The 11 plumbers serving Bear Creek, ranked.

13 plumbing companies serve the Bear Creek area within 20 miles, and we've read 158 of their public reviews — the critical ones first. After-hours options are thin in Bear Creek: just 3 of 13 list 24-hour service, so read those cards first if water is already moving. Rankings are not for sale.

Ratings run high here (median 4.8, 2 below 4.0), but the depth behind them varies: 4 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 — 7 of the 13 companies have one — it's flagged below with their exact words. One number worth knowing: Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning alone carries 2,036 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 Bear CreekHow 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: 148 reviews across 11 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.

We'd keep looking

The average rating hides complaint patterns we can't ignore

Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

We'd call someone else first24/7 per Google listing

4.9 (2,036 Google reviews)2.0 on Yelp (39) 19.2 mi from downtown Bear Creek

Our take — how we form it

Bipolar reputation — 64 of 100 recent ratings are 5-star but 30 are 1-star. Multiple complaints describe an $85 estimate fee, sticker-shock quotes (one $21k boiler swap, one $15k AC), and a 4-winter pattern of no-heat callbacks after a $15,000 install.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed2,036 total on Google

5★7

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★7

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

Why we're cautious

Sticker-shock quoting pattern — multiple reviews cite quotes thousands of dollars above what other plumbers charged for the same scope (2 of 100 reviews)
Surprise-fee pattern documented — $85 trip charge plus high parts markup on small jobs (1 of 100 reviews)
Post-install support gap — one customer alleges 4 winters of return visits with different excuses each time after a $15,000 install (1 of 100 reviews)

To be fair

Tech Mathew is repeatedly singled out for informative, professional service with clear explanations (cited in 1 of 100 reviews)
Tech Ethan and Matt set very clear expectations on timeline and cost before starting any work on a leak repair (cited in 1 of 100 reviews)
Tech Alex worked relentlessly to repair a baseboard heater that burst from cold and got the boiler running before leaving (cited in 1 of 100 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Good afternoon the technician Mathew Muthard did some work on my house he was very very informative he had a nice attitude very professional. I recommend him to everyone. he explained everything so well. GOOD WORK Mathew my husband and I are happy we …”

Lanesa Elon · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“This review is about awareness to future customers. This is about weighing out quality of work vs cost. Andreas provides very good customer service and their technicians are well trained, courteous, knowledgeable and respectful when they come to your home. …”

M R. · ★ · Yelp · Dec 2024

We read 100 of 2,036 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(610) 900-4083

Full report →Website ↗

Zola's Plumbing & Heating Inc.

We'd call someone else first24/7 per Google listing

4.9 (656 Google reviews) 17.3 mi from downtown Bear Creek

Our take — how we form it

Consistently fast response times with fair pricing and thorough workmanship—shows up on time even for emergency calls and explains everything clearly.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed656 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 656 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

All 5 reviews praise prompt, on-time arrival and fast response to emergencies, including same-day service on weekend calls (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
4 of 5 reviews explicitly mention fair and reasonable pricing with no unexpected charges (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
3 of 5 reviews highlight thorough workmanship and clear communication about what was done and why (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.

What reviewers praise

“Zola’s Plumbing and Heating did a great job servicing my oil furnace. They were on time, professional, and very thorough. The technician made sure everything was running properly before leaving. I really appreciate the quality service and would definitely …”

Kelli P · ★★★★★ · 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 656 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(570) 459-5912

Full report →Website ↗

American Rooter

We'd call someone else first

4.9 (565 Google reviews) 13.3 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Fast, thorough emergency response with flawless execution—but pricing data is completely absent from reviews, making budget planning impossible.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed565 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 565 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

All 5 reviews (100%) praise speed and responsiveness, with specific mentions of quick arrival and prompt resolution even for complex issues (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
4 of 5 reviews explicitly highlight professional demeanor and clear communication about procedures and findings (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
5 of 5 reviews rate workmanship as excellent, with crews handling complex jobs (sewer clogs, water line leaks, drain issues) without quality complaints (cited in 5 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.

