The John E. Ruth Co.

Plumbing, Kitchen and Bath Remodeling, Drain Cleaning,

About us

As an essential business, we remain open for your remodeling and plumbing needs. The safety of our customers and employees are our main concern. We carefully follow the guidelines set forth by the governor regarding work safety and social distancing. And as one of the oldest companies in Maryland, we will be here in the future. Contact our remodeling & plumbing company at (443) 574-6965 in Catonsville, MD for any of your plumbing service or remodeling needs.

Business highlights

102 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

remodeling services, plumbing company

Amenities

Free Estimates
Yes
Warranties
Yes
Senior Discount

10%



Accepted payment methods

Check
Discover
MasterCard
Visa

Photos of past projects

Reviews

4.6102 Reviews
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
79%
4
9%
3
3%
2
3%
1
6%


Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.8
value
4.4
professionalism
4.7
responsiveness
4.7
punctuality
4.8

Filter reviews by category

Showing 1-25 of 102 reviews

Raymond B.
04/2022
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
He did a good job, requires some innovations. They managed to get thru it and fixed some time. They are very very good.
Description of Work: Fixed shower head and replace kitchen faucets.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
Yes, I recommend this pro

Alex G.
06/2021
5.0
ceramic tile, drywall, flooring contractor, home remodeling
  + 2 more
From start to finish I was treated like family. Pat was our contractor and helped us through every step as this was our first major remodel project. Tom and Leslie performed the work and were nothing short of amazing. We had a leaky shower and a severely dated bathroom and by the end of this project we no longer have any leaks and our bathroom looks fantastic and luxurious. I have a toddler and 2 cats who ran around and both Tom and Leslie were not bothered and gave them such good attention and love. I would absolutely use them for any upcoming projects we had. Sorry about all the stairs! 10/10 would recommend.
Description of Work: Complete bathroom remodel

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$16,000

Donald S.
05/2020
5.0
ceramic tile, drywall, electrician, flooring contractor, plastering, plumbing, woodworking, home remodeling, interior painters
  + 7 more
It went superbly. The team (a husband and wife) were wonderful, easily the finest and most responsible contractors we have ever used. Everyone from owner on down were easy to work with and professional. We were out of town for a portion of the project and had no problem at all with allowing the folks access to our house while we were gone. Their work was excellent and one of the most impressive things is the time they spent cleaning up the work site at the end of every day. If we ever have another remodeling project in our house, these will be the folks we use.
Description of Work: Remodel 2 bathrooms in 100 year old house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$60,000

Mary T.
05/2020
5.0
drywall, electrician, flooring contractor, plumbing, remodeling, replacement windows, woodworking, interior painters, doors
  + 7 more
Way better than I expected. The Project Manager, Pat, was innovative with his design and the couple who did the work, Tom and Leslie, did an outstanding job. They did meticulous work. I had seen their work at a relative's house and that is why we hired them.
Description of Work: A complete cut and gut of two bathrooms

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$30,000

Elizabeth B.
06/2018
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
Great! The plan was thorough, included ideas that we had not considered, but worked well, and the estimate was fair. The crew was punctual, and finished by the promised time. The work was excellent.
Description of Work: Bathroom renovation/repair (double-room), including the floor, portions of the wall, and some of the fixtures.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

paul T.
09/2017
4.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
It costs a lot. They do good work, pricing is high. Good quality work, helpful and even showed me how to do some stuff when i was watching them.
Description of Work: I used The John E. Ruth Co.to replace the faucet when i got stuck and fixed the drain.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$220

Gary W.
09/2015
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
Setting the appointment went smoothly. The Person said they'd call if an earlier slot came open and one did. I was called in the morning and offered to get the Tech, Nick< over once he was finished with an emergency in my neighborhood. Nick called and said he'd be here in about 30 minutes. Very punctual. Work performed and also asked Nick to check the sump pump. He was able to find the retainer clip and re-attached the float. Then he checked the shower pressure at the showered. Found a piece of debris and now that's working better. Thanks Nick and John E Ruth. Highly recommend them.
Description of Work: John E Ruth plumber Nick installed a faucet for the bar sink, installed a water line for the ice maker in the fridge and hooked up water and drain lines to the dishwasher in the bar.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$300

