John Padilla Plumbing, Sewer and Drains
Plumber · Encinitas, CA · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
4.8-star shop with 313 reviews; 5 analyzed split 4-1 — one reviewer was quoted $2,000–$4,500 to replace a toilet (job worth ~$1,000 with parts) and paid $300 just to leave.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #8 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in Encinitas, CA · compare all →
Our opinion, based on the 5 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.
Only 5 reviews analyzed — treat this assessment as a first impression, not a track record.
What reviewers praise
On-time arrival in rain, took precautions to protect floors, clogged drainage system cleared quickly with full explanation.
1 cited review
“Our tech Humberto Royal was extremely professional. He arrived on time — in the rain — took every precaution to not track mud inside. He took care of our clogged drainage system in minimal time and explained all work performed.”
fair_pricing=1 cited; Jalen explained everything start to finish at a fair price on a repeat-use relationship spanning 'over the years'.
1 cited review
“Jalen was fantastic! So polite and professional and explained everything from start to finish. I have used John Padilla Plumbing over the years and they have always done a great job at a fair price.”
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
With <25 reviews analyzed, 1 documented $300 'just to remove the tech' after a quote 2–4x the fair market rate is a pricing red flag — reviewer called it 'scam artists'.
“Misleading Google reviews, awful mistake choosing John Padilla Plumbing to replace our toilet. Patrick quoted $2000+ unless 'felange' needed replacing, then $4500!!! Looked up some details and realized the whole job with parts should be about $1000. Had to pay $300 to get rid of them.”
1 of 5 reviews documents a $2,000–$4,500 quote to replace a toilet (market rate ~$1,000); reviewer paid $300 to get technician to leave without doing work.
“Misleading Google reviews, awful mistake choosing John Padilla Plumbing to replace our toilet. Patrick quoted $2000+ unless 'felange' needed replacing, then $4500!!! Looked up some details and realized the whole job with parts should be about $1000. Had to pay $300 to get rid of them.”
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 1 of the 5 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Positive
“What a great team! I was very impressed with Hunter M., Dan S., Lucas C., Jeff B. and others on the team who installed the new heat pump system. Everyone was very professional and personable!”
“It was such a pleasure having Sam install my water heater. This is a very friendly and patient guy who likes to share his knowledge while he works so diligently. He knows exactly what it takes for a correct installation. He had all the answers to my questions. I hope you have the opportunity to have Sam help on your project, you will not regret it.”
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
Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 313 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.
Newest review in our sample: Feb 2026.
Should you hire John Padilla Plumbing, Sewer and Drains?
Hire if
- You need high-quality work that holds up over time
- You need fast same-day or after-hours response
Think twice if
- 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 John Padilla Plumbing, Sewer and Drains?
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.