The 15 plumbers serving Catharpin, ranked.

We read 2,727 reviews across Google, Yelp and BBB for the 59 plumbers serving Catharpin — including the one-star reviews other directories bury — and ranked them the way we'd rank them for a friend. The number that matters most here: only 28 of the 59 list 24-hour service — if it's the middle of the night, start with those. Rankings are not for sale.

Catharpin's problem isn't finding a plumber; it's telling them apart — the median rating here is 4.9, and when everyone has five stars, the stars stop helping. 37 of these companies carry 100+ reviews — enough history for real patterns to show. The patterns differ more than the ratings do: 31 of the 59 have a repeated complaint pattern in their reviews — quotes that grew mid-job, unreturned callbacks — flagged and quoted on their cards below. One number worth knowing: only one company in this radius — Unlimited Plumbing & Piping, LLC — sits below 4.0 (3.9). Across the reviews we analyzed, the work named most often is water heaters and burst pipes.

Updated Jul 11, 202620-mile radius of downtown CatharpinHow 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: 1,055 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 Catharpin →

Our top picks

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

My Plumber Plus

Top pick

4.7 (8,009 Google reviews) 5.3 mi from downtown CatharpinNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

4.7 stars across 8,009 reviews; all 5 analyzed are 5-star. Water main and sewer leak both remediated same-day with driveway restored next day; water heater + filtration system + sewage ejector pump all handled in one visit.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed8,009 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 8,009 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Water main excavation plus concurrent sewer leak discovery repaired same-day; driveway fully restored by next morning (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Warranty parts replaced at no extra charge; transparent upfront explanation of scope before starting work (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Complex multi-system job (water heater + filtration + sewage ejector pump) resolved in one visit with neat workspace (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

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

What reviewers praise

“I received outstanding HVAC inspection and UVA lighting installation by Brooks Miller today. 5 stars are not enough for him. He showed me his findings, made recommendations, corrected issues, explained processes and even helped to arrange financing!! His …”

Gail Jones · ★★★★★ · 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 8,009 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(540) 302-5393

Full report →Website ↗

Snell Home Services

Top pick24/7 per Google listing

4.8 (5,624 Google reviews) 11.0 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

4.8★ on 5,624 reviews; 5 of 5 analyzed are 5-star; covers HVAC and plumbing; same-day boiler estimate and next-day install confirmed; water heater copper upgrade praised specifically; 12-year labor warranty matching manufacturer's cited.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed5,624 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 5,624 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Same-day estimate with competitive pricing confirmed: boiler replacement estimate arrived same day called, with install crew completing next day. (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Workmanship specifics cited: water heater install replaced old PVC with copper piping and expansion tank — 1 reviewer called it a 'gorgeous job.' (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
12-year labor warranty matching manufacturer's warranty cited in 1 review — strongest warranty signal in Centreville batch. (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

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

What reviewers praise

“We used Snell to install our heat pump and update our circuit breaker. They did a wonderful job replacing our lemon heat pump which consistently kept losing charge and always struggled through out the 5 years we’ve been in our home. They are top notch …”

Neil Santos · ★★★★★ · 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 5,624 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

(571) 470-7206

Full report →Website ↗

M.E. Flow

Top pick24/7 per Google listing

4.8 (3,947 Google reviews) 16.9 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Arrives same-day with skilled technicians and strong phone availability, but charges premium rates even for maintenance plan customers.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed3,947 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 3,947 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Same-day or next-day emergency response: 2 of 5 reviewers explicitly mention same-day completion or next-day scheduling for urgent jobs (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
Phone availability: Reviewer notes 'someone is always available on the phone', critical for 2am burst-pipe scenarios (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Thorough workmanship on complex systems: Reviewers praise 'innovative problem solvers' and neat, professional installations with full job-site cleanup (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

Premium pricing: 1 of 5 reviewers reports final bill felt 'on the high side', notably despite having a maintenance contract in place (1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Had water heater replaced. Job was done the same day I requested, very professional. I specially like that someone is always available on the phone. The 2 year guarantee for labor is reassuring, overall I would highly recommend ME Flow.”

