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The 15 plumbers serving San Luis Obispo, ranked.

For the 19 plumbers working within 20 miles of San Luis Obispo, we read 418 public reviews across Google, Yelp and BBB and ranked them like a friend who'd done the research. 13 of the 19 list 24/7 hours — but "open 24 hours" on a Google profile and "answered at 2 a.m." in a customer review are not the same claim, and we quote the reviews that tell you which is which. Rankings are not for sale.

Ratings run high here (median 4.9, nobody below 4.0), but the depth behind them varies: 9 companies carry 100+ reviews while others have a few dozen, which we treat as thinner evidence and say so on their cards. Where reviewers repeat a specific complaint — 9 of the 19 companies have one — it's flagged below with their exact words. One number worth knowing: Wighton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Air alone carries 1,729 Google reviews — the deepest review base in this radius. Across the reviews we analyzed, the work named most often is water heaters and burst pipes.

Updated Jul 11, 202620-mile radius of downtown San Luis ObispoHow we rank
How we rank — the 60-second version

What we read: for each plumber, up to 100 recent reviews from Google, Yelp and BBB — the full text, not just the stars. For this page: 401 reviews across 15 businesses.

What moves a plumber up: repeated, independent evidence of showing up when promised, fair and upfront pricing, and work that holds. One glowing review counts for little; twenty that agree count for a lot.

What moves a plumber down: repeated complaint patterns — surprise fees, missed appointments, pressure sales — especially when they show up on more than one platform.

What never moves the ranking: money. One clearly labeled sponsored slot may appear above this list; it never changes the order below it.

Our take on each plumber is our opinion, grounded in the reviews we quote on this page. Full methodology ↓

Water everywhere right now? Shut off your main valve first, then jump to the 24/7 picks ↓. Every plumber below is one tap to call.

Only need the after-hours list? See the 24/7 plumbers serving San Luis Obispo →

Our top picks

Consistent evidence of showing up, honest pricing, and work that lasts
1

Patriot Plumbing and Drain Cleaning

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
5.0 (600 Google reviews) 1.7 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Answers emergency calls immediately and arrives within hours, even nights and holidays, with zero complaints and consistent praise for honest pricing.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed600 total on Google
5★15
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

What reviewers keep saying

  • Emergency responsiveness: 8 reviews explicitly mention after-hours, weekend, or holiday availability with arrival within 1 hour to 3 hours (cited in 8 of 84 reviews)
  • Owner involvement and problem-solving: Jacob (owner) personally responds to emergency calls and takes time to diagnose complex issues other plumbers missed (cited in 4 of 84 reviews)
  • Transparent communication and fair pricing: 5 reviews highlight honest pricing without upsell, clear explanations before and after work, and referrals to other specialists when needed (cited in 5 of 84 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
“Patriot plumbing was very professional from the start. Quick response time and friendly. Will certainly be using them again for future plumbing needs. Appreciated the thorough communications and photo of the technician who was arriving.”
Ginger Sweep · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 15 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 84 of 600 reviews · newest from Dec 2025

(805) 406-0596
Full report →Website ↗
2

Justin Jackson's plumbing services

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
5.0 (399 Google reviews) 15.9 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Family business with 79 of 80 reviews at 5 stars; fast_response cited 25 times — one reviewer notes they aren't cheapest but responsiveness is consistent.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed399 total on Google
5★15
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

What reviewers keep saying

  • Sub-30 minute arrival cited twice and under-hour arrival noted on a non-emergency call (cited in 3 of 80 reviews)
  • 3-day holiday weekend water heater work — first call 8 AM, paid invoice 2 PM same day (cited in 1 of 80 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • Repeat customer says 'not the least expensive plumbers around' — pricing trades against responsiveness (1 of 80 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“Great service & professional. Highly recommend.”
kim jiwon · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 15 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 80 of 399 reviews · newest from Dec 2025

(805) 503-0921
Full report →
3

Tito’s Plumbing Inc

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
5.0 (281 Google reviews) 17.7 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