What reviewers praise

“Had an issue with our old sewer line being partially clogged was directed to American Rooter through American Water Resource. Jordan was sent out and did an amazing job. He was extremely professional and quick to help us get everything situated and flowing …”

Nikolas Corley · ★★★★★ · Google · Jun 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 565 reviews · newest from Jun 2026

(866) 679-5119

Full report →Website ↗

S. J. Kowalski HVAC

We'd call someone else first24/7 per Google listing

4.6 (208 Google reviews) 18.4 mi from downtown Bear Creek

Our take — how we form it

Fast emergency responder with strong technician quality, but pricing fairness is a serious concern that warrants a quote before committing.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed208 total on Google

5★4

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 208 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

One review (20% of sample) required a second visit to resolve the underlying heating/hot water issue, suggesting possible diagnostic or workmanship gaps on first attempt (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

Responds to after-hours emergencies even in extreme cold (came out in single-digit temperatures during heating crisis) (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Technicians consistently praised for knowledge and professionalism—4 of 5 reviews specifically name technicians and highlight competence (Nate, Geno, Nick Bruce, Ryan) (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
Handles complex jobs with care and detail (3-day geothermal system removal and water integration praised for cleanliness and explanation) (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“First time dealing with technicians from SJ. 5 ☆ service. Nate & Geno knew what they were doing, fast & professional. The 2 best techs I’ve had to my home. Looking forward to more business with them. Great start.”

Jim H. · ★★★★★ · Google · May 2026

The most critical take we found

“I wanted to reach out and share our appreciation for the service we recently received from S.J. Kowalski HVAC. We originally contacted the after-hours emergency line because we were without heat and hot water, and with two small children in the home, it was a …”

Nakeshia Downer · ★★★ · Google · Nov 2025

We read 5 of 208 reviews · newest from May 2026

(570) 455-2600

Full report →Website ↗

Sharp and Sons LLC, Plumbing & Heating

We'd call someone else first

4.9 (55 Google reviews) 16.7 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Arrives within an hour even on short notice, charges fairly, and handles everything from burst pipes to full HVAC replacements without upselling.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed55 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 55 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Exceptional emergency response: all 5 reviews mention same-day or within-the-hour arrival, including early morning and short-notice calls (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
Transparent pricing: customers specifically praise fair pricing relative to work performed, with one noting quick completion at a satisfactory price (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Handles complex jobs confidently: takes on major leaks, full drain line replacements, and even HVAC system installations without hesitation (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.

What reviewers praise

“Called for the first time and they were there within the hour. Fixed the problem and were extremely curtious. Would not hesitate to use them for all future plumbing problems. Even gave a veteran discount. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”

Calvin Eckert · ★★★★★ · Google · Jun 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 55 reviews · newest from Jun 2026

(570) 710-3840

Full report →Website ↗

Hydrodynamics Inc

We'd call someone else firstSmall track record

4.1 (35 Google reviews) 16.2 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Fast emergency response and quality workmanship, but pricing practices are highly inconsistent—some customers report fair costs while others claim severe overbilling.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed35 total on Google

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 35 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

2 of 5 reviews (40% of sample) report billing that feels exploitative—charges far exceeding initial quotes with poor documentation and hidden fees (2 of 5 reviews)
One 1-star review explicitly warns against use and expresses distrust of owner Dave's motives regarding money (1 of 5 reviews)
2 of 5 reviews report significant billing disputes: one customer billed $4,000 for 2 hours of work with undisclosed helper fees; another charged $400 for 10 minutes diagnostic before quoting $2,800 repair without itemized invoice (2 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

3 of 5 reviews praise rapid response times and dispatch efficiency, with one technician arriving within a day of contact (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
3 of 5 reviews highlight quality workmanship, including proactive identification of electrical errors and thorough follow-through on complex issues (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
2 of 5 reviews commend professional communication and customer service during service visits (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Had a pool heater issue under warranty and was referred to Hydrodynamics for the repair. Turned out to be a more complicated issue so when the initial repair did not solve the issue, they arranged to return with two other specialists to figure out the issue. …”

