RAPIDAN PLUMBING INC

About us

At Rapidan Plumbing, we provide expert Fredericksburg plumbing services for homes and businesses in the surrounding area. We are marked by our professionalism in the office and on the job, and will never hesitate to take your phone calls 24 hours a day to make sure that your plumbing, pump, and water treatment needs are satisfied. All of our technicians are handpicked to provide you with only the best service. We ensure that our customers will be satisfied once the job is completed.

Business highlights

45 years of experience
Reviews
4.02 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
50%
4
0%
3
50%
2
0%
1
0%
Showing 1-2 of 2 reviews
William B.
Mar 2018
5.0
It went well and quickly. He was very professional.
Yes, I recommend this pro

Carl T.
Mar 2018
3.0
Work was satisfactory. Plumber here about one hour; 45 minutes idle time while for new connection to "set up." Price was quite exorbitant for service rendered. Materials cost would not exceed $25, leaving well over $400 charged for labor [15 minutes working; 45 minutes waiting].
$51,300

Kevin S.
Dec 2016
5.0
well done, on time
Yes, I recommend this pro
$300,000

Timothy H.
Jun 2016
5.0
I was told they'd come out at 9:30am.  He arrived around 9am. he immediately knew what the problem was, and explained why it happened. He told me if I didn't like the price he would put everything back the way it was.  He immediately went to work and was very nice.  I am not fond of the price, but i didn't shop around.  i'm sure it was a fair price.
Yes, I recommend this pro
$31,700

Dennis O.
Apr 2016
5.0
unknown
Yes, I recommend this pro
$130,000

Diane S.
Mar 2016
5.0
unknown
Yes, I recommend this pro

Greg M.
Feb 2016
4.0
Was very impressed with the installation and the installer.  Very professional did the work well.  The problem I had was with the cost and the lack of an itemized bill.  Plus they charge you $50 to show up.  I thought the price of $656 to replace a disposal unit was outrageous, and probably should have turned the work down, but needed to get the leak fixed before more damage occurred.  So I bit the bullet and shelled out more than what I paid for replacing my water heater, dishwasher or clothes washer.  Probably stupid on my part, but there it is.
I will not be a return customer.
$65,600

Linda D.
Nov 2015
2.0
We have well water - and our pump went out. On the pro side - Rapidan was one of only two plumbers I could reach on the weekend. Their dispatch was courteous and professional. Initially she said the service team would arrive around 10 am. Final arrival time was 3 pm. Dispatch did call periodically to keep me informed as to the changing arrival time. All that was great.
Dispatch told me that it would be $ 49 for them to come check out the problem. What she did NOT say was that it was $ 49 just for them to come to my doorstep. The "diagnostic" was explained to me when the team arrived (after me waiting for them all day), as being $ 149. This would be 'canceled' if I used them for the repair. At that point I figured - fine. Since I had my pump replaced 7 years ago for $ 1200 - I figured this was a no-brainer. Fast forward through the 'diagnostic' where they checked to make sure the bladder tank was still working (it was), they tested the wires on the pump and determined that no power was getting to the motor- so at the very least the wire would need to be switched out. For the wire and labor: $ 2000. But they would not know until they pulled the pump out- if the pump itself was working or not - just to pull the pump would be $ 1000. If both the pump and the wire needed to be replaced - total $ 6K.
Now - I dont know how these companies do their math - but - I checked on line - pump runs about $ 600 (for the kind I need); wire would be about $ 300. Last team took 4 hours to do the replacement - in the middle of the night under less than ideal circumstances. So. Materials - let's round to $ 1000. That would mean this team would earn a minimum of $ 4000 for four hours of work.
I think not. Even with their 'special' equipment - which is what? A winch and a tripod?. Come on. Are there any realistic plumbers out there any more?
Result - we are going to do this ourselves. I am so unhappy about the whole thing!

Wilhemina M.
Oct 2015
5.0

Rapidan plumbing responded to my plumbing needs the very next day after I called to schedule an appointment.  I appreciated this fast service time.  Shawn was the technician who came to my home.   He was very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. Shawn provided a through diagnosis of the problem and offered many solutions to solve it.    After I decided on the option that worked best for me Shawn repaired the problem.

This is one of the most pleasant plumbing experiences I have ever had.  I would definitely hire Rapidan plumbing for any future issues.   I would also recommend them to anyone else looking for a good plumbing company.


