Plumber · San Bernardino, CA · reviewed since 2021
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%84+45.8Reliability 24%82+19.9Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%95+6.7Experts Score= 87Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.87SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#25 of 30 water softener repairiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 17%
4.9★★★★★970 Google reviews · 24 photos
94%five-star reviews
4.80★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
2.9%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.
92%reviews answered by the owner
$1.1ktypical billiMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
Google reviewers rate First Class Plumbing & AC 4.9 out of 5 based on 970 reviews, with the owner responding to 92 percent of them. Customers frequently cite punctual arrivals, clear communication, and fair pricing for services like unclogging drains, repairing faucets, and installing water softeners. However, several low-star reviews describe high costs and unsuccessful repairs for major HVAC or sewer issues, noting that some work required multiple visits to correct installation errors.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 970 reviews (94% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 970 Google reviews (807 with written comments, 36 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 92% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 28, 2026.
Service: Water Softener serving San Bernardino, California.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Score profile vs other water softener repair
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: reliability.
First Class Plumbing & ACWater Softener Repair 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.First Class Plumbing & AC: 84/100 on this factor. Category median: 95.A
84
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.First Class Plumbing & AC: 82/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.A
82
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.First Class Plumbing & AC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
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.First Class Plumbing & AC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.A
100
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.First Class Plumbing & AC: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
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.First Class Plumbing & AC: 95/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
95
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
970 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars91694%
4 stars162%
3 stars131%
2 stars20%
1 star232%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 807 written reviews
98%praise
Praise1,61298%
Complaints382%
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 price7339%
Reasonable8947%
Overpriced95%
Not sure1810%
$1.1k+140% vs typical water softener repair
Middle half of what 158 customers paid ($246–$2.1k) · gold mark = category median.
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude45928%
Speed & response32220%
Quality & results29218%
Would recommend24915%
Price & value1368%
Communication1237%
Honesty & trust694%
What customers talk about
We read 807 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Very professional and he finished in a timely manner.”
“I had an emergency plumbing issue and Buddy took care of it right away.”
“Made the first appointment didn't show up, they called to reschedule for 2nd appointment another no show, call or updates.”
“Appreciate how thoroughly he explains the issues at hand.”
“Instead, we paid for a service that did not resolve the problem, had to hire another plumber to fix it, received a replacement quote that was half the…”
“Highly recommend him to perform plumbing work in your home.”
“Question, would I use this company again or recommend them to a friend, NO!”
“He also made sure to inform us about a on going issue and gave us a fair estimate to fix it.”
“00 - it was pretty obvious this was overpriced.”
“He answered all my questions, he is a world full of knowledge.”
“He provided no guidance throughout the project, never communicated about the issues, and simply took our payment without following up.”
“Finding a trustworthy plumber can be tough, but Buddy made the whole process stress-free.”
“Based on my experience, I would not trust a recommendation from First Class Plumbing and AC without getting at least a second or even third opinion.”
People customers mention
Rooter36 reviews
Tito21 reviews
Justin20 reviews
Randy15 reviews
Mark13 reviews
Robert12 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired First Class Plumbing & AC for 8 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
CChyenne1 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. · 4 days ago★★★★★
I had an emergency plumbing issue and Buddy took care of it right away. Very professional and he finished in a timely manner. He answered all my questions, he is a world full of knowledge.
Paid $1–200Great priceDrain cleaning
Ccynthia10 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 days ago★★★★★
Bill Leal was my tech! Very knowledgeable very good at his job! Thank you Billfor your great service.
Paid $1,200–1,400Great price
LLuAnn2 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 week ago★★★★★
Service was great. Buddy came out, gave me a quote, did the work. I paid what was quoted no surprises. Best plumbing service. Definitely my go to pluming service.
Paid $400–600Reasonable priceOutdoor plumbing system repair
AAbby1 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. · a week ago★★★★★
I had a leaky faucet drain and called First Class Plumbing the same Sunday morning, they were so fast and was able to get Ryan out in an hour and half on a Sunday morning. Ryan was friendly and professional and was able to troubleshoot the problem right away. Fixed the leaky faucet and did 3 water tests. Thanks Ryan!
RRahmanLocal Guide · 27 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 week ago★★★★★
Bryan and buddy opened the clogged in just few minutes and cleaned and restored my bathtub.
Paid $1–200Great priceDrain cleaning
VVee1 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. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Great Job! Faucet was fixed quickly. Raul was very professional and made sure I was satisfied with the service. Price was very reasonable as well.
My main line was blocked. Ray came in a short amount of time and got it unclogged. He also made sure to inform us about a on going issue and gave us a fair estimate to fix it. First Class and Ray will be our go to plumbers.
Response from the owner · 9 hours ago
Thanks so much for the great review, Odessa! We're glad Ray could help with your main line and provide you with an honest estimate. Looking forward to being your go-to plumbers!
V
Von Foote (Von)4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Von has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I had an emergency plumbing issue and Buddy took care of it right away. Very professional and he finished in a timely manner. He answered all my questions, he is a world full of knowledge.
Price assessment: Great price
Price: $1–200
Services: Drain cleaning
Response from the owner · 4 days ago
Thanks for the great review, Chyenne! We’re so glad Buddy was able to help you out quickly and answer all your questions. He's definitely a pro!
G
Garrett Lilly9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Garrett has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Nobody likes to having plumbing problems, but when you have a true professional like Buddy it makes the experience way better! Can’t say enough about his professionalism, cleanliness, and overall customer service! Thank you Buddy!!
Response from the owner · 4 days ago
Thanks for the awesome shout-out, Garrett! We're so glad Buddy could help make a tough situation better. We’ll let him know you appreciated his professionalism and service!
A
Alihza Montillo1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Alihza has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Finding a trustworthy plumber can be tough, but Buddy made the whole process stress-free. He arrived on time, quickly diagnosed the problem, and had everything repaired cleanly and efficiently. Excellent service from start to finish!
Response from the owner · 5 days ago
Thanks for the awesome review, Sal! We're so glad Buddy could help make your plumbing issue a breeze. If you ever need anything else, just give us a shout!
P
Patty Camacho2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Patty has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.