Compare Local Pros
Economy Plumbing vs RM Electric
San Mateo Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a plumber with 35 years of experience to an electrician with 6 years—these contractors serve completely different trades.
| Economy Plumbing | RM Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 35 years | 6 years |
| License # | 613784 | 1057700 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Burlingame, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Website | economysf.com | rmelectricsanbruno.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Economy Plumbing
Economy Plumbing customers consistently praise quick arrival times including after-hours service, professional technicians who explain issues clearly, and fair pricing across various plumbing projects.
RM Electric
RM Electric receives feedback highlighting same-day scheduling flexibility, thorough explanations throughout the work process, and upfront pricing that is honored at completion.
Key Takeaway: Both companies demonstrate similar strengths in responsiveness and communication, but Economy Plumbing specifically receives recognition for emergency and after-hours availability while RM Electric is noted for scheduling flexibility around customer availability.
Customer Reviews
Economy Plumbing
Water Heater needed repair. Economy Plumbing sent Chris and Rudy, who assessed the situation, provided recommendations on what to do and what not to do, picked up parts, and took care of business. Rea...
Pierre from Economy Plumbing arrived exactly at 6pm to help us replace a leaking water heater. He was quick and efficient - everything was installed and cleaned up within an hour. Super friendly and h...
Chris replaced my water heater. Fast, efficient, neat. Thank you . Fast pitch...!
RM Electric
Rigo increased our electrical capacity and reorganized/relabeled our electrical panels. He installed new grounding wires. He also checked our smoke detectors and checked some outlets. He is meticul...
I called the electrician for help with rewiring a plug and he was so helpful, he even helped me pick out the right plug in the shop and talked me through it all. very very friendly and helpful and def...
Answered my first call, scheduled service for the next day, and showed up on time. Completed the job quickly and at the price we discussed. Will work with them again.
Consider Economy Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need plumbing services like water heater work, toilet repairs, or gas line installations—Economy Plumbing's specialty area
- ✓ You want maximum liability protection with a contractor who maintains full workers compensation coverage
- ✓ Your home is older and may have plumbing complications that benefit from 35 years of diagnostic experience
- ✓ You need emergency or after-hours plumbing response, which Economy has demonstrated capability to provide
Consider RM Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical services like panel upgrades, lighting installations, or outlet repairs—RM Electric's trade focus
- ✓ Your homeowner's insurance policy explicitly covers contractor injuries and you're comfortable assuming that liability risk
- ✓ You value high owner involvement and direct communication, which RM Electric's model appears to emphasize
- ✓ Your electrical project is straightforward without complications that would require decades of troubleshooting experience
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For RM Electric: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property
- → For RM Electric: Ask how the owner handles complex troubleshooting situations and whether they consult with more experienced electricians for unusual scenarios
- → For both companies: Request references from projects similar in scope and complexity to yours to verify capability in your specific situation
The Bottom Line
Choose based on what's broken: Economy Plumbing for any water, drain, or gas issues; RM Electric for any electrical problems. If you need electrical work, understand that RM Electric's lack of workers comp creates liability risk you must verify your homeowner's insurance covers. Economy Plumbing offers substantially deeper experience and complete insurance protection within the plumbing trade. Both companies receive positive feedback for responsiveness and communication, suggesting competent service delivery once you've identified which trade your project requires.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly for complex or older-home projects. Thirty-five years means Economy Plumbing has encountered virtually every plumbing complication imaginable, from cast iron pipe failures to obsolete fixture connections. Six years gives RM Electric solid competence for standard electrical work, but less depth for unusual troubleshooting situations.
Very serious from a liability perspective. Without workers comp, if an electrician is injured at your home, your homeowner's insurance becomes the primary coverage—potentially leading to claims against your policy, rate increases, or out-of-pocket costs if injuries exceed your coverage limits. Always verify your insurance coverage before hiring contractors without workers comp.
No, because they serve completely different functions with different material costs and labor rates. Plumbers and electricians have distinct pricing structures based on their trade. You should compare Economy Plumbing to other plumbers, and RM Electric to other electricians, to assess whether their rates are competitive.
Neither handles general repairs—you need to identify whether your specific issue is plumbing or electrical first. A leaking pipe, running toilet, or water heater problem requires Economy Plumbing. A tripped breaker, non-working outlet, or lighting issue requires RM Electric. If you're unsure which trade your problem falls under, describe the symptoms when you call and they can direct you appropriately.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in San Mateo.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 12, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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