a couple of hours. After a few tweaks we set a date for the work (replacing kitchen sink, faucet and garbage disposal).

Spencer and his assistant came one hour into the two-hour appointment window and was very professional and knowledgeable about the task at hand. He finished the work in the timeframe he gave me (2 hours) and didn't mind my watching the whole operation (I'm curious, not nosy!). Both were friendly without being distracted, and except for a few little snags that had to do with my existing construction (which they were able to solve with a little sweat), all was done and it looks beautiful!

I will definitely go back to Mr. Rooter for any plumbing needs I might have!

Sam E.

09/11/2020 12:00:00 SA

We came back from a long trip to learn we had a leak in the hot water line in the crawl space with admittedly difficult access. We tried several plumbers who all scratched their heads and didn't want to fix it. But they were happy to charge me the minimum rate of $620 per hour. Mr. Rooter came in without a complaint and fixed the leak quickly and at a fair price. Jon and Sunti were courteous and highly professional. If you need help with plumbing issues, they're the best.

nancy f.

12/14/2016

Whew! The feeling of total relief. You don't want to hear the story but it was not a pretty picture. Thank heavens for mr rooter. Very professional and intelligent and competent and showed up right away. Even the dispatcher was on my side

Thanks and thanks again

Peregrine S.

04/05/2018 12:00:00 SA

Several weeks ago our 70 year sewer lateral (the pipe from the house to main sewer) backed up, again. Two people from Mr. Rooter came, set about cleaning the line, finally using the high pressure water jet. Once clean they ran the camera down the line. Much of the clay pipe was not there, worse than the last cleaning by a 'Berkeley named plumber', who offered, well, actually rudely offered to do it for $8,000+. Mr. Rooter's people said they would give a quote after checking with their boss. About $4,500 before a partial credit of for the work already done. They completed the work this week, including getting the council approval. I was unable to be there while they did the work. I was totally surprised that the yard was much much tidier than I left it. Melody, the office person, is way beyond helpful and friendly. I highly recommend this business.

G W.

7/18/2014

Excellent, fast and professional service. Chris arrived on time (early truth be told), explained everything and even made sure to be careful around the landscaping. Very satisfied with their service overall.

Linda S.

09/04/2015 12:00:00 SA

The cold water pipe from our bathtub started leaking out onto the bathroom floor this past Sunday. We were in the middle of a bathroom remodel and this was an unexpected and extremely unwelcome surprise. Not to mention the timing was terrible - it being Sunday and all. (Try finding a plumber to come to your house on a Sunday.) We had to turn off the water to the entire house and I started calling around. No one was available and we were stuck. At some point I thought of Mr. Rooter and I called. The dispatcher told me she'd have the plumber (Spencer) call me back. He called right away and asked what was going on and I explained the situation to him. He already had a very full day of calls but offered to come over to the house after his other jobs, to cap off the cold water pipe so we'd have water again. He then came back yesterday and upgraded the pipes (to our 1930 Berkeley Hills home) to copper. He did a fantastic job. He was prompt, courteous, knowledgeable, and to top it all, just extremely nice. The price was more than fair too. I can't say enough good things about Mr. Rooter in general, and Spencer in particular. I am extremely happy with the work they did and give them the very highest rating possible!

Ekin O.

10/14/2008

Expensive!

My kitchen sink had a leaky pipe underneath and my landlord asked me to get 3 estimates.

At Mr. Rooter, the woman on the telephone is extremely courteous, professional, and friendly. They gave me a 2 hour time block and they called as soon as the plumber was dispatched to let me know he was on the way. He arrived on the dot right at the beginning of the 2 hour time block.

Jorge, the Field Manager plumber arrived and was very professional and friendly. He gave me his card, was nice to my dog, and put booties to cover his boots while in the house.

He took a look at my leaky drain, consulted his price book, and gave me 2 different replacement pricings/options to show my landlord. Around $200 to replace one drain's pipe and $400 to replace the whole pipe system (2 drains) underneath the sink.

Very courteous, very professional, but very pricey. I suggest Michael Your Plumber (see my other review) for a much more reasonable price.

richard d o.

4/23/2012

Water heater went out last night (Sunday, of course). The late night plumber was already booked so he said he'd have the office call me in the morning, which they did. They were there by 10am (Jose and a helper) and quickly suggested that based on the rust around the water intake that i should consider a new water heater. He said a less permanent fix would probably be a $350 thermocouple which i told him to go ahead and replace. To my surprise, he said he was able to take it apart, clean it, and that the bill would be $180.
When he did the repair for 1/2 the price I had already authorized I became a life-time Mr. Rooter customer. And someday, when this rusty water heater bites the bullet for good, i will call them to replace it.

Walt B.

7/23/2015

I messed up and put some really hard stuff (basil stems) down the garbage disposal that jammed up the drain completely (not the GD; it worked). Tried the usual almost useless liquid (Drano); that didn't even touch the problem. So, even though it was Sunday, I called my usual plumber. The woman who answered (obviously an answering service) was very nice and said someone would call me back in 15 minutes. Half hour later and no call. So i checked the web and found Mr. Rooter.
The woman who answered was very polite, said she would call back. Within 5 minutes she called and said that Chris was just finishing a job in my area and would be over in a half hour. Shortly after that Chris called and said he would be over shortly. Less than 45 minutes later Chris pulls up in front, comes to the door, puts on his booties (not everyone does that), and inspects the situation. He goes back to the truck, pulls out his tools and a bunch of towels (to protect our floor and sink), and gets to work.
In about an hour he has pulled the pipes, snaked the drain, cleaned out the traps, cleaned up the mess in the sink, put his tools away, and handed me a bill. I thought the price was a bit high, but it was Sunday and it was a nasty job. He also gave us some hints on how to take care of the GD and the drains to help keep them cleaned out. So, I'm not unhappy about the price. If (when??) it happens again, Mr Rooter will be the go to outfit.

Tom And Mary G.

08/01/2016 12:00:00 SA

A family business that stands behind their work. They fixed a tough sewer problem and prices were very reasonable. Showed up on time, communicated with us and explained all the aspects of the repair.

Elaine C.

2/25/2019

Fast response and arrival. I called at 6:30 PM and my sewer lateral was cleared by 7:30. Great service by a knowledgeable plumber Sal. A camera was used to confirm where the problem was and they gave me a bid for the long term solution.

Margaret M.

08/01/2021 12:00:00 SA

Once again we called on Mr. Rooter for help and were very pleased with the good service. Uriel came on time, assessed the situation with our ancient plumbing, and fixed it. Courteous, able and willing to put in the time and effort to figure out our old house fixture. Thank you; it is so nice to be able to depend on a good plumber.

Noah B.

10/21/2020

I want to thank Spencer for his transparency and helpfulness. I have a very old house with faucets and shower heads that you may have seen in the movie Lincoln, haha. They are truly beautiful but take a very specialized set of skills. After sending someone out to take a look, they realized they weren't the best fit for the job.

They could have left it at that, but instead I got a call from Spencer, who had spent a good amount of time to call around to find the right guy for the job and passed along his contact info to me. This guy is an older guy, who doesn't advertise, is not in the phone book & doesn't need the business. So I would likely not have found him on my own.

He didn't have to do this, but did because this is what good long standing reputable businesses do. So thank you guys for your helpfulness & transparency

Felix Q.

2/22/2016

I called Mr. Rooter on a Wednesday and told them my daughter put a My Little Pony doll down the toilet and clogged it. Mr. Rooter gave me an arrival time for that same day (1star). Chris the plumber who has over 23 years experience and the nicest man you'll ever meet who was passionate about his job after speaking with him briefly, shows up earlier then the estimated time(2stars). He pulled the toy out in minutes and was on his way, but not after mentioning to Chris that I had tried myself to unclogged the toilet and felt a blockage in the actual drain and not the toilet. He gave me his word that it was all good and I excepted that.(1/2star).
However, after serious use on the toilet on the third day on the toilet it was clogged again. When I called the office and told them the situation they wanted to charge me again since the plumber pulled out the toy. After explaining to them that even though he did the issue was still not resolved. (1/2 star removed).
In conclusion, they told me to call back when the Owner Steve who I might add has 40 years in business and is the other nicest person you'll ever meet come to my house personally and checked out the situation. He was able to work his magic and showed proof that the problem was resolved at no extra charge (1 1/2 star). Half a star was removed because of a misunderstanding with the office on the phone. Would recommend to anyone who needs a plumber.

Michael N.

6/22/2013

Woke up this morning to no hot water. Checked things and found the hot water heater was not working. I called Mr. Rooter and the office was very helpful in setting up a window for the service tech's visit. Ben showed up early and walked both my wife and I through the issue and our options. We decided to replace the water heater. From the time Ben showed up until he was finished with the installation clean up was just over 2 1/2 hours. He was extremely thorough, professional and very neat. What an excellent job. I recommend Mr. Rooter and Ben to anyone who needs plumbing help. Great job - Thanks!!!

N N.

11/16/2018

Possible plumbing issue Friday 4pm while I'm at work. Ugggh I was anticipating this was going to be complicated and costly.
I called them when I got home and spoke with someone who told me an on-call after-hours plumber would call me back soon.
LANCE soon called back and what a patient guy. He asked me informative questions about what could have been going on, waiting while I inspected the situation as he gave me feedback with my sleuthing discoveries.
Turned out it was actually a construction-worker problem rather than a plumbing one so YAY on that front but so cool that Lance toughed it out with me for the 10 minutes it took to figure out that there was no issue at all.
Guy deserves a nice box of cookies. Thx, Lance!

Rafael L.

11/06/2022 12:00:00 SA

The folks at Mr. Rooter are not only the best in the industry with their skills and creative problem-solving, but are super professional, easy to work with, all have fantastic personalities, are responsive, and quite dedicated.

We purchased a 100+ year old home last year that needed all the work. New water heater, removal of old pipes and installation of new cooper ones, replacement of drainage pipes, new gas line to the water heater & HVAC, and new sub-sink waste centrifuge masticator. In a week's time, all the work was done to the highest of standards.

A test of quality and dependability is serviceability after work is complete (because, like everything else, things don't always function 100%). We've had a manufacturer defect in a part inside the Navien tankless water heater, which caused water temperatures to not heat up sporadically. Super frustrating, but three times the team came out right away until they figured out the issue (these machines are super high tech, so it takes some time to get to the bottom of it). A replacement part and several troubleshooting hours later (under warranty and at zero additional cost to us), the issue was resolved. Bravo for the team's persistence!

We have more work to be done very soon, and will update this review once that's finished. In the meanwhile, we always recommend the folks at Mr. Rooter Oakland/Berkeley to anyone looking for a suggestion (like a neighbour a street over who, today, asked our Facebook group for recommendations, which we happily gave the phone/email for Mr. Rooter to).

Oh... pricing is super fair too. We had contacted about 5 other companies when we scoped out the work. Though Mr. Rooter wasn't the cheapest (you get what you pay for), they were also not the most expensive. We feel like we struck an awesome middle ground that optimized the quality-to-cost function.

So yeah... all the positive reviews here are very much on par with what you'd want in a plumbing company. Bravo to the wonderful crew at Mr. Rooter!

Jessica W.

01/07/2015 12:00:00 SA

Here's a letter I just wrote to the manager of Mr. Rooter in Oakland:
Hi Steve,

I just wanted to give you some feedback about the job we had Carl come out for yesterday. We needed a gas line capped from a defunct hot tub (left behind from the previous owners of our house). Carl came for a free estimate yesterday. He pointed out that the part of the pipe that was visible and above ground was PVC, totally illegal and dangerous. He said he couldn't see where the PVC connected to a main gas line, whether under the deck or under the house. We suggested he look under the house. He said he couldn't see anything and was too big to crawl into the crawl space so instead he told me to hire someone to pull up the boards of the deck to see where the pipes lead. Carl told me that it would cost $400+ for him to come back after the deck had been opened up and he left. He left a job that he said was the most dangerous he's seen in 9 years but was unwilling to go into our crawl space to look around and figure out how to deal with it.

It immediately got someone over to pull up the boards that Carl recommended. This handyman arrived before Carl even left, but he wouldn't wait till the boards had been pulled up (obviously didn't care at all about getting the job done, keeping my home safe or anything like that). First of all, the area he recommended we pull up the boards wasn't where the pipe actually was. And when we found the pipe, it just went underground and there was nothing to see or do under the deck.

Through a personal recommendation, I got another plumber, the one I will certainly be employing from now on, named Andrew Carothers-Liske, to come to the house that evening. The minute he walked in the door he said that the place to cut off the gas to that pipe would be under the house. He shut off the gas to the house, went into the crawl space and in less than an hour, he had cut the gas line to the hot tub and capped it. The whole job cost me $132. This plumber was courteous, smart (he knew right away where to find the gas line and it DIDN'T require cutting open our deck) and was willing to do what it took to fix this very dangerous situation while he was here.

On the most basic level, I wouldn't recommend sending plumbers out to jobs if they aren't willing to go into the crawl space of a house. Furthermore, he didn't know what he was doing, and wasn't willing to do what it took to find and fix the problem. And he wanted to charge 4x what another plumber charged.

Your telephone hold message has a whole spiel about how your plumbers are courteous. I have worked with several plumbers in your firm and there is a similar attitude amongst them: flippant, rude, zero customer service and frankly, somewhat incompetent. They are not responsive to what the client wants and needs, and don't take any pride in getting the job done right. We've met you and worked with you and this didn't seem to be the type of attitude you would want from your employees. And yet, it is very consistently what they are like.

We certainly won't be coming back and I thought you'd like to know. I'm glad I at least have found a good plumber to work with in the future.

Miao H.

11/14/2020

Too expensive - it costed me over $500 for cutting a hole in the drywall and cap a pipe that connects to the bathtub shower. The work took less than an hour. I thought the amount would include the removal for the old faucet system, but found out at the end that it was only for the hole and capping the pipe.

Huan L.

11/07/2012 12:00:00 SA

I had the most bizarre experience this evening with a rep from this company. The rep rang my doorbell, introduced himself and then proceeded to stare at me for a good 60 seconds without saying a word, I then asked him what were the next steps, usually someone in a service industry has some kind of shpeil like at least a what seems to be the issue?, can I come in and take look, I asked what we do next and he said we'll I don't know what the problem is. And then stared again without any other comments. I asked then if he had gotten any info from dispatch, and he responded well yes but he didn't really know anything. He then told me he didn't like my attitude and said he was leaving, and huffed off. The absolute worst customer experience I've had in my life, I began think was he a racist? Had he never met someone Asian, that seems impossible in the Bay Area?

