Philbrick Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
Plumber · Portsmouth, VA · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Strong emergency response and communication skills, but quality control issues and follow-up failures have left customers out of pocket for the company's mistakes.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #14 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in Portsmouth, VA · 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
Fast emergency response: 2 of 5 reviews highlight rapid deployment for urgent situations, with men dispatched within 24 hours
1 cited review
“emergency situation, responded quickly, men out the next day”
Excellent communication and problem explanation: 3 of 5 reviews specifically praise technicians for listening carefully, explaining issues clearly, and troubleshooting methodically
1 cited review
“listened carefully and went right to work troubleshooting problem”
Cited in 3 of the 5 reviews we analyzed — 2 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Professional installation and aftercare: 1 review documents proactive follow-up on a post-installation issue with immediate corrective action
Cited in 1 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
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
Service recovery failure on company error: Customer had to personally locate and repair a lost part inside their own HVAC unit months after reporting the problem; owner promised investigation but never contacted customer again
“lost fastener, improper reassembly, inadequate temporary fix, no follow-up”
Workmanship defects on routine maintenance: 1 review documents lost manufacturer fasteners and improper reassembly during service visit on an $8,000 system, resulting in months of energy loss
“lost fastener, improper reassembly, inadequate temporary fix, no follow-up”
Poor follow-through and accountability: 1 review shows 4+ day delay in addressing technician error, attempted billing for company mistake, and complete lack of follow-up from management after commitment to investigate
“lost fastener, improper reassembly, inadequate temporary fix, no follow-up”
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
Critical
“1★ — Lost fastener, improper reassembly, higher power bills, and poor follow-through I contracted Philbrick Inc. Heating & Cooling for routine cleaning and maintenance on a system I purchased from them for approximately $8,000, and for which I’ve paid hundreds more over the years for service. The technician who performed the service lost a manufacturer-specific fastener and reassembled the enclosure improperly. One …”
Positive
“What a great experience!! Breon came, introduced himself and listened carefully as I explained what was going on with the electricity upstairs. He went right to work trouble shooting my problem and repairing it in no time. He then explained about the company's maintenance program that you offer, even though I have one through RS Andrews your offer is much better, so I signed on with your company. Thanks Breon for a …”
“BREON did an outstanding job and was extremely professional. He took the time to explain the issues i was experiencing and got everything restored to good working order.”
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 406 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.
Newest review in our sample: May 2026.
Should you hire Philbrick Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical?
Best for
- Emergency and burst pipe repair
- Bathroom and kitchen remodel plumbing
Hire if
- You need clear communication and upfront explanations
- 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 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 Philbrick Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical?
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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Nearby: Portsmouth · Chesapeake · Isle Of Wight