Earlier this month, we expected our water heater needed to be replaced even though it wasn't leaking. We had experienced low water pressure for some time and the system was already 12 plus years old. After talking to friends and doing our own research, we were 99.9% sure the problem was the heater's system was clogged with mineral deposits (which is a big problem in this area) and that the tubes inside of it had eroded away. We called several companies for estimates - Lowe's, Home Depot (Olshan's Foundation), Sears, AAA Auger, ARS, and several others smaller companies). Of those that were willing to give estimates without charging ridiculous "trip fees" just to look at the unit, we received estimates ranging from approximately $750 (without needed upgrades) to $1300 (and still possible other charges might be needed)! Everyone agreed that the main problem was most likely the water heater. Most showed up with bad attitudes, expected to automatically get the job and didn't expect us to want time to think about their quote!" One company kept changing their prices. Another claimed they were "going by the book," but then tried to give us 2 - yes TWO -"discounts" IF we used their service that day! From what was said, the "discount" was also planned for and in accordance with their "book!" Another company sent some fairly new "kids" that didn't know how to answer basic questions and kept calling the main office to find out the answers! One even tried to charge us $150 to "install" a drip pan that we knew only cost $20 at Home Depot. And that didn't include an additional $80 to drill a drain hole in our wall! Talk about taking advantage of a client and the situation!!! After sitting down with the quotes and praying about what to do, we came to the conclusion that we needed to continue to look for a reputable company that we felt comfortable with in our home! After going through the list and the web again, we came across this website and The Plumbinators - Mickey and Tim! We made an appointment for that afternoon (earlier this month 07-2009). When an emergency came up (someone else's house was flooded, etc.), they called and asked if they could change our appointment). Since my situation was not an emergency, we didn't mind and in fact, appreciated that they called rather than just not show up like other companies did. Late that afternoon they were able to come by and give us an estimate. It wasn't the very lowest and by far NOT the highest - but it was a very fair, reasonable, and "complete" estimate. We felt very comfortable with Mickey and Tim from the start and did not feel we were being taken advantage of in any way! They even wanted us to think about it! NO PRESSURE??!! We didn't need any more time. After going to pick it up, etc., they had the water heater up and running that very night! They cleaned up after themselves and were patient with our many questions - including some other plumbing questions that we had! They even came back in the daytime to paint the drip tube on the outside of the house so that they didn't stand out awkwardly and so they could make sure it looked nice! I appreciated their honesty and integrity of doing the job right without taking advantage of customers as other companies did! I highly recommend their services and will gladly use them in the future! read more

The Plumbinator Mickey Womack, owner (licensed, bonded, insured) Cell #: (512)-786-1771 Project Positives (+): All of the points, including Project Problem-Solving * Father (Mickey)-son (Timothy) team along with Randy, where all 3 worked on-site and off-site for our Project * Small and local company; we believe in supporting both * Master Plumber (with card and number available upon request) * Free Q/A first by phone and then again during our on-site visit * First time on-site, he immediately knew what he was going to do, how he was going to do it (comparing the different ways and saying the pros of doing it his way), including a Plan B if needed, and when he was going to do the Project * Competitively-priced (he gave us a fast verbal initial quote during the first visit and then followed it up with a written Proposal when we asked him to do this) * He worked with us to get better Project-pricing by having a double project with our neighbor, who also needed a sewer line replacement * Experience not only as plumbers but also within the construction industry, so that all 3 could use this combined knowledge to better serve us, their plumbing customers * Pre-Project, Mickey had the MUD get gas and electric companies to our homes to mark gas and electric lines on the road, sidewalk, and flag their lines on our lawns * Installation of 1 single close-out by the sidewalk to connect us and our neighbor instead of 2 separate close-outs, which would cost us both more money * Continually mentioned his company mission statement: "to make us (the customer) happy" (which made us select his company over the other companies that we interviewed), before, during, and after the completion of the Project * Discussion/ demonstration of materials, products, and steps that Mickey would use before and during the Project * Observation and discussion of dug up old, original lines, one of which was laid in a faulty manner, while the other old line had a hole that had been sealed with duct tape; both of these had contributed to our line problems * Written warranty, for a longer time period than that of the other companies, with the caveat that our lines should be good for at least 20 years, and if we had problems at any time, he would be there to fix them * Mickey is very personable, detail-oriented, and, enjoys talking to people, pointing out the steps he was taking, multiple times during the Project, so that he could answer any questions that we had and teach us about plumbing at the same time Project Problem-Solving (that Mickey turned) into Positives ( +): * Mickey skillfully maneuvered the MUD "politics", trying to get MUD staff to return phone calls, visiting the MUD and finding staff out-of-office, and then finally getting MUD inspectors on-site for testing and inspection approval * He problem-solved a MUD observation, post-Project, all the while "taking care of us" while doing so Bottom Line: We do not hesitate to recommend The Plumbinator to our friends, neighbors, and everyone else who wants a quality job done by a quality company. (Rating: 10 stars out of 10 stars) read more