Chris K.

12/06/2012 12:00:00 SA

Excellent service! I called this morning about a blocked kitchen drain and was given an appointment for tomorrow morning, which was OK since it was not an emergency. But then they called to let me know that Scott was nearby and had finished a job early and could come over. In less than a half-hour, the drain was rootered, and the problem solved. These guys are very knowledgeable, and I will likely have them back soon for other minor plumbing repairs. Very happy I found them.

Carol B.

08/09/2019 12:00:00 SA

I really appreciated the manner in which you fixed our busted main. You were on time to meet about the problem. You gave me a bid immediately and your men came on agreed upon day also on time. Really appreciated the work and the savings over our other bid. Would definitely recommend and hire again.

Jean D.

08/09/2018 12:00:00 SA

I had a digital shower that only did boiling hot or freezing cold, a 2 to 3 minute wait for hot water at the back of the house, and an ailing garbage disposal. They fixed all of them, were pleasant, clear and punctual throughout, and I'd recommend them in a heartbeat.

roompah r.

3/25/2009

I have always felt confidant with these local plumbers. I went to High School with Steve and Sandy's sons, Scott and Spencer and was so happy to have them show up at my door when I had my first home owner's emergency. They always walk me through what has to be done, and when it's all over, everything is clean, tight and working perfectly. We just had a tankless water heater installed and the job went exactly as planned and even when I needed a minor follow up visit, they were happy to help me the very next day! Love it! Friendly, family oriented, reliable and always willing to pet the dogs even when they are barking!

Avram G.

11/12/2017 12:00:00 SA

Mr Rooter's Lance Meibos came to my house on a Sunday morning to repair a leak under a kitchen sink. He replaced a short nipple that extended through the wall. He left the under-sink area and pipes clean. He was as professional as can be and a nice guy. Thanks Lance.

Colin D.

8/22/2021

Our washing machine flooded routinely. Mr. Rooter sent out a very professional, extremely polite plumber who diagnosed the problem and put it to rest. Mr. Rooter also made the process of scheduling the appointment painless. I would unreservedly recommend these guys.

A E.

11/17/2020

As a landlord, I often have to relay on service providers who I don't get to meet in person. Today, I was at our condo when Leki arrived and I was so impressed with this whole experience. From the initial call to schedule the appointment to the call I got this morning at exactly the scheduled time to ask if I was ready. And Leki arrived much sooner than expected. This way of doing appointments is much easier than giving an allotted 2 hour time window. Leki was efficient and cleaned up everything. Thank Mr. Rooter for making this so easy today!

Michelle S.

09/08/2019 12:00:00 SA

All I can say is,Thank God for Mr. Rooter and Carlos!! We were in the middle of remodeling our second bathroom when our only working bathroom had a clog. I called in the late afternoon on a Saturday and was able to talk to the scheduler who said a technician would call me shortly. Carlos called me back quickly and even though he had been working with other clients all day, he managed to get to my house around 8 PM. He worked tirelessly for more than three hours figuring out how to fix my issue so that my out of town guests & their baby did not have to leave and go to a hotel. I would and will highly recommend Mr Rooter to anyone!!! Thank you Carlos for coming to our rescue!!

Avi J.

3/21/2022

UPDATE: Today, nearly a year later, I happened to open the hatch that houses the pump, and was delighted to find my long-lost bucket hidden deep under the floorboards. José must have left it there while he was working and then inadvertently left it there when he sealed up the hatch.

Apologies to José for having suspected a less innocent explanation.

Nara C.

12/16/2014

We had a drain back up emergency and with all of the recent storming, every place I called was booked for at least the day or two. They were able to get a technician out to me same day and give me a very reasonable quote!
The technician (Scott) was very pleasant and helpful. They made my day!
Thanks!

Hotsy T.

10/31/2020

My feelings are complicated. It feels a little like the plumber came over and then charged me $199 just for advice. He didn't have the materials needed to fix my toilet. I know that he snaked it and then he said you need to go to Ace Hardware and pick up a tube this size. I am just feeling kind of like a sucker, let's be honest. I teach public school so $200 just for an opinion about the problem, which doesn't actually fix the problem, is a problem for me. Plus I picked up said tube and the toilet still smells funny and doesn't flush correctly. Sad face.

Paula C.

05/04/2013 12:00:00 SA

Mr. Rooter saved our lives... well not really, but definitely helped us out when we were in a real bind. Our guest bathroom toilet sprung a leak today (Saturday) just as we had guests coming into town to visit. We called Mr. Rooter around 11am and by 3pm Ben and Sammy were here to take care of the problem. They were in and out within 20 minutes, were extremely friendly, and even did a couple of extra tweaks to make sure that toilet wouldn't give us any other problems.

Totally worth the money :)

Alex P.

12/27/2019

I called with a sewage pump ejector issue and was offered a service window later that day. A few minutes later Spencer, the owner gave me a call and offered to come by in the next 15 minutes to check out the issue and give me an estimate himself. He was able to walk me through his troubleshooting process and provided reasonable quotes for all the different scenario of what he thought might be causing the problem. He was able to fix the issue himself on the spot. In total no more than an hour between when I called and when the problem was resolved. He also offered helpful tips on how to prevent the issue from reoccurring and showed me how to service the pump myself in the future.

Great local business would highly recommend them

Ann D.

05/04/2023 12:00:00 SA

I hired Mr. Rooter to come out and replace a shut off valve under my sink and to install a water filter. I had already paid for the water filter. No charge for the estimate. Alfredo did an excellent job and was very neat and tidy. The cost amounted to about $642. Much better than Albert Nehman's $5000. The only reason it is 4 stars and not 5 stars is the cost to do a simple project. It is an easy job for a plumber to install a water filter. The container that holds the water filter is already installed. The old filter is just tossed into my garbage bin. The water shut off valve was not leaking; he had to install a new one as the old one did not shut off the water in the sink. If I had had a handy husband, brother or son available, they could have done the job. I did receive a senior discount of $40. I do reccomend them. I will call them again.

Liz H.

4/20/2013

I contacted Mr. Rooter to do a camera inspection of my sewer lateral for a recent home purchase in Oakland. During the day of my appointment, a scheduling conflict arose on the part of the camera guy. To my surprise, the owner, Steve, came to my house to do the in section. He was amazing! I explained everything and I got to watch the camera in the drain, which was really cool. I have had very few contacts with companies that take customer service to this level. I will use them again and would recommend them to anyone.

Mike K.

2/25/2009

I just went through a sewer pipe hell. Just finding a conractor who would talk about specifics, options and strategies with me was very difficult. One company sent out a guy with the wrong tools even though I specifically told his dispatcher what to bring. Anyway, Mr. Rooter (Berkeley location) was highly recommended to me by my favorite plumber, and they did not disappoint. Scott was friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. He fixed my problem and gave me a lower bid than the competition on some follow-up work. I wouldn't call anyone else for drain cleaning services.

Meredith E.

2/26/2023

We needed to have the drainage pipes in our front yard examined with a video camera, and they were able to come out the same day I contacted them. They were very friendly and were able to give us an estimate to resolve our drainage problem within the week. So happy to find someone who could provide a camera inspection on outside drainage, as it seems difficult to find companies who will do this.

Frederick P.

02/04/2020 12:00:00 SA

This company was our second opinion. The first company Oakland Rooter wanted to charge us for redoing the whole plumbing system in our house. But Jose from Mr. Rooter came in diagnosed the problem, showed me the details of his method fixing it, He had the right tools and proceeded to do what the previous company could not do which was unclog our drains. They even provided us with a environmental safe drain cleaner to follow up the unclogging of the drain

The first company also had problems with the little thinGs like respecting the cleanliness of our house. Jose put protective booties over his shoes every time he entered our house. And even laid out a mat at our front door.

Tina W.

11/14/2022

Alex from Mr. Rooter is wonderful! He solved a tough plumbing problem at our home. He is cordial, skillful, smart, and professional. A think-out-of-the-box problem solver. We are happy and thankful for Mr. Rooter Plumbing and highly regard their technician Alex! We will definitely call Mr. Rooter for future plumbing services!

Ralph K.

3/15/2019

We got a number of bids for sewer lateral work for our new house in Oakland. Spencer and Mr. Rooter really stood out from the other options -- they are top notch. I missed the appointment Bc I was an airhead and Spencer did a full inspection anyway and gave me no grief. Instead, he gave me a thorough analysis of the work that needed done. And they did it at a fair price. They are friendly, experts, responsive, professional. I can't recommend them highly enough. Pro tip -
Spencer will text with you, which makes everything easier.

Maureen F.

12/31/2011

Prompt.
Courteous.
Discussed the problem and didn't make false promises.
Friendly.
Local (the technician lives in San Leandro and works in Berkeley).
Recommended by a plumber we trust.
Pricing was in line with the market for the job. We weren't charged extra for New Year's Eve Day.

No complaints here!

Dani J.

4/22/2020

Finding a plumber can be very hard. And finding one who feels comfortable working in a salon with shampoo bowls can be a challenge. In the past we used a company that's our neighbor to our business and they ended up cutting our flexible drain pipes twice, causing us weeks with only one shampoo bowl since these are very specific.
When we decided to add a shampoo bowl to our salon and have some plumbing rearranged I was very nervous about which plumber to call upon. But I heard through the grapevine that this Mr. Rooter was owned by a native Bay Area family and has been passed down from father to son! As a husband and wife team ourselves, we love the idea of supporting family owned businesses.

Spencer came out and gave us a clear visual of how things would go, options, and what the work would entail.
His crew came in with their gear and set up in a very clean and organized way and left our space as clean as when they arrived. They even did the job in less time than they originally thought.
They are extremely professional, and have great communication. We are so glad to find a local, family owned and operated plumber to trust with for any of our plumbing needs at work or at home!
Thanks Mr.Rooter Crew!!

Mary V.

12/02/2020 12:00:00 SA

We have had Mr Rooter plumbers out multiple times for various issues; water and gas leaks. They are always professional and respectful and do a great job. They quickly responded and repaired our gas leak so we could get the gas turned back on. We would highly recommend.

Fred R.

02/11/2012 12:00:00 SA

Well, ditto on the thumbs up for Ben. Of course these things only happen on a Saturday night: you pull the plug in the upstairs bathtub and the next thing you know there's poo coming up from the downstairs toilet and tub like Old Faithful.
So Ben comes out and snakes the main sewer line but nothing moves. Bad news.

He's giving us the what next scenario, it's now 9:45 pm and we're going to be toilet-less until Monday and out another big wad of cash for plan B. Very bad news. Then Ben says maybe he'll pull someone from the Sunday shift and come flush out the line in the morning, even tho it's his day off.

While we're pulling out the credit card to pay for the unsuccessful attempt there's a big glug and the next thing we know the line has opened. All the backed up water managed to push through the gluck in the line.

A good time was had by all. And Ben couldn't have been sweeter.
Sh*t happens, and when it does, these are the folks to call.

Pro B.

08/09/2022 12:00:00 SA

They don't publish their rates but it seems like they are charging about $300 an hour based on the estimate I got from them. They bailed on their first appointment, calling five minutes before the end of the window, and sent the owner the next day. The estimate was missing things we discussed during the visit, and it didn't do any breakdown of the cost of separate elements of the project. They didn't reply to my questions about the estimate.

Michele M.

12/14/2008

Steve and Sandy Fergeson are top notch professionals!
Their team always delivers outstanding service with a smile (and clean shoes too). They run their business with impeccable levels of integrity and honesty and are a great model for other business owners.

I would highly recommend them to any individual or business with plumbing challenges as they get the job done right!
Sincerely,
Michele Molitor
Nectar Consulting, Inc.

Wendy L.

03/12/2012 12:00:00 SA

I have been a Mr. Rooter fan/customer for over 10 years and have been extremely happy with them! I can't believe I've never Yelped them before - I thought i had! They are a franchise, but the one in Berkeley on University is really more like a family-run business. The Fergusons are the family - with dad Steve and sons Scott and Spencer. They are very professional, courteous, know their stuff, are always on time, call when they say they will, are good about letting you know exactly how much things will cost (that said, they are not cheap, but i feel like i get my money's worth with them.) I've had them run a gas line to hook-up a dryer, repair a sewer main lateral to the house, fix toilets, rerun pipes to sinks and toilets, fix a sump pump, and probably some other things i'm forgetting. They are the type of professionals who almost make you hope you'll have a plumbing problem soon just so they can come and fix it! I highly recommend them.

Mark O.

06/10/2020 12:00:00 SA

Our water heater broke down last night and my after about 10 calls to 24 hour plumbing, and many of those business stating, we stopped 24 hour service. My wife told them all, that the, Yellow Pages states your 24 hour service. One more call later, Mr. Rooter did have 24 hour service. We got the call from Carlos and he enquired what the problem was and when I discribed it to him, he said, let's run through the proceedure of starting it again. It was like he was visualizing our control set up and told me to do a few minor things which I said, I had done and he then stated, turn the dial to a certain and voila, pilot lit. He was our hero of the day!

Peter B.

12/20/2014

The Good: Our hot water heater got flooded and needed to be moved and replaced. Mr Rooter gave us a reasonable estimate and came at the scheduled time to do the work. They did the work in a timely manner.

The Bad:
30 minutes after leaving, my wife goes into the basement where the hot water heater had just been replaced--and the basement is filled with gas! She calls the office, and the woman says: call Scott and let him know, and a leave a message if he does not answer... Really? They just left, the basement is filling with gas, and she tells the customer to call the plumber who had admittedly rushed off to another job, and to leave a message if he doesn't answer!

My wife calls me at work to let me know what is going on. I tell her to call PG&E immediately to have them come out. Then I call Mr Rooter's office and tell the woman she had better get someone over to our house ASAP. She managed to get a hold of someone and they showed up about 30 minutes later.

When they show up, they say, in effect: Yeah, we hand-tightened something and forgot to put a wrench on it before we left--should be okay now.