77 of 79 analyzed reviews at 5 stars, fast_response cited 11 times and fair_pricing 3 times — only one 1-star pricing complaint stands out.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed281 total on Google
5★14
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★1

What reviewers keep saying

  • Whole-house repipe completed on schedule with stepwise updates (cited in 1 of 79 reviews)
  • Weekend emergency and waterline backup responses cited by name (cited in 2 of 79 reviews)
  • On-time arrivals with tech explanations cited in 3 separate reviews (cited in 3 of 79 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • One 1-star review claims $500+ charge for a hose piece and unrestored drywall (1 of 79 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“Prompt service and always done professionally .”
Mary DernWalker · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found
“Very expensive he told me that parts were 350$ and it was only one piece of hose and in total it was more than 500$$$ and he didn’t put the drywall. 👎 crazy!!”
Juan Luna · ★ · Google · Nov 2025

We read 79 of 281 reviews · newest from Dec 2025

(805) 621-4912
Full report →Website ↗
4

Wighton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating, and Air

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.7 (1,729 Google reviews) 1.1 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Arrives within 2 hours of emergency calls and diagnoses problems thoroughly, but only 5 reviews available to assess pricing and consistency.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed1,729 total on Google
5★5
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 1,729 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Exceptional emergency response: 2 of 3 emergency calls responded within 2 hours (6:15 AM leak → 8:00 AM arrival; 8:00 AM call → 10:00 AM arrival) (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Solves problems other plumbers couldn't: customer reports 2 previous leak repairs by competitors both failed, Wightons delivered permanent solution (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Communicates throughout service: technician walks customer through diagnosis and work in real-time (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
“Your agent was very professional and did a wonderful job getting my water heater working again. He said that I probably need to get a better one. What do you recommend? Thank you.”
Kathleen Miller · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 1,729 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

(805) 292-2327
Full report →Website ↗
5

Culbert Plumbing Inc.

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
5.0 (478 Google reviews) 0.2 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Fast, skilled technicians with strong communication, but expect to pay premium prices for the service quality.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed478 total on Google
5★5
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 478 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Excellent communication throughout job—4 of 5 reviews specifically praise keeping customers informed and transparent updates (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • High-caliber technicians—reviewers name-check skilled plumbers (Joshua, Christopher, John, Chris) who solve complex problems efficiently (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Quick scheduling and accommodating availability—at least 2 reviews highlight easy booking and fast appointment slots, including one completed late to finish the job (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • Pricing runs higher than market expectations—1 of 5 reviews explicitly states final cost exceeded reasonable expectations despite good workmanship (1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“Great customer service!! Joshua was very professional, knowledgeable and courteous. He kept us informed as he was doing the repairs. He did a great job in a timely manner. I would definitely call them again for any plumbing needs that may arise. I highly …”
Holly Nero · ★★★★★ · Google · May 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 478 reviews · newest from May 2026

(805) 594-1020
Full report →Website ↗
6

Drain Doctors Plumbing

Top pick
4.9 (108 Google reviews) 1.0 mi from downtown San Luis ObispoNot a 24/7 shop
Our take — how we form it

Fast, honest local plumber with consistently excellent service—reviews highlight quick response times and transparent pricing with no complaints about cost overruns.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed108 total on Google
5★5
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 108 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • All 5 reviews praise speed and responsiveness, with specific mentions of quick arrivals and same-day service (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Transparent, fair pricing explicitly mentioned in 2 reviews with no budget overrun complaints (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Strong office coordination and scheduling ease noted by property management company customer (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
“I highly recommend using Drain Doctors for any of their services! They were quick and professional when installing our new tankless water heater. Without question we’ll be calling them back the next time we need help!”
Chelsea Luby · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 108 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(805) 544-1214
Full report →Website ↗
7

