Mr. Rooter is a plumbing franchise founded in 1970 and now part of Neighborly, the Waco, Texas-based franchise group formerly known as The Dwyer Group, which rebranded in 2018. Every location you deal with is an independently owned business trading under the brand — which shapes what you can and cannot expect.
What franchising means for you as a customer
A franchise brand sets standards, training and marketing. The business that arrives at your house is separately owned and, within the brand's rules, sets its own prices and schedule.
What that gives you: a consistent process, a complaints route above the local owner, and usually a written warranty.
What it does not give you: identical pricing between territories. Two neighbouring franchises can quote the same job differently, and neither is doing anything wrong.
What to ask
- Is the price quoted flat-rate for the job, or hourly?
- What is the warranty on the work, and is it the brand's or this owner's?
- Does the quote include a camera inspection, or is that separate?
- If the blockage returns within the warranty period, who pays for the return visit?
Flat-rate versus hourly — the thing most people miss
Many franchise plumbers quote flat-rate by job rather than by the hour. That is genuinely better for you on a difficult job, because the risk of it taking three hours instead of one sits with them.
It works against you on an easy one. A twenty-minute hair clog priced at a flat rate designed to absorb difficult jobs can feel expensive — and it is, for that particular job. Neither model is dishonest; they price risk differently. Knowing which you are being quoted tells you whether to get a second opinion.
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Call (888) 855-8790Questions people ask
Is Mr. Rooter a franchise?
Yes. It was founded in 1970 and is part of Neighborly, the franchise group headquartered in Waco, Texas that was formerly The Dwyer Group and rebranded in 2018. Each location is independently owned and operated.
Does that mean prices differ by area?
Yes. Franchisees set their own pricing within the brand's framework, so two territories can quote the same job differently.
Mr. Rooter or Roto-Rooter — what is the difference?
Different companies with similar names, which causes endless confusion. Roto-Rooter operates a mix of company-owned branches and franchises; Mr. Rooter is a franchise network under Neighborly. Compare the actual quote and warranty in front of you rather than the name.
What is flat-rate pricing?
A price for the job rather than for the time. It protects you if the job turns out to be hard and costs you more if it turns out to be easy. Ask which model you are being quoted.
Who do I complain to?
Start with the local owner, since they did the work. A franchise brand also gives you an escalation route above them, which an independent does not.
Is the warranty from the brand or the owner?
Ask, and get the answer on the invoice. It is the single most useful question on this page.
Are you affiliated with Mr. Rooter?
No. DrainDispatch is an independent referral service and is not connected to Mr. Rooter or Neighborly.
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