Quick answer
Seattle Plumber Pros has published no reviews because it has not introduced any homeowner to a contractor yet. The FTC's rule on consumer reviews, 16 CFR Part 465, in effect since October 21, 2024, bans fake and paid reviews. To check a Seattle plumber now, use the L&I verify tool for license status, workers' comp and bond lawsuits, then read the BBB profile.
Updated · By the Seattle Plumber Pros editorial team · How we research
Why are there no reviews here?
Seattle Plumber Pros is an independent information and referral-request website, not a plumbing company. We do not perform work, so there is no work of ours to review. Reviews of contractors would only make sense after we had introduced homeowners to contractors and those jobs were finished. That has not happened yet, so this page has nothing to show.
We will not publish invented reviews, star ratings, testimonials or customer counts, and we will not pay anyone for a review.
Federal rules are clear on this. The Federal Trade Commission's Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, 16 CFR Part 465, was announced in August 2024, published on August 22, 2024 and took effect on October 21, 2024. It prohibits selling or buying fake consumer reviews or testimonials, buying positive or negative reviews, undisclosed reviews by company insiders, company-controlled websites that falsely claim to provide independent reviews, certain review suppression practices and fake indicators of social media influence.
What feedback will we publish in the future?
- Only from verified homeowners who sent us a request and then hired a contractor we introduced.
- Only about a job that happened. We will confirm the job before publishing anything.
- Positive and negative alike. We will not filter out criticism and will not let contractors approve or remove feedback.
- Clearly labeled with the type of job, the city and the month, and a note that it describes the contractor's work, not ours.
- No incentives. No discounts, gifts or payments in exchange for feedback.
How can you research a Seattle plumber yourself?
- Start with the license. Search the company in the L&I verify tool. L&I says the results show whether the registration is active, whether workers' comp is current, safety violations and lawsuits against the contractor's bond. A lawsuit history is something a star rating will not tell you.
- Check the person. Ask for the plumber's L&I certificate number and look it up as well.
- Read the BBB profile. The BBB suggests researching plumbers on BBB.org, where profiles often include customer feedback, ratings and reported complaints.
- Read Google and other reviews critically. Look at recent reviews, not just the average. Bursts of short five-star reviews, reviews about a different service or city, or a company that never answers criticism are reasons for caution. Detailed reviews that mention the job, the price and how problems were handled are the most useful.
- Ask for references for similar recent jobs, and whether those jobs passed inspection. L&I also recommends getting references and at least three written bids.
Which review patterns should make you cautious?
- Many reviews posted within a few days, especially short ones with no detail.
- Reviews that describe a service the company does not list, or a different city.
- A company website that shows only glowing testimonials with no names, dates or job details, or that presents itself as an independent ranking of local plumbers while promoting one company. The FTC rule specifically targets company-controlled sites that pose as independent review sources.
- Offers of a discount in exchange for a five-star review. The FTC rule prohibits buying reviews that express a set sentiment.
What if something goes wrong with a contractor?
Put the problem in writing to the company first, with photos and the invoice. If that does not resolve it, you have several options:
- The contractor's bond. The L&I lookup shows lawsuits filed against a contractor's surety bond, which tells you the bond exists and whether others have claimed against it. L&I also describes a Homeowner Recovery Fund for eligible homeowners on its hiring page.
- The Attorney General. The Washington Attorney General offers an informal complaint resolution service for Washington residents and businesses located in Washington. It contacts the business and asks for a response within 30 days. It says it cannot compel a business to resolve a complaint or act as your attorney, but it uses complaints to spot patterns of illegal activity.
- The BBB. You can also file a complaint about the business with the BBB.
For help choosing in the first place, see how to choose a plumber in Seattle or read how this site works. To send a request, use the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I trust a plumber's star rating on Google?
Use it as one signal, not the decision. Read recent reviews and the company's replies, look for detail about the actual job and price, and be wary of bursts of short five-star reviews. Then check the company in the L&I verify tool, which shows license status, workers' comp, safety violations and bond lawsuits.
Why does the FTC rule matter for a site like this?
The FTC rule, 16 CFR Part 465, prohibits fake reviews, paid reviews with a set sentiment, undisclosed insider reviews and company-controlled websites that pose as independent review sites. A referral site that published invented reviews would risk exactly that. We publish none until there is verified feedback to show.
Will Seattle Plumber Pros publish negative feedback about a contractor?
Yes, if it is verified. Once introductions begin, we will publish feedback from homeowners who hired a contractor we introduced, positive or negative, after confirming the job took place. Contractors will not be able to approve or remove feedback, and we will not offer incentives for any review.
Sources
Independent homeowner guide operated by SWKM GmbH. Not a licensed contractor. We do not perform plumbing work. More about this site.