I don't normally write reviews, but my experience with Mickey and his family/company deserved the effort on my behalf. I had a bathtub I needed installed into an alcove. For whatever reason, trying to find someone to do the job became so much of a hassle that I almost gave up. Companies wouldn't return my phone calls, I was outside of city limits and they didn't want to make the drive, I had to buy the tub from their preferred vendor, plumbers were too busy, or the tub job was too big for just a 1 person shop. The list goes on and on and I was losing hope. I was referred to Mickey by a local contractor. I called him once, left a message, and received a call back within minutes. He agreed to come out to look at the work that needed to be done and came out for the estimate within a week's time. He was able to provide me a quote before he left and was nothing but courteous, genuine, and he made me feel safe. That was really important for a single female like myself. I didn't feel like I was being ripped off, swindled, or pressured in the slightest. I knew he was the one for the job before he even left. Mickey had brought along one of his son's to do the estimate and mentioned that it's a family business and he probably would have them do the job. Ultimately, that is what happened and they all took after Mickey. I felt safe, they were courteous, cleaned up after themselves, and really took care to treat my home and project with respect. His boy's did a fantastic job on the install and I have no qualms about their level of knowledge and professionalism. The end cost of the project also mirrored the quote. This company is honest, kind, competitively priced and deserves your business. Call them if you need a plumber. You will not be disappointed. I will certainly be using them again and shouting their name with praise anytime I hear the phrase "Anyone know of a good plumber?" read more

I had an EMERGENCY....in east austin... I shut off the water supply... jumped on YELP, called a few plumbers that fit my criteria, "LOCAL, FAMILY owned with mostly good reviews"....and finally someone was willing to make time for me.... btw, the receptionist was so sweet.... I couldn't believe it was a Round Rock company... The PLUMINATOR... showed up pretty darn quick... it was an evening emergency. Mickey got there around 645pm and 2 1/2 hours later...yep....2 1/2 ....915pm.... all was resolved. Why so long??? My pipes burst behind my walls... not pretty. Mickey fixed the first burst...then BLAM! another burst...and then another. With each burst, my mind raced $$$..., not too mention I thought he would get so frustrated and just walk saying...this is too big of a problem.... throughout it out all Mickey was calm, pleasant, kind, and actually FUN to hang with! Yes, I am one of those who stands behind the workers to make sure everything is being done correctly... after a short while I found myself just hanging, fully assured his work was professional and thorough. He opened up the wall quickly and conscientiously and replaced the entire piping so this would never happen again... this was, mind you, after all the other work.... When it was all said and done, I was extremely happy with the price. I am happy to report I have had no more plumbing problems, however if I have one... The Pluminator will be getting a call! Keep it Small Business, Keep it Family.... keep it LOCAL... Thanks again Mickey and Co.! read more

Yet another great experience with Mickey - even though he didn't need to do anything to help! If you need an awesome plumber, call him. Woke up at 3:45am Sunday morning to one of our water leak alarms going off. (Side note: those alarms were suggested by Mickey after he had to help us on a serious AC condensation drain overflow.) Checked and yep, the same issue - only we caught it within an hour of it starting, instead of a week after moisture seepage. Called Mickey at 7am to see about getting help to clear the drain, and left VM. He called back at about 9:30am (remember, it was Sunday morning) apologizing that he had slept in and he was concerned about us. While I was waiting to hear back, I did a little internet research, got a wet dry vac at Home Depot, and vacced out the blockage - so there was no plumbing emergency. He stayed on the line with me, recommended an AC guy to make sure all was right and there were no other issues, and told me to tell the AC guy I was "one of Mickey's people." The AC guy (Comfort Control) came out by 11am, checked the system, blew the drain clear, and replaced a part on the AC that was toasted. I can't recommend Mickey the Plubminator highly enough! read more

