Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of North Austin
Plumber · Cedar Park, TX
Our verdict
Excellent emergency response and workmanship, but aggressive upselling and pricing often double competitors' rates—call only if you can't reach anyone else.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #4 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in Cedar Park, TX · compare all →
Our opinion, based on the 157 reviews we analyzed from Google, Yelp and BBB · Analysis updated Jun 2026 · How we decide ↗
What reviewers praise
Exceptional same-day and rapid emergency response: 5 reviews explicitly mention same-day or next-day service, including one burst-pipe repair completed same day
1 cited review
“Called 10am, problem rectified by tomorrow, exemplary understanding”
Cited in 5 of the 157 reviews we analyzed — 4 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Professional, courteous technicians who explain work clearly: 7 reviews praise communication, professionalism, and patience in explaining repairs and options
2 cited reviews
“Courteous, communicative, punctual and do the job correctly at fair price”
“Called 10am, problem rectified by tomorrow, exemplary understanding”
Cited in 7 of the 157 reviews we analyzed — 5 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Quality workmanship on actual repairs performed: multiple 5-star reviews confirm jobs were done correctly and professionally
1 cited review
“Courteous, communicative, punctual and do the job correctly at fair price”
Cited in 4 of the 157 reviews we analyzed — 3 cited reviews 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
Pattern of poor workmanship on complex jobs: 1 mainline installation resulted in multiple leaks over years; technician's shoddy work required 2-3 revisits and company denied warranty responsibility
Cited in 1 of the 157 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Questionable diagnostic practices: technician claimed water heaters needed $1–$3K in work after 'free flush' but reviewer observed heater had not actually been drained (scalding water drained for 20+ min suggests no work done)
Cited in 1 of the 157 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Hidden fees structure: $79 trip fee + $58 membership fee automatically charged upfront ($137 total) before any work, with promised 15% discount that may not recoup the fee cost
Cited in 1 of the 157 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Major platform rating disparity: Google 4.8/5 (1,309 reviews) vs. Yelp 2.3/5 (72 reviews)—suggests selective review deletion or platform-specific filtering; Yelp reviews consistently cite overpricing and upselling across 10+ year span
Severe pricing overcharges relative to market: 12+ reviews document charges 2-10x higher than competitors for identical work (e.g., $295 for 15-min toilet repair, $485 garbage disposal vs. $107 DIY, $1,000 gas leak inspection vs. <$500 elsewhere)
“$1000 pressure test for simple gas leak check verification”
Cited in 9 of the 157 reviews we analyzed.
Aggressive upselling of unnecessary services: 6 reviews report technicians pushing expensive upgrades unrelated to stated problem (pressure test for simple leak check, valve installations not needed, $3K wall removal for drain clog fixed by competitor in 10 minutes)
“$1000 pressure test for simple gas leak check verification”
1 more cited review
“Another plumber fixed clogged drain within 10 minutes”
Cited in 5 of the 157 reviews we analyzed — 3 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Poor follow-up and non-responsive management: 3 reviews report calls to management/office went unreturned after billing disputes or service complaints
“Another plumber fixed clogged drain within 10 minutes”
Cited in 3 of the 157 reviews we analyzed.
Diagnostic and service fees charged even when no work performed: reviews cite $59–$99 charges for assessments that led to no repairs, or repeated service charges on same issue
“$1000 pressure test for simple gas leak check verification”
Cited in 3 of the 157 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 14 of the 157 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“Gimmicks, 4+ hours of work, problem not resolved, plumber consistently correcting my words (snake a drain vs. cable a drain). Charged me extra for 2" drain pipe in an old home. Offered to rip through walls for another $3K plus a membership to their club for $500 which gives you access to more discounts. Another plumber came a few days later to give another estimate and fixed the clogged drain within 10 minutes. …”
“This company seems much more focused on making money than meeting customer needs. I contacted them to have a licensed plumber check the gas connections for my water heater and HVAC, just to confirm there were no leaks. I didn’t suspect a leak, but wanted professional verification. When scheduling the appointment, I clearly explained my request. However, they refused to provide a quote for the gas leak check. …”
“This review is as relevant today as it was 8 years ago when it was originally posted. Unbelievable, it took the proprietor 8 years to acknowledge it, but not apologize for the experience or want to make it right. We were directed to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing by HomeAdvisor. I was explicit in my written instructions when filling out my HomeAdvisor survey that I wanted my 9 year old tankless Burner Assembly …”
Positive
“Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is the best I’ve used in Austin over the 25 years I’ve owned a home here. I’ve used them several times now and they are courteous, communicative, punctual and do the job correctly at a fair price. Recently, Timothy was fantastic. He diagnosed a complex issue, explained it and made recommendations providing options, then promptly made the repair. Would use again and again.”
“We were in a tight situation and needed a plumbing repair on the same day. Fred was exemplary at understanding my need and working to secure me a same day appointment. My plumber, David G, completely exceeded my expectations. His communication, his patience with explaining what is needed and his quick thinking at answering the endless, “Yeah, but what if -”. Although the repair couldn’t be fixed the same day, they …”
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: Feb 2026.
Across platforms
Google 4.8/5 vs. Yelp 2.3/5 reveals stark divide: Google reviews emphasize speed and professionalism; Yelp reviews (spanning 2008–2025) consistently flag overpricing, upselling, and billing disputes as dealbreakers. The 2.5-star gap suggests either selective review management or that Google attracts first-time emergency customers before they learn the true cost structure, while Yelp captures repeat-customer and long-term regret.
Should you hire Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of North Austin?
Best for
- Bathroom and kitchen remodel plumbing
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 need rock-bottom prices with zero flexibility on the quote
- You need detailed walkthroughs and written estimates before work starts
Look elsewhere if
- You're highly price-sensitive
Advice derived from the review analysis above — how we decide.
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Nearby: Cedar Park · Spicewood · Liberty Hill