Albion Plumbing Rooter Inc - Plumber in Alameda, CA
Plumber · San Leandro, CA · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Google lists 4.8★ but the analyzed sample is 63% negative (59 of 100 are 1-star) with surprise_fees cited 13 times and expensive 12 — a deep red-flag pattern of upsell-on-emergency.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #14 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in Newark, CA · compare all →
Our opinion, based on the 100 reviews we analyzed from Google, Yelp and BBB · Analysis updated Jun 2026 · How we decide ↗
Advertises 24-hour service on its Google profile — no reviews we analyzed mention after-hours response either way.
What reviewers praise
When the manager intervenes, a second crew can turn a botched job around
Cited in 1 of the 100 reviews we analyzed.
Fast arrival on weekend/emergency calls (fast_response=16)
1 cited review
“While they arrived quickly, they told us that we needed to replace ALL of our pipes ASAP. We delayed the issue until Monday and had 2 second opinions and neither of those plumbers recommend anything even close to that price. They definitely are taking advantage of our urgent situation.”
Cited in 2 of the 100 reviews we analyzed — 1 cited review not excerpted here.
What reviewers report — the concerns
Other directories bury these. We think you should read them before you call. Every concern below comes from the reviews it cites.
Red flag
Repeated upsell-on-emergency pattern: quoted full pipe replacement during weekend crises that second opinions found unnecessary
“While they arrived quickly, they told us that we needed to replace ALL of our pipes ASAP. We delayed the issue until Monday and had 2 second opinions and neither of those plumbers recommend anything even close to that price. They definitely are taking advantage of our urgent situation.”
Cited in 3 of the 100 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Coupon bait-and-switch: $77 advertised drain clean became $279, with a dispatch fee demanded on refusal
“Rooter Hero (should be rooter zero) gave me a coupon on my newspaper for a $77 drain clean, then came out ant told me that the quote was actually going to be $279. The plumber asked to see the coupon and then said that coupon is only for easy access”
Cited in 2 of the 100 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Diagnostic/no-show failures: charged for a diagnostic but never returned with the promised written estimate
“the technician came took some pictures called his supervisor he came did a rough estimate and charged me for the diagnostic but never got anything in writing he was supposed to come back and bring me the estimate but he never called back I have since called them 2 times and haven't gotten a response”
Surprise fees and bait-and-switch pricing are the dominant complaint (surprise_fees=13, expensive=12)
“Rooter Hero (should be rooter zero) gave me a coupon on my newspaper for a $77 drain clean, then came out ant told me that the quote was actually going to be $279. The plumber asked to see the coupon and then said that coupon is only for easy access”
Cited in 2 of the 100 reviews we analyzed.
Multiple reviewers say techs invented major repairs (full repipe, collapsed sewer) that 2nd opinions debunked
“While they arrived quickly, they told us that we needed to replace ALL of our pipes ASAP. We delayed the issue until Monday and had 2 second opinions and neither of those plumbers recommend anything even close to that price. They definitely are taking advantage of our urgent situation.”
Cited in 2 of the 100 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 6 of the 100 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“I called this company on 12/23/24; they changed my appointment two times. Finally, when the plumber, Josias Estrada, came without looking for a clean-out, He stated all the main lines were clogged and that he needed to remove both the toilets and snake from there, and that estimate was $827.When I asked your website was showing $88, he said that if I unclogg from main cleanout. This house does not have a cleanout …”
“We called them to get a drained cleared for $77 because it's a great price, or is it? For frame of reference I am a journeyman plumber so I know what I'm talking about. Had a clog I couldn't get out so I called them in. To be fair they were here for about two hours and put on a good show, looked like they were really trying, but were they? The head they were using wasn't the correct head for the job, it was a …”
“Avoid this place at all costs. Dishonest sales practices. You're even better off calling roto rooter, but pick a small local place if you can. We had a sewer backup and Aaron the tech guy came out quickly. He was a friendly guy and seemed honest. He hit a blockage with the snake and said he needed his manager to come out to do the camera. his manager, Chris, showed up in like 5 minutes (oddly fast but ok) and then …”
Positive
“I've used Albion three times and I have had consistently had great customer service and work. They are very professional and easy to communicate with. I had a sink backup in one of my apartments and they were even able to squeeze me in same day. They take detailed notes for telling me probable cause of any issues which I appreciate as a landlord. I highly recommend them.”
“Noah came over he was very knowledgeable and honest. He came over around 6 pm, We are so greatful he was able to come. We will book a routine clean out in 6 month. If you want a nice and straight forward Plumber, Noah is your guy. Thank you Noah, see you in 6 month!”
Quotes are reproduced verbatim from public reviews on the platforms shown; we select which to feature, and selection reflects our editorial judgment. Report a quote that doesn't match its source ↗
The rating picture
Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.
Newest review in our sample: Dec 2024.
Across platforms
Google shows 4.8★ but the analyzed Yelp-heavy sample is 63% negative with 59 of 100 at 1-star — a stark cross-platform gap.
Should you hire Albion Plumbing Rooter Inc - Plumber in Alameda, CA?
Hire if
- You need fast same-day or after-hours response
- You need high-quality work that holds up over time
Think twice if
- You need predictable, consistent service across every visit
- You want detailed upfront explanations
- You need rock-bottom prices with zero flexibility on the quote
- You need airtight scheduling and guaranteed arrival times
Look elsewhere if
- You're highly price-sensitive
- You need this for a complex or high-stakes install
Advice derived from the review analysis above — how we decide.
Own Albion Plumbing Rooter Inc - Plumber in Alameda, CA?
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