Are you serious? You hand-tightened a gas-line and then forgot to fully tighten it? It seems to me any plumber working on a job that involves gas lines has one priority above all others--make sure the gas is perfect, safe. Double-check it, etc.
If my wife had not gone down into the basement to do laundry, who knows what could've happened. PG&E then came and double-checked everything. It seemed okay, but they were the only reason I felt safe about the conclusion.

They never called back to reassure us or apologize. If I were the owner, I would fire the woman at the desk instantly for telling a customer to hunt down the plumber who left a gas line not properly tightened.

There's poor work, and then there are lackadaisical attitudes that could have had real life consequences.

Sean G.

03/01/2018 12:00:00 SA

Super responsive and helpful; fixed a clogged drain about 40 feet down from a second story condo (after much blood, sweat and tears - and laughs). He spent about two hours attacking the pipe, bailing out water, squeezing rags, etc.

It was pricey ($300+). But needed it fixed for a tenant ASAP. Would have shopped around if I had more flexibility on timing.

Recommendation is for them to provide bigger towels for their workers to use to both sop up water and clean towels and disinfectant to clean up after sludge spills. Worker asked me for all of that...

Priscilla R.

09/03/2019 12:00:00 SA

I was very pleased with the service...so glad that you were able to fix my pipe blockage!

Joyce Z.

8/22/2012

We had used Mr. Rooter a few years back for a clogged kitchen sink and was impressed with their plastic booties that they slip over their shoes when they came in. Yes, it may seem like a small thing but it's nice that they think about these small details. When we had issues with the guest bathroom toilet and sink this time, we knew who to call. Although they give you a two hour window when you make the appointment, they give you a call when they are on the way.

Although I had a typed up a list of about 8 issues (some small like replacing a washer), Spencer was very knowledgeable and within a few minutes of going through it, was able to give me a price estimate before starting. He was super efficient and very patient in explaining what the issues were, what he had done to fix it, and what the next steps would be if unresolved.

As for pricing, not sure if it is more than others but it's better to get it done right and there is a reason why this place averages 4 stars while others are 2 and yes, I am still impressed with those plastic booties!

juergen h.

7/23/2010

My contact with Mr Rooter was only incidental, but no less unfortunate. My neigbor did use them on one occasion, and seemed to be satisfied with their work. Unfortunately, however, in the process of doing that work they damaged my antique Volkswagen, ripping out the handbrake cables and denting my fender, while trying to move the car. Thus far they have refused to compensate me in the slightest, and have refused any responsibility. I thank Yelp for letting me speak up about it in public.

Cheryl L.

3/26/2020

Original one-star review:

Very disappointed with this company. The more I think about it the more it doesn't make any sense! I am seriously mad about this and should have stopped my husband for paying the full quote when nothing got fixed at all!

Our main sewer backed up and this is not the first time we had it. We bought this house not long ago and later realized that the main sewer is too old that we actually need a replacement. We have been saving money for that replacement and having a plumbing service every 6 months with our regular plumber but he has temporarily shut down his business due to the COVID-19 pandemic so we found Mr. Rooter on google and thought why not give it a try and have them clear the stoppage and solve the slow draining problem for now.

Called in the morning around 10:30 and the technician, Lance, arrived pretty quickly at noon. He inspected and gave us an estimate of $340 using the drum snake for plumbing. After an hour, my husband overheard that he was on the phone with someone from the company and saying that the drum snake wasn't able to clear the stoppage so my husband went out trying to find out what was wrong and Lance just walked back into his car while talking on his phone. He then came back and told us that the stoppage would not be cleared by the drum snake and suggested using the trailer jetter (that would most likely clear the stoppage) He said he needs his coworker to bring the jetter in and it would be $1000 extra charge for just using that. But he will take off $140 from the initially estimated $340 so we will have to pay a total of $1200 for using the trailer jetter attempting to clear the stoppage. And he also mentioned that replacing the main sewer would give us an estimate of $12000!!!! Then said that we must clear the stoppage in the main sewer before doing the replacement so the $1000 for using the jetter is something that we must pay and is not included in the $12000 replacement service. What?!?! This is a TOTAL RIP-OFF!! We decided not to have him continue with the jetter solution and I thought we will only be paying $200 but NOPE! Lance said he has to charge us $340 if we decided not to continue with his plan B!!!!! I understand that we should pay certain amount of the estimate because he did come in with his equipment and stuff and tried...but FULL PRICE for NOTHING FIXED at all?!?!?!

I mean our regular plumber has been charging us $480 for using the combo of drum snake and trailer jetter PLUS a screening of the sewer!

***We checked in on Yelp before Lance told us the drum snake didn't work. He did let us use the $20 off coupon so we paid a total of $320 at the end.

Later the day we found another plumbing service company recommended by our neighbor and their technician came in fast, gave us an estimate of $290, using the jetter right away and cleared the stoppage in 10 minutes! (And we also asked before hand that how much we have to pay if the jetter couldn't fix the problem and that would be $100) He then quickly inspected everything and gave us an estimate of $5900 for the main sewer replacement.

I was so so so grateful that we found this other plumber instead and didn't fall into Mr. Rooter's trap!!!!!

UPDATED:

The owner, Spencer, sent me a message on Yelp regarding my Yelp review and also left me a voice message. He apologized for not being able to clear the stoppage on their first attempt and offered us a full refund. Spencer was right about how his technician Lance followed their protocol on offering prices upfront before starting any work and we should have asked how they would charge us if the first attempt fails before agreeing and signing on the estimate or invoice whatever you call that.

One more thing I forgot to mention on my original review: we decided to pay that $320 at the end because we didn't want to bargain or argue back & forth as we don't speak very fluent English and just wanted to move on and find someone who can clear the stoppage for us asap with an affordable price. Anyhow, I do appreciate Spencer's quick response for reaching out to me within 24 hours and making sure that his customer is 100% satisfied with their service.

Sue J.

8/19/2017

Spencer and crew were great in quickly repairing our huge leak in the basement. Efficient and tidy work and clean up, decent pricing as well. I would recommend highly and would use them again without hesitation.

Me S.

5/23/2023

Plumbers Alex F. and Will (apprentice) were prompt, courteous, and professional. Alex focused on communicating the installation process to me, as well as installing and supervising what was going on. The plumbers thoroughly listened to customers' concerns, and requests, along with effectively answering your questions. Both plumbers worked very diligently and efficiently installing two toilets in my house. Truly exceptional service and the completed job was excellent!

Kris B.

4/15/2023

My folks have been calling Mr. Rooter and the Ferguson family for years for all their plumbing needs. New toilet? No problem!

Last year's visit was to replace the shower handles so they didn't have to use pliers/valve attached to the shower head. Maybe some of you grew up like I did with pliers in the shower? I felt my parents deserved real, working hot and cold handles. After contacting Spencer and the team, they did a fantastic job going in through the back of the tile (linen closet behind the bathroom) to replace the handles. $2467.50 Wow, what a treat when I stay with them now!

The visit this week was a short list of projects - worked with Erika to schedule the technician - repair or replace the bathroom sink handles and sink stopper, replace kitchen sink drain and run a water pipe from the kitchen sink to where my Dad's dream refrigerator will go. (with ice and water!!) $1247.47 and my Dad is very happy with the results.

Next will probably be replacing the bathtub drain. Didn't notice how bad it was until I uploaded these pictures!

Loren C.

3/23/2022

I called late at night and had them in a hour. All was fixed and I also got a little extra done for cheaper.
Thank you.

Annie M.

05/03/2023 12:00:00 SA

What a headache for a landlord.
You have to call an office, ask them to call your tenant to set an appointment. They called but no one answers random numbers these days anymore, but the office doesn't text for communication.

Somehow they set the appointment for 8am but the automatic alert text system got her number wrong, she never gets the alerts that plumber is on the way, she waits all morning and leaves the house before plumber actually shows.

I wanted their plumbing fixed since Monday. They spent all day calling (because no text). Tuesday finally get an appointment for Wednesday. Wednesday they get her phone number wrong.

3 days of plumbing problems not fixed because of communication difficulty smh.

Jim K.

03/04/2013 12:00:00 SA

I'm offering 2 stars (vs one) as i believe Mr Rooter provides great service as yelp would suggest however my first impression left a lot to be desired. I had a plumbing emergency and just wanted a call back from someone with an ETA. After an hour i received no call until my 3rd call requesting an idea if/when someone would be calling, only after that did i receive a call with a polite apology, but for me it was too late. Interestingly my next call to another major 24hr plumbing company resulted in someone arriving 20 mins later. I don't expect that kind of turnaround but it was well timed. Cost a little more, i think, but worth it. Hopefully the folks at Mr Rooter can tweak their procedures so it doesn't happen to any other first timers.

David H.

6/24/2020

Our water heater was dying on a weekend. We sent Mr Rooter and a couple of other plumbers messages to come take a look. On the plus side, they sent someone same day on a weekend. On the minus side, he was clearly committed to fleecing us.

The quote started off ok (~$1700 to replace a 50 gallon water heater), but then he used a bunch of used car salesman tactics and such to drive the price up nearly $800. He talked about how they'd need an extra $400 to bring the water heater into our basement (our basement is like 3 steps down from ground level with an exterior entrance), an extra $200 to install a new sediment trap (or something like that), and some other nonsense too. He then called his manager to get us the best price. When we asked for a breakdown of parts vs labor, he said the water heater was $800 or $900 (I forget which), but Lowe's sells the same water heater by the same brand for ~$550.

Anyway, we sent him off.

We ended up going with someone else who didn't pull any nonsense like that and who came in basically the same price as Mr Rooter before they started tacking on ridiculous charges.

Russ R.

06/10/2017 12:00:00 SA

Rooter doesn't comprehensively describe their services. They've fixed a sewage pump for our house in the hills last year and replaced a burst pipe in our front yard last month. Both times they checked out the situation, went to get parts, and knocked on the door to announce the work was finished in a couple of hours. The sewage pump had been replaced by another outfit and they couldn't get it running over a two-day period. A Journeyman from Mr Rooter diagnosed a bad switch in just a few minutes, called around to find the part and had it all done very quickly. Both visits were prompt, courteous and efficient. They were recommended by a neighbor and we've recommended them to another neighbor as well. Customer for life!

Sylvie K.

4/29/2013

We had a leaking valve under our sink and the fix was done quickly and with thorough explanation of the cost. I appreciated that the technicians also took the time to educate me on basic things like where to turn off the water for our unit, how to adjust water pressure, etc. The appointment-setting process can include a lot of back-and-forth over the phone, but I guess that's an expected drawback for a 24-hour service.

Amber Y.

4/28/2019

Sometimes Sunday night really is pre-Monday.

In an effort to get ready for the week ahead, I decided to take a nice, relaxing bath. Queue pre-Monday vibes. I went to release the stopper and the tube did not drain. After unscrewing the stopper face, we realized that the trip-lever stopper had broken off, leaving the drain useless.

There are not many places open on Sunday night at 7PM. Mr. Rooter was my first call. The dispatcher was friendly and understanding and told me a plumber would be in touch soon to discuss next steps.

Chris Evans called back quickly and listened to a description of problem. He was upfront and honest and said that he'd be happy to come out but the best approach would be to find a metal coat hanger and try to fish out the stopper myself. He estimated the cost for a plumber to visit would be $400+ and just as effective.

It took about 15 minutes to get the job done myself. No additional cost but a massive amount of appreciation for this business. I will be a lifetime customer and am prepared to be a referral source for anyone I know in the East Bay. THANK YOU!

Tsada K.

07/03/2009 12:00:00 SA

ME: HELP!!!! HELP!!!

HIM: What?

ME: HEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HIM : What? Why do I have to get up? I'm watching The History Chan---

ME: OMIGODCOMEHERERIGHTNOWANDFUCKINGHELPMEBEFOREIDROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a well known fact that the three most stressful things in life are the following:

DIVORCE
DEATH
AN OVERFLOWING TOILET

So when our ONLY toilet began overflowing the other night at one in the morning, causing us to plunge our motherfucking hearts out to no avail, I paged our property manager who in turn got us in contact with Mr. Rooter.

It's a wonderful day here at Mr. Rooter! the lovely Jennifer greeted me on the phone.

Yes, I thought. It's nearly two in the morning and I am up to my ankles in pee pee (in retrospect, I do acknowlege that I was somewhat fortunate in this particular regard, considering the alternative). Some fucking wonderful day indeed.

Nonetheless, Jennifer was very sweet and helpful and put me in touch with Robert the plumber, who arrived at my house with clean shoes and a smile.

Robert plunged and snaked and plunged and snaked some more. After about an hour, he produced a slightly bent spoon and a bobby pin, neither of which had ever belonged to me. Very bizarre. Anyway, I stuck the bobby pin in my hair and put the spoon away to use for guests on Yelp Soup Night at my place. That's when Robert informed me that there was something else in my toilet that he couldn't get out.

It's stuck way down there. I'll have to take your toilet off.

: O

Now, this is the type of thing that one might not realize if one hasn't experienced it first hand, but seeing your only toilet uprooted like a baby spruce tree is an extremely traumatic experience. Especially in the wee hours of the morning, and even more especially with a newly refilled bladder.

(It was at this point that I went outside and peed in my neighbor's yard.)

He turned the toilet upside down. Then Robert and his mighty snake had their way with my toilet in more positions than found in The Joy Of Sex. Joe The Plumber, eat your heart out.

When he was done, he wiped his forehead and shook his head in dismay.

We're going to have to replace it.

He called my property manager, who in turn called the regular onsite company plumber, as it was now within normal business hours. Robert cleaned up the significant mess and then gave me all the necessary info to pass on to the next guy. He was super nice, super hard-working, and super professional. I felt kind of bad that he didn't get to finish the job and collect what I'm sure would have been a handsome fee for the toilet replacement.

What really impressed me was that Robert even called me back at six o'clock the next evening (helloo...does he EVER get to sleep?) just to make everything had been taken care of, which it had been (can you say push-button Kohler, bitches?!! MM HMM!). Which, of course, made Queen Tsada very, very happy.

Because nothing brightens up a queen's day like a brand new throne.

Robert M.

1/28/2008

I did not use their service so this is more informational than anything. Today I called to see whether they'd be able to fix a clog I have and about how much it would cost. She said they don't do over the phone estimates and that they would do a free estimate by coming out. I then asked what they start at? She refused to answer. Any place that can't tell me what they START at must be higher than normal and the previous person's review shows why!