Fernando Quijiano · ★★★★★ · 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 3,947 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(571) 350-3183

Full report →Website ↗

Reddick & Sons, Inc

Top pick24/7 per Google listing

5.0 (3,350 Google reviews) 8.6 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

5.0 Google stars across 3,350 reviews; all 5 sampled are 5-star — same-day toilet install and faucet replacement confirmed, upfront cost quotes standard, and 10-year customer cites video-verified honest diagnostics.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed3,350 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 3,350 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Same-day toilet install and same-day kitchen faucet replacement both confirmed — fast_response=3 in 5 sampled reviews. (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
10-year repeat customer cites video-proof diagnostics and avoiding unnecessary upsells — unusual trust-building transparency. (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Upfront cost quote before work, quick clean completion, nothing left behind — cited in 2 of 5 reviews. (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

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

What reviewers praise

“Nick did a great job installing my new toilet and answering my other plumbing questions. I’m very happy with the service I received. He was able to install the new toilet the same day, which was greatly appreciated. Professional, efficient, and very helpful …”

James Dade · ★★★★★ · 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 3,350 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(703) 348-9881

Full report →Website ↗

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Top pick24/7 per Google listing

4.8 (1,514 Google reviews) 19.5 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

4.8-star rating across 1,514 reviews; all 5 sampled are 5-star; weekend water heater failure handled with free same-day estimate; burst pipe located and repaired by technician who spent extra time beyond normal hours on low water pressure fix.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed1,514 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 1,514 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Arrived within 2 hours of call for main-line sewer issue; billing walkthrough before completion with no surprises and work area left spotless — cited in 1 of 5 sampled reviews (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Free weekend price estimate for water heater failure with multiple scenario pricing presented upfront before commitment — cited in 1 of 5 sampled reviews (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Technician worked beyond normal hours to resolve low water pressure issue — cited in 1 of 5 sampled reviews (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

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

What reviewers praise

“Mr. Anthony from roto rooter was wonderful. Worked really hard beyond normal working hours and solved our low water pressure problem. Very pleased with his work.”

M Mirza · ★★★★★ · 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 1,514 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(703) 463-2405

Full report →Website ↗

Worth a look — with caveats

Real strengths, but read the concerns first

Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing

4.9 (3,019 Google reviews)3.5 on Yelp (100) 12.5 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Fast emergency response and skilled technicians, but pricing significantly exceeds competitors and commission-based pay structure creates risk of unnecessary upsells.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed3,019 total on Google

5★5

4★2

3★1

2★1

1★6

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

Why we're cautious

Commission-based pay structure linked to documented aggressive upselling: 4 reviews describe pressure to purchase unnecessary services or high-ticket replacements not supported by second opinions (4 of 192 reviews)
Alleged misdiagnosis of safety hazards to justify large repairs: 1 detailed review claims technician fabricated CO2 leak to justify $7000 furnace replacement; second opinion revealed unit was safe. Company remained defensive when confronted. (1 of 192 reviews)
Service quality highly dependent on which technician arrives: multiple reviews explicitly note some employees are 'great' while others attempt overcharging or aggressive selling, indicating inconsistent oversight (2 of 192 reviews)

To be fair

Exceptional emergency responsiveness with multiple same-day or 2-hour arrivals during urgent situations (cited in 3 of 192 reviews)
High-quality workmanship and diagnostic skills, with 8+ reviews praising thoroughness, efficiency, and problem-solving (cited in 4 of 192 reviews)
Honest consultation practices when not commission-driven: 5+ reviews mention technicians providing multiple quotes, options, and honest assessments without pressure (cited in 3 of 192 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“As new, first-time homeowners, we called on Cardinal HVAC & Plumbing for an inspection and service on our new home's HVAC unit. James did a thorough inspection of our system, finding several urgent issues that he presented as genuinely needing immediate …”

