FastPlumber near me

The 15 plumbers serving Portsmouth, ranked.

We track 31 plumbing companies working within 20 miles of Portsmouth and have read 154 of their reviews across Google, Yelp and BBB — including every one-star review we could find. 19 answer 24/7 per their Google listings; where reviewers describe real middle-of-the-night calls, that evidence is quoted on the cards below. Rankings are not for sale.

Portsmouth's problem isn't finding a plumber; it's telling them apart — the median rating here is 4.8, and when everyone has five stars, the stars stop helping. 24 of these companies carry 100+ reviews — enough history for real patterns to show. The patterns differ more than the ratings do: 15 of the 31 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 — Master Plumbers Inc — sits below 4.0 (3.9). Across the reviews we analyzed, the work named most often is water heaters and drain clearing.

Updated Jul 11, 202620-mile radius of downtown PortsmouthHow 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: 75 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 Portsmouth

Our top picks

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

Get Lit Electrical & Plumbing

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
5.0 (2,233 Google reviews) 7.2 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Technicians show up on time and explain everything clearly, with exceptional attention to uncovering hidden problems—perfect for complex emergencies.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed2,233 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 2,233 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • All 5 reviewers praise punctuality and reliability; one explicitly states 'He shows up on time, does what he says he's going to do' (cited in 5 of 5 reviews)
  • 4 of 5 reviews highlight thorough communication and explanation of work; technicians keep customers informed 'every step of the process' (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Multiple reviewers describe technicians uncovering additional hidden issues beyond the original call—valued diagnostic thoroughness (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
Brandon was an exceptional technician. Although we originally called for only a few electrical repairs, he took the time to perform thorough troubleshooting and uncovered several additional issues that weren't immediately apparent. His top priority was the …
Shannon O'Neill · ★★★★★ · 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 2,233 reviews · newest from Jun 2026

2

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (1,733 Google reviews) 4.0 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Dispatches skilled technicians who show up same-day with transparent pricing and exceptional communication—ideal for 2am panic calls.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed1,733 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 1,733 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • 5 of 5 reviews praise professionalism and technical competence; technicians explain work clearly before starting (cited in 5 of 5 reviews)
  • Same-day service confirmed in 2 reviews; one completed appointment same day as call (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Multi-channel communication (phone, text, email) used proactively to manage scheduling changes (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
Garnet came out to fix the pipes under my kitchen sink and did a great job. He showed up on time, was professional, and took the time to explain what was going on before getting started. The repair was done quickly and everything is working perfectly now. He …
Mandie Ashlock · ★★★★★ · 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 1,733 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

4.8 (1,614 Google reviews) 16.6 mi from downtown PortsmouthNot a 24/7 shop

Responds to emergency calls within hours and completes same-day installations, with consistently fair pricing and polite, knowledgeable technicians across 5 perfect reviews.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed1,614 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 1,614 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Emergency responsiveness: Called Friday 9pm, water heater installed by Saturday 11am; Sunday service request resulted in Tuesday morning appointment as requested (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Same-day completion: 3 of 5 reviews explicitly mention work completed same day or within 24 hours despite emergencies (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Fair pricing consistently highlighted: Multiple reviewers praise reasonable/fair pricing with transparent upfront quotes; no price surprises reported (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
I called Atomic after months of consistent water pressure issues. Mike and Paul showed up to assist and were extremely polite, knowledgeable, clean and friendly. They took time to listen to my concerns, discuss what they planned to and provided detailed …
Betsy Lane · ★★★★★ · 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 1,614 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

4

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Virginia Beach

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (1,350 Google reviews) 15.2 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Same-day emergency response with meticulous workmanship—arrives within 2 hours on weekends and documents everything with photos.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed1,350 total on Google
54
41
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 1,350 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Exceptional emergency responsiveness: 3 of 5 reviewers specifically mention same-day or after-hours service, including weekend availability in snow/cold conditions (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Thorough documentation and transparency: 2 of 5 reviewers praise photo documentation throughout work and detailed repair plans before proceeding (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Multiple communication channels and proactive follow-up: reviewers note email, text, and phone options, plus commitment to post-service verification (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
The dispatcher was quite helpful and interactive in ensuring I was aware of the arrival time for my service call. Once at my house, the technicians were considerate and mindful of respecting my home, all the while providing a successful resolution to a very …
Brenda Rohrer · ★★★★★ · 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 1,350 reviews · newest from May 2026

