Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Services
Plumber · Charlottesville, VA · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Excellent technicians and fast response during emergencies, but customer service interactions and pricing transparency are major pain points.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #10 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in Charlottesville, 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
3 of 5 reviewers praise technician knowledge, thoroughness, and ability to explain complex issues clearly
2 cited reviews
“Walked me through each step in easy-to-understand way, solved it promptly.”
“Called me a few times to keep me updated when running late.”
Cited in 3 of the 5 reviews we analyzed — 1 cited review not excerpted here.
2 of 5 reviewers specifically mention quick response and same-day/time-crunch service availability
1 cited review
“Called me a few times to keep me updated when running late.”
Cited in 2 of the 5 reviews we analyzed — 1 cited review not excerpted here.
3 of 5 reviewers note proactive communication and follow-up during service (calls when running late, detailed explanations)
2 cited reviews
“Called me a few times to keep me updated when running late.”
“Walked me through each step in easy-to-understand way, solved it promptly.”
Cited in 3 of the 5 reviews we analyzed — 1 cited review 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
Receptionist disputes and alleged misrepresentation of customer statements appear in 2 of 5 reviews; one customer reports being told they were on a recorded line yet claims were disputed
Cited in 2 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
1 review reports $800+ bill with billing discrepancies ($90 service call promised free then charged), though full refund was eventually issued
Cited in 1 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
2 of 5 reviewers report significant issues with receptionist/phone communication: rudeness, interrupting, making assumptions, and misrepresenting customer agreements
Cited in 2 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
1 reviewer reports initial workmanship error (misaligned drain pipe) requiring multiple return visits and escalation
Cited in 1 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 2 of the 5 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“Their secretary Sarah is the rudest person I have ever dealt with in customer service. Which is unfortunate because their technician Travis was an amazing. She attempted to tell me what I should or shouldn't be doing with my tenants on my rental property, she interrupted and made assumptions through the entire conversation I had with her. She also decided, rather than letting me explain how my tenants and us have …”
“Technician came, replaced a broken drain pipe, but misaligned the end that will feed into our new shower replacement. Called to have someone return. They sent their "more experienced plumber" out to do repairs. He apologized for the poor placement of the previous shower, but said I would have to have my carpenter come out to remove the sub-floor before they came back to re-repair the shower drain. Called again to …”
Positive
“I recently had a plumbing issue at one of my rental units and had a great experience with Roto-Rooter in Charlottesville. They were extremely responsive from the beginning, maintained great communication throughout the process, and even called me a few times to keep me updated when they were running late, which I really appreciated. The technician was very attentive, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain …”
“Randall from Roto-Rooter was FANTASTIC! He was so polite, personable, knowledgeable, and effective! He walked me through each step of the process in an easy-to-understand way, performed a thorough inspection to identify my issue, and solved it promptly! He also explained exactly how/why my issue occurred (based on the age of my house and the type of pipes I have) and explained how I can mitigate/prevent the same …”
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 196 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.
Newest review in our sample: May 2026.
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Nearby: Charlottesville · Gordonsville · Scottsville