Steve J.
04/2015
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
The old, dangling, copper hose pipe cracked this winter. Luckily, it was only the extension, on the exterior of my house. Nick, from John E. Ruth Co. came out to replace the copper pipe, extension, and faucet, along with insulation. He did a super job, securely attaching the entire run to the formstone.
Description of Work: Replaced outside hose connection.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$244

JANET G.
08/2014
5.0
drywall, electrician, interior painters, home remodeling, plumbing, woodworking
  + 4 more
Old appliances were disconnected and removed; new drywall and a new ceiling were installed; all walls were painted (and one largely replaced); new appliances were installed quickly and flawlessly; cabinets ordered from Cabinet Discounters (Columbia, MD) were expertly installed; electrical work was also performed and new lighting installed. The actual work was done by John E. Ruth employees Lesley and Tom Reynolds. They had done work before on our bathroom, so we knew they would do a good job, and indeed their work was exemplary. The work Leslie and Tom did on our kitchen was meticulous and thorough; they were punctual, conscientious, and utterly trustworthy. Given the keys to our house, they showed up when they said they would, worked independently (loosely supervised by project manager Pat Graham), kept us informed at every step, and often went beyond the letter of the specs to add a beautiful extra touch. One example: the kitchen faucet we had bought turned out to be taller than expected; Tom reshaped the window sill behind it attractively. An even better example: when the kitchen ceiling was being repaired and unexpectedly collapsed upon them, Tom and Lesley replaced the entire ceiling with meticulously level and smooth drywall. We were not charged extra for this. Perhaps the best example of the care that Tom and Leslie put into this project came when my wife, Teresa, discovered Tom fastidiously spackling and re-smoothing a certain part of the wall. When she pointed out that that wall would be behind a cabinet, and that no one would ever know, Tom replied, "I will know," and continued his ministrations. Pat Graham, our project manager, was punctual and responsive and kept all his promises. None of the horror stories we've heard about contractors came to pass, and we are unreservedly delighted with the results.
Description of Work: Our kitchen was remodeled completely.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$10,000

Margaret C.
06/2014
3.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
The tech was punctual and professional. I ended up going with another company because of price.
Description of Work: I received an estimate for a bathroom remodel.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
value
2.0
professionalism
4.0
responsiveness
4.0
punctuality
4.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$14,000

JEROME U.
05/2014
5.0
home remodeling
  + -1 more
I have only very good things to say about them. They came in on budget together, they finished up quickly, and the work they did was to our satisfaction in the time frame. So that is all I have to say how good they are.
Description of Work: I used The John E Ruth Co to do a number of projects here like 12 building. They were involved with multiple projects.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Robyn W.
02/2014
5.0
remodeling, home remodeling, plumbing, wells
  + 2 more
John E. Ruth company remodeled our basement bathroom several years ago (about $7000). They completely gutted the old bathroom and rebuilt it from scratch. The work they did was first-rate and the bathroom still looks beautiful. After superstorm Sandy, we had them come back and install a water-powered backup sump pump as well as cleaning and lining our old sump and replacing the old electric pump. The backup has worked flawlessly on the few occasions when the power was out and it came on. However, last week, there was a problem with the pipe leading from the main sump pump. Over time and with much use, the coupling worked itself loose. Fortunately, John E. Ruth sent out a plumber, Charlie, within an hour after I called them and he came up with a permanent fix to the problem. The supervisor (Jim Arnold) agreed that we did not owe them anything for this repair because they had originally installed the backup pump. Overall, we have been very pleased with the work they have performed and they stood behind their work when it counted. Also, they responded very quickly to our emergency. We would definitely use John E. Ruth plumbing again.
Description of Work: John E. Ruth completely remodeled one bathroom and then later installed a water-powered backup sump pump for our house.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$8,000