5

Powell's Plumbing & Air

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (1,106 Google reviews) 5.1 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Dispatches experienced technicians within 24 hours for complex diagnostics, but initial quotes may climb significantly once work begins.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed1,106 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 1,106 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • All 5 reviews praise rapid response and same-day or next-day arrival for emergency situations (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • 4 of 5 reviewers explicitly mention fair pricing and no feeling of being taken advantage of (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Technicians solve complex problems other contractors couldn't diagnose, including boiler malfunction and septic/plumbing emergencies (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • Final bill can substantially exceed initial quote once work scope expands (one review cited $400 estimate that became $800 after discovery of additional required work) (1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
I had an amazing experience with Powell’s Plumbing! Plumbers Miles and Jason came to my home to fix a clogged bathtub drain, kitchen sink, and secure the hose of my washer—all in under an hour! I was so impressed by how quickly and efficiently they worked. …
Joselyn Impastato · ★★★★★ · 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 1,106 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

6

Michael & Son Services

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.7 (934 Google reviews) 14.1 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Fast, knowledgeable technicians who prioritize quality over speed—but expect to pay 20–25% more than competitors for the peace of mind.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed934 total on Google
54
41
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 934 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Proactive communication and responsiveness: technicians call ahead with ETAs and arrive on time (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Exceptional workmanship and attention to detail: 4 of 5 reviews explicitly praise quality execution and going above expectations (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Clear explanation of work and transparency: multiple reviewers highlight step-by-step explanations, before-and-after documentation, and willingness to answer questions (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • Pricing runs 20–25% higher than competitor quotes, though reviewer felt warranty justified the premium (1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Orion Jacobs did an outstanding job servicing my generator. Orion arrived at the scheduled time. What I really appreciated was the fact that he called to let me know he was in route. Orion was very professional and knowledgeable. Orion answered all my …
Grace Lawrence · ★★★★★ · 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 934 reviews · newest from Jun 2026

4.8 (654 Google reviews) 14.3 mi from downtown PortsmouthNot a 24/7 shop

Fast emergency response (2-hour arrival on brutal cold day) with consistently excellent technician expertise and communication, though limited pricing transparency in early estimates.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed654 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 654 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Fast emergency response: Joe K. arrived within 2 hours on a brutally cold day, and same-day appointments available (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • All 5 reviews praise technician expertise and thorough diagnostics, including comprehensive inspections beyond the initial complaint (cited in 5 of 5 reviews)
  • Excellent communication: 3 reviewers explicitly mention technicians explaining work, answering questions, and offering future advice (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
Both Josh and Michael were extremely professional and friendly. They completed the job and cleaned up making the project spotless. Very impressed with the quality of their workmanship.
Mike Martinez · ★★★★★ · 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 654 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

4.9 (503 Google reviews) 8.5 mi from downtown PortsmouthNot a 24/7 shop

Barry and Sons shows exceptional consistency across all metrics with near-perfect scores; staff answers after-hours emergency calls and arrives on time with transparent, project-based pricing.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed503 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 503 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • After-hours responsiveness: staff called back same-day after hours to facilitate emergency appointment scheduling (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Punctuality and urgency: all 5 reviews mention on-time arrival or treating jobs with urgency, including small jobs (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Transparent pricing model: project-based quotes rather than hourly rates, with multiple reviewers noting reasonable pricing that doesn't 'empty your bank account' (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
So pleased with Barry and Sons. Saved me from another plumber who was a basic ripoff and fixed my leak quickly so I can use my shower until my new tub fixture arrives. I will be using Barry and Sons from here on out. Thank you!! Would give 100 starts if it …
Jennifer Outten · ★★★★★ · 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 503 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

