Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc
Plumber · Reston, VA · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Excellent workmanship and customer service when they show up, but scheduling reliability is a serious problem—multiple customers report cancelled appointments.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Our opinion, based on the 194 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
Thorough diagnosis and honest recommendations: 5 reviewers praise transparent assessment without pressure to oversell repairs
1 cited review
“This saved me several thousands of dollars preserved system”
Cited in 5 of the 194 reviews we analyzed — 4 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Exceptional technician expertise: 7 reviewers specifically name technicians (Sergii, Kyle, Chris, Danny, Victor, Jack, Anthony) and highlight their knowledge and skill
3 cited reviews
“Sergii saved the day! A true expert at his craft.”
“He explained everything perfectly and always keep us updated”
“Chris was professional incredibly helpful fast service”
Cited in 7 of the 194 reviews we analyzed — 4 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Clear communication and customer education: 6 reviewers report technicians explained work thoroughly and kept them informed
2 cited reviews
“He explained everything perfectly and always keep us updated”
“Sergii saved the day! A true expert at his craft.”
Cited in 6 of the 194 reviews we analyzed — 4 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Punctual arrival and efficient service: 5 reviewers mention on-time arrival, early arrivals, or quick completion
1 cited review
“Chris was professional incredibly helpful fast service”
Cited in 5 of the 194 reviews we analyzed — 4 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
Appointment cancellation pattern: 3 separate customers report Cardinal cancelled scheduled appointments on the day of service, forcing rescheduling or switching providers
“Cardinal has now cancelled appointments on multiple occasions”
Cited in 2 of the 194 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Major plumbing job gone wrong: One customer reports technician got snake stuck in drain, requiring removal of kitchen ceiling and 3 weeks of invasive repairs
Cited in 1 of the 194 reviews we analyzed.
Pricing significantly above market: 4 reviewers report unexpectedly high charges—$230 for a $15 valve, $500 for under-1-hour faucet install, and general complaints about expensive minimal service
Cited in 3 of the 194 reviews we analyzed.
Inconsistent diagnostic quality: 2 reviewers report technicians over-recommending or misdiagnosing—one quoted $6,000 for a gas shutoff issue, another scared customers about catastrophic risk assessed as very low by independent expert
Cited in 2 of the 194 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 6 of the 194 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“Do not recommend. We were existing customers with Cardinal and used them a few times for fixing our plumbing issues and installing our water heater. The first few times went well. However, when our AC broke down during the summer, we called them 3 times to schedule emergency appointment to fix our AC. Each time they "confirmed" the appointment but in the end no one showed up. The people who took the calls seemed to …”
“Unreliable scheduling, and high prices. I feel bad because after my first bad experience Patrick really earnestly tried to make it up to me and seems like he really cares about the business. But I need a company that doesn't cancel appointments as Cardinal has now done on multiple occasions.”
“IMPORTANT - IF USING CARDINAL GET A SECOND OPINION BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH $$ REPAIRS: We signed up for cardinal when we moved into our new home. Initially we had no issues with them after a year and a half of working with them. HOWEVER - because the cardinal employees work off commission you could easily get someone who attempts to scam you to make more money. It depends who you get showing up at your house (some of …”
Positive
“Best experience ever with Cardinal as always. Kyle was amazing. He explained everything perfectly. Gave us some great options to upgrade our thermostat. Also changed our UV filter. So glad we found cardinal. Every time they come out they always do a great job and always keep us updated on our upcoming HVAC services, so it’s no need to worry about anything. They schedule everything and keep track of everything too.”
“Sergii was very professional, respectful and extremely nice. Took the time to explain what he was checking and told me exactly what needed to be done, made process feel easy and stress free. Highly recommended!”
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: Mar 2026.
Across platforms
Severe gap: Google 4.9/5 vs Yelp 3.5/5. Google shows overwhelmingly positive reviews, while Yelp contains multiple 1-2 star reviews citing appointment cancellations, pricing disputes, and diagnostic failures. BBB A+ rating with zero complaints (past 3yr) contradicts Yelp complaints and suggests complaint history may predate the 3-year window.
Should you hire Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc?
Hire if
- You need high-quality work that holds up over time
- You need clear communication and upfront explanations
Think twice if
- You need predictable, consistent service across every visit
- 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
Advice derived from the review analysis above — how we decide.
Own Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc?
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Find plumbers near you
Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Incisn't in one of our ranked city guides yet — the nearest covered markets are below.
Nearby: Reston · Centreville · Ashburn · Catharpin