D S.

9/28/2018

9/29 update - The owner reached out to me the same day and informed me the diagnostics should have been a free estimate and was very helpful, offering a full refund of the $233. They also took some time to understand the diagnostic and send some estimates around the faucet replacement. I had already contacted another plumber by then so I did not end up using their service, and cannot comment on the work, but I do really appreciate the help from the owners.

Original review:
$233 to run a diagnostics which took 15 minutes to tell me I need a new kitchen faucet, which was quoted as a minimum of $600 for the cheapest ones they had (including install), so $833+ for a kitchen faucet install basically.

The diagnostic was not disclosed on the phone when I called even though I asked how much it costs to send someone out, what hourly rates were, etc. I can't imagine a scenario where they would not run 'diagnostics', so it should have been communicated. I get that you can't commit to something you don't know what is wrong. But that is a basic, set price it sounds like. I guess they charge such a high amount because they know the rest of their prices are so expensive people won't go with them, so they need to get something for coming out because they get turned down so much for the actual work?

On the plus side, the person, Jimmy, that came out was on time, very nice, and I wouldn't be surprised if he did excellent work.

Very disappointed in the unexpected fee for 15 minutes of work (30 minutes for the entire visit door to door), not applicable to what I'm sure is only a 30 minute to hour job of replacing the faucet (which is a $300-400 charge not counting the $200+ faucet).

So I guess with the 30 minutes at my place and lets say an hour to change out a faucet, the labor costs would be about $600.

Ariel S.

8/27/2019

Mr. Rooter was very quick to respond and send someone for our slow bath tub drain. The problem was resolved efficiently and at the projected time. Hard to ask for more from a plumbing service! Thanks Spencer and your amazing Mr. Rooter team!!

Deborah P.

06/06/2014 12:00:00 SA

Long story short, Mr. Rooter SAVED ME A TON OF MONEY!!!!! I had a plumbing prob and called a company that gave me an estimate of $2300 to repair my problem. Your pump is shot and this was done wrong etc. This estimate was worth a second opinion. A friend referred me to Mr. Rooter. Steve Ferguson, the owner, came out promptly and diagnosed our problem as something entirely different. A switch was malfunctioning versus the whole pump but any anyway. Spencer the technician came out and did a great job. He was on time, cleaned up thoroughly, dealt with our annoying dog and more. My problem cost me $700 vs. $2300. I really appreciated their service and will use them again. I highly recommend them!

Kit C.

08/01/2023 12:00:00 SA

I own a property management company representing 1000 units in Oakland and Hayward. I called Mr. Rooter at 10 AM. It is now 12:08. I still have not received a call for a plumbing back up at a 50 unit building. My suggestion is never depend on them for 24 hour service. Just like most rooter companies they pretend like they can assist and have done absolutely nothing. I will be most certainly letting my large network of property owners know to never use Mr. Rooter moving forward. I suggest you look elsewhere unless you enjoy getting the run around and never being contacted.

Alex S.

06/02/2014 12:00:00 SA

I didn't even get to the plumbers because the woman representative who answered the call was so horrible. If I could give these guys a zero I would.

I called a competitive company after and got the best customer service!

It doesn't take a lot to be nice to people calling to give you business. Train your representatives who initially answer the phone to treat people like human beings.

Tralee J.

03/03/2019 12:00:00 SA

Good customer service. The bid was too high for what I needed ($260 /hr). I think I can manage my tasks with a handyman. And they could have quoted the price over the phone since they have a boilerplate assessment.

Kate B.

06/01/2023 12:00:00 SA

Mario was very helpful with changing the water pressure in my shower. He showed up on time, was friendly and polite, wore booties and a mask, and was prompt in helping sort out a problem that a previous contractor made. Would recommend him again.

Anne R.

07/05/2017 12:00:00 SA

They did a fantastic job replacing our Toilet and faucet all in about 3 hours. Very straight forward and left the areas clean when they left. My only gripe is it was pretty expensive, but if I had had to take an additional day off to let a cheaper plumber in to do the job I suppose it would cost the same (Factoring loosing a day of work). That is the cost have having no flexibility with work. Cost was about $660 to install just the toilet (not including toilet or faucet work).

Jestynn T.

9/27/2020

Great customer service. They were on time & efficient! This is my 2nd time using their services & have been more than impressed with the work they do.

Ingrid H.

12/12/2011 12:00:00 SA

I had an experience like David R...we had a back-up up on a Saturday night with sewage in our basement. A new young guy named Ben came out and cleared the line -even cleaning up the mess. He was new and didn't know he needed to scope the line with the camera. Someone in the office caught it and sent him back free of charge a few days later. The initial clearing pulled out some roots, but the camera showed the pipes as clear. Ben was positive, professional and super calm in what was a messy, awful situation for us. The price was fair for how much time he spent and how helpful he was. Ben is good news. Mr. Rooter impressed me.

Jerome M.

10/27/2013

A few years back we spent nearly $20,000 for a trenchless sewer line, basically plastic pipe, that was guaranteed to solve our root problems. Within months the line started backing up and I was so mad I refused to call them. I just rented a snake and did it myself. This happened twice since then.

This morning, yet another backup. I called and asked for service, and the tech called me back and said he'd arrive in a couple of hours. Five hours later, I called back. This company apparently has no way for the tech to communicate with their answering service. The tech called back and said he couldn't make it after all. Great.

At the exorbitant prices this company charges you'd think service just might be decent, if not great. They've definitely lost a customer.

Sean J.

01/02/2020 12:00:00 SA

Used their services 2x. Spencer (owner) was courteous and helpful. Job well done. I recommend them.

David B.

7/24/2019

They came on a Sunday, called to tell me when they would arrive, and arrived early. Their technician, Chris Evans set to work getting a mental map of the sewer lines in the house during which he suggested there would be a clean-out valve in a closet in the garage. Nobody had ever identified this before, but he was right. Ultimately it wasn't used, and he used a floor drain in the back room off the garage to clear the clog. He tested the flow, made some suggestions and was off. Everything is working well.

Jonathan D.

09/01/2008 12:00:00 SA

If you have read any of my reviews you know how important service is to me.

When I lived in San Francisco, I had used plumbers a few times to unclog drains or replace garbage disposals - nothing too major. Each and every time it was a guy and a van with a bunch of plumbing bins filled with pipes and fittings inside. The van was non-descript and never clean. These were one man shop kinds of places - nothing wrong with this.

When I move to the East Bay, I met the owners of Mr. Rooter at a Chamber of Commerce event and then met him again through a networking group I was a part of. When I ultimately had a plumbing problem that needed immediate attention, I called Mr. Rooter.

The in-laws were in town and we were running the dishwasher to prepare for dinner and I heard dripping coming from the kitchen. I went in to find water spewing out of the sink drain and pouring over the edge onto the floor - this was not going to help me make a good impression on my father in law. I called Mr. Rooter and they sent a guy out right away who diagnosed and fixed the problem in about an hour.

By the way, on the service note, we lived at the top of about 45 stairs and every time he came in the house he put little booties on over his boots to protect our floors and every time he left to get something out of the truck he took the booties off and stuffed them into a pocket. Then, put them right back on before he came back inside. Is this necessary, NO! But what a great touch. Our plumber was a total professional. He was clean and the van was clean and the booties, come on!

Since that time, they have inspected and done work on two different houses for me and have kept things working and helped me conserve water at the same time. Very important these days you know.

Veronica R.

06/03/2020 12:00:00 SA

Suddenly no water would flow from our backyard pipe and we were really worried about pipe breakage and leak. Called Mr. Rooter Plumbing - after 5:00 p.m. when it happened, and were immediately connected with staff who got us quickly on the phone with the plumber to do a pre-diagnostic. Fortunately, we were able to confirm that it was not an urgent situation and we were given an appointment the next morning. All is resolved and this outfit was so professional, knowledgeable, responsive - and understanding of our concern about possible water damage to our home. Thank you Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Oakland-Berkeley Area!

judi H.

10/17/2018

In a panic I called them because of a major plumbing issue I had in my Airbnb unit. This was 8:30pm on a Friday night. I called them because they say 24 hour service. While no one was able to come out on Friday night, but by 10am Saturday morning technician Jimmy Pham was there - with all the equipment needed to diagnose - my issue.

Jimmy was very methodical about looking at all possible repair options/alternative and very patiently answered all my questions. Unfortunately it was a much bigger issue than he could fix on Saturday but he was there on Monday with all the tools (and additional help) to fix the problem in my sewer line. Jimmy even had the owner come over to review the situation.

I've heard that this company is a but more expensive than other companies, but I feel you get what you pay for and they are worth it. Professional, reliable, well trained, courteous. Will use again.

Joanie C.

8/13/2019

Edit - added a star because Spencer was quick to get back to me and reverse one of the two diagnostic charges so it was a $240 diagnostic instead of $500. Issue still not fixed but they did give me a quote (on the expensive side) to come back and work on it.

Minus 2 stars. Called them again for a job and was charged nearly $500 for the plumber to turn the shower on and off, leave, get the wrong part, tell me the actual part was a special order that wouldn't arrive in time, return (after I called the office 3x to find out whether he was coming back), invoice me a second time for trouble shooting without actually fixing anything and then I find out that his initial diagnosis of a faulty cartridge (for which he ordered the special part) was an inaccurate assessment anyway. My shower is exactly the same as before but I am $500 poorer and wasted many hours.

Mike S.

01/06/2014 12:00:00 SA

Mr Rooter was 2 hours late. The tech did not want to go under my house. He said his machine was too big. I will never call Mr Rooter again. Too bad you have to give one star, I would give them zero.
I called E-Z plumbing, Percy came out and worked his butt off. I highly recommend E-Z and Percy.

Benjamin L.

01/03/2019 12:00:00 SA

I scheduled a visit from Mr Rooter to fix a kitchen sink that drains slowly.

First, the positive:

- Excellent customer service (both from the scheduling team and the gentleman that arrived on-site and attempted to solve the problem). Mr Rooter seems to place a premium on personable and friendly customer experience, which I truly appreciate.
- Fast response times - I called, described my issue and Mr Rooter had someone at my apartment within a couple hours.
- Clear effort: Although my problem wasn't ultimately fixed, I felt like the plumber gave a strong attempt.

Now, the not-so-positive:

- My issue was not resolved - it seems the problem wasn't as simple as needing the pipes snaked. Possibly due to an old or improperly plumbed addition to the main sewer line.
- I paid $260 for ~1 hour of work by one individual. While I completely understand the need to pay a fee for the time and effort, it would have been appreciated if there was a lower price offered, given that I still have the same issue (and need to pay more to fix it).

Long and short, I would recommend this company with some reservations.

James S.

5/20/2019

Called in because my water heater's vapor sensor broke... And it was a Sunday so most stores are closed. Called for a qoute.

Technican: it's is a complicated process and that you would have to take out sensor and the whole process would cost $250-$300 and parts would cost $60.....

Well the sensor look about 3 mins to unplug and 2 mins to plug back in. And is $23 on Amazon. +$6 for same day delivery with prime., Fixed in 10 mins tops

Be prepared to be gouge with their plumbers.

Diana M.

1/26/2011

I've been using Mr. Rooter for several years for all my plumbing needs...an wonderful local family business. Everyone who comes to my house is competent, professional, trustworthy, thorough, and takes pride in the job done, even going the extra mile when necessary.

Lauren Y.

12/09/2020 12:00:00 SA

Chris Evans came on a Sunday to unclog the pipe running to my bathroom. He walked me through all the possible options, showing me how the cleanout and pipes under our house were set up, and then recommended a solution. He uninstalled the toilet and ran a cable 50 feet into our pipes. He did all of this super quickly and with great COVID safety protocols (mask, distancing, etc). He left our bathroom pretty clean and totally undamaged, inc washing sewage out of our tub. And Chris's quote for this work was about 30% less expensive than the Roto Rooter quote that we had gotten for the same job. I hope you never have this problem, but if you do I would definitely recommend Chris Evans at Mr. Rooter.

I. M. P.

5/30/2023

Their plumbers are very lazy. They park in a no-parking zone when there is plenty of nearby parking. This employee preferred to play with his cell phone than move his truck. There was another truck also parked illegally. How can anyone trust a company that does not follow the rules? They probably also are lazy fixing your plumbing too!!

N S.

11/07/2018 12:00:00 SA

Spencer was smart, quick to the scene, and super efficient. He got exactly what the problem was and within two hours our plumbing problem was solved. That was amazing service quality - Thanks a lot Spencer!!!

Oak L.

06/05/2023 12:00:00 SA

My plumber of several years wasn't available, so I called this company to see if I could establish a new relationship.

First appointment was cancelled at the time the technician was to show - was told he called in sick at the last minute, received an apology and a rescheduled appointment.

Technician showed for the next appointment - quoted me $150 to replace pipes under the sink and $300 to replace a garbage disposal with a similar one I had purchased. I felt the $300 was far in excess of reasonable (handyman did it in an hour the last time I had this done), so I modified the job to the pipes under the sink, at which point he changes the estimate to just over $300 for that job. Took about 30 minutes to perform the work (I understand there is also time to get to the job, plus getting tools back to the truck, etc.)

The technician was highly competent and appears to have done good work.

Whatever happened to billing by the hour? Won't use these folks again, as their pricing makes no sense to me.

Daniel D.

11/21/2011

I called about 2:30P and Jose called back within 5 minutes. He explained that he was on another job, but would call after completing the other job. He did so promptly and told me when he would arrive and he was on time. He went over the broken pipe situation in a very professional manner. The primary reason for the call was a plugged main drainage pipe. He cleaned out my main drainage line in 45 minutes with two different size blades removing some plant/tree roots. He then followed with a camera twice to confirm that the entire drainage line was clear. I saw the camera pictures throughout the process. Jose was the greatest and very professional. I will use them again if I have issues. Price was as quoted and very reasonable for a rainy Sunday call.

Lynne W.

02/09/2009 12:00:00 SA

Oh, I'm so sad. I've called these guys a few times and they were mostly okay. I will also say that they were really really expensive and the last guy broke a pipe he said was old and then charged me for it and also for the labor to fix it. I paid $300 for an advantage agreement that would make it cheaper next time, supposedly.