JANET G.
01/2014
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
They came when they said they'd come, did what they said they'd do, and charged a reasonable price. The two folks who did the actual work, Tom and Lesley, went the extra mile, patching up little things that they really didn't have to do; they were pleasant and professional. We plan to have this company do our kitchen eventually.
Description of Work: Replaced bathtub faucet and wall; replaced bathroom sink faucet; installed new sump pump in basement and routed it outdoors

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,154

Sue V.
09/2013
5.0
gas leak repair
  + -1 more
We currently have our house up for sale and were out of the area when one of the realtors showing our house smelled gas in our basement. BGE Emergency came and shut the gas off. My husband called and spoke to Brandon. They came out the next day to find the leak. They found it but since it was the Thursday before Labor Day and they were very busy, they said they would not be able to fix it until the next Tuesday. We were scheduled to arrive back home on Sunday. My husband asked them if there was any way they could make it on Friday as we were going to be home with no hot water or stove for 2 days. Brandon made it work and they ended up fixing it on Friday. I thought the cost was very fair and they were very professional and accommodating.
Description of Work: Fixed 2 small gas leaks in home and checked for any other gas leaks throughout home.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$260

Michael W.
07/2013
3.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
Contractor came in reviewed the plumbing part and then sent a carpenter for the rest of the job. They combined their work into one estimate for the project. I got another estimate $2500.00 less and had that contractor perform the service.
Description of Work: Provided an estimate to add a shower to a half bath

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
3.0
value
2.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
3.0
punctuality
3.0

$8,500

Response from The John E. Ruth Co.
We reviewed our records carefully and could not find an estimate generated for this customer. We also have carpenters on staff so I don't understand why we would bring in an outside contractor for this estimate. Lastly, we are located in Baltimore, Md. and the contact is in Los Angeles. If he could provide us with a local contact or address, we would be happy to search our records again.

joseph D.
06/2013
5.0
plumbing, wells
  + 0 more
In the past few years, I've had 2 small floods in my basement because oI decided to get a f sump pump failure--oncebecause of a power outage and once because the pump float was trapped against the well siding. I decided to get a new sump pump with a backup pump. I saw John Ruth's name on Angie's List==a company that I have used in the past. Brandon Ruth came to the house the next and discussed a battery power backup and one that worked off the water system in the house( I brought up that possibility). A few hours later he called me a gave me a quote for both systems. I decided to go with the battery powered backup. Two days later the system was installed. The man installing the system was a master plumber and his gofer assistant was personable and helpful to the plumber and kept me occupied enough to keep from disturbing the plumber. The job was done very professionally bin less than 2 hours.
Description of Work: Installed a new sump pump and battery backup sump pump, including heavy marine battery and charger system.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$950

Anne N.
05/2013
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
I have used John E Ruth Plumbers for a number of years. They have always been very fair, professional, and outstanding in the service they provide. It wasn't until today that I realized just how fair they are. I received an estimate of $849, from another plumber, to have a shower faucet replaced in my bathroom. Because there was no access panel, the job involved cutting out a portion of drywall to get to the pipes that needed to be replaced. The other plumber informed me that I would be required to fix my own open wall. JER did the job for almost one-third the price - which included installing an access panel in the open wall space. The plumbers that came and did the job were kind and took the time to explain a filter issue that I may experience over time with the shower head I chose. They took the shower head apart and showed me what I would need to do to clean the filter, rather than call the plumbers and pay $150 to have them do it for me. I felt respected and valued as a customer and knew that I was not being taken advantage of. I cannot say enough good things about John E Ruth Plumbers. I highly recommend them.
Description of Work: Replaced shower faucet

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$268

Maureen G.
01/2013
5.0
heating & air conditioning/hvac
  + -1 more
Great, I've used John Ruth before and have no complaints. They are reasonable and knowledgeable.
Description of Work: Radiators on the third floor were not getting hot. The pressure on the boiler was too low. The service person came and added water pressure to the boiler and "tuned up" a couple of things on the boiler. This raised the pressure and we now have heat on the third floor.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$125

