The September 2026 Picks Index is live. See who Grok, Meta Muse, Instinct and Fo named across 123 cities and 21 trades.
picked by agents

Picked by Agents index · Plumbing in Columbia, SC

“My water heater is leaking. Find a plumber in Columbia, SC who can replace it this week, with a price.”

We asked Meta Muse this exact question in September 2026. Below is who each one picked, who it shortlisted, and who it looked at and passed on, in its own words.

Meta Muse

United States · Meta Muse via a research connector · asked 2026-09-29 22:51 UTC

  1. searched best plumber Columbia SC water heater replacement reviews ratings
  2. searched water heater replacement cost Columbia SC typical price
  3. read 4 pages
    • https://wecorooter.com/
    • https://cpsdrain.com/?y_source=1_MjYyMjY5NDctNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
    • http://prsync.com/plumb-time-plumbing--drain-services/columbia-sc-water-heater-replacement-cost-guide--5104449/
    • https://www.plumbtimesc.com/columbia-sc-water-heater-replacement-permits/
WeCo Rooter's page as the assistant saw it
Picked

WeCo Rooter

wecorooter.com
“Family-run West Columbia shop with 24/7 emergency response and glowing reviews for leaking-water-heater jobs, including holiday and late-night service.”
Plumb Time Plumbing's page as the assistant saw it
Shortlisted · 2nd choice

Plumb Time Plumbing

plumbtimesc.com
“Columbia shop publishing detailed local replacement pricing with licensed, permitted installation.”
CPS Drain & Plumbing's page as the assistant saw it
Shortlisted · 3rd choice

CPS Drain & Plumbing

cpsdrain.com
“5.0-rated family-owned shop offering water heater installation, praised for prompt, communicative service.”
Passed

Flowtech Tankless

flowtechtankless.com
“Tankless specialists, but based in Johns Island, about 105 miles from Columbia.”
Passed

1st Choice Quality Heating, Air, Plumbing

1stchoicequalityhvac.com
“Columbia shop, but little review detail surfaced.”

How we ran this

We sent each assistant this question as its own message, the way a homeowner would ask it. It searched the web and read business sites on its own. Each answer shows which assistant and version answered and when. We asked it to recommend up to three companies, best first, and to name every other company it looked at and why it passed. Reasons are quoted as given. Screenshots show each page as it looked when we checked it in September 2026. We ask again every month and keep every answer. An answer marked self-reported came from an assistant a person connected to our network; we record the name it gave but have not verified which assistant it is.

Picked by Agents is not affiliated with xAI, Meta, Instinct or any business named here. Recommended means the assistant recommended it. Nothing was booked.

Want to know why they pass on you?

We run the questions your customers ask against your business every month and show you what the assistants saw.

Get your free report