And then I found out the owner gave a big donation to support Prop 8. I can't possibly give my money to a business that uses that money to take away other people's constitutional rights. So I wasted $300. This is all very depressing.

Jamie J.

12/07/2018 12:00:00 SA

Professional, trustworthy, experienced, good communication - impressed.

We called Mr. Rooter because a contractor and PG&E both identified a tiny (can't smell) gas leak where a gas line connects to our kitchen countertop range, but had not had equipment like a plumber would in order to try tightening the connection or otherwise troubleshooting further.

It was easy to make an appointment for the next day with a woman over the phone and she also let us know the basics of pricing. It sounds like they had a large number of unexpectedly complex jobs, so we lucked out getting the owner of the company today - Spencer. Despite their busy schedule, day-of communication about when Spencer would arrive was great.

In the end, the leak was not showing up today as expected, despite Spencer clearly having the right tools and being very knowledgeable and thorough - no rush.

Spencer clearly explained what might be happening and that an appliance contractor for the range would be the best next step, given that the issue is likely inside the range where the gas line connects vs with the connection outside it - where a plumber would be best.

We were not charged for the service call, despite the time invested, since Spencer explained an appliance contractor could better solve our particular issue.

Overall we trusted Spencer and the business and will call again when we next need a plumbing service. Impressed enough to write a review!

Harald L.

02/07/2020 12:00:00 SA

Another 6 star rating limited to 5 stars! This is our first plumbing need since 12/18 when they did an outstanding job on a really big project involving replacing our main sewer line. This time the pipes were clogged up and they were here within an hour of my call. Wow! This proved to be a challenging problem but Cris Evans, a real pro and veteran plumber, problem solved the issue and successfully resolved it without having to do major surgery on our pipes. Cris is not only knowledgeable with deep experience in the plumbing trade but a really charming and personable guy to work with. I can't recommend both Cris and Mr. Rooter highly enough. Did I mention that I am the second generation of my family to use them and they continue to never disappoint and do great work! Thanks to everyone at Mr. Rooter and especially Cris for his great work.

Sara L.

2/28/2021

They were amazing, so courteous and really did take the time to check up on us and see if there were any other problems. They also had safety precautions to covid.

I definitely recommend I've called them before and each and every time they do wonderfully! Thank you so much Mr. Rooter!

Jim S.

8/17/2017

Courteous, knowledgeable and efficient. The communication from the field was great when the schedule needed to get moved. I've met four techs now and all are superb.

Dar V.

11/09/2020 12:00:00 SA

Had to make that call we all hate to make on a Sunday evening. Our waterline got clogged, and water was backing up into our toilets and showers. We called a couple different places and only Mr Rooter was willing to quote us an estimate and come out asap. Carlos called to get our details, came when expected and was pleasant and professional throughout. We received top notch service, our problem solved and a souvenir flash drive (wink) with a video of what his camera showed him. Mr Rooter is now on our list for any future issues.

Virgnia S.

08/07/2016 12:00:00 SA

I have been using these guys since before they were Mr. Rooter (family owned business - Jevons plumbing). They still rock, and are amazing. Always arrive when scheduled, do fantastic work with great materials (you don' t get charged as if they were using top of the line product, but it is crap and fails a few years down the line). Plus, because I have been with them a long time I know they are very careful about who they hire. They have all been great.
Can't recommend them highly enough. Yes, expensive, but you actually get what you pay for. Virginia

Michael V.

7/25/2012

I manage an 18 unit apartment building, so I have used many plumbers and even a few rooters. That's the reality with an older building, grease builds up in the pipes and reduces the diameter of the drain pipe. I occasionally have both vertical pipes rooted, sometimes just one. So the guy shows up (the communication was good with the office) He tried to explain to me how I couldn't be sure that there wasn't going to be a clog higher up the pipe. I told him that in every other case it has simply been a matter of rooting the horizontal pipes, he insisted that the clog might be in a different place. I said I suppose there could be, but what I really wanted him to do was just root the 2 pipes. It was almost like we were having an argument, with the guy trying to prove how much he knew about the plumbing. So then he says, ok, well we charge by the job, not by the hour and pulls out a book and a scrap of paper, start flipping through the book and writing figures on the paper. I see all these figures being totaled up. So I tell him the dispatcher told me it was going to be $251 on the phone. He says he had to go by what his book says and he came up with $345. In fairness to the dispatcher, she said it might be more depending on the situation, but these are two of the most easily accessible cleanouts and the truck can pull right up to the opening. If this guy was such an expert plumber, then what was with all the fumbling around with the book and scribbling of notes. It's 2 drains!
I sent him on his way and called another guy that I worked with before. It ended up costing $175

N. Marie S.

09/11/2009 12:00:00 SA

It gets five stars because the specific plumber I've worked with several times, Robert, is just over the top fantastic. As I've said on other reviews (okay, I only have one, but I just started!), I really, really like excellent customer service. And Robert is just stellar.

Whether their prices are higher or not, I can't say. Possibly. And I imagine that it is possible to get the work done for less. If you have one-off issues, and it isn't an emergency, I think looking around is best. But I have an old home, and know I'm going to have several issues over time, so I wanted to build a professional relationship with someone reliable enough to do solid work and be the point person, but work in an organization large enough that if he wasn't available, I could still get work done quickly. (That's what makes some smaller/one person businesses who are fabulous not work for me).

But If Robert wasn't there, I probably would look around for estimates every time I had a plumbing job. In fact, I'd probably give them 3-4 stars, probably due to price. But as I've said before (yes, that one other review), I really want to plumber who I trust will do a good job, will candidly discuss me their recommendations, and not give me static if I go with a different option. I've had sump pump, water pipe, shower head and kitchen sink issues, and Robert has consistently been knowledgeable about what's going on and able to fix it. Over time I've sort of built a professional relationship with him, and feel like he knows my house's issues (like a great mechanic), so this works for me.

Carol J.

08/11/2018 12:00:00 SA

Soooooooo - I am more venting right now, than anything!
Called Mr. Rooter at 8:00 a.m.ish this morning. Waited, waited and waited some more, for someone to call back (as I was told they would). Called again at 3:00 p.m. to ask what was going on?!?! Was told - someone would get back to me. In the mean time - I sent two emails to the company website... Finally at 4:30 p.m. a fellow called. He said that it was the first he got the text from Mr. Rooter. OK.....
He asked the hubby some questions about the issue. Told hubby he had to get a part (without even looking at the issue) and couldn't come until Monday. I kinda' call BS!
I will repost after we see what happens on Monday!

Kimba Joy T.

02/08/2017 12:00:00 SA

Our plumber Scott was most pleasant, professional and very clear about knowing how to not only fix, but also simplify our leaky water filter to avoid any future issues. It was a small job that left our system not only leak free but improved!

Jessica M.

08/08/2022 12:00:00 SA

I have upgraded my review as the owner Spencer contacted me. He told me that the free service was for coming out to diagnose the problem and not for installing the faucet. He sent me an estimate that went to spam. So it was a misunderstanding on my husband's part. However 3 visits to diagnose the problem is a lot.

A F.

12/05/2021 12:00:00 SA

Our first experience with Mr Rooter was for clearing a seriously backed up sewer line and drain in our downstairs bathroom. Because they were short-staffed and booked solid for the week they said the soonest they could come was in 4 days. But we have a disabled family member who can only access the downstairs bath in a wheelchair. When I told the Mr. Rooter scheduler about our situation, she said that they would escalate our request for help so a plumber would come that afternoon. It turned out to be a complicated job requiring camera work and removing the toilet to clear the blockage, so it took Alfredo 2-3 hours. He was courteous, competent, and professional - definitely 5-star service!

Chongo B.

10/30/2008

Polite, prompt, and meticulous. What's not to love?

Jorge was friendly, managed expectations well, and solved my problem quickly. I am definitely using these guys again.

sherman l.

3/18/2023

Mr.Rooter just worked on my dad's underground sewage pipe problem, the team was very responsive, from digging trenches, pipe replacement and connect to the city sewage line, all works were done quickly, even when it was raining hard outside. We are please with the job.

scott b.

8/15/2023

I hired Mr Rooter to unclog a bathtub and sink. The plumber unclogged them, but got the snake stuck in the pipe. He then told me he would return the next day with help, and if they couldn't get it out they would have to charge me. I said nothing, but I had no intention of paying them anything for their screw-up.

If I was to pay someone to remove it it would not be the people who created the problem.

The next day three guys showed up. Again they tried to remove the snake and failed. They then explained to me that they would have to cut open the wall, and also cut into the wall of the bathroom in my downstairs neighbor's apartment. There was zero chance of that happening.

There must have been something about the expression on my face at that moment, because then the guy asked me if I had any dish soap. Well of course I have dish soap. I gave them the dish soap and they got the snake out.

I do not know if this was a genuine mishap, or a scam to try to get me to pay for a bunch of services I didn't want. The snake miraculously came loose just as we reached an impasse, because I was certainly not going to pay them another cent.

Paul C.

5/17/2023

This afternoon I noticed a leak in my lateral sewer line at about 1:15 and immediately called Mr. Rooter. The repair was completed at 3:45. Two-and-a-half hours later! Many thanks to Alex and his supervisor John who responded within half-an-hour after my initial call and, despite waiting to have a 4-inch diameter section of pipe delivered to my house, the job was completed way before I was expecting a fix. Definitely five stars for Mr. Rooter and his team!

Stephanie S.

09/09/2022 12:00:00 SA

After being burned by a few other plumbers who tried to take advantage of my ignorance in the world of construction I have come to trust Mr. Rooter for all of my plumbing needs. They show up on time, text me when they are on their way, are friendly and knowledgeable and always leave the work site clean. Their customer service is exceptional in my experience and I appreciate the way they walk me through and explain each step and my options for resolving the issue. I also appreciate that they make calls on weekends at no extra charge. I will never use anyone else ever again for my plumbing needs. Thank you for taking such good care of me, Mr. Rooter!

Elizabeth H.

12/16/2015

These guys are the BEST!!! Our sewer clean out, actually both of them, were stopped up and there was raw sewage spilling in our yard. Mr. Rooter came to the rescue! I have used this company for 5 years, on the recommendation of our neighbor, who is a plumber. They are great! Alex came out today with a snake, and when it wouldn't work after three passes, called his manager Steve, who came out and together they solved the problem. Sludge in the line, in 2 places. Thicker than oatmeal. They finally broke it up enough to clean out the line, and everything is running fine now. Extra kudos to this company for staying on the job and getting it done. I will be calling them again and again. Thanks Alex and Steve and Mr. Rooter! The BEST!

Julia M.

2/18/2021

They are the best! Had a stopped up toilet. Someone came within the hour. Was very helpful and explained what I need to do to avoid it next time. I will always use them!

Evan P.

8/30/2022

I've used Mr. Rooter multiple times. They replaced my kitchen sink faucet that was leaking. Did work on bathroom plumbing when I remodeled, and most recently, replaced a valve in a shower. The most recent job actually saved me A LOT because their work avoided having to open up a wall to access the issue. They are a reputable company, with honest workers. Like car maintenance, no one likes to deal with these issues, but Mr. Rooter does excellent work.

Shib W.

8/29/2022

Had a toilet that was not filling/flushing correctly. Was busy so asked Mr. Rooter to come and replace the internals. Technician comes out and says he suggests replacing the whole toilet (why?) but quotes just replacing the internals (only need to remove the tank from the base for this). Over $400. Also, did not have materials in van to do the work (supposedly). No thank you.

Here are my issues: 1) No need to replace toilet - the bowl and tank are intact. This is an attempt to sell services/parts that are not needed. 2) $400+ to replace the toilet internals is too high. I bought a $20 kit at Home Depot and did it in about an hour. I am sure a plumber could have done it faster. 3) Saying the tech didn't have a toilet rebuilt kit in the van either meant that they are incompetent as far as being ready to fix the most basic toilet issue, or the tech just wanted to come back another time to do the job.

For me, I will find someone else to do the plumbing work. I have no confidence that Mr. Rooter is ethical.

Adam J.

08/11/2018 12:00:00 SA

Called this morning, they said they would have someone call me back. It is now 3:00... why say you would have someone call back if you can not keep your word? Horrible customer service, I spent my day waiting on a call back. Please do what you say. Stay away from this place.

Carmen V.

2/16/2021

A very quick response and informative service call regarding the City of Berkeley's Private Sewer Lateral sign-off by plumber. Before selling our house, we had to be in compliance with Berkeley and within a very short time frame, Mr Rooter came through with the necessary paperwork on his end and we were able to file in time requesting a deferred service agreement with the City.
The service man was in total compliance with CDC Covid regulations. I appreciate the serviceman's expertise and prior knowledge of Berkeley's ordinance.

Joel P.

10/31/2017

BEWARE! I needed a plumber for 2 easy repairs- a loose kitchen faucet and a leaky toilet reservoir. I contacted Home Advisor who soon had a number of plumbers calling me to accept the job. Mr. Rooter responded immediately and offered to come quickly and at a convenient time, so we hired them. Their man, Chris E., came on time and sized up the job, then quoted us a price of $120 which we accepted. Inside of an hour and after supplying just a flapper and several washers, the job was done, but Chris told us that because he couldn't find the quoted price on his i-padt that he would need to charge us $206! How's that for a bait and switch! Furthermore, rather than argue the price, we paid, then discovered that the toilet problem persisted, so I called to get Mr. Rooter back to fix and they promised to get back to me. That was a week ago and the last I ever heard from them. We also asked to have the receipt emailed to us, but, surprise- no receipt either. These folks are cheating SOB's and incompetent to boot. Hire them at your own risk!!!

Don T.

10/06/2020 12:00:00 SA

We had two jobs for Christopher from Mr. Rooter--inspect our backflow preventers and correct a slow bathroom sink drain.. He finished off both quickly and professionally. Perhaps equally important for us, he explained what to look for in the future and how to correct it ourselves. We appreciated his professionalism, his skill, and his friendly manner.

I should add that Christopher showed up gloved and masked and followed COVID-prevention protocols.

This was our second job from Mr. Rooter, both entirely satisfactory, and Mr. Rooter is at the top of our list for our next call.

Duncan C.