Yes, I recommend this pro
$19,600

Barbara R.
Aug 2015
5.0
unknown
$120,000

Darrell C.
Jun 2015
5.0
unknown
Yes, I recommend this pro
$170,000

Justin K.
May 2015
4.0
Called on Saturday around noon for repeat issues with septic alarm sounding off; their number was in the box as the installers of the system 6 years ago.  Dispatcher set a service time for 8:30am Monday morning and stated that she'd call again to let me know when the service tech was on the way.  I was told at that time that they have a dispatch fee of approximately $59, and that if I had work done, the $59 would be credited towards the work.  On Monday, dispatcher called at 8:21am to let me know the service tech would be there at 9am.  Tech arrived approximately 9:15am.  I don't particularly fault the tech for being a little late as we live in a high-traffic volume area.
Tech had me attempt to recreate alarm issue by running water.  He had opened the septic tank at that point and stated that he had to tap one of the float switches to get the pump to kick on.  He had me continue to run water to see if the alarm would trigger, which at that point, it would not.  He gave me an opinion that the switches are likely bad, but to do a full diagnostic, it would be a $337.00 charge.  He also quoted prices to replace the switches.  I had a bit of sticker shock at the quoted prices, and the repairs were not within our available budget at the moment.  I informed him that I would have to let it ride for now until such a time as when we have the money for the repair.  
At that point, since I had agreed to no additional work, I expected to pay the $59 dispatch fee, but the tech informed me that the fee is just to show up, but time spent looking at the system was additional.  Perhaps it was my fault for not asking more pointed questions of the dispatcher, but I had assumed that the $59 fee included a basic diagnostic and quote of the services needed for repair.  I don't blame the tech for the pricing; he was professional and courteous; but I feel the company could be more forthcoming by explaining that the only thing covered by the $59 dispatch fee is for the tech to drive to your location and introduce themselves.  The tech informed me that they're not even supposed to touch the system until they have charged a diagnostics fee.  Having been a service technician myself in the past in a different field, I can understand needing to be paid for your time, but the company I used to work for would include the first hour of time, diagnostics, and a quote for repairs in the initial fee, and I had assumed that this was to be a similar situation. Again, perhaps it is my fault for not asking more questions when I called, but to me this tactic of telling the customer it will be $59 to have a plumber come out and not disclosing that no troubleshooting or diagnostics are included in that price feels like a bait and switch.  If I had been told this upfront by the dispatcher, I still would have called them to come out and paid for his time, but I would have done so with the knowledge that the call could quickly balloon to 3x the amount I was expecting; it wouldn't have been such a surprise.
Note: my Professionalism grade of "C" is not a reflection on the technician (who was very professional) , but on the company for not being upfront about their pricing when I called to set the appointment.
$18,400

Janellen W.
Mar 2015
5.0
.
Yes, I recommend this pro

Summer H.
Dec 2014
5.0
The techs were extremely professional. They had to open up the skirt to get underneath our home, were very thorough in explaining the repair and explained their flat fee pricing. They were very quick and had the repair done in just a few hours, including a run back to pick up a replacement part. My husband hired this company and didn't do any price or ratings comparison, so I can't say we could have had the work done cheaper, but the men were fast, prompt,and professional and that is about all I want in a service call. If we ever do have an actual plumbing emergency I am sure they will be the ones we call.
Yes, I recommend this pro
$50,000

Brenda C.
Sep 2014
5.0
Went fine. Replaced quickly.
Yes, I recommend this pro
$65,000

Randall B.
Jul 2014
5.0
unknown
Yes, I recommend this pro

Steve R.
Jul 2014
5.0
They are thourough, punctual, professional, and they do a great job.
Yes, I recommend this pro
$89,600

Andrew S.
Feb 2014
5.0
VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE. Discovered my water heater was leaking at approximately 10 PM. Went on their website and filled out an electronic request for a service call. At 7:01 the next morning my phone rang with the offer of an 8AM appointment. By 10AM they were done.
Shaun and Troy were a GREAT team. They came prepared and were very neat, clean, and professional. As good help is hard to find, I would absolutely recommend these guys get a raise. From what I witnessed they were the 'A' team and deserve to be rewarded.
PS… I gave them a 'B' on price because they did not offer any options as far as the brand of water heater. I was in a bind and did't have time to shop this out, so I took what they had (Bradford White 50 gal). In all fairness though, I do NOT know if the total price was competitive, but for me their timely response was well worth any overpayment I may have made.
I would definitely use these folks again!
Yes, I recommend this pro
$130,000

Lois S.
Oct 2013
4.0
I wanted an elbow replaced on my bathroom sink. We replaced a new faucet but could not put the elbow on ourselves.
I called Rapidan and they came the next day. The serviceman was polite and did the work in a matter of minutes.

