Plumber Cost in San Rafael, CA
Wondering what a plumber costs? Compare pricing fairness ratings.
Marin County15 plumbers available
All Plumber Cost Pros in San Rafael
S Waters Plumbing
5·237 reviews·
7 mi awayGoogle Verified
+5 more
Top pick5.0Google
Strengths
Sunday-night emergency response cited
Transparent quoting praised as 'fair and transparent' with…
Multi-decade customer retention
Concerns
Not enough data to identify weaknesses
Superior Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Services
4.9·171 reviews·
8 mi awayGoogle Verified
+4 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
5 of 5 reviewers praise professionalism, courtesy, and…
Exceptional problem-solving on difficult jobs: 2 reviews…
Thorough cleanup and respect for homes: 3 reviewers mention…
Clear communication and education: 3 reviewers note explanations…
Concerns
Project timelines can extend significantly: 1 review documents 2+…
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
4.8·2.6k reviews·
17 mi away — Edge of service areaGoogle Verified
+1 more
Proceed with care4.8Google
Strengths
Same-day and after-hours response is documented
7 weekend/emergency mentions including Sunday squeeze-in slots…
Concerns
32 of 100 sampled reviews are 1-star
Pricing complaints are recurring
Dispatch communication has been called out
The Plumbing Two
4.9·58 reviews·
9 mi awayGoogle Verified
+4 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
True 24-hour emergency response
Communication discipline
Repeat-customer trust
Concerns
Finish-work polish noted as weak in one 3-star
GTO. Plumbing and rooter
4.9·64 reviews·
10 mi awayGoogle Verified
+6 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
Significantly undercuts competitor estimates—one review notes…
Same-day or next-day emergency response—3 of 5 reviews explicitly…
Thorough documentation with step-by-step photos and…
All 5 reviews are 5-star ratings with 64 Google reviews averaging…
Preliminary listing — full review analysis coming soon
Advanced Plumbing & Drain
4.9·719 reviews·
13 mi away — Serves your areaGoogle Verified
+5 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
5-minute on-site arrival for a multi-unit building emergency;
Holiday + weekend dispatch documented: Christmas-day faucet…
Fair-price perception explicit: Tim (dispatch) + Alex did 'quick…
Concerns
One reviewer flagged service as expensive…
Discount Plumbing Rooter Services
4.9·2.9k reviews·
20 mi away — Edge of service areaGoogle Verified
+3 more
Solid pick4.9Google
Strengths
Multiple named techs called out positively (Saul, Carlos, Mike,…
Difficult-access leak repair completed within an hour despite…
Dispatcher Magda + clean communication called out on a garbage…
Concerns
Same 4-star reviewer flagged worn-out torch and missing basic…
Albert Nahman Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling
4.7·3.4k reviews·
16 mi away — Edge of service areaGoogle Verified
+2 more
Proceed with care4.7Google
Strengths
Expert workmanship: 2 of 5 reviews highlight technicians going…
Fast emergency response: Technician arrived within 2 hours…
Clear communication when present: 2 of 5 reviews specifically…
Concerns
2 of 5 reviews report significant scheduling failures…
Billing ethics concern: Customer with disabilities was asked to…
Poor follow-up communication: Reviewer reported no return call…
Smart Rooter & Plumbing
5·27 reviews·
11 mi away — Serves your areaGoogle Verified
+4 more
Top pick5.0Google
Strengths
Sunday and after-hours response
Transparent pricing reinforced
Post-job follow-up — Sam followed up weeks later to verify repair…
Concerns
Not enough data to identify weaknesses
Munoz services
4.9·54 reviews·
11 mi away — Serves your areaGoogle Verified
+3 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
Same-day callbacks even when others ghosted
No-charge honest diagnosis cited
Sunday-night main-drain emergency cleared inside 30 minutes after…
Concerns
Not enough data to identify weaknesses
Afterglow Heating and Plumbing
4.9·76 reviews·
15 mi away — Serves your areaGoogle Verified