Wallace Plumbing

Top pick24/7 per Google listingSmall track record
4.8 (36 Google reviews) 11.6 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Team responds same-day to emergencies, sticks to quoted prices, and builds customer loyalty through patient, thorough work—ideal for 2am burst pipes.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed36 total on Google
5★5
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 36 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Emergency responsiveness: Multiple reviewers highlight same-day or next-day availability and quick diagnosis, with one customer receiving a Monday evening callback after a Monday afternoon emergency escalation. (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Pricing transparency: 3 of 5 reviews explicitly praise budget adherence, with one major shower/tub project completed on time and on budget, and another noting 'reasonably priced' with no upsell pressure. (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Repeat customer base: 2 of 5 reviews mention returning to Wallace Plumbing specifically because of prior excellent service, indicating strong follow-through and customer satisfaction. (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
“I was lucky to work with Manny, who was so patient and methodical; Joshua who made scheduling easy; and Mark (the owner) who knows it all and added in a few great jokes! What an excellent company! Scheduling and the repair job were easy and k dependable. …”
Aloha Windsor · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 36 reviews · newest from Dec 2025

(805) 503-2865
Full report →Website ↗
8

Power Plumbing Inc

Top pickSmall track record
4.5 (25 Google reviews) 1.3 mi from downtown San Luis ObispoNot a 24/7 shop
Our take — how we form it

Consistently fast emergency response (45 minutes on weekend) with honest pricing that often beats competitor quotes by 66%+.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed25 total on Google
5★5
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 25 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Exceptional emergency responsiveness: 45-minute arrival on weekend during storm (2019), quick phone support with live dispatcher, and arrived quickly on water heater emergency (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Pricing significantly below market: one customer saved 66% on water filtration repair versus original quotes; another found pricing 'way cheaper' than competitor furnace work in same area (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • First-time quality workmanship: long-term commercial and residential customer reports 'never had any issues' over years of service, and 'do the job correctly the first time' (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
“There is a reason that when my year old neighborhood has a plumbing issue, that you see Power Plumbing trucks pulling up for the fix. They are fast, honest, and reliable. I recommend them when you have a plumbing issue in the SLO area to call them first.”
Ross Sprague · ★★★★★ · Google · Jan 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 25 reviews · newest from Jan 2026

(805) 541-2444
Full report →Website ↗
9

Smee's Plumbing

Top pickSmall track record
5.0 (22 Google reviews) 0.5 mi from downtown San Luis ObispoNot a 24/7 shop
Our take — how we form it

Terry shows up on time, solves problems other plumbers can't, and charges fairly—Google reviewers consistently mention him by name across multiple years.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed22 total on Google
5★5
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 22 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Exceptional responsiveness and punctuality: 2 of 5 reviews explicitly praise quick response times and on-time arrival, with one noting he 'returns calls in reasonable time' and 'show up on time' (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Problem-solving expertise: solves issues other plumbers failed to resolve, and skillfully extracted broken valve fragments without wall damage (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Honest pricing and fair value: multiple reviewers note 'good price' and emphasize the value of watching work done and asking questions without upsell pressure (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
“Smee's Plumbing was great in helping us solve an issue other plumbers could not solve - and were clearly out to do good work for a good price. We found our plumber in SLO!”
Mercedes Ruiz · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2025
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 22 reviews · newest from Feb 2025

(805) 544-8971
Full report →Website ↗
10

First Call Plumbing

Top pickSmall track record
4.9 (10 Google reviews) 14.4 mi from downtown San Luis ObispoNot a 24/7 shop
Our take — how we form it

Arrives fast with skilled technicians who communicate clearly throughout the job—all five reviews praise speed and professionalism with zero complaints on pricing or work quality.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed10 total on Google
5★5
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 10 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Exceptionally fast response and scheduling: 4 of 5 reviewers explicitly mention quick response times and prompt scheduling, critical for emergency situations (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Consistent workmanship quality across job types: All 5 reviewers report satisfaction with completed work, ranging from emergency repairs to full shower renovations and appliance installations (cited in 5 of 5 reviews)
  • Superior communication and transparency: 3 of 5 reviewers specifically highlight clear explanations of issues, photo updates during jobs, and follow-up contact (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
“First Call Plumbing exceeded our expectations. From the moment we reached out, their team responded quickly and scheduled us promptly, which was appreciated. The technician arrived on time, was professional, and clearly communicated what the issue was and how …”
Caitlin Matejcek · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 10 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(805) 721-3638
Full report →Website ↗