My problem is he used my old original elbow and replaced a small new, plastic gasket. and put the trap back on.
The price $190.00. Please! Plus there was NO warranty on the job.
I called the office the next day to complain but it fell on deaf ears. The secretary was very polite, but cut me very short.
I would not use these people again nor will I ever recommend them to anyone.
$19,000

Thomas C.
Aug 2013
5.0
Everything was performed to connect the house to the new county sewer line. Because of where the sewer line from the house was to hook up to the county line, the house line had to be placed next to the phone line, across propane line, sump pump line, well line and power line from the house to the ornamental pond in the back yard. Care was taken to protect all the lines, and when a line was disrupted, it was repaired. We are very happy with the job Rapidan Plumbing performed for us and will recommend them to any one in the same situation.
Yes, I recommend this pro
$670,000

Brent C.
Jul 2013
4.0

As always, Rapidan Plumbing was punctual and professional. They came out when they said they would and they serviced my water treatment system. They are a little pricey, but I’ll pay it for the great job that they do.


Yes, I recommend this pro
$70,000

Doug S.
May 2013
5.0
They were fine. They were very professional and they took care of everything for us. The overall experience in working with them was fine. We didn't have anything bad but their price was high actually. We're not in that area anymore and so we would not use them again in the future. We moved out of that area.

Vanessa H.
Apr 2013
5.0
The service was great, we have NO complaints. Rapidan was prompt, helpful, and quick to get us water in extremely bad weather conditions.
Yes, I recommend this pro
$350,000

Bruce W.
Apr 2013
5.0
Used them for many years, expensive but quality work.
Yes, I recommend this pro
$100,000

Christy K.
Mar 2013
1.0
I have used Rapidan Plumbing before for a water heater repair (about 8 years ago), so called them again when I needed my water heater replaced.
There was no one answering the phone in the office until more than 15 minutes after they opened (it was still forwarding to the answering service) so that's the reason for the B rating I gave in Responsiveness.
They charged me $1944.00 for a new 50 gallon propane water heater (includes all charges and installation). Today, my mom checked prices out of curiosity, and found a similar one at Sears - she priced it with installation and old water heater haul-away (to make sure it was an even comparison) to see how much they charge. The online estimate was $1075.00. I can understand there being a price difference for using a private company rather than going through something large like Sears, but almost double the price??? When I called the office to ask about the charges they told me that propane water heaters cost more (the estimate from Sears was for a similar propane water heater). I asked how much they charge an hour for labor. The woman on the phone said that they don't itemize - the charge included everything and isn't broken down.
I am so disappointed because I really thought the company would do right by me because this is still a small (but growing) town, and I trusted that they were at least competitive in price. I wish I'd checked Sears and Home Depot before I bought the water heater from Rapidan Plumbing. I am willing to pay a hundred dollars or even two hundred dollars more to use a private company for such a large purchse, but almost double the price is really disappointing. I feel very cheated and feel like I was taken advantage of, and wish that I'd checked around instead of trusting them.
The serviceman was great, which makes it even more sad that I plan to never call them again because of how much they took advantage of my trust and my pocketbook.
Note: I listed N/A for quality because it was only installed a few days ago. I have had no issues yet, but 2 days isn't a very long time to know the 'quality' of the water heater and service yet.


4/13/2013: Even after bringing the significant price difference to their attention no price adjustment was offered (we found many other prices that were significantly less expensive)... I did not want them to come down to the less expensive prices we found, but thought they might at least come down a few hundred dollars. They did not. I hope that they reconsider their prices at least for the benefit of future customers, and offer them a more 'fair' price considering the local price for the work done.
$194,400

Licensing

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FAQ

RAPIDAN PLUMBING INC is currently rated 4.0 overall out of 5.
Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed
No, RAPIDAN PLUMBING INC does not offer free project estimates.
No, RAPIDAN PLUMBING INC does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, RAPIDAN PLUMBING INC does not offer a senior discount.
No, RAPIDAN PLUMBING INC does not offer emergency services.
No, RAPIDAN PLUMBING INC does not offer warranties.

Contact Information

5110 Park Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Service Hours

Sunday:Closed
Monday:Closed
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday:Closed
Friday:Closed
Saturday:Closed
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