I am so grateful that I stumbled across The Pluminator so early in home ownership. I always dreaded something breaking in our house because it meant I'd have to search the yellow pages for 1-800 numbers where I feel so disconnected that I have to call more than one number to put myself at ease about the price I'm going to be spending. And then never really being satisfied or having an experience where I actually remember who did what job, so the next time something happens I'm starting all over again. After experiences with those shops I'm completly aware of The Plumbinators geniune concern for taking care of their customers, not taking advantage of them. I also love how personable they are, I really do feel completely at ease when they are in my home. They've serviced us twice now and I always leave the experience feeling good about the work done and feeling good about what I've paid. And being from Austin I love the idea of supporting a local business where I can actually know my plumbers name & a little about the family. So much that I am writing this review (my first review ever to write) to ensure that I am doing my part to take care of them like they've taken care of my family. read more

It's every homeowner's worst nightmare--the sink backs up, spilling oily gray water all over the floor. Guests are coming over in a day, and nothing gets the clog out--not the plunger, not the 25-foot auger, not even the chemicals that are no good for the pipes (but really, what won't you try when you are THAT desperate?). Can't use the sink, can't use the laundry machine or the dishwasher, and all you can see is a stream of money flowing from your wallet down, down down the drain... Especially in this economy, looking for a plumber is an anxiety-ridden process (akin to looking for a mechanic) that seems more a choice between getting overcharged and getting REALLY overcharged. Which is why finding The Plumbinator is a stroke of luck that, while not on the level of winning megabucks, is at least equivalent in magnitude to a winning scratch-off ticket. These guys deserve serious props for providing good, honest, ethical, local service at an extremely competitive and fair price--qualities you don't find in companies too often these days. I know businesses and I know services and beyond the shadow of a doubt recommend The Plumbinator to my mother! read more

I had all but lost my faith in local businesses due to some really unprofessional people. When my shower faucet would not turn off, causing my water bill to soar, I was tempted to call a big named company. I decided to let these guys come and at least give me an estimate. From the first moment (they came ON time..big plus) Mickey and James arrived, I felt totally at ease. They were respectful and courteous, which is often lacking these days. They immediately identified the problem and let me know what we needed to do. They gave my fiancee and I time to talk it over, and we felt very comfortable giving them our business. They had it fixed in a jiffy and looking better than before, replacing our old fixtures as well. We had the misfortune of having our AC flood the same day they had come in, and Mickey was nice enough to help us and even point us in the direction of another local business to take care of the damage. I can't say enough about these guys, they were truly a blessing during this new homeowner's ordeal! read more

I can't say enough about how GREAT this company is!! Being a female, I was concerned about how everything was going to turn out (kind of like when you go to the mechanic) Female or not, I think we're ALL concerned about getting ripped off, shoddy service, etc. Well, let me tell you; I was SO happy with these guys & have never felt more comfortable or cared for! When I initially had my plumbing emergency (it's one of those "oh, sh*t" moments) I didn't know who to call or what to do, so I went to the internet to try and quickly find the best plumber that I could. I was amazed by the reviews, but still skeptical... Well, no more skepticism from me!! I was put at ease, very well taken care of, and not given some ridiculously high bill; In fact, I thought that it would be much higher! I have since recommended them to everyone that I know that's having any issues that require a plumber. So a HUGE thank you to Mickey!! You will definitely be my plumber for life!! =) read more

Mickey and his crew did an outstanding job repairing the water leak in the foundation of our house. The cost for the repair was lower than the original estimate; they also worked an extra 8 hours on Saturday at no additional cost. We had a water leak at our house and called the Plumbinator. Mickey and his crew checked for water leaks and determined it was the hot water tubing in the foundation. Mickey did not recommend repair through the concrete floor and decided on repair by bypassing the leak and running new tubing through the walls and ceiling. It took 3 days to complete the work because we had 2 different leaks. They also made sure our faucets and toilets were working properly after the repair. Mickey is a Master Plummer has a unique ability to locate leaks and find the pluming manifolds in the walls that must be used to bypass a leak in the foundation. Who are you going to call when you have a water leak? The Plumbinator. read more

We had never used a plumber in Austin before, so we read other's reviews of the Plumbinator, and we were not disappointed. Mickey came out to our house on his day off to fix a ground leak. He was personable, kind, considerate, and best of all, very honest, upfront and caring for the best interest of our family. The leak turned out to be a bigger job than he had anticipated, and although his family was coming into town that evening, he stayed on the job late until it was fixed, and would not leave until he made sure all of the home's pipes were clear and safe. After all of that, he still only charged us what he promised to from the beginning, and that was already a good deal cheaper than what other plumber's quoted for the same job. We feel we found a plumber for life, and a friend as well. We could not recommend Mickey (The Plumbinator) enough. Thank you Mickey! read more

