J. Blanton Plumbing, Sewer & Drain
Plumber · Evanston, IL · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Excellent technicians and fast response times, but systematic overpricing and billing disputes are widespread—expect to pay 2-3x market rate and fight for refunds.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Our opinion, based on the 150 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
Individual technicians consistently praised for professionalism, knowledge, and communication; 6 reviews name-check specific plumbers (Nick, Ronnie, Edgar, John Hogan, Lawrence, Scott Brown) as exceptional
Cited in 6 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Fast arrival during business hours and same-day job completion noted in 4 reviews
Cited in 4 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
BBB accreditation with A+ rating and zero complaints in past 3 years
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
No-show and chronic unreliability on scheduled appointments: 5 separate reviews detail missed appointments, cancellations without notice, technicians arriving without required tools, or showing up outside promised windows (sometimes 2+ hours late)
Cited in 4 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Unresponsive customer service management: 6+ reviews report failed callbacks, ignored voicemails, promises to have 'managers call you back' that never materialize, zero follow-up on billing disputes
Cited in 5 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Quality control failures causing damage: water heater broken during routine check-up with no emergency response, toilet broken during installation, dishwasher lines installed incorrectly, sewer cap left off after visit
Cited in 4 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Predatory membership upsell: '$30/month Drip Club' sold as 24/7 emergency coverage but company claims to not have emergency availability when their own work causes damage; aggressive weekly follow-up calls to pressure maintenance visits
Cited in 2 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Dishonesty and documentation issues: footage from wrong property attached to sewer scope, promised warranty documentation never sent, bills issued without itemization or service receipts
Cited in 3 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Systematic pricing markups of 3-4x industry standard: $2200 for 1 hour drain work (vs ~$400 fair market), $700 to replace a $10 valve, $1k to install customer-supplied toilet, $1500 for simple clog removal and scope
Cited in 4 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Multiple reports of inflated estimates followed by partial or delayed refunds: $2200 claim reduced to $336 refund after complaints, $1800 refund requested but only $336 provided, $1600 bill described as scam-level overpricing
Cited in 3 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Lack of transparency on final costs: customers not given itemized estimates upfront, charged 'per step' with no visibility until bill arrives, one customer received bill with no receipt of service documentation
Cited in 3 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Fear-mongering sales tactics to upsell unnecessary work: convincing customers entire water heaters need replacement for minor repairs, claiming systems 'could go at any minute', recommending expensive services to avoid flooding
Cited in 2 of the 150 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 17 of the 150 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“Over-priced, dishonest, and unresponsive. Worst experience I have ever had with a company. TLDR: J. Blanton charged $2200 for 1 hour of work (by 1 plumber) to unclog and change the PVC piping under our kitchen sink. Multiple callbacks promised to discuss the charge were not received. A partial refund was ultimately provided - much smaller than requested or fair. Full story: Our sink and dishwasher had been backing …”
“Absolutely horrible experience. They convinced us to sign up for an annual membership which supposedly includes 24/7 coverage. As part of it they suggested an annual check-up (we did not have any issues with plumbing). The guy who came in was completely incompetent and broke our water heater which started leaking after his departure. We called that night for an emergency appointment as we were worried that the …”
“Do not - I repeat - do not use J. Blanton Plumbing. From extremely overpriced services, to fear mongering sales tactics, I would not recommend J. Blanton to anyone. My husband and I bought our house and wanted a trusted reliable plumbing service - I had previously used J. Blanton when I lived in a high rise years ago for small jobs and I liked the plumbers so suggested we give them a call. We were convinced to …”
Positive
“Nick came in to service a gas leak. He was very thorough and talked my tenant and I through all the steps and what he was doing. He was very professional with his services and explained in details wha was needed. Highly recommend him.”
“Shout out to Ronnie Levandowski who has guided us through several initial assessments in order to address plumbing repairs and improvements. He is friendly, polite, attentive and thorough. He shares his decision making about next steps which allows him to offers honest and appropriate options. Highly recommend Ronnie for your plumbing needs”
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
Massive rating gap: Google 4.8/5 (747 reviews) vs. Yelp 1.4/5 (64 reviews)—a 3.4-star chasm. Yelp reviews are dominated by billing disputes and customer service failures that don't appear in Google's overwhelmingly positive sample, suggesting Google reviews may be skewed by satisfied customers from high-end service calls or filtered reviews.
Should you hire J. Blanton Plumbing, Sewer & Drain?
Hire if
- You need high-quality work that holds up over time
- You need a plumber who actually shows up when scheduled
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 guaranteed sub-hour response for true emergencies
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 J. Blanton Plumbing, Sewer & Drain?
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Find plumbers near you
J. Blanton Plumbing, Sewer & Drainisn't in one of our ranked city guides yet — the nearest covered markets are below.
Nearby: Evanston