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 59%78+45.8Reliability 26%66+17.2Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 78Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.78SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#6 of 10 water heater repairiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 44%
4.8★★★★★39 Google reviews · 14 photos
95%five-star reviews
4.79★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5.1%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.
26%reviews answered by the owner
$248typical billiMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
Google reviewers rate The Honest Plumber 4.8 out of 5 based on 39 reviews, highlighting prompt same-day availability and clear communication regarding costs. Customers frequently cite services such as water heater replacements, leak repairs, and drain clearing, noting that staff explain options without upselling and leave work areas clean. However, two low-star reviews describe dissatisfaction with high charges for minor repairs, specifically citing a $360 bill for a simple toilet valve replacement.
Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 39 reviews (95% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 39 Google reviews (35 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 26% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 25, 2026.
Service: Water Heater Repair serving Bay City, Michigan.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Score profile vs other water heater 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: value and momentum; weakest: reliability.
This companyWater Heater 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.The Honest Plumber - Bay City: 78/100 on this factor. Category median: 80.B
78
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.The Honest Plumber - Bay City: 66/100 on this factor. Category median: 70.B
66
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.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 75.–
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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.The Honest Plumber - Bay City: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.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.The Honest Plumber - Bay City: 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.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 84.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
39 Google reviews we collected
4.8of 5
5 stars3795%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star25%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 35 written reviews
96%praise
Praise8296%
Complaints34%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price1161%
Reasonable739%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
$248-29% vs typical water heater repair
Middle half of what 9 customers paid ($105–$329) · gold mark = category median.
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude1821%
Speed & response1720%
Price & value1214%
Honesty & trust1214%
Quality & results911%
Communication911%
Would recommend89%
What customers talk about
We read 35 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“crew was professional, in and out, no mess, fair pricing.”
“He got back to me quickly, then actually walked me through how to do a good plunge, plus gave me a few other tips, ultimately saving me $120 vs.”
“Eric was able to replace my leaking outside faucet quickly and efficiently at a reasonable price.”
“…lars to put on my toilet in the basement that it was running Erik way over charged me to install Maybe 15 to 20 minute job Erik charged me $360.…”
“I've called The Honest Plumber a couple times now, and they are great!”
“I called the honest plumber and I received great service and he was here right away.”
“Great price and very nice explained everything I will be calling them to do all my plumbing.”
“Iw would definitely recommend and use their service again.”
People customers mention
Erik3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired The Honest Plumber - Bay City for 4 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
VValerieLocal Guide · 102 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 a month ago★★★★★
I called the honest plumber and I received great service and he was here right away. Great price and very nice explained everything I will be calling them to do all my plumbing. Erik was great.
Paid $200–400Reasonable priceToilet repair
JJamie5 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. · 2 months ago★★★★★
He was amazing! Upfront with info and fixed our problem with no issues! Increased our water pressure in the bathroom
Paid $200–400Great price
JJordanLocal Guide · 13 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. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Erik from The Honest Plumber did an amazing job fixing my water line leak. Called in the morning & was up & running for dinner. He was professional, polite, & did an amazing job. Provided honest quote, explained what was causing my leak, & highlighted the fix he applied. Would do business with again, A++
SSharon9 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. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Erik came out was friendly and efficient! Explained all my options and got to work. Left the site clean. Pricing was fair for the work done! Highly recommend this company and plumber!!
KKristin1 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★★★★★
Erik answered the phone on the first call and was able to come to the house within 30 minutes. He let me know what he was doing and any change in pricing every step of the way. Erik will be our only call for a plumbing issues in the future.
Paid $200–400Reasonable priceToilet repair
DDomonick1 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★★★★★
Had a water pipe leak & Erik came out and explained very well what was wrong and had it fixed in no time! Very reasonable price too.
I've called The Honest Plumber a couple times now, and they are great! This time, our (only) toilet unexpectedly backed up. I had no success plunging it at first, so I called Erik. He got back to me quickly, then actually walked me through how to do a good plunge, plus gave me a few other tips, ultimately saving me $120 vs. having him have to come out on a Sunday! On a previous call, he also identified the root problem of the sluggish toilet, which is an improperly graded drain line in our crawl space, so I know what needs to be done there.
If you want someone who will actually help you solve a problem vs. just taking your money (in this case, they helped me solve the problem and DIDN'T take my money!), then I recommend giving these guys a call.
Services: Toilet repair
Z
Zach BivinsLocal Guide · 26 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Zach has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Eric gave me a written quote to replace my pressure tank on my well system. In the quote it listed all the work to be done along with the equipment that was going to be installed. The equipment he wrote on the estimate was the same brand and quality that he was replacing and that is exactly what I wanted.
I approved the work and paid him half down to get the job started and he was very prompt with communication and arrived when he said he would.
He called me when the job was complete and my wife paid him for the job. When I returned home he had used a different pressure tank than was listed on the quote. It was half the price of the one he quoted me for $300 vs $750. When I reached out to ask him why the equipment I approved was not used he has been very hard to get a hold of and has not yet answered me.
Services: Water tank installation
R
Richard Ales1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Richard has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I'm very very upset and devastated on what they charged a disability person in a disabled person that I am for a shut-off valve and a flapper for a toilet the two parts combined together is 20 plus dollars to put on my toilet in the basement that it was running Erik way over charged me to install Maybe 15 to 20 minute job Erik charged me $360.00 dollars 2 parts that is $20.00 for the parts very devastated and upset
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago
Hi Richard, our first contractor drove to you within the hour, couldn't find a leak so didn't charge you anything. We then sent out our second contractor who bought you a specialty flapper after visiting 3 supply stores. The flapper was $37 and material was shy of $60 not $20. Job from start to finish was two and a half hours. We gave you a $40 discount because of your situation. You accepted the price happily and thanked him after paying him so to publicly blast the name of our contractor is very concerning and against Google's policies. We don't appreciate your dishonesty, this is an honest 5-star business until this untruthful review.
D
Donna Lier3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Donna has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
used them based on my sister's recommendation after her water heater got replaced. same experience on my end. crew was professional, in and out, no mess, fair pricing. already saved their number for next time
A
Amanda Gavord3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Amanda has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Bigger companies I've used before always made me feel like I was being upsold on something. These guys told me what the problem was, what it would cost, and then just did that. No detours. Water heater has been perfect since.
V
Valerie LabrosseLocal Guide · 102 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Valerie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I called the honest plumber and I received great service and he was here right away. Great price and very nice explained everything I will be calling them to do all my plumbing. Erik was great.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Price: $200–400
Services: Toilet repair
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Thanks Valerie for the kind words!
J
Jamie Prentice Sequin5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jamie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
