Provider profile
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
St Paul and Minneapolis metro homeowners dealing with water damage that has led to mold growth, where having the plumbing source fixed and mold removed by one crew matters.
Best for
- St Paul metro homeowners whose mold problem started with a plumbing failure or basement flood and who want one company to handle both the source repair and the mold removal.
- Anyone needing emergency water extraction on nights, weekends, or holidays, since Roto-Rooter answers and dispatches around the clock.
- Commercial property managers in the Twin Cities who need scalable water damage and mold remediation with direct insurance billing.
- Homeowners who want to avoid coordinating between a plumber and a separate restoration company after a sewer backup or burst pipe.
About this company
Roto-Rooter in St Paul is the local franchise of the national chain that has operated since 1935. Their office sits at 1821 University Ave W, and they cover the entire Minneapolis-St Paul metro across 11 counties. Mold remediation is one piece of a much larger operation that centers on plumbing, drain cleaning, and water damage restoration. They hold Master Plumber License PM058657 and a BBB A+ rating.
What stands out here is the single-source model. Their website makes clear that their plumbers fix the water source (burst pipe, sewer backup, sump pump failure) while a separate IICRC-certified restoration crew handles water extraction, drying, and mold work in the same visit cycle. They use HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and antimicrobial treatments for mold jobs. Their technicians also hold AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) credentials. For a homeowner who discovers mold after a basement flood, this means one company and one insurance claim instead of coordinating a plumber and a separate remediation firm.
Roto-Rooter operates 24/7, 365 days a year, with same-day emergency response. They bill insurance directly and document jobs with photos, diagrams, and drying logs. They also offer Synchrony Bank financing for uncovered work.
4.9 stars across 3,194 Google reviews is unusually high for a company this size. Most of the volume comes from plumbing and drain work rather than mold-specific jobs, so the rating reflects the broader operation. Still, that volume signals a consistently positive day-to-day experience for the majority of customers.
Services
Service area
Headquartered at 1821 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104. Serves the entire Minneapolis-St Paul metro across 11 counties: Ramsey, Hennepin, Dakota, Washington, Anoka, Scott, Carver, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, and Pine. That range extends well beyond the core metro into rural areas, so confirm mold remediation crew availability for addresses outside Ramsey and Hennepin counties.
Review consensus
Jamison (also spelled Jameson) appears in at least seven recent 5-star reviews, praised for thorough drain work, clear explanations, and above-and-beyond service. Brian draws repeated praise for efficient work and friendly demeanor across at least six reviews. Andrew gets named for courteous, knowledgeable plumbing repairs in four reviews, with one reviewer calling him a great face for the company. Reviewers consistently highlight fast response times, with several noting same-day or within-two-hours arrival on weekends and evenings. Mike, Allen, Lee, Peter, and Jerry each receive individual 5-star mentions for knowledge and courtesy.
7 found across 3194 total reviews at 4.9★. Seven 1-star reviews in the last 18 months share a pricing theme. Jack Thompson was quoted $500 for a floor drain cleaning, pushed back, and the tech dropped to $200 immediately. Steve Kaufmann paid $398 for a 30-minute laundry tub cleanout and called it price gouging. Amanda Vondrasek found a local specialist who did the same job for a quarter of Roto-Rooter's quote. Christine Sperry, a Local Guide with 69 reviews, reported the tech pushed a front pipe replacement that two independent plumbers said was unnecessary. She also noted technicians work on commission. Jac Kovarik spent $500 and was left with a completely disassembled sink. Kris Dahl's scheduled appointment was a no-show. Richard Riggins Fuentes had an initial clog fix followed by a $12,000 camera-inspection upsell, with the tech threatening to void the warranty if declined.
Owner responses run at 100% on recent negatives, but every single one routes to the same Pat Swanson email template. None engage with the specific complaint details. On Ryan Mord's review, the owner response praised Brian and thanked the reviewer for a recommendation, apparently responding to the original positive version before the reviewer updated it to 2 stars with a detailed upselling complaint. This suggests the response process is automated or poorly monitored. The pricing and upselling complaints cluster around drain and sewer work, not water damage or mold specifically, but they reveal a commission-driven sales culture that a mold customer should be aware of.
Jamison/Jameson (technician — praised repeatedly for drain work, thoroughness, and explanations). Brian (technician — praised for efficient, friendly service across multiple reviews; mentioned neutrally in Ryan Mord's updated 2-star review for initial sewer work). Andrew (technician — praised for courteous plumbing repairs and knowledgeable communication). Mike (technician — praised for fixing a leaky sink and shutoff valve). Allen (technician — praised for fast arrival and great service). Lee (technician — praised for friendly communication on a spigot replacement). Peter/Pete (technician — praised for knowledge and friendliness). Jerry (technician — praised for patience and kindness). Pat Swanson (Customer Satisfaction Manager — named in all owner responses).
For routine plumbing and emergency water extraction, this location delivers fast, friendly service backed by an exceptional review volume. For mold remediation specifically, get the price in writing before work begins and do not accept the first quote on any recommended pipe repair or replacement. Ask for an independent mold assessment rather than relying on Roto-Rooter's in-house testing. If Jamison, Brian, or Andrew shows up, reviewers say you are in good hands.
Keep in mind
- Roto-Rooter does both mold testing and mold remediation. That creates a conflict of interest: the same company that tells you mold exists also profits from removing it. Ask whether they use a third-party indoor environmental professional for pre- and post-remediation testing, or request independent lab results.
- Pricing complaints dominate recent negative reviews. Multiple reviewers report drain cleaning quotes of $480-$500 with no advance pricing from dispatch. One reviewer was quoted $500, pushed back, and the tech accepted $200 on the spot. The website does not publish service rates.
- Several reviewers describe aggressive upselling after initial service. One was quoted $26,000 for a full sewer line replacement; three independent opinions put the actual fix at well under half that price. Another reviewer was told the camera inspection warranty would be voided if they declined a $12,000 pipe repair. A Local Guide reviewer (69 reviews) reported the tech recommended an unnecessary pipe replacement that two other plumbers dismissed.
- Technicians work on commission, according to one reviewer. This may explain the negotiable pricing and the push toward expensive follow-up work.
- The service area spans 11 counties from Pine County to Scott County. Confirm that mold remediation crews serve your specific location, since not all services are available from all locations per their own website disclaimer.