06/07/2011 12:00:00 SA

Response to comment:
I do not have this business mixed up at all. I live in Campbell NOW, but at the time of the review (2008), I lived in Berkeley and I remember quite clearly what a pain in the ass it was to take the day off work to have someone unable to work the doorbell to my building. My previous review below still stands for my opinion of this business.
Nice try though.

Tara D.

5/13/2010

Amazing. My sink was backing up - no total emergency, but I had no IDEA what to do. I called Mr. Rooter - the initial phone call reception was not ideal. And my first follow up call by the plumber on call was awkward - but Spencer, my actual plumber, was fast, and exceptionally professional. Not what I was expecting at all.

Great job. and Thanks!

Sophie B.

8/17/2017

Our master bathroom sink was clogged and even though my husband ran a snake he couldn't get the water to drain. So we called Mr. Rooter. The guy ran a snake, just as my husband did, and told us we needed to have rusty pipes that's inside our walls replaced. So 30 mins later we paid the guy $234 to tell us he couldn't do anything for us. However, he did give me an estimate of $250/hr to find and replace the rusty pipes inside my walls. He also noted that they do not repair walls, even though they'll be tearing into them to get to the rusty pipe. It was looking like we were going to be spending at least $2k just to have a working sink again.

I decided to call my brother who's pretty handy since he has done some construction in the past. He told us that when my husband and Mr Rooter guy ran the snake, the snake probably turned the wrong way and that's why they hit something solid. It had nothing to do with rusty pipes. In the end my brother used this thing that looked like a balloon and unclogged my sink. He didn't have to tear into my walls, he didn't have to replace a so called rusty pipe.

Perhaps Mr Rooter should train their employees better on how to unclog a drain instead of automatically insisting on replacing something that doesn't need replacing.

M. L.

06/04/2019 12:00:00 SA

This company is great for all your plumbing services. Alex Becerra was the tech that serviced our home. He was informative, on time and provided excellent service at a reasonable price. Thanks again.... for the wonderful service.

Shar C.

7/13/2016

These guys saved the day! I had a clogged toilet in my rental unit. They came within an hour, were considerate and professional - and fixed the problem quickly and reasonably. I will call them with the next (inevitable) plumbing emergency.

Eva P.

10/24/2013

I had a serious problem with the bathtub drain and old cast iron pipes. Chris from Mr. Rooter was absolutely wonderful and didn't leave (it was after 6:00 PM) until everything was properly fixed. Thank you Chris!
Eva Pardee-Russell

Annette R.

5/19/2019

Fast, Fixed and Reasonable! Although it was a smaller job, it was an emergency and they took care of it.

Jason A.

07/01/2023 12:00:00 SA

I had several plumbing issues arise including a misaligned sewer lateral and then a broken mainline. After calling several other places who had awful customer service and did terrible work I decided to give Mr. Rooter a call. It was not only a weekend but a holiday at that and they were out to my home in under 3 hours! I've used them for several jobs now and each time Mr. Rooter came out same or next day, gave me an upfront cost and got the work done within the next day. The entire team is super professional and nice. They did excellent work.

Mrs L.

8/30/2015

Our kitchen garbage disposal/ sink had been leaking so we called Mr. Rooter Plumbing to send someone out. The lady who answered the phone was very friendly and helpful. It was easy to set up an appointment right away- and she also let me know there was no charge for someone to come and look at what the problem was!

Sean came to help us out the next morning, and was very helpful, friendly and honest! He easily identified that my garbage disposal was just loose, and quickly adjusted it. He also took the time to show my sister and I how to catch the problem next time. He was only in the house a few minutes, but was so nice and helpful. I will definitely call Mr Rooter for any problems in the future- and definitely request Sean!

Loren R.

3/15/2016

Big success. Scott Ferguson of Mr Rooter was prompt, friendly, thoughtful and good. Upstairs tub not draining in 100 year old house. Prior attempts to snake unsuccessfully as would go up vent. Scott checked the roof vent (not easily accessible) then carefully located and accessed / snaked the separate tub drain line from where entered our main sewer. No walls damaged. Very happy!

John S.

04/05/2020 12:00:00 SA

On a Sunday , with COVID19 ramping up , Spencer and Chris were consummate professionals , wearing booties , face mask , face shield and gloves , and showed up within 90 minutes to clear my clog .

Chris cleaned up everything before leaving and sprayed down the area and wiped down the area , too .

Worth every penny for the precautions that they take .

5 Stars + !

Great job , guys !

Thank you very , very much !

John Sebastian
Oakland

Anna N.

03/02/2009 12:00:00 SA

We had one of those crisis situations happen with sewage backing up into the tub and they were able to come out within hours and fix the problem efficiently and effectively. While I won't tell you it was cheap - services were reasonably priced and he offered me choices in how I wanted to proceed.

They were professional, courteous and got the job done when they said they would. They even were able to show up a little early for me!

One of the best experiences I've had with a rooter service ever.

Alan R.

05/11/2009 12:00:00 SA

Courteous, professional, thorough. Did not try to sell me any extras. They came at the agreed time and did the job for the quoted price. I used them for clearing a sewer main, not any in-house plumbing, which I can do myself. I will use them again.

Jason T.

11/07/2022 12:00:00 SA

Update (as promised): Alex came and fixed our plumbing issue! He was knowledgeable, polite, and efficient. I am very pleased with my overall experience and I will definitely call Mr. Rooter for future plumbing needs.

Andrea G.

07/07/2022 12:00:00 SA

After hearing loud sounds coming from my bathroom (no one else was home!), I discovered my toilet had no water. I'd never seen anything like it! I called Mr. Rooter. Diana walked me through the issue. She stayed on the line as she told me to check for a public works truck on the block. Turns out Berkeley is clearing the sewer pipes. Thankfully, all was well. Toilet flushed with no issues. Diana was so kind and patient!! Thank you so much, Diana! I will definitely call when I have actual plumbing needs. We need this kindness and patience in this world. Thank you for your assistance.

Cindy R.

6/18/2019

EXCELLENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICE! Christopher was VERY informative and explained every step of his service...Very very excellent service! I'll be using Mr.Rooter for all my plumbing needs in the future

Cindy Reevesvankleef
Café Vankleef

David M.

8/15/2019

This company was knowledgeable and courteous on the phone and that extended to the field. They called back, got here when they said they would and did the job quickly.

Tom W.

07/01/2020 12:00:00 SA

I called them for a professional evaluation of my plumbing system that showed serious signs of corrosion. They came, gave me honest advise that did not include selling me any new services or a new system, which would have been easy to do. I therefore highly recommend them based on their professionalism, honesty and integrity.

Larry L.

07/11/2010 12:00:00 SA

I had been having trouble with my water pipes in my home for a long time and really dreaded the thought of having a plumber come over and give me the bad (and expensive) news. Steve, the owner came over and gave me a complete review of the options, answered all my questions and put it all in writing in a letter the following day. Long story short, he said I only needed to do the hot water side of the pipes and that saved me a lot of money. His son Spencer came in and did it all in a day and my pipes are like new. This is a top notch operation and they may cost a little more but you're saving a whole lot more by going with the best in the business.

Susan N.

2/26/2017

Everyone is Friendly, professional, knowledgeable. It was really easy to book an appointment by phone and Chris showed up within the appointment window, and fixed the issue we were having (a clogged bathroom sink) quickly & efficiently. Thank you!

tanya j.

5/30/2020

This is my Second review on Yelp. I wrote a good one for the company that followed Mr. Rooter as they resolved my sewer lateral root blockage issue for $150. Mr. Rooter did camera work for $264.00 and did not make a copy of video even though I explained upfront I needed it to show my plumber to determine if I had roots, breakage or both (explained below). My sink was backing up when washer ran and shower ran.

I paid the first plumber $860.00 and he used 1/1/4 inch snake down the sink and then - at my recommendation - sewer lateral but he could only do about 20-30 feet with his 11/4 inch snake bit in lateral. He recommended Mr. Rooter.

I explained my situation to the guy that come out and he recommended camera work for $264.00 on my main sewer lateral. He ran the camera and confirmed roots. He recommended hydrojetting at a cost of $1,192.00, I asked if he could snake it with a bigger bit, my (now former) plumber used a small 11/4 inch blade. He said no he did not have anything bigger. I asked if he had a 3 inch cutter and he said he didn't. Mind you, he had a big van with him. He said the best solution is a hydrojet cleaning for $1,192.00. Given the costs, I asked how much would it got for me to replace the section with roots, he was disinterested and recommended the hyrojetting. I never got a bid for this. He did help me locate pipe. He was neatly dressed and polite. I have zero complaints about that.

He packed up his camera. I paid and realized he did not give me a copy of the video. I went to his van and asked him to email the video and said he didn't record it. I told him I needed it, and he said he couldn't record as he didn't have a removable drive. I advised that I did. He was nice enough about running it through again but he ran the camera through really fast and I did get a copy on my own USB. I am surprised as sewer lateral specialist he did not offer snaking with a 3 cutter as one of the solutions. I did explain money was a big issue for me.

I will admit, I am inexperienced and this was all a learning experience. I got an invoice for $264 and bid for hydrojetting for $1,192. I followed up and asked for cost of replacement of pipe. I never received that bid even after requesting it in when they sent me my invoice and proposal. They asked for a review, so this is it. I feel badly it is so negative.

This story has a good ending. I called another Rooter Company for a bid on lateral replacement, as I needed to figure out if I should hydrojet or replace as I thought these were my only options. This other Rooter company, ran camera for free and the guy recommended that he snake it out for me with a 3 inch cutter blade as he thought hydrojetting is more appropriate for commercial spaces. He charged me a $150.00 and cleared out the the lateral a 100 feet to the street and ran the camera again to make sure it was clear. It was. He explained he bought me at least 6 mos to a year and gave me a bid for two clean out and pipe replacement for $2,000.00.

So, I did find a company I will recommend.

Jacob s.

07/09/2012 12:00:00 SA

Our slow draining bathroom sink finally stopped draining and after many attempts to unclog it we finally called Mr. Rooter. They sent a very knowledgable Spencer who unclogged the sink and even checked under the house for any problems. The hourly is a little expensive but with a coupon it was well worth it. We definitely recommend these guys.

Dan L.

05/07/2019 12:00:00 SA

UPDATE TO ORIGINAL REVIEW - Spencer Ferguson, the owner, emailed and called me to discuss my review some three weeks after posting. He acknowledged that recent changes to Berkeley building code now allows for use of ABS pipe (black plastic) on the exterior of a residence. He further acknowledged that the technician sent to my home was unaware of the current building code at issue. Spencer provided me with an email to and from the City of Berkeley confirming the recent building code changes. As the owner, he has assured me his staff are now fully up to speed on the types of pipes permitted by code in the east bay. As part of Spencer's follow up, he has also discussed with his employees the need to check in with he as the owner when difficult problems arise before leaving to make sure as many problems can be solved. Last, Spencer noted that his employee could have handled the all or nothing approach differently to alleviate a serious problem (sewage pumped onto the street).

I appreciate this follow up from the owner, Spencer's effort to learn and to improve. I can see how the building code changes year to year and neighboring cities that follow different codes can be confusing, and mistakes can happen. Although my experience did not go well and they did not fix the problem, his plumber did find the problem which was the first step I had been unable to do. I'm optimistic and hopeful this problem does not happen to any others.

ORIGINAL REVIEW - Sewage was getting pumped from my sump pump onto the street. There was a broken line somewhere...

I carefully reviewed a number leak detection services on Yelp before calling my second choice plumber, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Oakland... The first choice did not respond to calls and text and reviews suggested he was too busy to respond.

Mr. Rooter answered the phone, gave me a same day appointment and the tech arrived within the 2 hour window. Carlos was helpful and friendly as we tested various water sources to see find the leak. He found the broken pipe and we discussed how to repair the problem. Luckily, it was an exterior drain pipe running down the side of my house and the break was at dirt level. Unfortunately, there were multiple connections making access limited and difficult and a foot of dirt needed to be removed to get good access.

Carlos provided an estimate within 10 minutes after assessing the situation. A whopping $1,960 to remove all the ABS pipe around the leak and replace it with steel. Of course, there was a lower cash price reflecting about a 10% discount. Although this plumbing was new construction and the home improvement project recently passed building code inspection Carlos asserted the existing ABS pipe was non-compliant and must be replaced. He declined a temporary repair to prevent sewage from getting pumped into the street. I asked him if he had had some rubber fittings that would simply wrap the disconnected pipe to prevent further leakage. He declined to consider a temporary repair. I asked him if he would help dig dirt to expose the pipe while I consulted with the contractor responsible to seek a warranty repair. Carlos declined to help. His only proposal was to pay in full to remove everything purportedly non-complaint with Berkeley building code or do nothing. He left after I paid his $180 fee for the site visit. He promised to send me the estimate but it was never received.

I called another plumber I have used in the past but was unavailable on an emergency basis. I excavated the pipe by hand over the course of an hour to allow good access. The known plumber arrived the next day, assessed the problem and proposed a simple repair. I agreed. He went to the store for parts and completed repairs within an hour upon returning. Cost was less than $200.

Mr. Rooter responded quickly apparently trying to gouge a needy customer. I'll never call Mr. Rooter again. I will share my extremely experience with anyone looking for a plumbing recommendation. Beware of claims that pipes do not meet building code and all or nothing services. Had my project not been inspected recently I might have fallen for the building code error and wasted a lot of money.

Mrs B.

2/17/2017

They show up when promised. They accommodated my needs. They are professional. They do the work. They are nice. Thank you.

Jen Z.

6/30/2011

We use them for everything plumbing related since mid-2009. Wouldn't think about calling anyone else. They also helped us with our wall heater and water heater when the pilot light kept going out, and for our garbage disposal when it stopped working. Professional, prompt and honest.

Red L.

10/24/2014

Just a quick shout out to Carl Searle who came out today to snake our shower. He was really nice and even gave us advice on how to fix the problem ourselves before he started work. I didn't give 5 stars because he didn't have the biokleen product in his truck so couldn't buy it from him (to his credit: he did offer to drop it off on his way home). Also the receptionist wasn't the most professional but she did fit me in with less than 24hr notice.

Stacey S.

06/10/2023 12:00:00 SA

We had a clogged drain in our tub - we were able to get an appointment in the afternoon of the day we called. The plumber who came, Mario Gomez, was wonderful - very friendly and polite, and very efficient! The fact that he's a cat lover didn't hurt at all. I don't know if we can request a particular plumber, but if we can we will ask for Mario for all future work!