Kathryn J.
10/2012
5.0
plumbing, water heater repair
  + 0 more
Our water heater started a slow week close the Memorial Day Weekend, I called several people to get estimates and the responses I got were varied as were the prices. I wanted to convert to gas at a minimum and possibly a tankless. My gas line was not large enough for a tankless so in order to do this I had to upgrade the line and do the paperwork for a larger BGE meter for my gas. The John E Ruth Co was not the lowest estimate I received, but they seemed to be the most knowledgeable about the changes that needed to be made to the gas line in order for it to work properly. We have been really pleased.
Description of Work: Replaced Electric Water Heater with Gas tankless water heater. Had to change the gas line because it was too small.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$3,800

Debra A.
06/2012
1.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
The service manager came out and gave me an estimate range--the high end being $575. I was told they started at 7; I was not told they get their orders at that time and have a meeting before they head out. My guy got there around 8am. After the service was completed, it cost a lot more than estimated. I emailed the manager to let him know for his next estimating job. He was defensive and said it took longer because they had to cut the bolts on the toilet. I wote back and said that is strange because the caps for the bolts not fit because the bolts were too long. I also noticed that one of the toilet tanks was very croocked and, the handles on both toilets hit the lid when you flushed them. When I relayed that to the manager, he said he did not get the email. Mind you, he was responding on the string of emails that had the information! Never heard I'm sorry. After quite a period of time and explaining in emails, to the secretary 2 times by telephone, I still had to go over it again with the manager 2 more times. the guys then came back and I thought fixed the problems but on of the toilets runs after you flush unless you close the seat so the handle can close the flapper. I would never deal with them again even to fix what is still wrong--he was arrogant, non apologetic, and talks over you and will not listen. And, to say I lied about sending the email was beyond reprehensible when he sent it back to me!
Description of Work: replace guts on 2 toilets, install small vanity, fix wobbling toilet.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
1.0
value
2.0
professionalism
2.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
3.0

$610

Theo P.
06/2012
2.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
The installation appeared to go well however the company stated that the new furnace and a/c units would perform better with additional duct work in our very small, old basement. We did not find that the additional flexible ducts were at all helpful and they limit head room in the basement. The original estimate included a more powerful A/C unit which the company later agreed was too powerful for our situation (small home). I only knew to ask about this because the company had told me previously that our old A/C unit was too powerful for our home and that was why it was constantly coming on. When I brought the issue up they agreed and the bill bill was reduced based on the smaller size. Once the A/C was needed the next summer we had water leaks running from the furnace. The company sent out a repairman and he said they just needed to adjust something (I can't remember exactly as we had them out 2 or 3 times during the first two summers). When water continued to flow from the furnace, it took them a bit longer to come out and they said the condenser pan had melted!!! They came back to fix that (seemed scary to me). The next time they said they needed to order a part, but it took them weeks to come back. Eventually it was fall and we didn't know if the problem was solved. After two summers of similar occurrences, I contacted the manager (actually I had to try letters and phone calls to him - he kept delaying). He said that the pans are now made of plastic and that I didn't need to worry about the melting. He sent someone out to figure out the problem. That man said the pan was not seated properly. He said also that it was entirely all his fault! He fixed it and left a copy of an invoice (no charge) that reflected that he had been there and fixed the problem. At that point I took up an Angie's List offer. I did not have any confidence in the John E. Ruth Company at all and contacted Arundel Heating and Cooling. The water leakage had continued. They affirmed that there is only one way to put the pan in a furnace and could not say for certain what the cause of the leaking could be (at least they said they were not sure!) and that it could be that changing the filter more frequently in the summer would help the cooling and reduce condensation. We are trying this now. I don't know if it will work, but I already have more confidence in this company. I lost all confidence in the Ruth Company's honesty and integrity.
Description of Work: Installed new furnace and A/C units.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
4.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
1.0
punctuality
1.0

