Quick answer
Mr. Rooter, a Neighborly-owned plumbing franchise, rates 2.9★ on ComplaintsBoard (44 reviews, 115 complaints) and 1.3★ on PissedConsumer, with overcharging and upselling as the dominant complaint themes — one documented case billed $1,600 for a $90–$150 part. They advertise flat-rate upfront pricing: get it in writing, price-check parts on simple repairs, and get a second quote on anything over $1,000. Call (888) 840-6512 to reach a certified water damage restoration company in your area; the line is answered 24/7.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed August 19, 2026· Next review Feb 2027
Mr. Rooter Reviews: The Honest Read
A thousand people a month check Mr. Rooter's reviews before booking — many of them comparing it against the similarly-named Roto-Rooter. The two are unrelated companies, and their public records differ in useful ways. Here is what the reviews actually show.
Who Mr. Rooter Is
Mr. Rooter is the plumbing arm of Neighborly, the franchise group behind 27 home-service brands (Aire Serv, Mr. Electric, Molly Maid) and 4,300+ franchises. That structure matters for reading reviews: every location is an independent operation under shared branding and the "Neighborly Done Right Promise" workmanship guarantee.
The Ratings
| Platform | Rating | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| ComplaintsBoard | 2.9★ | 44 reviews, 115 complaints |
| PissedConsumer | 1.3★ | small sample (~14) |
| Google (individual franchises) | commonly 4.0★ – 4.8★ | thousands per metro |
Same honesty rule we apply to every brand: complaint platforms collect unhappy customers by design. Mr. Rooter's local Google ratings often run strong. The complaint record's value is in its pattern, not its average.
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The Pattern: Parts Markup and Upselling
The documented complaints are unusually specific. One customer was billed $1,600 to replace a pressure control valve that retails for $90–$150 — an all-day job that included the technician's trips to the hardware store. Others describe recommendations for large add-on work, like a $3,500 outdoor cleanout, during what began as routine calls, and promised follow-ups that never came.
The praise is equally consistent: courteous, uniformed technicians, clean work areas, and the visible professionalism the Neighborly system trains for.
Put together: the service experience reviews well, the pricing deserves your attention. Mr. Rooter operates on flat-rate quotes rather than hourly billing — which protects you exactly to the extent the quote is written down and parts prices are sane. For single-part repairs, a two-minute part-price search before authorizing is the least expensive protection in plumbing.
Mr. Rooter vs. Roto-Rooter
| Mr. Rooter | Roto-Rooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Neighborly franchise | Company branches + franchises |
| Pricing model | Flat-rate, upfront | On-site quotes |
| 24/7 emergency | Varies by franchise | Most metros |
| Water damage cleanup | No — plumbing only | Yes, many markets |
| Complaint theme | Parts markup, upselling | Estimate-vs-invoice gaps |
| Praise theme | Courteous techs | Response speed |
We've analyzed Roto-Rooter's reviews and prices separately. The practical answer for non-emergency work: get one quote from each — franchise variance means the better *local* operation wins regardless of brand.
The Water Damage Gap
One structural fact most reviews miss: Mr. Rooter fixes pipes, not water damage. If the leak already soaked flooring or drywall, the plumbing repair is half the job. The other half — extraction, structural drying, mold prevention, insurance documentation — is restoration work with its own costs and its own decision process. Our guide on who to call for water damage covers how plumbers and restoration firms divide the work, and why calling them in the right order saves money.
Bottom Line
Mr. Rooter's crews review well; its pricing pattern asks for discipline. Take the flat-rate quote in writing, sanity-check part prices on simple repairs, second-quote anything over $1,000, and if water has spread beyond the pipe, treat drying as a separate decision made with the same care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mr. Rooter a good plumbing company?
Mr. Rooter is a large plumbing franchise owned by Neighborly (the parent of 27 home-service brands with 4,300+ franchises).
Brand-level review scores are mixed — 2.9★ across 44 reviews and 115 complaints on ComplaintsBoard — but individual franchises vary widely, and many hold strong local Google ratings. Judge the location, not the logo.
What are the most common complaints about Mr. Rooter?
The public record concentrates on pricing: documented complaints include $1,600 charged to replace a pressure control valve that retails for $90–$150, and recommendations for additional work such as a $3,500 outdoor cleanout.
Follow-up failures and communication gaps also recur. Praise centers on polite, uniformed technicians and clean work.
Does Mr. Rooter charge for estimates?
Most Mr. Rooter locations advertise no-charge estimates with flat-rate, upfront pricing rather than hourly billing. Flat-rate pricing means the quoted number should not move — get it in writing and hold them to it, and price-check any quote over $1,000 against one independent plumber before authorizing.
Mr. Rooter vs Roto-Rooter — which is better?
They are different companies with similar names. Roto-Rooter is larger, runs 24/7 emergency coverage in most metros, and also offers water cleanup; Mr. Rooter operates on flat-rate pricing under the Neighborly Done Right Promise with more limited hours in some markets.
Both show the same complaint pattern — pricing disputes — and both depend heavily on the local franchise. Get one quote from each for non-emergency work; the better local operation wins.
Does Mr. Rooter handle water damage?
Mr. Rooter is a plumbing company — they fix the pipe, not the water damage. If water has spread into flooring, drywall, or subfloor, that is a separate restoration job with separate equipment and insurance implications. Fixing the leak is half the job; drying the structure is the other half.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line.
If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7
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Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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