Frequently Asked Questions

We quote before we work, and the quote is the price. For everyday repairs we give you an upfront number once we see the problem. For bigger jobs like a water heater, a repipe, or a remodel, the estimate is free and there is no charge to come look. No overtime games, and no surprises on the invoice.

For larger or planned work, no. There is no charge to come look at a water heater replacement, a repipe, or a remodel and give you a written estimate. For a repair that needs hands-on diagnosis, we may charge a service-call fee to come out and find the cause, and we tell you that fee up front before we schedule.

Yes. A burst pipe at midnight does not wait for business hours, so neither do we. Call (503) 555-0162 and a real person answers. We will help you stop the water on the phone, then dispatch to make the repair. Emergency calls are priced up front like any other job.

It depends on the age of the unit and the cost of the fix. A heater under about eight years old with a bad element or thermostat is often worth repairing. A ten-year-old tank leaking from the bottom is a replacement, since the tank itself has failed. We give you the honest comparison, including what a new unit would cost, and let you decide. We will not sell you a heater you do not need.

The usual signs are low or rusty water pressure, water that runs brown after the house sits, pinhole leaks, and repairs that come more often each year. Galvanized steel and polybutylene pipe both have a known end of life. When patching one leak after another starts to cost more than replacing the pipe, a repipe is worth pricing. We will scope the whole house and give you a clear estimate before you decide.

A drain that clogs again and again is usually a symptom of something further down the line: grease buildup, roots in the sewer, or a bellied or damaged pipe. We can run a camera down the line to see the real condition and find the cause. That turns a recurring problem into a clear decision rather than a monthly call.

Yes. Rivett Plumbing carries state contractor licensing, general liability insurance, and workers' compensation for the whole crew. Our license number is OR CCB #214785, and we are happy to show proof before any work begins. We encourage you to ask any plumber for the same. A company that hesitates is telling you something.

Two kinds. Equipment you install, like a water heater, carries its manufacturer warranty, and we install in a way that keeps that warranty valid. Our own 1-year workmanship warranty covers the installation itself. We leave you with the documentation at the end of the job.

Yes, on larger jobs. A water heater, a repipe, or a remodel is a real cost, and financing lets some homeowners do it right rather than putting it off or settling for a patch. We will walk you through the options when we provide your estimate.

We serve the south Portland metro, including Tualatin, Sherwood, Wilsonville, Tigard, Lake Oswego, and West Linn. See our service area for the full list. If you are just outside it, call us anyway. We often go a bit farther for a larger job.

Look for a local address, a state license number, proof of insurance, and a clear, upfront price before the work. A legitimate plumber gives you the number before they start and stands behind the job. Be wary of a price that only holds if you sign today, an emergency rate that doubles after hours with no explanation, and anyone who will not put the estimate in writing. Those are the patterns of a company that will be gone when you need them.