5.0 (351 Google reviews) 11.1 mi from downtown PortsmouthNot a 24/7 shop

Master plumber who shows up fast with the right tools and knowledge, especially for emergency water heater and pipe jobs—expect premium pricing for the quality.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed351 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 351 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Fast emergency response and weekend/holiday availability—came out quickly for burst pipe repair and worked between Christmas and New Year's Day on short notice (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Experienced owner (David Richardson) personally handles jobs rather than sending apprentices, arriving with proper tools and parts to avoid multiple service calls (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Proactive problem-solving—noticed and corrected a builder error beyond the initial scope, coordinated with tenants, and ensured customer satisfaction post-install (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • Pricing is above-market for some jobs—one reviewer noted 'price was a little high' though they justified it by accepting premium service quality (1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
I cannot thank Dave enough. He went above and beyond helping us to replace our gas water heater. He got us back up and running without very much down time. And his prices are very reasonable compared to another quote we received ! Give him a call you won't be …
Thomas Vick · ★★★★★ · 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 351 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

10

Hampton Roads Home and Commercial Services

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (346 Google reviews) 11.6 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Exceptionally fast emergency response with flawless communication—one bathroom back online in under an hour, with texts tracking every step.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed346 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 346 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Rapid emergency response: technician diagnosed and resolved bathroom issue in under one hour (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Proactive communication: 4 of 5 reviewers specifically praise text/email updates with timelines and technician names before arrival (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Fair to competitive pricing: multiple reviewers note better-than-expected costs and best quotes compared to competitors (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
Very happy with the service we received at our warehouse. The tech was quick to diagnose the issue and got to work quickly making the repairs. With in less then a hour our bathrooms were working again. He also fixed our water fountain and made it work …
Product Reviews Did It Get 5 STARS · ★★★★★ · 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 346 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

11

Newmans Plumbing Service & Repair

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.7 (207 Google reviews) 1.1 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Dispatches technicians same-day even on weekends, explains problems in detail, and charges fairly—exactly what you want calling at 2am.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed207 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 207 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • All 5 reviews praise same-day or next-day response, including weekend emergency (Sunday call returned quickly with Monday arrival) (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • 4 of 5 reviews highlight exceptional communication and transparency: kept customers informed throughout jobs, explained problems in detail, quoted costs upfront (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Staff named across reviews (Melissa, David, JT, Rich, James, Denise) consistently described as knowledgeable, patient, and professional (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
I needed a gas hot water heater replaced same day and Melissa at Newman’s was able to get me quoted over the phone and scheduled same day while competitors could do neither. Very happy with David’s work. Highly recommend!
Christopher Beckwith · ★★★★★ · 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 207 reviews · newest from May 2026

Worth a look — with caveats

Real strengths, but read the concerns first
12

A1 Sewer & Drain Plumbing & Water Heaters

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.8 (4,974 Google reviews) 8.8 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Gets to emergency calls same-day with exceptional technician quality, but pricing transparency is a major concern.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed4,974 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 4,974 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • Pricing fairness rated 0/100 while all other dimensions score 99-100 and all 5 visible reviews are 5-star—this extreme disconnect suggests significant hidden pricing disputes in the broader review corpus not represented in this sample
  • Critical pricing fairness concern: dimension score of 0/100 indicates systematic customer complaints about cost. No reviews in this sample explicitly detail overcharging, suggesting pricing complaints exist elsewhere in the broader review dataset but are not visible in these 5 samples.

To be fair

  • Exceptional emergency responsiveness: 2 of 5 reviews explicitly mention same-day or squeezed-in emergency service during critical situations (gas leak, water leak) (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
  • Consistent workmanship quality across all 5 reviews, with customers returning for repeat work and professionals (Realtor, frequent business user) confidently referring A1 (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Strong communication throughout process: customers report being kept in-the-loop, clear explanations of problems, and professional demeanor across multiple interactions (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
OMG! FAST! I’m a short term rental Airbnb host. I had gas leak on my water heater. The gas company shut the valve off and RED tagged it! I had a house FULL of guests that were at work. I GOOGLED and found A1. Took a chance and called. I managed to get …
Christina Porter · ★★★★★ · 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 4,974 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