+5 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
Exceptional emergency responsiveness: fitted in same-day service…
Deep expertise in complex hydronic systems: 4 of 5 reviews…
Transparent communication throughout project: 3 reviewers…
Attention to detail and cleanliness: multiple reviews mention…
Concerns
Not enough data to identify weaknesses: all 5 analyzed reviews…
Heise's Plumbing
4.9·1.6k reviews·
17 mi away — Edge of service areaGoogle Verified
+3 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
Repair-over-replace ethic
Late-night flooding emergency dispatched immediately with clean…
Next-day appointments for non-emergency spigot work, on-time…
Concerns
$350/hour rate explicitly described as 'on the higher side' by a…
Big Smile Plumbing
5·99 reviews·
19 mi away — Edge of service areaGoogle Verified
+5 more
Top pick5.0Google
Strengths
Rolando often arrives within minutes of a call
Sewer-lateral pricing came in significantly lower than three…
Multiple reviewers describe weekend and short-notice work
Preliminary listing — full review analysis coming soon
Oakland Plumbing Experts
4.9·37 reviews·
18 mi away — Edge of service areaGoogle Verified
+2 more
Top pick4.9Google
Strengths
Scott repeatedly fixes problems over the phone at no cost
Sunday and weekend availability is documented
Concerns
One 2-star review reports a $140 minimum fee for a brief toilet…
One Step Plumbing
5·1 reviews·
15 mi away — Serves your areaGoogle Verified
+4 more
Avoid5.0Google
Strengths
Same-day arrival reported by the one reviewer on file
Tech (Garvey) had tub-leak parts on the truck and finished the…
Concerns
No reviews newer than 2017
Only 1 Google review total, and it's from 2017
Common Plumber Cost Scenarios
Service Call Fee
Most plumbers charge $50-$150 just to show up and diagnose the issue. Some waive this fee if you hire them for the repair.
Hourly vs Flat Rate
Some plumbers charge hourly ($75-$150/hr), others quote flat rates per job. Flat rates give price certainty; hourly is better for quick fixes.
Emergency Surcharges
After-hours, weekend, and holiday calls typically cost 1.5-2x standard rates. Budget for this if your issue is time-sensitive.
Parts and Materials
Parts are usually marked up 15-50% over retail. For major jobs (water heaters, repiping), ask for an itemized quote separating labor from materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a plumber cost in San Rafael, CA?
Plumber costs in San Rafael range from $75-$150/hour for standard work. Common jobs: drain cleaning $150-$450, toilet repair $100-$350, water heater replacement $1,200-$3,500, faucet replacement $200-$500. Emergency and after-hours rates are 1.5-2x standard.
Why do plumber prices vary so much in San Rafael?
Price differences in San Rafael come from: experience level, overhead (insurance, licensing, vehicles), demand, and business model (solo plumber vs franchise). A plumber charging $125/hr with 5-star workmanship is often better value than $75/hr with callbacks.
How do I avoid surprise plumbing charges?
Get a written estimate before work begins. Ask about diagnostic fees, hourly vs flat rates, and whether parts are included. Plumbers rated highest for pricing fairness below consistently give accurate upfront estimates.
Should I get multiple plumbing quotes in San Rafael?
For non-emergency work over $500 in San Rafael, getting 2-3 quotes is smart. Compare not just price but included warranty, timeline, and the plumber's pricing fairness score below. The cheapest quote isn't always the best value.
Other Services in San Rafael
Drain Cleaning Water Heater Repair Burst Pipe Repair Repiping Bathroom Remodel Plumbing Sewer Repair Sewer Line Replacement Toilet Repair Faucet Repair Garbage Disposal Repair Sump Pump Repair Gas Line Repair Slab Leak Repair Water Line Repair Kitchen Remodel Plumbing Hydro-Jetting 24-Hour Plumber Same-Day Plumber Affordable Plumber Licensed Plumber Clogged Drain No Hot Water Water Leak Low Water Pressure Frozen Pipes Sewage Backup All Emergency Plumbers
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