What to Look for When Hiring a Drain Cleaning Company in the Twin Cities
What to Look for When Hiring a Drain Cleaning Company in the Twin Cities
Not every drain cleaning company operates the same way. The truck in the driveway might look similar, the service might sound the same over the phone, but what happens once a technician is in your home can vary a lot depending on who you called.
If you’re a homeowner in the Twin Cities or North Metro looking to hire a drain cleaning company, here’s what actually matters when you’re making that decision.
1. Do They Clean Drains or Do They Also Sell Repairs?
This is the most important question you can ask — and most homeowners never think to ask it.
Many drain and sewer companies offer cleaning as a entry point, but their business model depends on selling repairs. Relining, pipe replacement, excavation — these are high-ticket jobs, and a company that performs them has a financial incentive to find them. That doesn’t mean every repair recommendation is dishonest. But it does mean the technician diagnosing your line has something to gain from a certain outcome.
A company that only does cleaning and diagnostics has no such incentive. When they tell you what’s going on with your line, the recommendation is based entirely on what’s actually there — not what generates the next invoice.
At Viking, we clean and diagnose drain and sewer lines with honest diagnosis at the center of every job. That’s it. We don’t do repairs or replacements. When we tell you your line is clear, it’s clear. When we tell you something needs attention, it’s because it genuinely does — and we’ll point you in the right direction without any pressure.
2. How Long Have They Been Doing This?
Experience matters in this industry. Drain and sewer systems vary widely depending on the age of the home, the type of pipe, the layout of the system, and what’s causing the problem. A technician who has seen thousands of lines knows the difference between a straightforward clog and something that actually needs a closer look.
It also matters for the business itself. A company that has been operating for decades has a reputation to protect. They’ve built their customer base on repeat calls and referrals, which means they can’t afford to cut corners or oversell.
Viking has been serving the Twin Cities North Metro since 1987. That’s nearly four decades of drain and sewer lines across Rogers, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Elk River, Osseo, Monticello, Big Lake and the surrounding communities.
3. Are They Transparent About Pricing Before They Start?
A low price on the phone means nothing if the invoice looks different when the job is done. Before any company starts work on your line, you should know exactly what you’re paying and what would change that number.
Ask directly: is there a service call fee, does it apply toward the work, and what would trigger an additional charge? A company that can answer those questions clearly before they arrive is one that’s set up to be straightforward with you throughout the job.
4. Do They Have Real Reviews From Real Customers?
Google reviews are one of the most reliable ways to evaluate a local service company. Look for volume, recency, and specificity. A handful of generic five-star reviews tells you less than fifty detailed reviews from homeowners describing their actual experience.
Pay attention to how the company responds to reviews too — especially the ones that aren’t perfect. A business that responds professionally and takes feedback seriously is one that cares about its reputation beyond just the star rating.
View Viking’s Reviews here: Viking’s Reviews
5. Will They Give You a Second Opinion?
If you’ve already been told you need an expensive repair — a relining, a replacement, an excavation — it is absolutely worth calling a second company for a second opinion before you commit.
A drain cleaning company that only does cleaning and diagnostics is actually the best second opinion you can get. They have no financial reason to confirm or deny a repair recommendation. They just look at the line and tell you what they see.
We’ve had more than a few customers call us after receiving repair quotes in the thousands of dollars. In some cases the repair was warranted. In others, regular preventative drain maintenance was enough to keep the line clear and the backups from happening.. Either way, the homeowner made a better decision because they had more information.
If you’re not sure about a quote you’ve received, we’re happy to take a look.
6. Are They Insured?
This one is straightforward but worth confirming. Any legitimate drain cleaning company operating in Minnesota should be able to confirm they carry insurance before they come out. It protects you as a homeowner if anything goes wrong on the job. If that information isn’t easy to find on their website or they hesitate when you ask, that’s a signal worth paying attention to.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a drain cleaning company in the Twin Cities doesn’t have to be complicated. Look for experience, transparent pricing, real reviews, and — most importantly — a company whose diagnosis you can actually trust because they have nothing to gain from steering you wrong.
That’s been Viking’s approach since 1987. If you’re dealing with a slow drain, a recurring backup, or a repair quote you want a second opinion on, give us a call. We’ll tell you exactly what’s going on.