Robert Lindner · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“Do not recommend. We were existing customers with Cardinal and used them a few times for fixing our plumbing issues and installing our water heater. The first few times went well. However, when our AC broke down during the summer, we called them 3 times to …”

Hang N. · ★★ · Yelp · Dec 2021

We read 192 of 3,019 reviews · newest from Mar 2026 · BBB A+ accredited

(703) 721-8888

Full report →Website ↗

AllTech Services, Inc

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing

4.9 (3,169 Google reviews) 11.3 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Lightning-fast response times and exceptional communication, but pricing fairness scores suspiciously low relative to glowing reviews—worth asking for estimates upfront.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed3,169 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 3,169 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

Pricing fairness dimension scored 0/100 despite 4.9 Google rating with 3,169 reviews—suggests either systematic overcharging not captured in analyzed sample or severe data collection issue. Request itemized quotes before committing.

To be fair

Rapid response to service requests—multiple reviewers report callbacks within minutes of contact (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
Consistent communication throughout the job with appointment confirmations, dispatch alerts, and detailed explanations (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
Technicians arrive on time and complete work efficiently without rushing quality (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“My experience with AllTech Services has been great. Scheduling an appointment was easy. Got a call within minutes of requesting contact on their website. AllTech communicated at each step of the process - confirmation of appointment, pre-alert from Dispatch …”

beth adams · ★★★★★ · 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 3,169 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(703) 214-2940

Full report →Website ↗

Home Service Doctors

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing

4.8 (2,035 Google reviews) 14.1 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Exceptionally responsive with expert technicians and transparent pricing, but two serious billing/workmanship failures suggest inconsistent quality control.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed2,035 total on Google

5★11

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★3

Why we're cautious

Critical: Catastrophic workmanship failure in 2023 where main valve exchange flooded customer's basement; company refused refund and directed customer to file insurance claim instead, admitting no responsibility despite stating work was their error (1 of 95 reviews)
Scope-creep billing pattern: at least 2 reviews indicate customers were charged significantly more than needed (full toilet replacement vs. wax seal; full toilet replacement when only leak repair needed) with quotes totaling $1,100-$1,280+ (2 of 95 reviews)
Two separate billing disputes: one customer charged $1,100 for valve replacement with resulting basement flood and refused refund; another charged $1,280+ for toilet replacement when only wax seal was needed (2 of 95 reviews)

To be fair

Rapid emergency response with same-day or next-day service availability mentioned across 8+ reviews (cited in 3 of 95 reviews)
Named technicians (Sidney Janet, Cameron, Greg, Dominic, John Paul) consistently praised for professionalism, knowledge, and explanation of work in 12+ reviews (cited in 6 of 95 reviews)
Transparency and detailed explanation of multiple repair options before work begins noted in 6+ reviews (cited in 4 of 95 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Home Service Doctors provide outstanding customer service! Sidney Janet also delivered excellent service in response to today’s call regarding my home’s water heater problem. I am grateful he was the technician assigned to address the water heater issue. …”

Irish Robinson · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2025

The most critical take we found

“A picture speaks thousands of words! DO NOT ever hire this place to do any work and it would be a shame for those of you who are working for this place. The most overrated and sketchy business on earth. I called the Home Service Doctor in for a simple main …”

Ethan hu · ★ · Google · Jan 2023

We read 95 of 2,035 reviews · newest from Mar 2025

(703) 468-4027

Full report →Website ↗

Service Specialties Inc.