Christopher Holtz · ★★★★★ · Google · Jul 2025

The most critical take we found

“Was told 130 an hr.was billed 135 plus helper fee of 79 per hr was not told this was billed for 3 hrs but they were there doing work for like 2 hrs was ripped off for 4 grand in 2018 for work not done should have sued the owner Dave is only interested in …”

Danny Brunette · ★ · Google · Feb 2026

We read 5 of 35 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

(800) 813-1373

Full report →Website ↗

Marchetti Plumbing

We'd call someone else firstSmall track record

4.9 (24 Google reviews) 18.1 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Calls back on holidays, arrives same-day, and undercuts competitor quotes by 60%+ — but only 5 reviews to verify consistency.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed24 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 24 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Exceptional emergency responsiveness: called back same day on holiday (18°F overnight) and arrived same-day for no-water emergency (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
Significant pricing advantage: one reviewer reports competitors quoted triple the price (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Goes above and beyond on complex jobs: manually pulled 200+ ft well pump after equipment failed rather than abandoning customer (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.

What reviewers praise

“Randy was absolutely incredible! He called me back on a holiday, shortly after I called for emergency service. Our heat and hot water went out overnight and it was 18 degrees outside so the house was getting cold pretty quickly. Randy wasted no time and got …”

Ryan McCullough · ★★★★★ · 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 24 reviews · newest from Jan 2026

(570) 455-7335

Full report →

Lutz Plumbing & Heating LLC

We'd call someone else firstSmall track record

4.8 (19 Google reviews) 18.4 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Wayne shows up fast even on nights and weekends, explains everything clearly, and charges fairly—5 of 5 reviewers consistently praise him with no complaints.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed19 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 19 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Exceptional responsiveness: responds within hours or next morning, even for non-emergency calls (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
Clear communication and customer education: 4 of 5 reviewers specifically mention Wayne taking time to explain work and answer questions in detail (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
Fair pricing with no surprise bills: multiple reviewers explicitly contrast Lutz's affordability against competitors and express relief at lack of sticker shock (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.

What reviewers praise

“Wayne did an amazing job with changing out our original gas furnace and air conditioning system. The unit was original to the house and since it was giving us issues especially over the winter we decided to have a new unit installed. We solicited estimates …”

Duckula K · ★★★★★ · Google · Jun 2024

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 19 reviews · newest from Jun 2024

(570) 453-9612

Full report →Website ↗

AMP Mechanical LLC.

We'd call someone else firstSmall track record

4.7 (18 Google reviews) 15.3 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Exceptional emergency responder with Saturday afternoon availability, transparent pricing that matches quotes, and meticulous diagnostic work—perfect for 2am burst pipes.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed18 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 18 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

All 5 reviews praise professionalism, friendliness, and courtesy; consistent theme across customer base (cited in 5 of 5 reviews)
Pricing transparency: initial quotes remain unchanged (2 explicit mentions), described as 'very reasonable' and competitive with area rates (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
Proven emergency availability: Saturday afternoon service call documented; prompt follow-up and responsiveness on critical systems (grinder pump, furnace) (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.

What reviewers praise

“Wonderful team, great team work, kind, courteous, and did a great job!!! Thank you guys- the fireplace looks and runs great now!!! Highly recommended!!!”

Brooke Bono · ★★★★★ · Google · Nov 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 18 reviews · newest from Nov 2025

(570) 574-4556

Full report →Website ↗

L M Fuel Plumbing Heating-Fuel

We'd call someone else firstSmall track record

3.9 (7 Google reviews) 18.2 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Long-time customers praise fast service, but multiple reviewers report they don't offer 24-hour emergency service and staff can be rude when contacted.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed7 total on Google

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 7 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

Does NOT provide 24-hour emergency service despite being listed in emergency plumber directory; explicitly flagged by reviewer as problem for emergencies (1 of 5 reviews)
Unprofessional customer service stance: reviewer reported staff acted as though they 'did not want [customer's] business or money' (1 of 5 reviews)
Multiple reviewers (2 of 5) report unprofessional and rude phone interactions when calling to inquire or request service (2 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

