How Much Does Roto-Rooter Cost? (2024)

Roto-Rooter is a plumbing and water cleanup company based out of Cincinnati. In 1933, founder Samuel Blanc created a motorized cable machine with blades at the end as the first prototype of what would be coined as the “Roto-Rooter.” While the company originally specialized in clearing tree roots and blockages from tree lines, now they specialize in plumbing repair, water and water damage services and sewer and drain services.

Currently, they service both residential and commercial clients and have plumbers on standby 24/7 for emergencies. The company services 90% of the U.S. population and 55% of Canada. Because of the variety of residential and commercial services they offer and the variety of locations they serve, their prices can vary greatly.

Roto-Rooter offers plumbing repair, water and water damage services and sewer and drain services. Roto-Rooter offers services under two general categories: plumbing and drains and water damage restoration. Plumbing and drain services include, but aren’t limited to:

• Drain cleaning,
• Emergency plumbing
• Toilet repair
• Sewer lines and excavation
• Sink and faucet repair
• Shower repair
• Garbage disposal repair
• Dishwasher installation
• Water heater services
• Leak repair
• Pipes
• Sump pump work
• Under water damage restoration services
• Water removal
• Water damage cleanup
• Emergency flood services
• Basem*nt flooding cleanup
• Mold remediation.

If you have a related problem and aren’t sure if Roto-Rooter can service it, contact your local Roto-Rooter location to confirm.

Roto-Rooter services cost upwards of $100 for smaller projects to over $3,500 for larger projects. On average, however, expect to pay between $160 and $575. Roto-Rooter charges a flat rate instead of an hourly rate, like many other plumbing services. Their pricing tends to be more affordable than competitors when a project ends up being more complex than initially expected. You can call or schedule online to get a quote.

Type of Service

The nature of your project will determine the total bill. Services like toilet, shower, sink and faucet repair are usually less than $400. Installing or replacing pipes, likely falls between $400 and $1,000. Emergency work and bigger projects, like a burst pipe, flooding or mold remediation will be between $1,000 and $3,500.

A busted sewer line or basem*nt flooding can exceed the $3,500 mark by a wide margin. However, these are considered comparable prices with other national plumbing services, which may charge even more for labor.

Location

Flat rate fees vary by state, and tend to be more expensive in states with higher costs of living. Homeowner services tend to be more expensive in cities than rural areas, and this pricing variance may carry over to Roto-Rooter as well. Also, each municipality has unique regulations about sewer lines and main access, which may affect the complexity of repairs and, thus, the cost.

Roto-Rooter services all 50 states, including Washington D.C. Services, guarantees and pricing may differ from area to area, but regardless, you are likely to find reliable access to a Roto-Rooter plumber near you. You can use the tool on the landing page of Roto-Rooter’s website to enter your ZIP code or city to find the closest plumber to your home.

Depending on your project, you can either DIY or call a pro to get the job done. If you know the work is going to be extensive and you don’t have the plumbing expertise, it’s best to leave things to the specialists. While you may feel up to the task of taking on a leaky sink, just be prepared for any other unexpected issues that may pop up. Ultimately, hiring a plumber could save you the hassle, time and money.

To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed one provider and four cost databases on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.