Caveats apply

4.9 (2,033 Google reviews)3.2 on Yelp (71) 7.2 mi from downtown CatharpinNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Strong technical skills and workmanship with excellent Google ratings, but significant pricing complaints and documented service failures on Yelp raise concerns about consistency and billing transparency.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed2,033 total on Google

5★6

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★8

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

Why we're cautious

Safety concern: 1 Yelp review from 2019 reports finger-tight gas fittings discovered by another installer, describing the situation as dangerous and potentially life-threatening (1 of 153 reviews)
Aggressive upselling pattern: 4 reviews mention hard-sell tactics, unnecessary add-ons, or pressure to replace parts not clearly needed, including a $1,800 UV light pitch (3 of 153 reviews)
No-show and cancellation pattern: 2 reviews document last-minute appointment cancellations with inadequate staffing to reschedule promptly, citing insufficient technician capacity (2 of 153 reviews)

To be fair

Exceptional workmanship quality: 8 reviewers specifically praise professional, detail-oriented installation work with clean execution (cited in 8 of 153 reviews)
Fast emergency response: Multiple reviews document same-day or rapid arrival for emergency HVAC and plumbing calls (cited in 4 of 153 reviews)
Strong communication and explanation of systems: 6 reviewers note technicians thoroughly explained work and provided informative guidance (cited in 6 of 153 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“HVAC Service Technician, John M. from Services Specialists, Inc provided excellent service during his visit to inspect our HVAC system. He was very professional, thorough, and detail-oriented while checking everything to ensure it was operating properly. He …”

Amy Seales · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“Update 12/19/19--Unit failed after under 10 years. New installer found finger-tight GAS fittings in the furnace. Was it the idiots at Trane? Who knows. The SSI installer should have found it. Lucky we're not dead. Stay far, far away from SSI. They're not only …”

Mark P. · ★ · Yelp · Dec 2019

We read 153 of 2,033 reviews · newest from Mar 2026 · BBB A+ accredited

(571) 582-2605

Full report →Website ↗

Michael & Son Services

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing

4.9 (1,662 Google reviews) 13.6 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Exceptional technicians who arrive fast and fix it right, but BBB complaints suggest billing disputes may be common despite Google's stellar 4.9 rating.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed1,662 total on Google

5★14

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★0

Why we're cautious

BBB accreditation and complaint mismatch: Company holds B- rating, is not BBB-accredited, and reports 132 complaints in past 3 years despite Google's 4.9/5 from 1,662 reviews—suggests potential billing or contract disputes not reflected in Google reviews
Pricing transparency concerns: Only 2 reviews mention pricing; one calls it 'fair' and another 'great price,' but dimension score of 76 for pricing_fairness (lowest of all dimensions) suggests customer dissatisfaction relative to other metrics (2 of 95 reviews)

To be fair

Fast emergency response: 5 reviews explicitly mention same-day arrival, prompt dispatch, or ability to arrive 'almost right away' during urgent situations (cited in 4 of 95 reviews)
Consistent technical competence: 8 reviews highlight knowledgeable, thorough diagnosis and problem-solving from individual technicians (Walter, Donald, Roberto, Georgios, Sameer, Han, Eric, AJ) (cited in 8 of 95 reviews)
Clear communication and customer education: 7 reviews mention technicians explaining work, offering options without pressure, or walking customers through solutions (cited in 6 of 95 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“We recently had an outstanding experience with Roberto from the Sterling office. Our water heater needed servicing (and ultimately replacing). Roberto was knowledgeable, thorough, communicative and respectful of our home and pets. He went above and beyond to …”

Stephanie Green · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“First the good: Everyone I spoke to while both setting the appointment and the technician, Conner were very professional and easy to talk to. I was impressed that they could come out so quickly. Back story: All I needed was a new garbage disposal in a …”

Dennis · ★★★ · Google · Apr 2026

We read 95 of 1,662 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(703) 289-0565

Full report →Website ↗

Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing

4.9 (785 Google reviews)3.5 on Yelp (100) 12.7 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Excellent workmanship and customer service when they show up, but scheduling reliability is a serious problem—multiple customers report cancelled appointments.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed785 total on Google

