Compare Local Pros
Able To Plumbing vs Ben Jacobs Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran-licensed plumbers with full insurance, but Able To has three more years of experience and substantially more customer feedback detail.
| Able To Plumbing | Ben Jacobs Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 19 years |
| License # | 838521 | 899531 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers demonstrate exceptional loyalty with 10 to 20 year relationships, consistently praising same-day availability, thorough explanations, and honest diagnostics across diverse plumbing projects.
Ben Jacobs Plumbing
Customers emphasize reasonable pricing and effective emergency response, particularly highlighting capable handling of severe flooding situations.
Key Takeaway: Able To has built a documented base of long-term repeat customers across a wide project range, while Ben Jacobs feedback centers on crisis response and competitive rates with less detail about routine service patterns.
Customer Reviews
Able To Plumbing
Travis installed my Bradford White water heater several years ago and just replaced the anode rod. Im very pleased with the service and highly recommend.
Love Travis and Courtney!!! They are awesome!!! I've been using them for 20+ years! Kind and honest!!!
After the recent earthquake swarms in San Ramon, I contacted Able To Plumbing & Rooter in Livermore to evaluate and ensure the safety of our natural gas lines in the backyard. It was a pleasure workin...
Ben Jacobs Plumbing
Excellent work, very reasonable, great guy!
There are not enough good words I can say about Ben Jacobs plumbing!!! In those stormy crazy rainy days we had recently in Oakland our whole basement and crawl space was completely Flooded . Water st...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your project involves gas line work, seismic shutoff valves, or mainline repairs where Able To's documented track record provides confidence in handling complex residential systems
- ✓ You're located in Livermore, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, or surrounding Tri-Valley areas where their 22 years of local operation means familiarity with neighborhood plumbing quirks
- ✓ You value same-day service availability for urgent situations and appreciate contractors who explain issues thoroughly before proceeding
- ✓ You're seeking a plumber for an ongoing relationship, given their pattern of customers returning for 10 to 20 years
Consider Ben Jacobs Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're located in Oakland or nearby Alameda County communities where Ben Jacobs has built nearly two decades of local expertise
- ✓ You're dealing with an emergency flooding situation where their documented response to severe basement and crawl space flooding demonstrates relevant crisis management experience
- ✓ Budget is a primary concern and you're prioritizing reasonable pricing without sacrificing the protection of veteran-level licensing and full insurance
- ✓ You need a straightforward plumbing solution and value competitive rates from an established contractor
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Able To for references from projects matching your specific need, particularly if your work involves gas lines or seismic safety installations
- → Ask Ben Jacobs about their range of routine plumbing services beyond emergency response to confirm they regularly handle projects like yours
- → Request detailed written estimates from both to compare pricing transparency and scope definitions
- → Confirm availability timelines for your project, especially if same-day or emergency response matters to your situation
The Bottom Line
Both companies meet the essential criteria of veteran licensing and full insurance protection, so you cannot make a wrong choice from a credentials standpoint. Your decision should hinge on location and project type. If you're in the Tri-Valley area, Able To Plumbing's 22 years of local operation, extensive repeat customer base, and documented range across complex projects like gas lines and seismic work make them the stronger choice for most residential plumbing needs. If you're in Oakland, Ben Jacobs provides nearly equivalent experience with competitive pricing and proven emergency capability in your local area. Get written estimates from whichever serves your geography, confirm availability for your timeline, and move forward with confidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For routine repairs like fixture replacements, the difference is minimal—both are veteran-tier contractors. For complex work involving gas lines, hidden pipe damage in older homes, or navigating permit requirements, those additional three years give Able To slightly more experience diagnosing unexpected complications. If your home is older or your project involves systems beyond basic plumbing, that extra tenure has practical value.
Able To explicitly offers same-day service for urgent issues, with customers confirming this reliability. Ben Jacobs has demonstrated capability handling severe emergencies like storm-related flooding. Both can respond to crises, but Able To has more documented feedback about routine urgent response, while Ben Jacobs shows strength in major flooding events specifically.
Pleasanton sits in the Tri-Valley, which is Able To's primary service area including Livermore and San Ramon. Ben Jacobs focuses on Oakland and could travel to Pleasanton, but you'd be outside their core territory. For regular service and familiarity with local plumbing systems, Able To is the better geographic match for Pleasanton.
Ben Jacobs customers specifically highlight reasonable pricing as a consistent theme. Able To customers emphasize honest diagnostics and avoiding unnecessary work, which controls costs differently. Request detailed written estimates from both companies for your specific project to compare directly, and ask each to break down labor, materials, and any potential variables.
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 09, 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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