VanDerBosch Plumbing Inc.
Plumber · Evanston, IL
Our verdict
Excellent workmanship and responsiveness with a consistent track record, but expect significantly higher quotes than competitors—some customers report 3-4x competitor pricing for straightforward work.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Our opinion, based on the 145 reviews we analyzed from Google, Yelp and BBB · Analysis updated Jun 2026 · How we decide ↗
What reviewers praise
Fast emergency response: Multiple reviewers report same-day or next-morning service for urgent issues like burst pipes, disconnected drains, and gas leaks
1 cited review
“Andrew arrived early, very professional, exceptional and very patient”
Cited in 3 of the 145 reviews we analyzed — 2 cited reviews not excerpted here.
High-quality workmanship: 8+ reviews praise thorough, professional work; multiple mention technicians going above and beyond (extra steps, free advice, protective floor coverings, clean-up)
1 cited review
“Andrew and Nick showed up exactly when expected, were professional throughout”
Cited in 5 of the 145 reviews we analyzed — 4 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Knowledgeable staff: Multiple reviewers highlight technician expertise and patience with explanations; one notes owner Hugh trains staff in-house
1 cited review
“Monica communicated, scheduled, and comforted me throughout the process”
Cited in 4 of the 145 reviews we analyzed — 3 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Excellent communication and scheduling: 5+ reviewers specifically mention Monica, Andrew, or staff for clear communication, prompt callbacks, and accommodating scheduling
2 cited reviews
“Monica communicated, scheduled, and comforted me throughout the process”
“Andrew arrived early, very professional, exceptional and very patient”
Cited in 4 of the 145 reviews we analyzed — 2 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Willing to save customers money: 3 reviews mention refusing payment for minor work, offering repairs over replacements to reduce cost, or pricing below competitor estimates
1 cited review
“He refused to take any money for the visit. This is the kind of service and honesty that is priceless.”
Cited in 3 of the 145 reviews we analyzed — 2 cited reviews 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
Pricing fairness variance of 34 points (scale 0-100) is the highest across all dimensions, reflecting genuine disagreement: some customers praise fair pricing while others call them 'crooks' for identical service type
Cited in 4 of the 145 reviews we analyzed.
Red flag
Platform rating gap: Google 4.9/5 vs Yelp 3.6/5 suggests negative reviews (2/5 and 1/5 ratings) on Yelp are pricing-related complaints absent from recent Google reviews
Significant pricing disparity: 4 reviews document quotes 3-4x higher than competitor estimates for identical or similar work (e.g., $950+ vs $300, $1,000 vs $125 for 6-inch pipe replacement)
Cited in 3 of the 145 reviews we analyzed.
Fixed-price quoting can penalize simple jobs: 2 reviews note technicians quoted worst-case scenarios but work completed in 10-60 minutes, leaving customers feeling overcharged despite accepting quoted price
Cited in 2 of the 145 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 4 of the 145 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“Paid $300 to get our drain unclogged. They were friendly and fixed the drain, but way overpriced for what amounted to a half hour of work. Made the mistake of calling them back recently when we needed the leaky hot and cold valves replaced in our bathroom sink, and a small metal piece of the drain replaced. They quoted me $536.34 for the valves, and $436.94 to replace a broken piece of the drain...IN WRITING. …”
“Crooks. Work was performed on September 01, 2011. We had some clogged water supply pipes after having to replace our building's water heater (turning back the water dislodged sediment, which then was pushed up against various valves and connections in the system. I called the previous Friday, and talked to Hugh, the owner. He said he couldn't get anyone out until the following Wednesday. He also told me that his …”
“We have used Van Der Bosch Plumbing over the past year for various problems in our house ranging from a broken outdoor hose, to new garbage disposal, to replacing sump pumps, to sealing a leaking toliet. They are very prompt and curteous and do professional work however they are RIP OFF artists. The hourly rate they charge for labor is a crime!! For example we had a sump pump replaced and got charged $1000 for …”
Positive
“My experience with VanDerBosch was extremely positive. I reached out to convert an electric water heater to a tankless gas unit, and the job was fairly involved. The quoting technician arrived on time, was courteous, and took the time to think through exhaust routing options and confirm code requirements before we settled on a plan. He even made a second trip out. Installation day was just as smooth. Andrew and …”
“We called VanDerBosch and they were able to come fix our broken shut-off valve sooner and for considerably less money than another plumber I was using previously. They made us feel like a top priority. Our technician, George, did fantastic work. He was professional, friendly, very skilled and knowledgeable. We won't hesitate to call VanDerBosch the next time we need plumbing work done at our condo.”
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 4.9/5 (237 reviews) vs Yelp 3.6/5 (46 reviews) represents a 1.3-star gap driven by older Yelp complaints (2011-2016) focused on high pricing for minor jobs; recent Google reviews (2024-2025) show improved communication and willingness to offer cost-saving alternatives, suggesting possible service evolution or review-site selection bias.
Should you hire VanDerBosch Plumbing Inc.?
Best for
- Emergency and same-day calls
- Water heater install/repair
- Whole-house repiping
- Bathroom and kitchen remodel plumbing
Hire if
- You need high-quality work that holds up over time
- You need a plumber who actually shows up when scheduled
Think twice if
- You need predictable, consistent service across every visit
- You need rock-bottom prices with zero flexibility on the quote
- You need detailed walkthroughs and written estimates before work starts
Advice derived from the review analysis above — how we decide.
Own VanDerBosch Plumbing Inc.?
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VanDerBosch Plumbing Inc.isn't in one of our ranked city guides yet — the nearest covered markets are below.
Nearby: Evanston