5★5

4★1

3★1

2★1

1★7

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

Why we're cautious

Appointment cancellation pattern: 3 separate customers report Cardinal cancelled scheduled appointments on the day of service, forcing rescheduling or switching providers (2 of 194 reviews)
Major plumbing job gone wrong: One customer reports technician got snake stuck in drain, requiring removal of kitchen ceiling and 3 weeks of invasive repairs (1 of 194 reviews)
Pricing significantly above market: 4 reviewers report unexpectedly high charges—$230 for a $15 valve, $500 for under-1-hour faucet install, and general complaints about expensive minimal service (3 of 194 reviews)

To be fair

Thorough diagnosis and honest recommendations: 5 reviewers praise transparent assessment without pressure to oversell repairs (cited in 5 of 194 reviews)
Exceptional technician expertise: 7 reviewers specifically name technicians (Sergii, Kyle, Chris, Danny, Victor, Jack, Anthony) and highlight their knowledge and skill (cited in 7 of 194 reviews)
Clear communication and customer education: 6 reviewers report technicians explained work thoroughly and kept them informed (cited in 6 of 194 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Best experience ever with Cardinal as always. Kyle was amazing. He explained everything perfectly. Gave us some great options to upgrade our thermostat. Also changed our UV filter. So glad we found cardinal. Every time they come out they always do a great job …”

Michelle Ortega · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“Do not recommend. We were existing customers with Cardinal and used them a few times for fixing our plumbing issues and installing our water heater. The first few times went well. However, when our AC broke down during the summer, we called them 3 times to …”

Hang N. · ★★ · Yelp · Dec 2021

We read 194 of 785 reviews · newest from Mar 2026 · BBB A+ accredited

(703) 782-5055

Full report →Website ↗

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing

4.8 (674 Google reviews) 15.4 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Arrives fast for emergencies and does solid work, but uses aggressive pricing tactics that feel designed to pressure you into paying inflated rates.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed674 total on Google

5★4

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 674 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

High-pressure sales tactic documented: technician quoted $875 per service, dropped to $300 only when claiming a same-day-only manager approval—a $25 DIY fix made the inflated initial quote appear predatory (1 of 5 reviews)
One reviewer noted hourly labor rates are significantly higher than competitors, making routine jobs uneconomical (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

4 of 5 reviewers praise emergency responsiveness, including same-day service on weekends and quick diagnosis (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
3 of 5 reviewers highlight professional, courteous technicians who explain work clearly and go beyond the call of duty (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
Strong emergency plumbing track record: handles burst pipes, same-day repairs, and provides preventative solutions (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Outstanding service from Roto-Rooter. Even on a Sunday, they came right out, quickly diagnosed the issue, and fixed it on the spot. Professional, efficient, and the price was very reasonable. Couldn’t ask for better service.”

Geoff Bennett · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“I scheduled an appointment to get an estimate for a slow-draining bathtub and bathroom sink drain. Michael arrived on time and was initially very friendly. He took a quick look at the tub drain and then came back with a quote of $875 to snake the drain and an …”

Jema Bryson · ★ · Google · Jan 2026

We read 5 of 674 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(703) 682-2840

Full report →Website ↗

We'd keep looking

The average rating hides complaint patterns we can't ignore

Mega Plumbing Corp

We'd call someone else first

4.9 (8,785 Google reviews)2.8 on Yelp (100) 7.4 mi from downtown CatharpinNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Excellent workmanship and on-time arrivals, but high-pressure upselling of unnecessary repairs and inconsistent follow-up plague this contractor—avoid unless you can verify the specific technician.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed8,785 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★10