$6,000

Mary Jane L.
04/2012
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
They have done other work for us in the past and they are polite and kind when you call. They try to help you and when they come they are gentlemen and mannerly. They seem to have proper knowledge of what they are doing and are fair in every area. I like them; they are nice, neat and I will use them again in the future.
Description of Work: I used the John E. Ruth Plumbing to install a new toilet.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro

Jordan S.
04/2012
5.0
ceramic tile, drywall, home remodeling, plumbing
  + 2 more
The person they sent out to do the inspection and the estimate was one of the managers, Jim. He was very helpful and explained everything. He said he was available for any questions I had and he gave me his contact information. I emailed with him off and on for additional questions and the final proposal. He actually ended up coming out twice, to look at the bathroom. Overall the process went smoothly. They installed everything when I was away, so I just saw before and after. They took exactly a working week to complete the job. Throughout the process I was in contact with Jim in regards to problems or concerns. When I came home, it looked great. Everything had been cleaned up. There was no mess left of any kind and everything worked properly. The only thing I'm still a little upset about is the price. I think that I paid a bit higher then I should have. However Jim assured me they use quality parts and guarantee their work. As of writing this (3 months later) there have been no issues with the work completed. I am still very happy with the work completed. I'm hoping I will not have to call them for any reason, but if Ii do, I feel confident they will be available to attend to the problem.
Description of Work: Gutted tub area. Installed new drain, new tub, new shower fixtures. Installed drywall and tiling. Also installed new toilet.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$5,400

ASTA O.
04/2012
5.0
drain cleaning, plumbing
  + 0 more
So far, I have used their services three times (in 2009 and 2012) .. All three plumbers were punctual, friendly, worked efficiently and quickly, and everything was back in order when they left. I will definitely be using them again.
Description of Work: Repair a leaking sink, repair two leaking toilets. Minor repairs requiring replacement of worn out parts.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$100

Merle K.
04/2012
5.0
plumbing
  + -1 more
They always respond quickly, do whatever has to be done, at a reasonable price. We never have to worry about finding someone to help when we have a plumbing problem.
Description of Work: We've been using this company for at least 30 years for all of our plumbing needs.

Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0

Yes, I recommend this pro
$100

Contact information

5621 Old Frederick Road Ste. 2, Catonsville, MD 21228

http://johneruthco.com

Service hours

Monday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Licensing

Bonded

Insured

Licensed*

Trade License Number
83910
Trade License Locale
MD
Trade License Authority
Maryland Home Improvement Commission
Trade License Expiration
03/30/2024

Eco-friendly Accreditations

LEED Accredited Professional
No
Energy Star Partner
No
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Yes
Use Green Products or Work Practices
No
State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

*Contact business to see additional licenses.


Service Categories

Plumbing,
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling,
Drain Cleaning,
Heating and Air Conditioning,
Water Heaters,
Flooring Sales and Installation,
Drywall,
Wells and Pumps,
Ceramic Tile,
Finished Carpentry and Woodworking,
Electrical,
Natural Gas Lines

FAQ

The John E. Ruth Co. is currently rated 4.6 overall out of 5.

Monday: 7:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Thursday: 7:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday: 7:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The John E. Ruth Co. accepts the following forms of payment: Check,Discover,MasterCard,Visa
Yes, The John E. Ruth Co. offers free project estimates.
Yes, The John E. Ruth Co. offers eco-friendly accreditations.
Yes, The John E. Ruth Co. offers a 10% senior discount.
No, The John E. Ruth Co. does not offer emergency services.
Yes, The John E. Ruth Co. offers warranties.
The John E. Ruth Co. offers the following services: remodeling services, plumbing company

Contact information

5621 Old Frederick Road Ste. 2, Catonsville, MD 21228

http://johneruthco.com

Service hours

Monday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday:
7:00 PM - 5:00 PM