Plumber · Rancho Cordova, CA · reviewed since 2013
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%80+43.6Reliability 24%77+18.7Value 14%94+13.3Replies to reviews 7%48+3.4Craft & service penalty96−0.4Momentum penalty78−2.2Experts Score= 76Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.76SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#37 of 46 gas contractorsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 20%
4.8★★★★★531 Google reviews · 24 photos
93%five-star reviews
4.69★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
3.4%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
95%reviews answered by the owner
$417typical billiMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
Google reviewers rate Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air 4.8 out of 5 based on 531 reviews, with the owner responding to 95% of feedback. Customers frequently praise the punctuality, professionalism, and clear communication during services like water heater installation, AC maintenance, and drain clearing. However, several low-star reviews cite significant delays in completing larger projects, such as shower installations and unit replacements, alongside poor follow-up on city permit inspections and complaints about high pricing compared to competitors.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 531 reviews (93% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 531 Google reviews (459 with written comments, 10 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 95% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 29, 2026.
Service: Gas Contractor serving Rancho Cordova, California.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score profile vs other gas contractors
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and value; weakest: replies to reviews.
This companyGas Contractors median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air: 80/100 on this factor. Category median: 88.A
80
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air: 77/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.B
77
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air: 96/100 on this factor. Category median: 95.A
96
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air: 94/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
94
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air: 78/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
78
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air: 48/100 on this factor. Category median: 78.C
48
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
531 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars49393%
4 stars143%
3 stars41%
2 stars10%
1 star194%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 459 written reviews
97%praise
Praise94097%
Complaints293%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
95%fair
Great price6145%
Reasonable6347%
Overpriced75%
Not sure43%
$417+18% vs typical gas contractors
Middle half of what 86 customers paid ($57–$1.2k) · gold mark = category median.
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude25226%
Speed & response21122%
Quality & results17018%
Would recommend10711%
Price & value9910%
Communication798%
Honesty & trust515%
What customers talk about
We read 459 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“…to us and we were very pleasantly surprised by the customer service, professionalism, and genuine care provided to meet our unique timing constraints.…”
“When I called the owner to tell him about it he yelled at me for it!”
“Greg was super helpful and quick with our water heater repair”
“…ppointment in the middle of my day (and I had things to do then they never showed up for the appointment.…”
“He quickly figured out the problem and resolved it for us.”
“Horrible experience they tried to convince me to get work done that was not necessary and I played the part like I didn’t know anything about plumbing”
“I would definitely recommend Axel and Bud’s Plumbing!”
“If I could give an individual review to the man who came back to do our walls, I would give him 5 stars for fixing his mistake.”
“Fair pricing, top quality plumbing work and nice guys too!”
“your company based on customer reviews, but now I feel as if I were overcharged for the hot water heater installation and the total disregard for com…”
“They got to our house in a very timely manner, the plumber was friendly, great communication and very professional.”
“…y pleasantly surprised by the customer service, professionalism, and genuine care provided to meet our unique timing constraints.…”
“I feel like we have been scammed with the amount they are charging us.”
People customers mention
Buds18 reviews
Keith18 reviews
Axel16 reviews
Sacramento6 reviews
Cameron5 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Bud's Plumbing, Heating & Air for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
DDwana7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 3 weeks ago★★
Juan did an excellent job installing a new water heater in my home. Thank you for the timely response and installation. I am updating my review at this time. More than 3 months have passed since the water heater installation and no Sacramento City inspection has been done. I've called 5 times over the past 2 months…
MMonicaLocal Guide · 12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★
I’ve been four months waiting for this company to get their act together. They put in the wrong unit. It took three months to get it changed and still as of today. It is not finished.
Paid $2,000+Overpriced
SSue1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★
We are very disappointed in Buds. They have taken over 6 months to install a shower and it still isn’t finished. The communication is horrible. I feel like we have been scammed with the amount they are charging us.
Paid $1,800–2,000OverpricedShower installation
SSheryl7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
Received estimate and Cory helped explore different options. He also helped set up financing. He was very patient.
Paid $2,000+Great priceWater heater installationOutdoor plumbing system repair
LLindaLocal Guide · 28 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
Hector diagnosed and repaired my HVAC system quickly. He took the time to explain problems with original installation (done by different company) and explained repairs.
Paid $500–600Reasonable priceService not listed
RRita8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
Cory from Bud’s Plumbing, Heating & Air was quick to service our leaking water heater. He shared his knowledge of water quality in the Rancho Cordova area and thoroughly explained the source and cause of our water heater leak. The damaged part was quickly replaced and all our expectations were exceeded.
My house was built back in 1961. We recently had a clogged garage sink when running the washer. Then the kitchen sink began backing up into the garage sink too... A good friend recommended Bud's to us and we were very pleasantly surprised by the customer service, professionalism, and genuine care provided to meet our unique timing constraints. Thank you to Axal, Greg, and the entire crew that supported this project! Fair pricing, top quality plumbing work and nice guys too! Bud's Plumbing is our plumbing go to should it be necessary again.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Plumbing pipe repair, Outdoor plumbing system repair
Response from the owner · 2 days ago
Thank you for your kind review! Your satisfaction is our top priority.
L
Lisa Hall5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Lisa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Buds Plumbing Heating & Air has been one of the most frustrating companies I’ve ever dealt with. We had a 2‑ton inverter unit installed on September 22, 2025, and the problems started 8 months later in spring/summer.
For months, my daughter tried to get the final permit inspection scheduled — calling weekly from May 5 to June 1, 2026 — with no response. We were told the city was “short staffed” until June 18, the permit was finally signed off by the city.
Then on July 13, 2026, the system began failing. It ran for hours without cooling, couldn’t get below 80° when set to 72°, and the airflow at the intake vent was so weak it couldn’t hold a piece of tissue. We called repeatedly in June, July, August, and September, and no one could fix it.
After threatening to escalate to the owner, an employee finally called on July 29 and said they’d order a motherboard and replace the thermostat. A month passed with no update. When I reached out, he said they “couldn’t get the motherboard.” On September 1, 2026, I asked for the entire unit to be replaced. It’s now October 2026 — still no response.
I've also reached out the manager by phone and text with no attempt to resolve this situation.
After a year of chasing this company, dealing with a system that has never worked properly, and receiving no meaningful resolution, I can say Buds Plumbing Heating & Air has been the most unreliable company I’ve ever worked with. The lack of follow‑through, communication, and accountability has been unacceptable. I would not recommend them under any circumstance
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Price: $2,000+
Services: Service not listed
B
Brian Nguyen3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Brian has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Greg did a over and aboard job on something that I thought was just a little thing! He had to end up correcting the mistakes we had done...so appreciate his professionalism and support.
Services: Plumbing pipe repair
Response from the owner · a week ago
We appreciate your 5-star rating! It's wonderful to know we met your expectations.
B
Beatiz Gonzalez6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Beatiz has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Juan did an excellent job installing a new water heater in my home. Thank you for the timely response and installation. I am updating my review at this time. More than 3 months have passed since the water heater installation and no Sacramento City inspection has been done. I've called 5 times over the past 2 months concerning this issue and have never received a response. I chose your company based on customer reviews, but now I feel as if I were overcharged for the hot water heater installation and the total disregard for completion of the installation concerning the inspection. I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau for resolution.