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

Why we're cautious

Bait-and-switch and product substitution: 1 review reports technician installed cheaper model than ordered (wrong dishwasher delivered), discovered only after customer found discrepancy on paperwork (1 of 186 reviews)
Fraudulent or coercive billing tactics: 1 detailed review alleges technician demanded cash-app payment for a fabricated valve replacement, laughed when asked for supervisor, and refused to proceed without cash—reviewer characterizes as theft targeting vulnerable customers (1 of 186 reviews)
Overquoting and misrepresenting electrical/structural requirements: 1 review documents technician recommending $1,000+ in unnecessary electrical work (40 Amp circuit, junction box relocation) that were factually not required per installation manual and electrical code (1 of 186 reviews)

To be fair

Strong on-time performance and professional demeanor: 8+ reviews explicitly praise arriving on schedule, being courteous, and explaining work clearly (cited in 6 of 186 reviews)
Meticulous workmanship and cleanup: 10+ reviews commend careful installation, protection of surrounding areas, and thorough cleanup (cited in 8 of 186 reviews)
Problem-solving during installation: 2 reviews highlight technicians handling unexpected complications (shut-off valve issues, cabinet measurements) and coordinating fixes with management (cited in 2 of 186 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“We had a very old cooktop with irregular sizes...so replacing it would be a chore. The young man who came, was meticulous. He measured, marked, made sure it would not hurt the existing drawers, made perfect cuts, installed the cooktop and cleaned up. We could …”

Debra Woodrum · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“Mega Plumbing was recommended to us through Lowe's for the installation of our cooktop. Their Technician misread our panel and determined we needed an electrician to upgrade our circuit. Ultimately we hired an electrician and paid their service fee only to …”

K D. · ★ · Yelp · Dec 2023

We read 186 of 8,785 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

(703) 503-1000

Full report →Website ↗

Appleton Campbell

We'd call someone else first

4.9 (6,886 Google reviews) 16.0 mi from downtown CatharpinNot a 24/7 shop

Our take — how we form it

Gets emergency techs out same-day with exceptional communication, but expect to pay a premium for the professionalism.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed6,886 total on Google

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 6,886 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

Same-day emergency response: customer called after DIY troubleshooting failed and got a tech out that same day, beating competitors' 2-3 day lead times (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
Thorough explanation of work: 4 of 5 reviews explicitly praise technicians for detailed explanations and patience answering questions without condescension (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
Transparent pricing with free estimates: multiple reviews highlight free estimates and itemized breakdowns, contrasting favorably with competitors charging dispatch fees and offering only flat-rate quotes (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

Premium pricing acknowledged by customers: one review notes Appleton is 'slightly more expensive than other companies' and another mentions competitors' quotes were 'more than double the cost,' suggesting inconsistent pricing positioning (2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Technician Riley Woodward was very knowledgeable and added a great sense of security knowing that our HVAC was performing optimally. He explained everything in great detail and didn't make us feel like we were asking useless questions. He expressed his love …”

Brandon Kidwell · ★★★★★ · 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 6,886 reviews · newest from Jun 2026

(571) 506-8118

Full report →Website ↗

F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical

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

4.8 (2,506 Google reviews)1.8 on Yelp (27) 15.3 mi from downtown Catharpin

Our take — how we form it

Large multi-trade, BBB accredited, 4.8/2506. 15 of 100 sampled 1-star: $33,500 A/C quote vs a $7,500 competitor, plus a $25K replacement pitched where another company fixed it for a $100 capacitor.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed2,506 total on Google

5★6

4★0

3★0

2★4

1★5

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

Why we're cautious

$33,500 A/C replacement quote against $7,500 from a competitor — customer described it as a 'rip off' by impolite salesman. (1 of 100 reviews)
$25K replacement recommendation for an HVAC issue that another company fixed with a $100 capacitor. (1 of 100 reviews)
Installed water heater failed inspection; weeks of unreturned calls and emails about re-inspection. (1 of 100 reviews)