Worth a look — with caveats

Real strengths, but read the concerns first
11

Red's On Time Plumbing

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (340 Google reviews) 14.7 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Consistently fast emergency response with strong workmanship, but expect to pay a premium and occasional pricing surprises.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed340 total on Google
5★12
4★1
3★0
2★0
1★2

Why we're cautious

  • Incomplete job on record: one review (5-star, but suspicious) notes '$300 later not fixed' despite praising the technician, suggesting either scope creep or a job that required callback (1 of 77 reviews)
  • Pricing concerns: one reviewer paid $300 for 2 hours of work that didn't resolve the issue; another noted fair pricing but most reviews avoid mentioning cost, suggesting it may run high (1 of 77 reviews)

To be fair

  • Exceptional emergency responsiveness: multiple reviews cite same-day or immediate arrival during nights, weekends, and holidays (Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday emergencies, late-night calls) (cited in 4 of 77 reviews)
  • Thorough, quality workmanship: 11 reviewers explicitly mention 'thorough', 'professional', 'quality', or going 'overboard' to get the job right (cited in 4 of 77 reviews)
  • Clear communication and professionalism: technicians named (Steven, Mike, Fonzy, Marino) consistently praised for explaining work, respectful manner, and efficiency (cited in 4 of 77 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“Steve was very thorough. He Was very articulate and explained what he would do. He was also very knowledgeable and represented his company well.”
Ramona Needham · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found
“They were late and then wanted $600 to cap two copper pipes. Too expensive. Then they charged me $140 for the service fee when I told them it was too expensive. Looking forward to next week when my regular plumber is no longer sick.”
Kevin Teague · ★ · Google · Mar 2026

We read 77 of 340 reviews · newest from Dec 2025 · BBB A+ accredited

(805) 321-1546
Full report →Website ↗
12

Five Cities Plumbing

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listingSmall track record
4.8 (26 Google reviews)2.3 on Yelp (10) 10.6 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Excellent at emergency response and workmanship when they show up, but ownership behavior and no-show incidents create genuine risk for a 2am burst pipe situation.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed26 total on Google
5★9
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★6

Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.

Why we're cautious

  • 2 confirmed no-show/non-responsive incidents on scheduled appointments: one scheduled for Friday morning rescheduled to 4-6pm with no arrival; one scheduled for Tuesday never arrived after Monday emergency call (2 of 31 reviews)
  • Owner/management hostility documented: owner Chad accused customer of fraud, refused to honor 30-day guarantee, left job incomplete after verbal altercation with profanity and speeding away (1 of 31 reviews)
  • Severe quality control failure in one job: 10+ hour visit with asbestos exposure, ceiling damage, alleged missing tools, and customer respiratory illness reported; company refused refund for air testing (1 of 31 reviews)

To be fair

  • Multiple same-day/rapid emergency responses even outside business hours: 2 reviewers mention showing up within an hour or 'last minute' availability (cited in 2 of 31 reviews)
  • High workmanship quality: 6 reviewers specifically praise solving complex problems correctly and 'doing it right the first time' (cited in 6 of 31 reviews)
  • Professional technician behavior during jobs: customers praise politeness, cleanliness, efficiency and lack of upselling on successful visits (cited in 3 of 31 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“I have had Five Cities Plumbing complete several major jobs for me in the last couple of years. They have ALWAYS responded & taken care of everything as soon as I call. Everyone is friendly & professional-I will ALWAYS depend on this company!”
Linda · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found
“BE WARE!! the gas company red-Tagged my water heater because the said it wasn't venting correctly and I needed a plumb to fix the problem.Roto- Rooter. came out and said that my piping was installed incorrectly and need to be taken out of the wall re-piped …”
Mary R. · ★ · Yelp · Sep 2022

We read 31 of 26 reviews · newest from Dec 2025

(805) 481-2462
Full report →Website ↗
13

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.6 (114 Google reviews) 1.6 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Excellent emergency response and workmanship from individual technicians, but pricing is inconsistent and some crews use high-pressure sales tactics to justify inflated bills.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed114 total on Google
5★3
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★2

