Best plumbers in Cincinnati, Ohio

Whether you have a leaky pipe that needs to be addressed immediately or a clogged bathroom sink, you'll want to hire a reliable plumber who can not only get the job done right but also arrive in a timely manner. Finding a top-notch plumber to get you out of a pinch isn't always as easy as it sounds. That's why we put together a list of the best local plumbing companies in the Cincinnati area, scored based on criteria like customer reviews, licensing, Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and more. We also called our top four scorers to get a better idea of how they treat potential customers. These are the best plumbers in Cincinnati.

Top Cincinnati plumbers

The best plumbing company in Cincinnati for YOU

While we are confident in backing every plumbing company featured on our list, there isn't a definitive "best" answer for everyone. The best plumber for you is one who meets your specific needs and budget. For example, if you need emergency services, focus on companies that are open 24/7 and are able to take a look at the issue immediately. Perhaps you're seeking a specific type of service, such as water line replacement or water heater maintenance. If that's the case, focus on companies that specialize in those areas. It's also worth noting that many plumbing companies charge a diagnostic fee, so getting multiple estimates can get quite pricey. That's why it's so important to be sure you're working with a plumber who can satisfy your particular needs.

Tarvin Plumbing scored the highest on our list, offering same-day service and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on the work that they do. And you won't be charged a diagnostic fee. Alternatively, Schneller Knochelmann also offers a workmanship guarantee on every plumbing job. However, you won't get upfront pricing over the phone, and there's a $99 diagnostic fee required to inspect the issue. If you're not a fan of expensive diagnostic fees, Ken Neyer Plumbing will come out and take a look at your issue for a lower $40 service fee, but it doesn't offer upfront pricing. For those needing emergency plumbing services, 1-Tom-Plumber is the company to call, as they specialize in speedy service and are available 24/7.

Best plumbing companies in Cincinnati, Ohio

Tarvin Plumbing is the best overall Cincinnati plumbing company

Founded in 1907, Tarvin Plumbing has been in the industry for more than a century and has been a staple business in Cincinnati since 1937. Serving the greater Cincinnati area, you can hire the company to help you with both residential and commercial plumbing services, including work with water lines, drains, sewage, fixtures and water heaters.

We called the business to ask for a quick estimate on the cost of unclogging a shower drain. Calling the main service line connected us with Veronica, a dispatcher with the company, who was professional and quick to address our questions. Unlike some other plumbing companies on the list, Tarvin provides upfront pricing over the phone, allowing you to get a good idea of how much the service is going to cost without needing to pay a representative to come over and diagnose the issue.

Tarvin Plumbing doesn't charge a flat rate for its services. Instead, you'll pay an hourly labor rate plus materials. To unclog a shower drain, you'll pay an hourly rate of $180 per hour, as well as a $30 fee that covers the cost of the machine used to unclog the drain. There aren't any extra trip, travel or diagnostic fees.

If a plumber is nearby in your area and has availability, they can be at your home within 15 to 30 minutes of calling. If that's not the case (or you aren't home), you can schedule an appointment for someone to come take a look at the issue as early as 8 a.m. the next morning. The company offers emergency plumbing services outside of standard business hours, but they will incur an additional cost.

Services offered

• Residential plumbing

• Commercial plumbing

• Emergency plumbing

• Plumbing fixture repair and replacement

• Sewer and drain cleaning

• Water heater repair and replacement

• Water line replacement

While Tarvin Plumbing doesn't provide a warranty or workmanship guarantee on clogged drains, they offer a one-year warranty on any work involving materials supplied by the company, such as fixture replacements and water line installations. All plumbers working with Tarvin are full-time employees who have undergone background checks.

Tarvin Plumbing is not a BBB-accredited business, but it does have an A+ rating and zero filed complaints. It has a 4.7-star rating on Google (128 reviews) and a 4.4-star rating on Yelp (49 reviews). The business is located at 3749 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45226, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed on the weekends. To get an estimate, you can call 513-321-5726 or visit its website .

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air is our top alternative Cincinnati plumber

Schneller Knochelmann is a two-in-one type of business, offering both plumbing and HVAC services under the same roof. They're also licensed to work in both Ohio and Kentucky. We called the business to find out how much they charge customers to unclog a typical shower drain.

After dialing the main service number, we were connected with Courtney, a dispatcher with the company, who was friendly and quick to address our concerns. The company doesn't provide ballpark estimates or upfront pricing over the phone. In order to get a quote, you'll need to set up a time for a plumber to visit your home and diagnose the issue in person.