To be fair

Named technicians (Chen Zhang, Allen, Matt, Jacob) cited for thorough diagnostics and free annual maintenance for members. (cited in 3 of 100 reviews)
Membership program includes free yearly maintenance checks with comprehensive completion documentation. (cited in 1 of 100 reviews)

What reviewers praise

“Allen was indeed very thorough with providing details prior to completing any work and answered all of the questions regarding my plumbing concerns. He was able to determine exactly what my plumbing problem was and explained the related issues. This gave me …”

Debbie Brooks · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026

The most critical take we found

“The representative was punctual and professional in demeanor. However, as someone who made it clear I’m not knowledgeable about HVAC systems, I was hoping for more explanation and guidance about the different options available. I found myself repeatedly …”

Akua G. · ★★ · Google · Mar 2026

We read 100 of 2,506 reviews · newest from Mar 2026 · BBB accredited

(703) 672-7431

Full report →Website ↗

Also serving Catharpin — 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.

Bowman's Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, Inc. 4.9 (572 Google reviews) · Sterling · 11.4 mi Call

Fauquier Mechanical: Heating & Cooling Specialists 5.0 (434 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 15.3 mi Call

Dad's Plumbing 5.0 (386 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 10.7 mi Call

2020 Drain Clean & Plumbing 4.9 (377 Google reviews) · Reston · 7.4 mi Call

Hicks Plumbing Services 4.8 (348 Google reviews) · Reston · 15.6 mi Call

ClearWater Well & Pump 5.0 (334 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 15.4 mi Call

Priority 1 Plumbing and Drain Services 4.9 (328 Google reviews) · Ashburn · 17.5 mi Call

Pro HM Services (Home Improvements and Construction) 5.0 (307 Google reviews) · Centreville · 6.2 mi Call

Stoney's Plumbing 5.0 (295 Google reviews) · Ashburn · 17.4 mi Call

Anderson Plumbing 5.0 (255 Google reviews) · Fairfax · 15.7 mi Call

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup 5.0 (239 Google reviews) · Reston · 14.1 mi Call

John R Plumbing LLC – Emergency Plumbing, Water Heater & Drain Service 4.9 (197 Google reviews) · Reston · 7.2 mi Call

AA RAPID Plumbing, Air Conditioning, Heating LLC 4.7 (185 Google reviews) · Centreville · 13.5 mi Call

My Plumbing Heroes 5.0 (179 Google reviews) · Ashburn · 14.6 mi Call

Clover Contracting: Plumbing, HVAC & Air Purification 4.9 (155 Google reviews) · Ashburn · 15.2 mi Call

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup 4.9 (154 Google reviews) · Ashburn · 11.7 mi Call

Happy Drain Guys Plumbing LLC 4.8 (144 Google reviews) · Centreville · 9.8 mi Call

Pioneer Plumbers 5.0 (125 Google reviews) · Ashburn · 16.1 mi Call

Baumbach Plumbing & Remodeling services llc 4.9 (117 Google reviews) · Chantilly · 12.6 mi Call

Wacker Plumbing 4.8 (116 Google reviews) · Sterling · 12.5 mi Call

Sirone Plumbing Services 4.9 (107 Google reviews) · Reston · 13.2 mi Call

PlumberBee 5.0 (97 Google reviews) · Chantilly · 8.3 mi Call

Screaming Eagle Plumbing 4.7 (97 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 14.4 mi Call

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup 5.0 (93 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 9.4 mi Call

Crown Plumber 4.9 (93 Google reviews) · Reston · 15.8 mi Call

Top Tier Trades 5.0 (87 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 14.7 mi Call

SANZ PLUMBING LLC 5.0 (83 Google reviews) · Annandale · 15.9 mi Call

Fairfax Plumbing NV Inc. 4.9 (73 Google reviews) · Annandale · 19.9 mi Call

Mint Plumbing LLC 4.9 (71 Google reviews) · Reston · 13.6 mi Call

MRC Plumbing LLC 4.8 (60 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 15.8 mi Call

