If you're researching Culligan in Houston, you're probably looking for a water softener, filtration system, or both. Culligan is one of the biggest names in the industry — they've been around since 1936 and operate franchises across the country.
But "biggest" doesn't always mean "best fit."
A lot of Houston homeowners end up searching for Culligan alternatives after getting a quote, reading reviews, or wanting to compare options before making a decision. That's smart. A water treatment system is a significant investment, and you should know what's out there.
This page explains how we compare to Culligan, where we're different, and who each option is best for. No trash-talking — just an honest breakdown so you can decide what's right for your home.
Why Homeowners Look for Culligan Alternatives
We talk to homeowners every week who started their search with Culligan. Here's what we hear most often:
"I couldn't get a straight answer on pricing."
Culligan doesn't publish prices. You have to schedule an in-home consultation to get a quote. That's standard for the industry, but some homeowners find it frustrating — especially when they just want a ballpark before committing time to an appointment.
"The quote was higher than I expected."
National franchises have national overhead — marketing, corporate fees, franchise costs. That gets built into the price. Some homeowners are fine paying for the brand name. Others would rather put that money toward better equipment or keep it in their pocket.
"I wanted to support a local business."
Culligan of Houston is a franchise. It's locally operated, but it's part of a national corporation. Some homeowners prefer working with an independent, family-owned company where they're talking to the owner, not a sales rep hitting quotas.
"I read some reviews that concerned me."
Every company has negative reviews. Culligan has thousands of customers, so they have more reviews overall — good and bad. Some homeowners want to compare before committing.
None of these reasons mean Culligan is bad. They just mean it's worth exploring your options.
Culligan vs. Filtration Brothers: How We Compare
| Culligan Houston | Filtration Brothers | |
|---|---|---|
| Company type | National franchise | Local, family-owned |
| In business since | 1936 (corporate) | 2024 (Houston-based) |
| Pricing transparency | Quote required | Published starting prices |
| Water softener starting price | Call for quote | $2,965 installed |
| Softener + carbon filtration | Call for quote | $3,850 installed |
| Service area | Houston metro | Houston metro |
| Who you talk to | Sales representatives | Local Houston team |
| Equipment brands | Culligan proprietary | Maytag, Clack, Fleck |
| Warranties | Varies by product | 1-year included, optional 5-20 year |
| Financing available | Yes | Yes |
Where Culligan Might Be the Better Choice
We're not here to tell you Culligan is bad. For some homeowners, they're a solid option:
You want a legacy brand. Culligan has been around for almost 90 years. That longevity means something. If brand recognition and corporate backing matter to you, Culligan delivers that.
You need commercial or industrial service. Culligan handles large-scale commercial accounts — office buildings, restaurants, manufacturing. If you need water treatment for a business with complex requirements, their infrastructure supports that.
You want bottled water delivery. Culligan offers bottled water and cooler rental services. We don't. If you want a one-stop shop for bottled water delivery plus water treatment equipment, Culligan can bundle that.
You prefer rental/lease options. Culligan offers equipment rental programs where you pay monthly instead of buying outright. We sell systems — no rental program.
Get a Comparison Quote
Already have a Culligan quote? We'll give you a second opinion.
Packages starting at $2,965 • Financing available
Where We're the Better Choice
For a lot of Houston homeowners, especially those focused on value and service, we're a better fit:
You want to know the price upfront.
Our water softener systems start at $2,965 installed. Softener plus catalytic carbon filtration starts at $3,850. You know what you're getting into before we ever set foot in your home.
You want local accountability, not a call center.
When you call Filtration Brothers, you reach our Houston team — not a 1-800 number routing to whoever's available. Our team isn't hitting corporate sales quotas or pushing add-ons. We're building a business on referrals, which means we only recommend what you actually need.
You want flexibility on equipment.
Culligan primarily sells Culligan-branded equipment. We install Maytag water treatment systems, Clack valves, Fleck valves — we choose the best equipment for the job, not the equipment with our logo on it.
You want a company that's invested in Houston.
We live here. Our kids will grow up here. When you support Filtration Brothers, you're supporting a Houston family, not a corporate franchise fee.
You want competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.
Because we don't have franchise fees or corporate overhead, we can offer premium equipment at better prices. The savings go to you, not to a national marketing budget.
What We Install
We're not a one-product company. We offer complete water treatment solutions:
Water Softeners — Removes calcium and magnesium (hard water minerals) that cause scale buildup, dry skin, and appliance damage. Starting at $2,965 installed.
Whole-Home Filtration — Reduces chloramine, chlorine taste/odor, and sediment throughout your home. Often combined with a softener.
Catalytic Carbon Filtration — Specifically targets chloramine and disinfection byproducts. We recommend this for any Houston home getting a softener. Starting at $3,850 for softener + carbon combo.
Reverse Osmosis (Drinking Water) — 95%+ contaminant removal for your kitchen tap. Great-tasting drinking water. Add-on for $500-800.
Complete Systems — Softener + carbon + RO for whole-home treatment plus pure drinking water. $4,500-6,500 installed.
For detailed pricing, see our Water Softener Cost Guide.
Our Process
1. Free Water Consultation
We come to your home, test your water, and explain exactly what we find. No charge, no obligation. Takes about 30 minutes.
2. Honest Recommendation
Based on your water quality, home size, and concerns, we recommend a solution. Sometimes that's a full system. Sometimes it's just a softener. Sometimes it's nothing — if your water doesn't need treatment, we'll tell you.
3. Same-Week Installation
Most installations happen within a few days of approval. The install itself takes 2-4 hours. Clean work, labeled shutoffs, code-compliant.
4. Ongoing Support
We service what we sell. If something goes wrong, you call us directly — not a 1-800 number.
Get Your Free Comparison Quote
Already have a Culligan quote? Bring it. We'll give you a second opinion and a comparison quote — no pressure, just information.
The Bottom Line
Culligan is a legitimate company with decades of history. If brand recognition and corporate infrastructure matter to you, they're a reasonable choice.
But if you want transparent pricing, local accountability, and premium equipment without the franchise markup — we're the alternative worth considering.
We don't need to convince you we're better than Culligan. We just need to show you there's another option. What you do with that information is up to you.
If you want to compare, start with a free water consultation. We'll test your water, explain your options, and give you real pricing. No sales pitch, no pressure. Just information.