Raquel C.

8/21/2014

I am a property owner in oakland and need occasional work done on rentals. ...I only wish the proffesionalism of the plumbers was as good as the office staff.

Not quite sure I will be using this service again.

Bernice G.

04/03/2017 12:00:00 SA

Highly professional and knowledgable, they explain everything clearly and answer questions, very patient. They are respectful and courteous, with a warm neighborly feeling at the same time.

Jax H.

6/16/2023

Mario with Mr Rooter came out today and took care of our clean out issue well and quickly and all with a smile and great attitude. Thanks Mario! Was so grateful you all were able to come out the same day, in fact within a couple of hours from my original phone call! Thanks!

Louise C.

10/04/2020 12:00:00 SA

Mr. Korin did a thorough job for Mr. Rooter solving the problem of a stuffed city sewer drain which impacted my drain. He explained what had happened clearly, solved the problem efficently for my drain and gave advice to call the city and have roots removed in their outlet
Thanks, this was a Saturday too. LSColeman

L M.

06/08/2015 12:00:00 SA

Just want to update, that after several visits for different issues over the years that Mr. Rooter is still our go-to. We just had them come out for something that turned out to be extremely minor and they would not charge us. They recognize the importance of developing a relationship with repeat customers. I really appreciate that.

Maria T.

11/05/2019 12:00:00 SA

Two new men were sent by Mr Rooter to fix a running toilet
My brother Larry who knows everything about everything said
You need a new flapper valve
I sent him a picture
And he told me what it was
....my gardener mistakenly replaced the flush mechanism

Anyway the two new gentlemen started with a long laundry list of replacements:
Entire flush assembly $489
New Toto toilet $450
New water regulator valve
Didn't ask...what that price would be..
They kept calling a fake number to negotiate a lower fee with a fake boss

I told them to leave
They wanted a CONSULT
fee of $233.97
I hit a wall and told them to leave.
That fee was forgiven when they again called the fictitious boss and suddenly forgave that fee...
And left
End of story... but wait, there's a happy ending
My young housecleaner went to ace
Bought a generic flapper valve that fits Toto toilets for
$13.99
I could've installed it in two minutes
Fixed the problem

I really am so steamed about this
And will never call Mr Rooter again

Greg G.

09/09/2009 12:00:00 SA

Ok I will make this short and simple. Backed up toilets!!!!! Yuck!!!! I called Mr Rooter. Below is what happened.

1. Call... Answered by a friendly lady who told me about their services. I told them to send someone and she gave me a time window.
2. Mr Rooter shows up well within the window.
3. Plumber ( initials A.T. ) shows diagnosis the problem and gives a quote to fix the problem.
4. I agree to the quote and say fix it
5. Problem fixed as quoted in a timely manner
6. Handwritten thank you card sent a few days later

The bottom line. They were friendly, courteous,fair and showed up in a timely manner. I would use them again in a heartbeat.
They are miles ahead of their so-called competition Roto Rooter.

Richard C.

1/26/2023

Mr. Rooter (Oakland) plumbing provided excellent service on two occasions. First, Spencer, the owner of this franchise, responded within hours to my backed up sewer lateral. He informed me that Albany City fixes this for free. He personally knew the City person responsible and he called on my behalf to order the repair. The City workers arrived the next day and fixed the problem for free! On another occasion, our garbage disposal failed. I got Spencer on the phone and he suggested an appropriate brand and model to replace it. I also asked for a new kitchen faucet, and he immediately recommended a faucet that we have loved. The plumber who arrived to replace our garbage disposal and faucet, named Alex, could not have been better. He was punctual, thoughtful, well informed, friendly and fast. He was thoroughly professional, and the work he did was excellent. I will definitely be calling Mr. Rooter of Oakland for my future plumbing needs.

Linda C.

4/22/2022

My immediate problem was a stoppage in the sewer line just outside my home due to tree roots. Alfredo arrived and solved the problem, explaining the situation and showing me the video inspection of the line. It was recommended that, at some time in the future, I should have this part of the line repaired to avoid future problems.
I needed to wait a few months for the repair due to some other work being done on my house. Alfredo and his co-worker just completed the repair a couple days ago. They needed to cut into the concrete, dig out a considerable amount of dirt to expose the area to be repaired, do the repair work, etc, etc, etc. In the end all was repaired, the dirt was replaced and new concrete was poured! They left the area clean!!!! Unbelievable!!!!!
Alfredo has been courteous, conscientious, friendly and professional each time he has been here.
The office staff .... Chris and Melody ... have been wonderful. They answered my questions, follow through ... in general, there was communication.
Definitely recommend Mr. Rooter!

Hurney G.

01/01/2020 12:00:00 SA

Lance Meibos was the plumber who came out to install new shut-off valves so that I could have a new dishwasher installed (installers had previously refused to touch these older, delicate valves). Lance was great: professional, courteous, good-humored, and got everything taken care of (on New Years Eve!!) even though a part was needed from a nearby supply store - all within the estimate. Most importantly, he won the approval of my difficult-to-please building maintenance supervisor. All-around great job!

Carolyn H.

7/15/2021

I requested Chris this time after he fixed my toilet leak last year... I needed a new faucet in my kitchen and he had shown me one that I liked. Chris really knows plumbing!! He explains everything that he's doing and teaches you at the same time!! As a female senior, I trust him and appreciate his friendly attitude. I love, love, love my new faucet and will continue to let Mr. Rooter & Chris take care of my plumbing needs in the future!!!

Elizabeth P.

12/28/2021

DO NOT call this company for drain roto- rooter services. They are a shameless and massive rip-off company. We had a clogged drain and the tech comes in, looks at it and gives us an estimate of $675.00. I was floored at this out of the ballpark ridiculous estimate for snaking a drain.
I needed to get to work. Two handymen that we use have done the exact same job for $60-$75 dollars. It's not astro-physics and takes a short amount of time. Unfortunately, one handyman was out of town. The other was at another job.
I needed to go to work so I accepted. He lifted the toilet, snaked the drain and after he left I had to call him back, as the drain was still clogged. He came back, looked at the toilet flushing and said he thought we just needed a new toilet.
One star is one star too much.

Jake F.

7/31/2016

Mr Rooter is our preferred plumber for any kind of plumbing work. They show up on time, survey the problem, explain precisely what they are going to do and why; then they fix it or install it; whatever the job entails. it gets taken care of quickly and perfectly. The plumbers are smart and cordial. I feel good about having them in my house.

Andrea Y.

10/29/2016

We had a leak at the base of our toilet so we needed to reseal and fix the caulking. Scott was the service man and I was so impressed by his efficiency, knowledge, and friendly demeanor. I would highly recommend him to my family and friends and more importantly, I'm glad I have a plumber I can trust for any other plumbing jobs in the future.

Big J.

01/05/2022 12:00:00 SA

Oof where do I start. Story time.
I mistakingly hit our main line with piece of rebar creating a small leak. After carefully digging out the area in attempts to hopefully repair myself it was discovered there was some shoddy tie in's that corroded or came loose so 1 leak became 4. Immediately this became a bigger problem than I was prepared to handle.

Started calling multiple outfits at 5pm (closing time for most) and started looking at 24hr plumbers. The tech that eventually returned my call stated he'd been on a job all day and was exhausted and asked to come the next day. I'm not unreasonable so I said ok thinking it'd be the first thing in the morning. WRONG, late afternoon. Keep in mind my main is actively leaking, it was that or lose water to a family of 5 by shutting it off..
That's the back story.
After the work was done I started to face problems.
Let me lead with the Tech worked his ass off and a 1' copper pipe replacement turned into closer to 2 1/2' I believe.
1) the tech wanted to charge extra (time/labor) for putting back the dirt/rock/earth removed during the repair. Keep in mind I had already excavated part of the area before they arrived. I was under the assumption if they remove dirt to reach the problem, they'd eventually replace it. The repair took longer due to new leaks developing after compression fittings crimped cause other leaks. Took a few times. Paid him and chopped it up to it being late.

2) this is my biggest problem and the reason for the negative review.
In order to do the repair the way he wanted, he removed (see broke it under he sidewalk) a section of drain pipe that my downspout fed into and emptied street-side. Now this wouldn't have been a problem until afterward it wasn't replaced and the reasoning was it wasn't draining and had rocks and dirt in it, it won't effect anything. WRONG WRONG WRONG
Few weeks go by and we have the massive atmospheric river. My down spout is now dumping water with no where to go. I contacted the outfit and spoke to a manager. I wanted my drainage they broke fixed correctly.
Not only did he try to quote me $1500 to fix THEIR foul up ($500 if I do the labor), He had the gall to bring up old google maps images and countered that I had corrugated drain pipe visible in an image back in April of 20 or 21 so the drain didn't work.
I did have the piping in those pics, HOWEVER I'd dug up and fixed the prior owners mistake in September of 2021! So the drain functioned!
To further counter, the ground is so saturated from the recent rains that water is STILL actually getting into the broken section of the drain pipe and continuing exiting street side as intended! So much for it not draining right?
Lastly, when replacing the dirt, he used some of the bigger (see jagged) rocks to support the pipe. I don't know about you but soft copper on hard rocks seems like a combo for possible future breaks.

The only reason this is a 2* instead of 1* is because Chris did work his a$$ off hard and was very personable.
If you break something or remove it during the commission of a repair job, you fix/replace it!
That's like rebuilding a motor and leaving out a few gaskets. Who needs those right?!?

Elvis Z.

4/13/2021

Mr. Chris Evans patiently described the issue to me. The work is fast and clean. I would recommend their service to my friends.

Concha G.

11/05/2019 12:00:00 SA

Original one-star review:
My landlord hired Mr. Rooter to install a gas shutoff valve on the gas meter on my house and my neighbors house. A plumber named Lance came over at 8AM and installed mine first. When he turned the gas back on I told him where all the pilot lights were that had to be re-lit. Oh those are self-lighting he said. I said no, they are not self-lighting! After a little argument about what kinds of appliances I had, he said well I can check. I took him to all of the pilots--water heater, floor furnace, and three pilots on the stove--and I watched as he re-lit each one.

When he finished at my house, he began working on the neighbor's shutoff valve. I checked that he didn't need access to my unit anymore, and I locked up and went to work around 10AM. I had an uneasy feeling about that guy unfamiliarity with gas appliances all day, so I decided to go home early to check on the house and make sure my cats were okay. When I opened my front door at 4PM, I was almost knocked over by the natural gas that poured out. I found my two cats were still alive, so I stuffed them into carriers, ran outside and called 911.

The fire department got there within one minute, shut off the gas, contacted PG&E, and began taking readings. One fire fighter remarked that my cats were alive because my bedroom window was open. They brought giant fans into the house to air out the gas while we waited for PG&E.

I called the plumber and the landlord and when the plumber saw what was going on he said that it was the old stove. (The stove is fine.) After I pressed him for more information, he finally admitted that he had accidentally triggered my shutoff valve while he was installing the neighbor's shutoff valve, and then he simply turned the gas back on in my house WITHOUT RE-LIGHTING ANY PILOT LIGHTS. My house filled up with natural gas from four different un-lit pilot lights for the next six hours.

This plumber knows next to nothing about common gas appliances, and he is a danger to any customer who hires him to do any work related to gas lines. I have reported him to the CA State Licensing Board.

UPDATE and two added stars ten days later:
Spencer, the owner, called me to apologize and assure me that he takes this very seriously. He said that he spent an hour talking to Lance about his poor judgement and he is updating his training to include this issue. He said that he gave my landlord a full refund on the installation of the shutoff valves. I hope all of this is true.

I can say that Spencer's apology and acknowledgement meant a lot to me, because the incident left me feeling horrible about trusting anyone who calls himself a professional. Most of us want to believe that the professionals know best, and trust that they would never do anything to jeopardize our safety. It's frightening when that trust is broken.

S P.

11/13/2019

I found Mr. Rooter on my Nextdoor site. Lance came over to do three different jobs within in a few months period. First, he put in new parts and repaired two toilets. When one of the connections in one of the toilets started leaking about a month later, he came back to fix it right away with no additional charge. The second job was installing a new gas water heater. Our old heater had been going out quite often for a few years and it's great to now have this taken care of. On this visit, we had him test our water pressure, and he discovered it was very high and not to code. We had him come back about a month later to install a pressure reducing valve and a thermal expansion tank. He came back a few days later as the kitchen sink now had too little pressure and fixed this quickly.
Now, the water pressure throughout the house and irrigation system is working great. Lance even attached a new shower head for my son's shower at no additional cost. The customer service was always great and they were able to schedule Lance within a few days of calling. He was very knowledgeable and had a nice personality. I also liked having the same person come for each job. They are not inexpensive, but do quality work and I would certainly call them again with any plumbing concerns.

Kate C.

1/20/2012

Mr. Rooter was great!! Scott came to my house and was extremely polite and professional! They were on time and efficiently fixed our problem. After they fixed the clog, there was still a weird drip in the sink that Scott ended up on the roof fixing! Highly recommend them for all your plumbing needs!

David S.

03/06/2017 12:00:00 SA

When our water heater suddenly failed Steve Ferguson and his son came out on short notice and helped get us set up with a new water heater quickly and without any problems.

They have been a family owned and run business for years and signed on with the Mr. Rooter franchise for administration and marketing support. However they still keep the small business attention to their customers.

Highly recommend.

Shayea K.

01/03/2023 12:00:00 SA

If you looking for a long terms works.
Come to Mr rooter plumbing.
But patience one of the keys.

B W.

05/05/2015 12:00:00 SA

Yesterday we had a plumber try to clear our clogged sewer line without success, we finished up getting a referral to Mr. Rooter as it appeared the line needed to be hydro pressure cleaned which is a scary and expensive process and they would have the equipment to tackle the job.
Today, we had the good fortune of having Spencer and Steve come out to deal with the problem. Spencer assured me that they could probably clear the line without the use of the water jet but if not that would be the back up plan. Spencer really seemed to know his stuff and was very convincing, both Spencer and Steve were highly professional. Anyway, to cut a long story short, they were successful and had the line cleared in a relatively short time using some sort of paddle snake which is designed to handle what they call 'soft blockages. They then put a camera through the length of the line to show that it was clear, the camera went as far as our lateral and we could see the blockage was gone, everything clean as a whistle!
Not only did we deal with two great guys but we saved money as well which we can put toward replacing some buckled floor boards. Our hats are off to Spencer and Steve for a great job done.
We would also like to commend the office staff, Melody and another young lady (didn't write her name down, sorry) both of them could not have been nicer and more concerned.
I've read a lot of negative feedback's for Mr. Rooter but I have to say they are totally the opposite of my experience, we would use their service again with no qualms if ever there was a need.

