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Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$290 – $710
Typical plumbing job around $500
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup serves New Bedford from 404 Nash Rd and has a substantial Google footprint: 4.8 stars across 1,607 ratings. Recent customers describe fast main-line, drain, sewer, and plumbing repairs, including a main-line problem solved in under an hour and same-day service for a clogged shower drain. The recent reviews are not uniformly positive. Several homeowners praise speed, professionalism, and clear explanations, while others describe high prices: one called a 20–30 minute blockage visit a charge, and another said the work was excellent but the pricing was too high. A recent formal complaint alleges repeated misdiagnoses and aggressive upselling; that account should be discussed directly before booking. The most important verification is licensing. The Massachusetts registry marks plumber license 2604-PL-C, held by G.W. Chapman Inc. dba Roto Rooter Inc., expired; BBB also lists a separate Rhode Island license number, MP003473. Confirm the current Massachusetts license status, the exact branch handling the job, and the full price before authorizing work.
We were having issues with the main line in our home. The technician came and had the problem solved in less than an hour. He was quick, polite and even gave us tips on how to prevent the issue in the future. Thanks so much!
Ron -5592 was amazing and provided great service . I would recommend him for services .
Formal Complaint: Repeated Misdiagnoses, Unprofessional Conduct, and Unjustified UpsellingService Dates: March 2, 2026 and August 2026Issue: Failure to properly diagnose a single-handle faucet issue and aggressive, high-priced upselling.I am writing to formally complain about the poor quality of service, lack of basic troubleshooting, and predatory pricing tactics I experienced from two different technicians sent to my home.First Incident (March 2, 2026):The hot water stopped working on my single-handle kitchen faucet (up for cold, down for hot). The technician immediately claimed the issue was a frozen pipe and wanted to charge me $390 to thaw it using a tool resembling a blow dryer. I explained that an electric heater had already been running in that exact area 24/7 for 7 days straight since the cold snap hit, making a frozen pipe highly unlikely. Because I refused this groundless $390 charge, he charged me a $99 service fee and left without resolving the issue.Second Incident (August 2026 – 6 Months Later):Six months later, dealing with the exact same unresolved hot water issue, I called the company back to request a proper, thorough diagnosis. The second technician failed to perform basic plumbing troubleshooting. He never checked the hot water lines under the sink to see if water was flowing to the fixture, nor did he check the faucet's internal cartridge. Instead, he guessed it was a "flap" issue and checked their inventory for a replacement. Upon finding they did not have the part, he immediately jumped to the most expensive option possible: telling me I needed a brand-new faucet, offering to take me to the store, and quoting $690 just for the installation.Conclusion:Both technicians completely skipped basic, logical diagnostic steps in order to push the highest possible service charges. The first rushed to an unlikely frozen pipe diagnosis, and the second completely bypassed inspecting the cartridge or water supply lines to force a $690 new installation. I feel completely taken advantage of by these unprofessional and incomplete service visits. I paid a service fee for a proper diagnosis and instead received aggressive sales tactics. I expect management to review these service calls, contact me regarding this pattern of behavior, and address the lack of competence displayed by both technicians.
Got the job done, fast
After accidentally flushing a tube of toothpaste down the toilet, Rotor Rooter responded within a few hours. They were able to get the offending tube out with the auger, saving me from double the expense. I’m very thankfully - friendly and helpful service from phone call to completion.
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2 changes recorded — last scanned Sep 8, 2026.
Fast water-heater work4.8