You'll pay a diagnostic fee of $99, which is waived should you decide to set up service with them. If not, however, you won't get that money back. The price you'll pay for service depends on the specific job, so you won't know until a representative takes a look, but they do charge at a flat rate, so you won't have to worry about hourly rates or material costs.

A plumber can visit your home and address your issue on the day of your inquiry, or you can get a service scheduled for a later date. There isn't an extra charge for same-day service, so long as it's within standard business hours. When asked about what the arrival window might look like, we were told that we'd find out after we got something scheduled.

Services offered

• Plumbing repairs and inspections

• Leak repairs

• Drain cleaning

• Water and sewer line repair and replacement

• Water heater repair and installation

• Garbage disposal and sump pump services

• HVAC services

The company offers a warranty or workmanship guarantee on every job. However, the specifics of that guarantee are dependent on the job specifics. We were told that the plumber assigned to your issue will let you know what sort of warranty they offer for your problem during the diagnostic process. All the plumbers with Schneller Knochelmann are full-time employees who have been trained and background-checked.

Schneller Knochelmann is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and eight filed complaints. It has a 4.9-star rating on Google (4,951 reviews) and a 2.7-star rating on Yelp (57 reviews). The business is located at 1079 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45245 and is open 24/7. To get an appointment scheduled, you can call 513-457-1737 or visit its website .

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

1-Tom-Plumber is our best plumbing company for emergencies

Got a plumbing emergency that just can't wait? 1-Tom-Plumber will make sure your issue gets taken care of immediately. Specializing in same-day, emergency plumbing services, 1-Tom-Plumber services the greater Cincinnati area. The company is not a small operation: It has more than 50 locations across the U.S., with many more on the way.

When we called the business, we got to speak with Olivia, a dispatcher, who was friendly and happy to help us get our issue taken care of as soon as possible. There are a lot of positives with this company. The first is that you can get a ballpark estimate over the phone very easily, and you won't have to pay a diagnostic fee to have someone come out to your home. Additionally, you'll be charged at a flat rate. We were quoted $299 to unclog a shower drain.

The company has two booking options: emergency and non-emergency services. If you feel as though your plumbing issue is an emergency, they can send someone to your home within an hour of booking. For non-emergencies, a plumber can be scheduled to visit your home as early as the next morning. After scheduling service, you'll receive a text or phone call with an estimated time of arrival, as well as a communication when a representative is en route to your home.

Services offered

• Residential and commercial plumbing

• Emergency plumbing services

• Water heater repair and installation

• Water and sewer line services

• Fixture upgrades and repairs

When asked about some type of warranty or workmanship guarantee, the company was a bit apprehensive. We were told that there are no guarantees for clogged drains, meaning that if the issue returns, you'll be paying out of pocket for a redo. However, we were assured that our clog would be taken care of quickly and efficiently, as the company has a team of plumbers who specifically handle clogs and drain issues on a daily basis. All 1-Tom-Plumber workers are full-time employees who have passed background checks before starting.

1-Tom-Plumber is not a BBB-accredited business, but it does have an A rating and only four filed complaints. It has a five-star rating on Google (6,115 reviews) and a 3.8-star rating on Yelp (32 reviews). The business is located at 24 Whitney Drive, Suite A, Milford, Ohio, 45150, and is open 24/7. To schedule an appointment, call 513-286-2060 or visit its website .

See Google reviews   See Yelp reviews

Ken Neyer Plumbing is our best plumbing company for low-commitment pricing

Servicing the greater Cincinnati area and parts of Kentucky, Ken Neyer Plumbing has been in business for more than 50 years. The company offers many of the services a typical plumber would, like drain, sewer, water heater and piping services. However, they also offer assistance with plumbing work for new construction projects, handling both the design and build.

During our phone call with the business, we spoke with Lisa, a dispatcher with the company, who was polite and sympathetic. You won't be able to get any estimates or upfront pricing over the phone. Instead, a plumber will need to personally visit your home and diagnose the issue, which will cost about $40. While paying diagnostic fees can be annoying, $40 is cheaper than what some other plumbers will charge to take a look at your issue.

However, the diagnostic fee is non-refundable, so if you decide to seek service elsewhere, you won't get your money back. The company charges a flat rate for its plumbing services and the price you pay depends on the complexities of the job.

Services offered

• Residential and commercial plumbing services

• Water heater repair and replacement

• Drain and sewer services

• Water line repair and replacement

• New construction design and build services

A plumber can arrive at your location to take a look at your plumbing issue as early as the next day. If there has been a cancellation, it's possible to schedule you for a same-day appointment. You should receive a phone call from your plumber 20 to 30 minutes before your appointment, letting you know they are on their way.