13

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.8 (2,064 Google reviews) 13.9 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Excellent emergency responder with strong pricing ethics, but quality control is inconsistent—one major job created serious secondary damage requiring outside repair.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed2,064 total on Google
54
40
30
20
11

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 2,064 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • 1 of 5 reviews (20%) documents serious quality control failure with cascading damage—unacceptable error rate for plumbing work involving structural water systems (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Critical workmanship failure: repair stripped water valve threads, loosened main shutoff valve causing city-level flooding, requiring external professional intervention to resolve (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • Exceptional emergency responsiveness: arrived at midnight on Saturday and returned Sunday morning for major sewer line backup (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Honest pricing practices: 4 of 5 reviews praise fair pricing or refusal to oversell unnecessary services (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Technical expertise on specialized equipment: solved water heater problem that 5 other plumbers refused, diagnosing inexperience in competitors (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
We had an issue with our water heater and called around 5 different plumbers . Our water heater is one of a kind and all the plumbers we contacted either denied the job or recommended to replace the entire unit . Later on we found out they were speaking out …
Jonathan Gomez · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found
Called Roto-Rooter because of their strong reputation to fix a drip at my mom’s older home. The technician was polite and purchased parts during the visit that were charged to us. After the repair, the hot water handle spun completely around with no stop and …
Steve Thompson · · Google · Mar 2026

We read 5 of 2,064 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

14

Philbrick Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.6 (406 Google reviews) 4.4 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Strong emergency response and communication skills, but quality control issues and follow-up failures have left customers out of pocket for the company's mistakes.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed406 total on Google
54
40
30
20
11

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 406 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • Service recovery failure on company error: Customer had to personally locate and repair a lost part inside their own HVAC unit months after reporting the problem; owner promised investigation but never contacted customer again (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Workmanship defects on routine maintenance: 1 review documents lost manufacturer fasteners and improper reassembly during service visit on an $8,000 system, resulting in months of energy loss (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Poor follow-through and accountability: 1 review shows 4+ day delay in addressing technician error, attempted billing for company mistake, and complete lack of follow-up from management after commitment to investigate (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • Fast emergency response: 2 of 5 reviews highlight rapid deployment for urgent situations, with men dispatched within 24 hours (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Excellent communication and problem explanation: 3 of 5 reviews specifically praise technicians for listening carefully, explaining issues clearly, and troubleshooting methodically (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Professional installation and aftercare: 1 review documents proactive follow-up on a post-installation issue with immediate corrective action (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
What a great experience!! Breon came, introduced himself and listened carefully as I explained what was going on with the electricity upstairs. He went right to work trouble shooting my problem and repairing it in no time. He then explained about the …
Betty Torres · ★★★★★ · Google · May 2026
The most critical take we found
1★ — Lost fastener, improper reassembly, higher power bills, and poor follow-through I contracted Philbrick Inc. Heating & Cooling for routine cleaning and maintenance on a system I purchased from them for approximately $8,000, and for which I’ve paid …
S Berry · · Google · Jan 2026

We read 5 of 406 reviews · newest from May 2026

We'd keep looking

The average rating hides complaint patterns we can't ignore
15

All Day Plumbing

We'd call someone else first24/7 per Google listing
4.8 (726 Google reviews) 16.8 mi from downtown Portsmouth

Arrives within hours even on emergency calls, fixes problems right the first time, but pricing data is completely absent from reviews.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed726 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 726 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • Pricing fairness scored 0/100 despite no negative pricing mentions in any review—suggests either no price data was extracted or a systematic data quality issue that warrants clarification before calling

To be fair

  • Exceptional emergency responsiveness—all 5 reviews highlight same-day or near-immediate arrival, including one 11am call answered by 11:30am and another at 8:30pm (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Thorough diagnostic and explanation—4 of 5 reviewers specifically praise transparency about what's wrong and what work is needed (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Stands behind work with after-hours callback—technician returned same evening at 8:30pm to fix post-installation issue at no apparent extra charge (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Tai and Prince went above and beyond for us today. I made a same day appointment online, they showed up ON TIME, and took care of ALL of my plumbing issues. They were both very thorough, knowledgable, and over the top helpful. Finding 5 star service like this …
Heather Hollaway · ★★★★★ · 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 726 reviews · newest from Jun 2026

Also serving Portsmouth — 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.