Wow people who show up when they promise and actually before the time promised. I was the late one they were setting in their van waiting on me! To be honest I just wanted a estimate because I never buy the first offer on anything. But looking at pricing online and hearing their offer. I immediately told them to "go ahead" and they did. I received a couple calls from others while they were there. I told them the price and asked if they could beat it and they either laughed or just hung up on me. Mickey even cleaned up the mess afterwards I mean the entire mess and hauled it away for me. I felt bad afterwards that I was late getting home and Mickey missed another opportunity but you would not have known it from him. I don't usually write these reviews but because of the circumstances I felt it was only right to do so. read more

Mickey came out to our home and did a great, quick and fairly-priced job rebuilding 2 bathtub / shower valves. What the surprise turned out to be, however, was the labor, which we hadn't talked about. That was my naivete. $300 somolians !! My wife hit the roof and I felt about as big as a stand-in in the Wizard of Oz. He did, after getting a lot of hair out of one of the slow-draining tubs gave us a little plastic doo-hicky to use regularly to pull hair out the drains, which was nice. He told us of the best quality parts available and where to get them.."plumber quality"....We had a good rapport and I came away believing he was ethical and knowledgeable, until the labor cost hit me where it hurts. Use this man, yes! But, get the skinny before you proceed !!...sincerely, DF Montgomery in Austin read more

Can't say or write enough kind words about the Plumbinator. I'll say it now, if you need a plumber & not just someone that will come out and "fix" your problems; but an actual plumber that you can call "your own personal plumber" then The Plumbinator are your folks to call. The owner is extremely kind, courteous, professional and knowledgeable. The entire time he talked to us and answered all of our questions and encouraged that we ask more. He made us feel extremely comfortable about the work they did and laid it all out in steps. Again I can't say enough kind things about them and I'm so glad we finally found a local plumber we can all our own. I would give more stars if I could. Top notch and how can you not love their name & logo?? Awesome. read more

i had an expensive high end shower head installed, but later decided it was too big for my small shower. I called everyone in the telephone book i but was unable to find a plumber with high end plumbing that would uninstall the shower head. then I had a plumber come out and he as going to take a slege hammer to it (no thank you) this is a new shower. Tthis morning I called plumbinator and they sent out Paul right away. Paul has experience with high end plumbing. It was a challenge but he did it with much care and without destroying the new tile around the shower fixture. i cannot tell you how impressed i was with his work and definately recommend him to anyone who wants the work done right. read more

This was the first time that I've had to call on a Plumber so I was very apprehensive. After doing some research I chose "The Plumbinator" because of their positive customer feedback and the fact that they appeared well-equipped to handle any number of problems. I really hit a home run with these guys! I couldn't dream of a more honest or knowledgeable Plumber than with Mickey. He and his son showed up right on time and were nothing but professional until they were done. They showed me EXACTLY what my problems were and then we discussed my options (YES, they gave me options!!!). Bottom line = you need a Plumber, Call the Plumbinator!! read more

I read a bunch of reviews and actually had someone from work recommed these guys. I needed my pressure-reducer valve replaced because it was leaking. They came in and quickly removed it and replaced it. It took them about 2 hours from the time they arrived to the time they left and they made sure they checked for leaks and verify no mud entered the pipes. They were quick but my only complaint was that it was a bit on the expensive side. Since I didn't do any comparison shopping I have no way of knowing if this was about the market value. But overall I am happy with their service and would probably go with them again. read more

I will never call another Plumber!!!! Mickey and his team at the Plumbinator are fantastic. I had an undetermined leak --- expelling 2 gallons a minute. He came out, found it, fixed it, explained it all to me and went above and beyond to ensure I had all I needed to talk to the water company. Extremely nice, extremely professional and wonderful to work with. I've already put them on speed dial and recommended to friends and coworkers. It's reassuring to find a family run business to support that takes pride in their work and is true to their word. Thank you all. Niccol in Pflugerville read more

We have worked with Mickey at The Plumbinator on many occasion's providing excavation services. As an excavation company, we operate on a tight schedule and expect plumbers to start and complete jobs in a timely manner, Mickey is always on schedule !!! He provides us with detailed diagrams for every job, his attention to detail is among the best in the industry. We are always confident that his projects will be run smoothly and efficiently. If you are looking for a plumber with strong communication skills and has an attention to detail, I would strongly recommend The Plumbinator. read more