Clarke Kent Plumbing
Plumber · Buda, TX · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Excellent same-day emergency response and workmanship, but pricing surprises and inconsistent customer service quality create risk on larger jobs.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #13 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in Buda, TX · compare all →
Our opinion, based on the 202 reviews we analyzed from Google, Yelp and BBB · Analysis updated Jun 2026 · How we decide ↗
Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.
What reviewers praise
Fast emergency response: Multiple reviewers cite same-day or within-1-hour service, with one noting arrival within 30 minutes of call
Cited in 4 of the 202 reviews we analyzed.
Strong workmanship and problem-solving: 9 reviewers praise quality of repairs, with specific mentions of going above and beyond, thorough diagnostics, and handling complex/unique problems
1 cited review
“phenomenal job on water heater, went above and beyond”
Cited in 9 of the 202 reviews we analyzed — 8 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Clear communication and transparency: 7 reviewers specifically mention technicians explaining work, showing progress, answering questions patiently, and being honest about pricing/issues
1 cited review
“Richard very patient, explained issue and showed progress”
Cited in 7 of the 202 reviews we analyzed — 6 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Long-term reliability: 3 reviewers with 25-35 years of loyalty indicate consistent service over decades
1 cited review
“35 years, always there when we need them”
Cited in 3 of the 202 reviews we analyzed — 2 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
Significant dispatcher/after-hours customer service issues: 2 reviews from 2022-2023 describe rude staff, failed callback promises on emergency service, and dismissive handling of long-term customers requesting status updates
Cited in 2 of the 202 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Inconsistent quality across technicians: While most named technicians (Daniel, Andrew, Sam, Nate, Richard, Travis, Gabe) receive 5-star praise, multiple complaints cite rude or unprofessional plumber behavior from other dispatched staff
Cited in 1 of the 202 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
No-show or extreme delay on scheduled emergency work: 1 review documents complete no-show on a day-before-Thanksgiving after-hours job despite customer being a 15+ year loyal account holder, with evasive and rude dispatcher communication
Cited in 1 of the 202 reviews we analyzed.
Pricing substantially exceeds initial quotes: 4 separate reviews report final bills $100+ higher than quoted amounts (P-trap quoted $120 billed $197-220; garbage disposal $93 labor charged $480; toilet removal quoted differently than final charge)
Cited in 2 of the 202 reviews we analyzed.
Incomplete or erroneous work requiring follow-up: One 2019 review documents appliance installation failure where technician did not test work, causing non-functional equipment post-departure and failed recovery attempts
Cited in 1 of the 202 reviews we analyzed.
Trial-and-error diagnosis leading to unnecessary parts replacement: One review from 2013 reports three service visits to locate problem while charging for replacements that turned out unneeded
Cited in 1 of the 202 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 5 of the 202 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“Never Again... Incomplete work. No recovery. Poor customer service. 1) Incomplete work - They were hired to install two appliances. One appliance could not be enabled. The technician told me to call someone else. Another appliance was found to be not operating after he left. (He didn't test his works.) 2) No recovery - Clarke Kent Plumbing didn't fix the issues. They took no immediate action after I told …”
“Took three visits of trial-and-error to locate the problem - while paying for replacements along the way that it turns out I did not need. But it was too late as the parts and toilets were already replaced. No sense of urgency on the call-backs. I've been waiting for three business days now for the supervisor to come out to offer bids on completing the job moving forward.”
“I don't know what has happened to this company in the past few years but a reliable plumbing service company has turned into the plumber from hell that you should never call and will soon go out of business (if they don't figure it out). We have spent thousands of dollars over the years with this Clake Kent Plumbing (CKP) and we have been loyal customers. In the past year, things have gone to hell. The latest …”
Positive
“I have used Clark Kent a few times now and have found them to be reliable, keeping me informed every step of the way. They have provided good service and patience in making sure I understand what is going on. The last service was complex but feel like my 2 problems have been solved.”
“Andrew from Clarke Kent was excellent to deal with and did a high quality repair. He had to dig out the line from the meter but did so without hesitation or complaint. The job took about 3.5 hour's and he kept me updated as the work progressed. Worthy of the five star rating.”
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
Stark divergence: Google 4.5/5 (577 reviews, almost all recent 5-stars) vs. Yelp 3.1/5 (100 reviews with multiple 1-star complaints about billing, no-shows, and staff rudeness from 2008-2023). BBB A+ with zero complaints in past 3 years suggests recent improvement, but older Yelp complaints document pattern of pricing disputes and service failures that may persist despite positive recent Google reviews.
Should you hire Clarke Kent 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 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 Clarke Kent Plumbing?
You can respond to our analysis, correct business facts, or dispute the accuracy of a quoted review. Responses that check out get published on this page, and factual errors get corrected — see our corrections policy. We don't remove accurate quotes, but we'll re-run your assessment as your reviews change.
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