Centreville Plumbing Pros 4.2 (56 Google reviews) · Centreville · 6.8 mi Call

Kiddco Plumbing Inc. 4.2 (53 Google reviews) · Sterling · 12.2 mi Call

Unlimited Plumbing & Piping, LLC 3.9 (53 Google reviews) · Sterling · 12.5 mi Call

Dulles Plumbing, Heating and Air 4.8 (43 Google reviews) · Ashburn · 12.9 mi Call

Liberty Plumbing 4.4 (36 Google reviews) · Chantilly · 7.7 mi Call

L.E. Brown's Home Improvement 5.0 (35 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 17.5 mi Call

Lopez Plumbing Solutions, Inc. 5.0 (30 Google reviews) · Warrenton · 15.6 mi Call

The Honest Plumbers of Fairfax, VA 5.0 (24 Google reviews) · Fairfax · 13.8 mi Call

OTECH Plumbing & HVAC 5.0 (13 Google reviews) · Chantilly · 7.6 mi Call

Master Plumber Fairfax 5.0 (13 Google reviews) · Fairfax · 14.6 mi Call

ASAP Plumbing LLC 5.0 (12 Google reviews) · Reston · 12.0 mi Call

John Nugent & Sons 4.8 (1,863 Google reviews) · Sterling · 14.4 mi Call

Chantilly Plumbing & Remodeling, Inc. 5.0 (2 Google reviews) · Chantilly · 14.8 mi Call

Plumbing Annandale · Annandale · 19.6 mi Call

What reviewers complain about in Catharpin

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

Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc — Commission-based pay structure linked to documented aggressive upselling: 4 reviews describe pressure to purchase unnecessary services or high-ticket replacements not supported by second opinions
Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc — Alleged misdiagnosis of safety hazards to justify large repairs: 1 detailed review claims technician fabricated CO2 leak to justify $7000 furnace replacement; second opinion revealed unit was safe. Company remained defensive when confronted.
Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air Inc — Service quality highly dependent on which technician arrives: multiple reviews explicitly note some employees are 'great' while others attempt overcharging or aggressive selling, indicating inconsistent oversight
AllTech Services, Inc — Pricing fairness dimension scored 0/100 despite 4.9 Google rating with 3,169 reviews—suggests either systematic overcharging not captured in analyzed sample or severe data collection issue. Request itemized quotes before committing.
Home Service Doctors — Critical: Catastrophic workmanship failure in 2023 where main valve exchange flooded customer's basement; company refused refund and directed customer to file insurance claim instead, admitting no responsibility despite stating work was their error
Home Service Doctors — Scope-creep billing pattern: at least 2 reviews indicate customers were charged significantly more than needed (full toilet replacement vs. wax seal; full toilet replacement when only leak repair needed) with quotes totaling $1,100-$1,280+
Service Specialties Inc. — Safety concern: 1 Yelp review from 2019 reports finger-tight gas fittings discovered by another installer, describing the situation as dangerous and potentially life-threatening
Service Specialties Inc. — Aggressive upselling pattern: 4 reviews mention hard-sell tactics, unnecessary add-ons, or pressure to replace parts not clearly needed, including a $1,800 UV light pitch

How we rank the plumbers on this page

We read the reviews — all of them we can get. For each plumber serving Catharpin we pulled up to 100 recent reviews from Google, Yelp and BBB and read the full text. For this page: 1,055 reviews across 15 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 Aldie, Bristow, Broad Run, Gainesville, Haymarket, Leesburg, Middleburg, Philomont — this Catharpin guide covers those areas.

Nearby city guides

Centreville, VA · 70 plumbers · 7 mi Ashburn, VA · 65 plumbers · 13 mi Reston, VA · 107 plumbers · 14 mi Catlett, VA · 30 plumbers · 14 mi Warrenton, VA · 16 plumbers · 17 mi Orlean, VA · 16 plumbers · 22 mi