Compare Local Pros
3rdGen Heating & Cooling vs Star Rooter And Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing an HVAC specialist with 4 years experience to a plumbing veteran with 19 years in business—these companies serve completely different home systems.
| 3rdGen Heating & Cooling | Star Rooter And Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 19 years |
| License # | 1086898 | 884481 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Website | 3rdgen.io | www.starrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
3rdGen Heating & Cooling
Customers emphasize 3rdGen's responsive scheduling, meticulous installation work particularly with mini-split systems, and direct owner communication that feels educational and trustworthy.
Star Rooter And Plumbing
Customers highlight Star Rooter's thorough diagnostic practices using camera equipment and crawlspace inspections, transparent pricing, and efficient completion of complex projects often within one day.
Key Takeaway: While both companies receive praise for responsiveness and professionalism, Star Rooter's feedback emphasizes diagnostic thoroughness on complex infrastructure projects, while 3rdGen's reviews focus on installation precision and owner accessibility for HVAC work.
Customer Reviews
3rdGen Heating & Cooling
Love 3rd Gen, Devin and the team! They are knowledgeable, professional, kind, and generous. Highly recommend working with them!
I am so glad that I found 3rd Gen Heating & Cooling. The team is smaller so it felt so much more intentional and trustworthy. They pay such great attention to detail, in which they were able to meet m...
I got my HVAC system installed by 3rd gen in 2022, this week the heater stopped working . I gave them a call and Devin and Ceaser visited today to fix the issue. They were at the house right at the ap...
Star Rooter And Plumbing
We appreciated how quickly the plumbers were able to come to our home and ascertain the best course of action they should take. They were able to resolve the issue of the stoppage in the drain line wh...
Freddy was a great and a best work for me and family.
We had a great experience with Star Rooter! He took very good care of my parents bathrooms who are located in Castro Valley. Freddy and crew, were knowledgeable, great to work with and super polite. P...
Consider 3rdGen Heating & Cooling if...
- ✓ You need HVAC work: furnace repair or replacement, air conditioner service, heat pump installation, or mini-split system installation
- ✓ Your project involves modern heat pump technology or Mitsubishi mini-split systems where 3rdGen has developed particular expertise
- ✓ You prefer working with a smaller, owner-involved team where direct communication with the decision-maker is built into the process
- ✓ You're tackling a straightforward HVAC installation or repair where the 4-year experience level is sufficient for your project complexity
Consider Star Rooter And Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need plumbing work: drain clearing, pipe repairs, water heater replacement, sewer issues, or water line problems
- ✓ Your project involves complex infrastructure like complete home repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or municipal compliance work where 19 years of experience provides valuable problem-solving depth
- ✓ Your older home may have hidden plumbing issues requiring the diagnostic instincts that come from nearly two decades of encountering unusual situations
- ✓ You need a contractor with established relationships with local inspectors and utilities for projects requiring extensive permitting and coordination
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Confirm which specific system you need serviced and verify the contractor is licensed for that trade (HVAC vs plumbing)
- → For 3rdGen: Ask for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your HVAC work involves complications beyond straightforward replacements
- → For Star Rooter: Ask about their typical project timeline and crew availability for your specific job type, given their broader service area coverage
- → Request detailed written estimates from whichever contractor serves your trade, including permit costs, timeline expectations, and warranty terms
The Bottom Line
This decision starts with identifying which trade you actually need: HVAC work requires 3rdGen, while plumbing work requires Star Rooter. Once you've confirmed the correct trade, both contractors maintain proper licensing and insurance with similar customer service approaches. For straightforward HVAC projects, 3rdGen's 4 years and mini-split expertise serve most homeowner needs well. For complex plumbing infrastructure projects—particularly in older homes or involving municipal compliance—Star Rooter's 19 years of experience provides substantially more diagnostic depth and problem-solving capability when complications arise. Contact the contractor licensed for your specific system type.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, these are separate licensed trades. 3rdGen holds an HVAC license and services heating and cooling systems, while Star Rooter holds a plumbing license for water and sewer systems. If you're renovating and need both trades, you'll need to hire both contractors separately. Neither can legally perform the other's work under their current licensing.
It depends on project complexity. For straightforward work—replacing a functioning furnace with a similar model or fixing a leaky faucet—both contractors' experience levels are adequate. For complex projects involving older systems, hidden damage, extensive permitting, or municipal compliance, Star Rooter's 19 years provides significantly more problem-solving depth and established inspector relationships that can prevent delays and cost overruns.
Customer feedback confirms both companies demonstrate genuine responsiveness for emergency calls, including weekend availability. However, 3rdGen serves a more focused Berkeley area while Star Rooter covers the broader East Bay, which may affect response times depending on your specific location. When you call, ask directly about their current availability and estimated arrival time for your address.
The experience difference is meaningful but context-dependent. Four years represents an established HVAC contractor past the startup phase with proven systems and customer feedback patterns. For standard HVAC installations and repairs, this experience level is appropriate. Star Rooter's veteran status becomes more advantageous for complex plumbing infrastructure projects where decades of diagnostic experience helps identify problems other contractors might miss.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Alameda.
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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 08, 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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