Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Plumber · Bethesda, MD · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
4.8★ across 2,754 reviews but themeCounts.expensive=6 and 14 one-star reviews in 91 analyzed; multiple Yelp 1-stars cite $380 minimum labor, $500 drain snake, and $438 for a 15-min washer swap.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #12 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in Reston, VA · compare all →
Our opinion, based on the 91 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
Weekend/emergency coverage confirmed: Aung snaked 75ft of pipe at 9:30pm Sunday and cleaned up before leaving
1 cited review
“We called Roto-Rooter around 9:30 p.m., and Aung arrived shortly afterward. He quickly diagnosed the problem, removed the toilet, snaked approximately 75 feet of pipe, reinstalled everything, ran multiple tests to make sure the issue was fully resolved, and thoroughly cleaned up before leaving.”
Fast dispatch with supervisor on-site within an hour for flooding emergency; plumber followed within same hour
Cited in 1 of the 91 reviews we analyzed.
Technician Aung communicated issues, cost, and repairs on two visits; same-day temp fix then next-morning follow-up
1 cited review
“Both times he came out he clearly communicated the issues, needed repairs, and cost and completed them swiftly. I was extremely pleased with the responsiveness, affordability, and quality of the work that was completed.”
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
5 of 12 evidence quotes mention price shock: $500 toilet unclog, $800 drain snake quote, $438 for 15-min repair, $380 minimum show-up fee — consistent across Yelp reviewers
“Called them to unclog a toilet. Charged $500 for a 10 minute job....Do not use this company (complete ripoff). The techs where awesome btw.”
1 more cited review
“Roto Robbers is more like it. They have a minimum labor cost of 380$. The part that needed repairing is sold for no more than $10. The technician refused to do the service necessary, will only up charge into replacing the whole unit rather than a part.”
Cited in 5 of the 91 reviews we analyzed — 3 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Red flag
Tech showed up 30 min late past 2-hour window, provided no estimate before charging nearly $500 for disposal fix — called 'deceiving business practice'
Cited in 1 of the 91 reviews we analyzed.
Pricing consistently flagged as high: $380 minimum labor, $500 for toilet unclog (10 min), $800 quote for drain snake, $438 for 15-min washer replacement — management confirmed 'more expensive than competitors'
“Roto Robbers is more like it. They have a minimum labor cost of 380$. The part that needed repairing is sold for no more than $10. The technician refused to do the service necessary, will only up charge into replacing the whole unit rather than a part.”
1 more cited review
“Called them to unclog a toilet. Charged $500 for a 10 minute job....Do not use this company (complete ripoff). The techs where awesome btw.”
Cited in 5 of the 91 reviews we analyzed — 3 cited reviews not excerpted here.
One technician refused service, claimed space too small, then quoted price mismatched to scope — work unresolved
Cited in 1 of the 91 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 6 of the 91 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“My experience with Roto‑Rooter was extremely disappointing. I expected a professional, efficient service, but instead I encountered poor communication and a lack of follow‑through. Despite multiple assurances, no work was completed, and I was left with the same unresolved issue and no clear guidance on next steps. The technician, Israel, repeatedly came up with excuses not to perform the job. He claimed my bathroom …”
“Roto Robbers is more like it. They actually stink. They have a minimum labor cost of 380$. The part that needed repairing is sold for no more than $10. The technician refused to do the service necessary, will only up charge into replacing the whole unit rather than a part. If this was not needed before the holidays I would have not used this company. Also overall rude, did not wear shoe coverings and left my front …”
“I requested a technician to come and check out a garbage disposal that wasn't working in Silver Spring. They were late showing up to the property, 30 min past the 2 hour scheduled time slot. They didn't provide an estimate before fixing the disposal and tried to charge me almost $500. This was very unprofessional and a deceiving business practice. I was able to convince the tech to give me half off but honestly i …”
Positive
“The plumber, Aung, came out for an emergency repair and was able to get a temporary fix completed while awaiting a needed part. He came back the following morning to complete the repair. He identified an issue with the outside pipe and quickly fixed that as well. Both times he came out he clearly communicated the issues, needed repairs, and cost and completed them swiftly. I don't often choose to go with franchise …”
“My mother experienced sudden flooding in her lower level bathroom. We were able to shut off the main water valve. We contacted Roto-Rooter and within an hour, Oleg B, field supervisor was on site To inspect the issue. He was able to quickly make an assessment, contact a plumber, who arrived within the hour. In the meantime, he was reassuring professional, and answered all of our questions and filing a claim with …”
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
Google 4.8★ vs multiple Yelp 1-star reviews citing $380+ minimums and price shock. BBB A+ accredited but Google/Yelp sentiment diverges sharply on pricing.
Should you hire Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup?
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 need rock-bottom prices with zero flexibility on the quote
- You need detailed walkthroughs and written estimates before work starts
Look elsewhere if
- You're highly price-sensitive
Advice derived from the review analysis above — how we decide.
Own Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup?
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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