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 114 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • Aggressive upselling and misrepresentation: 1 of 5 reviews describes technician focused solely on selling unnecessary services rather than solving the problem, with false claims about sewer depth contradicting municipal records (1 of 5 reviews)
  • High-pressure billing on emergency calls: 2 of 5 reviews describe unexpected massive bills ($17,200 and $4,600+ proposed) with no advance pricing disclosure, exploiting homeowner urgency (2 of 5 reviews)
  • Pricing opacity and refusal to quote before service: supervisor explicitly told customer 'can't tell me the cost of job only after work is done' (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • After-hours emergency response: dispatches teams late night and weekend with professional service, confirmed by 2 reviewers (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Individual technician quality: named technicians (Vicente, Gabriel, Oscar, Felipe) receive praise for kindness, consideration, and quality work completion (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“Referred my brother to Roto Rooter because we have used Vicente for our plumbing issues in the past. He sent his team After hours to get my brother service. His toilet was backing up they popped the clogging drain and pushed through the blockage. Then …”
Bianca Arzola · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found
“Roto rooter I would not use this company even if they were the only one available. There are several other local companies that wont rip you off and send out a "technician" who's only job is to upsell the service. He could care less if the clog is …”
Greg Smith · ★ · Google · Jan 2026

We read 5 of 114 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

(805) 250-5330
Full report →Website ↗
14

Izzy Plumbing

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.5 (100 Google reviews) 0.5 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Excellent at fixing problems quickly and thoroughly, but pricing transparency is a major pain point—expect aggressive upselling and surprise diagnostic fees.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed100 total on Google
5★4
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★1

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 100 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • Pricing fairness concerns (53/100 score): 1 of 5 reviews describes a hostile sales approach with multiple surprise charges and refusal to perform diagnostics without payment, leading to comparison shopping (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Aggressive pricing and hidden fees: customer reported $900 toilet upsell for a reset, $540 diagnostic fee for crawlspace inspection, and $85 consultation charge without upfront notice (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Potential quality control issue: customer noticed water leaking from new sink drain installation (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • Outstanding emergency responsiveness: 3 of 5 reviews specifically praise same-day or next-morning arrival and quick turnaround times (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills: technicians identify root causes efficiently (e.g., partially closed gate valve, mainline blockage) rather than recommending unnecessary major work (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • High-quality workmanship: 4 of 5 reviews rate work as excellent or describe professional, efficient execution (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“I was led to believe by another plumber I had to dig up my driveway to replace my water service pipe. I wanted a second opinion so I had worked with Izzy Plumbing in the past and called them. Izzy and Frank met me at my property on High St. in SLO with 3 …”
Thomas Worth · ★★★★★ · Google · May 2026
The most critical take we found
“The salesmen showed up and started telling me he was going to sell me a $900 toilet when I wanted to only to reset. I showed him where the crawl place space was and he wanted to charge me $540 to completely check it out. He didn’t want to do it himself. The …”
Chris Dutton · ★ · Google · Mar 2026

We read 5 of 100 reviews · newest from May 2026

(805) 264-3058
Full report →Website ↗
15

Total Plumbing Heating & Air

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.5 (78 Google reviews) 0.2 mi from downtown San Luis Obispo
Our take — how we form it

Fast, skilled work on routine jobs but pricing can spike dramatically—one elderly customer charged $1,289 for a $300 valve replacement.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed78 total on Google
5★3
4★0
3★0
2★0
1★2

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 78 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • 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. (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Scope creep and estimate manipulation: Estimates increased daily with unnecessary add-ons; customer was charged for work not authorized in original scope. (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Refusal to correct own errors: After incomplete sprinkler repair, company refused to return without additional payment to fix their faulty work. (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • Quick response and efficient work: 3 of 5 reviews praise rapid arrival and fast job completion, including one drain cleared in under 20 minutes. (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Technical knowledge: 2 reviewers explicitly mention knowledgeable staff who explain work and diagnose problems accurately. (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Customer service: 2 of 5 reviews highlight friendly, courteous communication and good customer service. (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
“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 …”
Neil Kennifer · ★★★★★ · Google · Apr 2026
The most critical take we found
“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 …”
Dianna · ★ · Google · Nov 2025

We read 5 of 78 reviews · newest from Apr 2026

(805) 544-4141
Full report →Website ↗

Also serving San Luis Obispo — not enough reviews to rank

We don't rank a plumber until we've read enough reviews to have an opinion. Ratings below are Google's, not ours.

