Total Plumbing Heating & Air
Plumber · San Luis Obispo, CA · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Fast, skilled work on routine jobs but pricing can spike dramatically—one elderly customer charged $1,289 for a $300 valve replacement.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Ranked #15 of 15 plumbers we've reviewed in San Luis Obispo, 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
Quick response and efficient work: 3 of 5 reviews praise rapid arrival and fast job completion, including one drain cleared in under 20 minutes.
2 cited reviews
“Cleared drain in under 20 minutes, upfront on pricing, very knowledgeable.”
“Fixed leak quickly, customer service great.”
Cited in 3 of the 5 reviews we analyzed — 1 cited review not excerpted here.
Technical knowledge: 2 reviewers explicitly mention knowledgeable staff who explain work and diagnose problems accurately.
1 cited review
“Cleared drain in under 20 minutes, upfront on pricing, very knowledgeable.”
Cited in 2 of the 5 reviews we analyzed — 1 cited review not excerpted here.
Customer service: 2 of 5 reviews highlight friendly, courteous communication and good customer service.
2 cited reviews
“Cleared drain in under 20 minutes, upfront on pricing, very knowledgeable.”
“Fixed leak quickly, customer service great.”
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
Predatory pricing on vulnerable customers: $1,289 charge to 90-year-old for simple valve replacement, with manager (Jose) defending the inflated rate as 'standard'—customer obtained competing quote at $300.
“Got a quote for $300 for same job, charged $1,289.”
Red flag
Scope creep and estimate manipulation: Estimates increased daily with unnecessary add-ons; customer was charged for work not authorized in original scope.
Cited in 1 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Refusal to correct own errors: After incomplete sprinkler repair, company refused to return without additional payment to fix their faulty work.
Cited in 1 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
Severe pricing inconsistencies: 2 of 5 reviews document major overcharges—one customer charged $1,289 for a valve replacement quoted elsewhere at $300, another charged $400 for incomplete sprinkler work plus hidden daily estimate increases.
“Got a quote for $300 for same job, charged $1,289.”
Cited in 2 of the 5 reviews we analyzed.
Quality control failures: One review reports incomplete work (sprinkler pipe not tested), refusal to return for free follow-up fixes, and unnecessary work padding (digging 3-foot hole for visible valve, charged $300).
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
“Be aware! My 90 year old mother needed a new valve for behind the refrigerator. Total plumbing came out and did this small job for $1,289 dollars( invoice #7928) Again she is 90 years old and I feel this pricing is excessive. After the fact, I got a quote for 300 dollars to do same job in this area. Just the facts. I called and spoke to Jose, i was sure it was a mistake. He maintained that his pricing of …”
“I still can’t get over the added costs they charged for a drain cleaning. The final job was replacing a pvc pipe on our sprinkler system. They came out charged. Another $400 and left without testing , and of course it did not work. When we callled to have the job completed , they would not come out to fix problem ; only if we paid another fee to correct their own poor work. I left a review on yelp: they responded …”
Positive
“Fidel from Total Pumbing was amazing. I had spent an hour trying to unclog a drain before calling and he had it cleared in under 20 minutes. They arrived within an hour or so of my call, upfront on pricing, very friendly and very knowledgeable. Took the time to explain how a lot of the plumbing in my house was configured. Highly recommend.”
“Did an amazing work and fixed up a leak I had quickly and their customer service was great and simple. I recommend them if you guys need help.”
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 78 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.
Newest review in our sample: Apr 2026.
Should you hire Total Plumbing Heating & Air?
Best for
- Water heater install/repair
- Drain and sewer work
Hire if
- You need a plumber who actually shows up when scheduled
- 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 guaranteed sub-hour response for true emergencies
Look elsewhere if
- You're highly price-sensitive
Advice derived from the review analysis above — how we decide.
Own Total Plumbing Heating & Air?
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: San Luis Obispo · Atascadero