Like with many of the other plumbers we've contacted, Ken Neyer Plumbing doesn't offer any warranty or workmanship guarantee for clogged drains. However, they do have a one-year warranty for the installation of pipes and new fixtures in your home. Every plumber on staff is a full-time employee who has been trained and background-checked before starting.

Ken Neyer Plumbing is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating and no complaints on file. It has a 4.9-star rating (747 reviews) on Google and a four-star rating on Yelp (29 reviews). The business is located at 4895 OH-128, Cleves, Ohio, 45002. It is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends. You can book an appointment by calling 513-216-0199 or visiting its website .

See Google reviews See Yelp reviews

You can count on Yahoo Local plumbing advice, and this is why

We've spent a long time providing accurate information about local businesses at Yahoo (decades, in fact). Our Yahoo Local guides continue that tradition, aiming to give you the most accurate information possible about which local businesses are worth your time and hard-earned money. We don't just want you to trust our word on that, though — we show you by providing all the details behind our methodology and what goes into our picks. Using a custom ranking system built by our team, we've created what we think is the most objective way to highlight the very best local companies in your area. We never accept payment to be included in our lists and you won't find us using sponsored picks. Want more details? Visit our full methodology page .

Below is everything that went into the rankings for our list of the best plumbing companies in Cincinnati:

• 107 plumbers evaluated

• 79,640 customer reviews and ratings from five sources

• 14 ranking criteria incorporated

• Interviewed or connected with all four featured plumbers

• Independent price quotes sought from all four featured plumbing companies

• Independently researched and fact-checked by Yahoo

• Recommendations are maintained and updated regularly

Ohio plumbing FAQs

What are the most common issues people call plumbers to fix?

Clogged drains and leaks are two of the most common plumbing issues you'll experience. However, plumbers also get called in to deal with water heater and water pressure issues a fair amount as well.

How can I tell if I can fix a plumbing issue myself or if I should call a professional?

Only you can determine whether you have the necessary know-how or skill set to fix a particular plumbing issue. Clogged drains usually aren't that tough to take care of on your own . However, if drain cleaning solutions and drain snakes are effective, then it may be time to call in a professional. Similarly, certain fixes for a running toilet can be done on your own , such as replacing the chain or flapper. If you're not super handy (or just don't know what you're doing), there's no shame in calling a plumber to come take care of it.

Is it better to go with a smaller plumbing company or a larger one?

There isn't one type of plumbing company that is inherently better than the rest. Smaller companies tend to offer more personalized service at a lower price point. Larger companies, on the other hand, are typically more established, meaning they have better availability, more services and possibly better warranties. Either way, it's best to call multiple different companies to allow you to compare a few estimates before making a decision.

Do plumbing companies in Cincinnati need to be licensed?

Yes, plumbers in Cincinnati must obtain an Ohio state plumbing license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) before starting any commercial or contract work. Applicants must also pass a state and federal background check as part of the process.

Do all reputable plumbers do background checks?

Not every plumbing company conducts background checks on its employees or contractors. However, the companies that do can be seen as more reputable. Plumbers who are properly licensed may have also already undergone a background check as part of the requirements for obtaining a state plumbing license.

Do plumbers usually charge by the hour or flat rate?

It really depends on the plumber, and sometimes even the specific job. While most tend to favor flat-rate pricing, some plumbers will charge an hourly labor rate plus the cost for materials. Simpler jobs like clogged drains or running toilets are more likely to be charged on a one-time, flat-rate basis. Larger jobs that require more time, like sewer line replacements or major pipe replacements, may be charged by the hour.

Should plumbers provide written estimates before beginning a job?

A reputable plumbing company should provide you with a written estimate, detailing cost and job specifics. This way, you're both on the same page before the work begins. Refusal to provide an accurate quote either over the phone or in person is a red flag.

Do plumbers usually offer warranties?

Yes, it's normal for plumbers to include a warranty or some sort of workmanship guarantee for their work. But not every job is warranted. Drain cleaning and clogs, for example, are often not backed by a warranty, as plumbers are not in control of what you choose to put down your drain after they leave. Jobs requiring plumbers to provide materials, such as fixture or pipe replacement, often come with a warranty.

More Yahoo Local-approved Ohio providers

Best Ohio plumbers

Cincinnati

• See all Yahoo Local plumbing

Best Ohio roofers

Akron / Columbus / Cincinnati / Toledo

• See all Yahoo Local roofing

Best Ohio movers

Columbus / Cincinnati / Cleveland / Dayton / Toledo

• See all Yahoo Local moving