SLO County Plumbing 5.0 (8 Google reviews) · San Luis Obispo · 1.8 mi Call
SLO septic pumping 5.0 (8 Google reviews) · San Luis Obispo · 18.1 mi Call
Viking Plumbing Co 5.0 (6 Google reviews) · San Luis Obispo · 1.8 mi Call
Available Plumbing Services 5.0 (2 Google reviews) · San Luis Obispo · 1.2 mi Call

What reviewers complain about in San Luis Obispo

The repeated complaint patterns our read surfaced, business by business — each links to the card where the supporting quotes live. How we find these →

  • Red's On Time Plumbing — Incomplete job on record: one review (5-star, but suspicious) notes '$300 later not fixed' despite praising the technician, suggesting either scope creep or a job that required callback
  • Five Cities Plumbing — 2 confirmed no-show/non-responsive incidents on scheduled appointments: one scheduled for Friday morning rescheduled to 4-6pm with no arrival; one scheduled for Tuesday never arrived after Monday emergency call
  • Five Cities Plumbing — Owner/management hostility documented: owner Chad accused customer of fraud, refused to honor 30-day guarantee, left job incomplete after verbal altercation with profanity and speeding away
  • Five Cities Plumbing — Severe quality control failure in one job: 10+ hour visit with asbestos exposure, ceiling damage, alleged missing tools, and customer respiratory illness reported; company refused refund for air testing
  • Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup — Aggressive upselling and misrepresentation: 1 of 5 reviews describes technician focused solely on selling unnecessary services rather than solving the problem, with false claims about sewer depth contradicting municipal records
  • Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup — High-pressure billing on emergency calls: 2 of 5 reviews describe unexpected massive bills ($17,200 and $4,600+ proposed) with no advance pricing disclosure, exploiting homeowner urgency
  • Izzy Plumbing — Pricing fairness concerns (53/100 score): 1 of 5 reviews describes a hostile sales approach with multiple surprise charges and refusal to perform diagnostics without payment, leading to comparison shopping
  • Total Plumbing Heating & Air — 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.

How we rank the plumbers on this page

  1. We read the reviews — all of them we can get. For each plumber serving San Luis Obispo we pulled up to 100 recent reviews from Google, Yelp and BBB and read the full text. For this page: 401 reviews across 15 businesses.
  2. Patterns beat anecdotes. A plumber moves up when independent reviewers keep describing the same behavior: showing up when promised, quoting before working, work that holds. One rave changes nothing.
  3. Complaints count double when they repeat.Surprise fees, missed appointments, pressure sales — when the same complaint appears across reviewers (or across platforms), it caps how high we'll rank a business regardless of its star average.
  4. Money never moves the ranking.A plumber can buy the clearly-labeled sponsored slot at the top of the page — visibility, not endorsement. A business we wouldn't recommend can't buy the slot at all, and no payment changes the ranked order.
  5. Our take is our opinion.It's grounded in the reviews we quote and count on this page — check our evidence and disagree with us if you like. That's the point of showing it.
Every quotation on this page is reproduced verbatimfrom a publicly posted review and attributed to its author, star rating, platform and date. Star averages and review counts are Google's (or Yelp's) as of our last data pull. “Rating mix” charts describe only the set of reviews we analyzed, which we state on every card. Read the full policy — including what we do not do — on our methodology page.

Areas served

The plumbers on this page also serve Arroyo Grande, Avila Beach, Grover Beach, Guadalupe, Los Osos, Nipomo, Oceano, Pismo Beach, Santa Maria — this San Luis Obispo guide covers those areas.

Nearby city guides

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