Fast service delivery noted by 2 reviewers (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
Strong long-term customer retention with 15+ years of consistent service from at least one customer (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Great service and friendly”

Felix · ★★★★★ · Google · Jan 2021

The most critical take we found

“I was incredibly disappointed with the way I was treated upon calling LM fuel. The gentleman (loosely used term) who answered the phone was both unprofessional & rude when I called to purchase heating oil. He acted as though he did not want my business or …”

Shawn Gillette · ★ · Google · Jan 2018

We read 5 of 7 reviews · newest from Jan 2021

(570) 455-4631

Full report →

Smith's Sewer & Drain

We'd call someone else firstSmall track record

3.7 (3 Google reviews) 17.3 mi from downtown Bear CreekNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Two positive reviews clash with one devastating account of incomplete work, non-responsiveness, and avoidance when problems resurfaced.

Rating mix — of the 3 reviews we analyzed

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Small sample — we've analyzed only 3 of 3 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

Severe responsiveness failure: plumber avoided customer's calls after problem reoccurred the next day, then promised same/next-day callback that never materialized (1 of 3 reviews)
Customer suspected selective call-screening: plumber ignored calls but answered when contacted from different phone number, then ghosted on follow-up commitment (1 of 3 reviews)
High cost relative to work time: charged $390+ for less than 10 minutes of work, with problem reoccurring immediately (1 of 3 reviews)

To be fair

Two reviewers describe service positively with no complaints about workmanship or initial service delivery

What reviewers praise

“Great Service. Very recommended.”

Enyely orlando peña mejia · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2024

The most critical take we found

“if I could give this man 0 starts I would. we contacted Mr. Smith about a plumbing issue at our home. he made us sure that we would not have the problem we were having again after paying $390+ and only being there for less than 10 minutes. He said if they it …”

Esther Rodriguez · ★ · Google · Oct 2021

We read 3 of 3 reviews · newest from Feb 2024

(570) 459-9988

Full report →

Also serving Bear Creek — 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.

Bognet Inc. 4.1 (8 Google reviews) · Hazleton · 16.6 mi Call

R De Melfi Plumbing & Heating 5.0 (7 Google reviews) · Hazleton · 16.6 mi Call

What reviewers complain about in Bear Creek

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

Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning — Sticker-shock quoting pattern — multiple reviews cite quotes thousands of dollars above what other plumbers charged for the same scope
Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning — Surprise-fee pattern documented — $85 trip charge plus high parts markup on small jobs
Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning — Post-install support gap — one customer alleges 4 winters of return visits with different excuses each time after a $15,000 install
S. J. Kowalski HVAC — One review (20% of sample) required a second visit to resolve the underlying heating/hot water issue, suggesting possible diagnostic or workmanship gaps on first attempt
Hydrodynamics Inc — 2 of 5 reviews (40% of sample) report billing that feels exploitative—charges far exceeding initial quotes with poor documentation and hidden fees
Hydrodynamics Inc — One 1-star review explicitly warns against use and expresses distrust of owner Dave's motives regarding money
L M Fuel Plumbing Heating-Fuel — Does NOT provide 24-hour emergency service despite being listed in emergency plumber directory; explicitly flagged by reviewer as problem for emergencies
L M Fuel Plumbing Heating-Fuel — Unprofessional customer service stance: reviewer reported staff acted as though they 'did not want [customer's] business or money'

How we rank the plumbers on this page

We read the reviews — all of them we can get. For each plumber serving Bear Creek we pulled up to 100 recent reviews from Google, Yelp and BBB and read the full text. For this page: 148 reviews across 11 businesses.
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.
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.
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.
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 Blakeslee, Conyngham, Drums, Glen Lyon, Lake Harmony, Mountain Top, Nanticoke, Saint Johns, Wapwallopen, White Haven — this Bear Creek guide covers those areas.

Nearby city guides

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