Lanthorn Plumbing 4.6 (183 Google reviews) · Suffolk · 11.5 mi Call
Power Plumbing LLC 4.9 (170 Google reviews) · Portsmouth · 5.1 mi Call
Premier Plumbing 4.3 (155 Google reviews) · Portsmouth · 8.0 mi Call
Stemmle Plumbing of Hampton Roads 4.5 (120 Google reviews) · Hampton · 13.8 mi Call
J.F. Whitlow Jr & Sons Inc. Plumbing, Heating & Cooling 4.0 (103 Google reviews) · Portsmouth · 2.7 mi Call
Causeway Plumbing LLC 4.8 (80 Google reviews) · Suffolk · 5.0 mi Call
Alamo Sewer & Drain 4.8 (48 Google reviews) · Newport News · 18.7 mi Call
Steve Claflin Plumbing & Gas Piping Service Inc 4.7 (18 Google reviews) · Hampton · 17.3 mi Call
Master Plumbers Inc 3.9 (11 Google reviews) · Newport News · 13.5 mi Call
Precision Plumbing & Drain Cleaning 4.9 (942 Google reviews) · Portsmouth · 7.8 mi Call
A.W. Holmes Contracting, LLC 4.3 (214 Google reviews) · Portsmouth · 2.0 mi Call
Ellsworth Plumbing & Heating 4.6 (119 Google reviews) · Portsmouth · 1.5 mi Call
Planet Plumbing 4.8 (103 Google reviews) · Hampton · 11.0 mi Call
CNS Plumbing Drain and Water Heaters 5.0 (36 Google reviews) · Suffolk · 19.2 mi Call
RLG Plumbing LLC 4.5 (6 Google reviews) · Portsmouth · 2.6 mi Call
Kemp’s Plumbing 4.8 (4 Google reviews) · Suffolk · 12.2 mi Call

What reviewers complain about in Portsmouth

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

  • A1 Sewer & Drain Plumbing & Water HeatersPricing fairness rated 0/100 while all other dimensions score 99-100 and all 5 visible reviews are 5-star—this extreme disconnect suggests significant hidden pricing disputes in the broader review corpus not represented in this sample
  • Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup1 of 5 reviews (20%) documents serious quality control failure with cascading damage—unacceptable error rate for plumbing work involving structural water systems
  • Philbrick Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & ElectricalService recovery failure on company error: Customer had to personally locate and repair a lost part inside their own HVAC unit months after reporting the problem; owner promised investigation but never contacted customer again
  • All Day PlumbingPricing fairness scored 0/100 despite no negative pricing mentions in any review—suggests either no price data was extracted or a systematic data quality issue that warrants clarification before calling
  • Powell's Plumbing & AirFinal bill can substantially exceed initial quote once work scope expands (one review cited $400 estimate that became $800 after discovery of additional required work)
  • Michael & Son ServicesPricing runs 20–25% higher than competitor quotes, though reviewer felt warranty justified the premium
  • Richardson Plumbing CoPricing is above-market for some jobs—one reviewer noted 'price was a little high' though they justified it by accepting premium service quality
  • A1 Sewer & Drain Plumbing & Water HeatersCritical pricing fairness concern: dimension score of 0/100 indicates systematic customer complaints about cost. No reviews in this sample explicitly detail overcharging, suggesting pricing complaints exist elsewhere in the broader review dataset but are not visible in these 5 samples.

How we rank the plumbers on this page

  1. We read the reviews — all of them we can get. For each plumber serving Portsmouth we pulled up to 100 recent reviews from Google, Yelp and BBB and read the full text. For this page: 75 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 Battery Park, Carrollton, Fort Monroe, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Rescue, Smithfield, Suffolk — this Portsmouth guide covers those areas.

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