Compare Local Pros
Peter Ellis Construction vs Steve Silva Plumbing
Napa General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
General contractor versus specialized plumber with virtually identical credentials but completely different project scopes.
| Peter Ellis Construction | Steve Silva Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.6 |
| Years Licensed | 41 years | 40 years |
| License # | 476364 | 483676 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | American Canyon, CA | Napa, CA |
| Website | www.peterellisconstruction.com | www.stevesilvaplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Peter Ellis Construction
Customers consistently praise on-time arrival and clear communication throughout diverse projects, though pricing perceptions vary from fair to concerning.
Steve Silva Plumbing
Customers emphasize rapid emergency response and efficient service completion, with particular appreciation for clear explanations and professional conduct on plumbing-specific work.
Key Takeaway: Steve Silva Plumbing receives specific recognition for emergency response speed and same-day service, while Peter Ellis Construction's feedback centers on scheduled project communication and multi-person crew coordination.
Customer Reviews
Peter Ellis Construction
Two people showed up on time, they knew what they were doing, explained my error, did the repair for reasonable price and left. Five stars all the way around.
Peter Ellis Construction has been the model of good communication and support, and excellent work..
Five stars for the staff and the entire internal team!
Steve Silva Plumbing
Happy with their service and professionalism. We highly recommend them
Terrific Service. Dean identified the problem quickly. He was friendly and actually showed me how my plumbing works in and out! I mentioned a second issue that we had and he said,"let's take a look". ...
I have been doing business with Steve Silva Plumbing for many years. The reason is quite simple, they show up on time, fix the problem the first time and in a timely manner. They are professional, tho...
Consider Peter Ellis Construction if...
- ✓ Your project involves non-plumbing work like flooring installation, electrical upgrades, or smoke alarm systems that fall outside plumbing specialty.
- ✓ You're dealing with fire damage restoration or other complex situations requiring coordination across multiple trades.
- ✓ You need a general contractor who can handle diverse aspects of a renovation or repair project under one contract.
- ✓ You prefer working with a company that can address various issues discovered during a project without bringing in additional contractors.
Consider Steve Silva Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your project is specifically plumbing-related: water heater replacement, sewer clearing, leak repairs, or fixture work.
- ✓ You're facing a plumbing emergency and need rapid response, as customers report same-day and next-day service availability.
- ✓ You value deep specialization in one trade over broad general contracting capability.
- ✓ You want a plumbing company with four decades of focused experience in residential and commercial plumbing systems specific to Napa Valley.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Peter Ellis Construction whether they handle your specific project type with in-house crews or subcontractors, and request references for similar projects.
- → Ask Steve Silva Plumbing about current availability for emergency versus scheduled work, as their emergency response reputation may affect routine job timelines.
- → Request detailed written estimates from whichever company you contact to address the varied pricing feedback mentioned in Peter Ellis Construction's reviews.
The Bottom Line
This comparison comes down to project scope, not contractor quality. Both companies have virtually identical credentials with four decades of licensing, proper insurance, and strong customer feedback on punctuality and communication. If your project involves plumbing work—water heaters, leaks, sewer lines, or fixtures—contact Steve Silva Plumbing for their specialized expertise and documented emergency response capability. If your project involves flooring, electrical work, fire damage, or anything besides plumbing, contact Peter Ellis Construction. Don't hire a general contractor for straightforward plumbing work, and don't contact a plumbing specialist for non-plumbing projects. Match your project scope to their business model.
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Frequently Asked Questions
While Peter Ellis Construction operates as a general contractor with broad project experience, their review data doesn't specifically mention plumbing projects. If you need plumbing as part of a multi-trade renovation, ask directly about their plumbing capabilities and whether they handle it in-house or through subcontractors. For standalone plumbing work, Steve Silva Plumbing's 40 years of focused specialization is the clearer choice.
Steve Silva Plumbing receives specific customer mentions for same-day and next-day emergency response, particularly for water heater failures and flooding. Peter Ellis Construction's project list suggests more scheduled work like flooring installations and electrical upgrades rather than emergency response. For plumbing emergencies, Steve Silva Plumbing has demonstrated rapid response capability.
Customer feedback on Peter Ellis Construction's pricing varies, with some describing rates as fair and reasonable while others express cost concerns. This mixed feedback is common with general contractors handling diverse project types where pricing complexity varies significantly. Request detailed written estimates before work begins and ask for itemized breakdowns to understand what drives the cost of your specific project.
They're comparable only in credentials and operational maturity—both are veteran contractors with identical licensing history, insurance, and bonding. The comparison becomes relevant if you're unsure whether your project requires a specialized plumber or a general contractor, or if you're researching multiple projects. For any specific project, your scope determines which company is appropriate to contact.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top general contractors in Napa.
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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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