Five big stars well earned, many many thanks

Ivars Z.

10/09/2013 12:00:00 SA

They came out to fix a running toilet. They said it needed a new flap and it would be $199. Are you kidding me. I'm on my way to the hardware store.

Alp M.

12/27/2010

Quick service. Problem fixed within about 4 hour of the initial call. Spencer was very professional, courteous, and efficient. He explained everything he was about to do, and later informed us of the results. When he was done he noticed that our shower has low water pressure, and said he might be able to fix that. Success! Would definitely recommend Spencer to anyone who is having plumbing problems, especially in an emergency.

Les M.

3/17/2011

Bathtub clogged with hair. Called Mr. Rooter and they promptly sent someone over. He came inside without tools -- what he did carry was a looseleaf binder with rip-off prices inside. Guy takes one glance at the tub, refers to his binder and tells me it'll cost $241 to unclog the drain. Sure...that'll happen. Showed him the door and then called JJRooter, who came within an hour and unclogged the drain for $95. Please!

Barbara E.

12/12/2012 12:00:00 SA

I read the reviews and, if correct, this business gave a hefty donation to Prop 8 and in agreement with the 2009 reviewer I chose not to give my money to a business that gave money to deny others the civil rights and benefits of marriage.

Ruth S.

04/06/2017 12:00:00 SA

Excellent service, nice technician, quick response.

Juliana E.

6/19/2019

Spencer and Mr. Rooter were professional, fast, and efficient on our Oakland sewer lateral inspection and sewer repair. Would highly recommend!

DD J.

5/23/2021

Mr. Rooter has friendly staff and service, on the phone and in person. The scheduler is always courteous and helps set convenient appointments. They provide upfront quotes and honor them. The plumber, Chris Evans, is knowledgeable, fast, courteous, and credible.

Marne G.

08/03/2017 12:00:00 SA

Spencer Ferguson did a fantastic job of dealing with a major sewage backup. Kept me informed, recommended other companies to deal with cleanup, demolition, repairs. Followed up with the city of Berkeley so that they performed their part of the repairs, always showed up on time with a great attitude and thorough explanations. He went way above and beyond to provide great service! Also, the office always was helpful in letting me know accurate time frames and scheduling appointments in a timely fashion.

Angela D.

01/07/2021 12:00:00 SA

Jose Alfredo and Spencer came out early Thanksgiving week for a free estimate to assess sewer issues on our property in Oakland. They were thoughtful, knowledgeable and experienced. (For reasons beyond my control, we ended up getting the repairs done with another company.) I sincerely appreciate the time they spent on the property and for preparing a detailed written estimate. Their professionalism is outstanding. Thank you.

Pete N.

08/04/2019 12:00:00 SA

One of the most important aspects of a service like this is what happens when things don't go well. These guys came out to try and fix our insta-hot and because it was an unusual model with a quirky faucet they were unsuccessful. When we eventually got it fixed, I called the owner and told him about it. He was completely non-defensive and gave me a full refund of the $255 fee his guy had charged for coming out and (correctly) diagnosing the problem. This is a plumber you can trust to be honest and do the right thing.

Devon M.

09/09/2014 12:00:00 SA

A pill bottle got stuck in our toilet and I ended up paying $480.37 to get it removed! After speaking with friends that are contractors and plumbers on the East Coast I was told it should have cost between $125-$250. I am disappointed that I was charged SOOOO much! I would look for a cheaper option in the future.

Lee D.

02/11/2020 12:00:00 SA

I use this company for my plumbing and I am grateful for the way they work, great customer service, they stand by their work, and the plumbing itself is top notch. I know I could trust the owners with anything, they are an honest and hardworking couple. The plumbers have always done a great job! Most recently they did a huge job of running pipes from the house to the street, where the old ones were broken and flooding the yard and basement. They came right over to help, recognizing the crisis aspect of the situation. Then the crew came and did the work, it's worked great ever since. When there was a problem they couldn't fix at first, the owner Spencer came over himself to diagnose it. And they fixed the problem. Give them a call. I hope you'll be as happy as I have been.

Griffen L.

05/07/2018 12:00:00 SA

Three out of the four sinks in our house was clogged at some level. Our technician was Jason Whitefish and was patient and persistent. Our kitchen sink was VERY clogged. It took Jason 4 attempts starting with the standard snake tool to the medium to the heavy industrial and finally punched through the clog at 75ft with the mother of all snakes. He was respectful and knowledgeable explaining the process as he went. I would recommend to anyone.

Tiffany R.

02/10/2023 12:00:00 SA

So grateful to have hot water again, and so quickly! Alex and Erika and the whole Mr. Rooter team were super responsive, professional, and fast. Alex made some great recommendations for improving the draw and alarming the condensate/overflow pan. We have a new, energy-efficient water heater, and a trustworthy go-to plumbing company for future projects.

Tim I.

9/27/2019

Mr. Rooter replaced leaking PVC pipes/fittings with copper at an affordable price. Sal clearly explained what needed to be done and he and his helper efficiently and respectfully (i.e., they didn't make a mess and informed us when and how long the water would have to be turned off) completed the project in less than four hours. The only reason I'm not giving Mr. Rooter five stars is that it took them five hours to come to our house on Sunday, Sept. 22, to diagnose the problem and stop the leak.

Zina M.

1/23/2015

I had a recommendation to use Mr. Rooter from the company where I purchased a new gas fireplace, and have had an excellent experience from the estimator and the installer. Steve, who did the estimate for the gasline extension which was needed, did an excellent job in describing the project, and Spencer, who did the installation today, was likewise thorough and competent. He reviewed the job with me before, during, and after, and made sure I understood everything which was done. The guys left the house clean and ready for the next steps. Thank you!

Lisa S.

11/11/2022 12:00:00 SA

Had another plumbing situation and man it was an emergency: the one toilet at my business, let's say' malfunctioned! Called Mr. Rooter, spoke to Spencer (one of the owners) and he dispatched Alex out to our place within a 2 hour period of time. Alex was professional, quick and very helpful! Plus Mr. Rooter is a family run locally owned business, which is the kind of business we to love support. Thanks again Mr. Rooter! #keepitoakland #bestplumbersbayarea

M. Emilie K.

7/21/2019

I've never had a bad experience with this plumbing service. They are competent, polite, prompt, fair and do a very good job of keeping things as clean as possible. They cover their shoes with a type of bootie so that they don't track external soil, etc., into your property. Their pricing seems fair and reasonable for the overall service. They, also, always offer to check all your fixtures on the same visit to make sure they are functioning well. The price of the visit has never changed when they do this. A great company! Highly recommended.

Tiberius J.

09/02/2017 12:00:00 SA

I'd give this place six stars if I could. I watched a few videos on old YouTube University, and thought I could replace my own toilet. Turns out I had an old lead pipe and no flange, hence the leaky, rocking toilet. This was way beyond my capability. Called Mr Rooter and got it quickly booked, a very friendly, professional technician came in and got it done and the price was very reasonable. New pipe, flange, and a very nive new toilet. The estimate was 4 hours and the final work time was 3 hours and 52 minutes! They know what they're doing down there. Thanks, Mr. Rooter!

Shariff O.

07/01/2009 12:00:00 SA

Pros: Quick response, and they came out to provide a free estimate the same day. They wore booties in the house which was nice of them. And they thoroughly explained what they needed to do and how much each step of the job would cost.

Cons: Price, plain and simple. The quote they gave us to fix a trap and a supply line was upwards of $450. And hearing the cost breakdown for parts and labor just sounded ridiculous, and I'm barely a plumbing novice. They were going to charge us something like $50 for one of the washers! They charge by the job not by the hour, and things rack up fast if you have a few minor things that all need doing.

After calling a couple of other places I found someone in Berkeley who did the work for a third of the price. Maybe this is an unfair review because I have the feeling that with Mr Rooter you are paying for response time. It took a few days with the plumber we ended up going with to fit us into his schedule, but that was fine with us since the work wasn't urgent.

Craig G.

10/23/2008

We had a leaking toilet at the job and called Mr. Rooter. They said someone would be out within 2 hours. Their guys showed up in 20 minutes. The job was DONE in less than 2 hours! On top of that the guys adjusted another toilet (to conserve water) and addressed another issue while here. P.S. Price was very reasonable too! Thanks Mr. Rooter :)

Haley B.

09/10/2019 12:00:00 SA

Genuinely terrific customer service. Diana is amazing, and Spencer, the owner, is also very hands-on and willing to go the extra mile to make sure customers are taken care of. We had a pretty urgent issue and they worked with us on a very personal level to make sure it was taken care of. Would highly recommend.

David R.

10/09/2011 12:00:00 SA

It amazes me to see people whining about prices. If you are price sensitive, it's your right to shop around. It doesn't seem fair to slam a business just because you think they are expensive. If you only want to save money, take the time to learn a trade, and try to do it yourself. You will find in most cases, you get what you pay for. If you don't have the time or energy for that, and you want totally competent, reliable, trouble-free service, call these guys. We had a blocked sewer lateral, causing first floor sewage backups...not pretty. Steve came out on a Sunday, at no extra cost, ran the snake down the line & cleared the blockage. At this point, most companies would have thanked you, collected your money & left. Not Mr. Rooter. After the blockage (roots) was cleared, Steve pulled out a very high tech camera & ran it down the entire line. We observed the path all the way to the city sewer main. We saw a few more areas with some roots accumulated. Steve then took a larger cutting attachment for the snake & did another pass to clear the additional roots we saw. A final camera inspection confirmed the line was now completely clear and all was well. All of this came for the price of a nice meal in a good restaurant...and did I mention this took place on a Sunday??? I am totally impressed with the thoroughness, professionalism and VALUE this company provides. They have without question, earned my business!

Matthew L.

12/03/2014 12:00:00 SA

Called and Sergio was here in under 20 minutes to replace a broken sump pump. Basement was flooding fast and he just came on over and took care of business. I will definitely call again when I have plumbing needs.

Joan D.

4/29/2019

The responsiveness and service were excellent--even though there was a snafu, it was handled with grace. I felt that Lance knew his business and was committed to excellence. Highly recommend. JMD

Niall A.

4/15/2013

Truly a family company. Steve and now his sons Scott and Spencer run a top-knotch shop that has been around (I found out) since 1924... they are personable, honorable, and you can not ask for a better group of people to look after your plumbing. Highly recommend.

Larry R.

09/06/2017 12:00:00 SA

Excellent. Great, professional service, and great interaction. These guys are wonderful to work with.

K. G.

12/27/2013

You can read this and decide for yourself. I've been having problems with waste backing up through the shower and toilet in a lower floor bathroom. Had one company come out in early November, said since I didn't have an outside clean out access pipe, they would have to flush the vent to the main sewer line from the roof for $400. Two months later, the problem returned. They had said if it returns, then something else might be wrong. So, the line started backing up again two days before Christmas. Called Mr. Rooter in desperation (was the day after Christmas, after all) and dispatcher said they would be able to come out within two hours. They came at the specified time, the two techs were very pleasant. We found the clean out pipe in the garage after I realized that maybe it was inside and not out. (The first company never asked to look around). After banging on the clean out cover, the pipe started dripping water. The tech said I should have a special clean up company come and flush out the water since waste water might start spewing out, and he called this company that he works with to come over. Finally, the cap came off (water did not come spewing out) and he began snaking out the sewer line, and pulled out a small clump of roots. He then told me that his snake COULD NOT GO ANY FURTHER and he would have to install an outside clean out pipe, digging up concrete, etc. before he could go any further to clean the line. This way, he would be able to put the hydro scrub down the line. This is the only way we can clean out the sewer line. The estimate?? $2355.64 - standard rate. However, for a $200 membership to Mr. Rooter that would include future visits, the cost today would be $2125. Wow. Since they wouldn't be able to do any other work to clean out the sewer line (the snake couldn't work any more to clear the line), it seemed I didn't have any other choice. Also, all through this process, I was asking the Mr. Rooter tech to give me an estimate. Can't tell you until we see what's going on!

Luckily, and at that moment, I spoke to another local plumber whom I had called earlier. I told him about the Mr. Rooter estimate and he was quite upset at what Mr. Rooter was quoting. He said the problem was most likely, a simple snake to the sewer line to remove roots. He suggested I just take the estimate and he would come out that afternoon. He seemed very honest and for some reason, I believed him. As soon as I told the techs from Mr. Rooter that I was getting another estimate, they started packing up and seemed upset that I was sending them away. The cost of the incomplete work - $449!! But nothing else has been done!! I complained. That's because you won't let us finish the job. The estimate seems very high...the other company said a clean out pipe would be about $700-800 to install. Why so much?? We have a lot of overhead. At that moment, the clean up guy arrives ready to clean up the trickle. I was hopping mad at that time and sent him away, too. Again, Mr. Rooter argued that they needed to be paid for the work that they had done and quite frankly, I wanted them to leave, so I paid them the $449 for an incomplete job.

Three hours later, Craig comes out, snaked out ALL of the roots within an hour. His fee - $95!!!! By the way, no clean out access needs to be installed, because what was in the garage, was the clean out access.

Had I not questioned the estimate, and had I not gotten the call from the other plumber at that moment, I could have been another desperate victim of these sleazy sales gimmicks. This is criminal. I wonder how many other women and the elderly have been victims of these tactics. Beware!!! They need to be reported to the Consumer Watchdog groups, and I intend to do that to protect others who may fall victim to their tactics. Wish I didn't have to give them ANY stars given their unethical tactics.

Your thoughts??? Who can I contact to report these kinds of sleazy sales tactics?? By the way, I live in the East Bay so this would be the Oakland/Berkeley Mr. Rooter. My first letter will be to the owner of this company. Thanks.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of The Oakland-Berkeley Area