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Able To Plumbing vs Capelli Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Able To Plumbing brings 22 years of licensed experience versus Capelli's 9 years, a meaningful advantage for complex diagnostics and problem-solving.
| Able To Plumbing | Capelli Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 9 years |
| License # | 838521 | 1026755 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | capelliplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize decade-long loyalty, honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work, and thorough explanations that build confidence in recommendations.
Capelli Plumbing
Customers highlight prompt professional service with coordinated office and field communication, though pricing occasionally surprises despite quality work.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing's reviews center on long-term trust and conservative recommendations built over 10 to 20 year relationships, while Capelli's feedback focuses on efficient professional service delivery without the same depth of repeat customer history.
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...
Capelli Plumbing
Discovered a plugged drain line servicing our kitchen sink, dishwasher and clothes washer. Water from kitchen back flowing from the drain on the washing machine. Contacted our favorite plumbing compan...
Capelli Plumbing has been my go to for years. Recently, I needed a new garbage disposal and was having electrical problems with the old unit. James promptly scheduled the job for the next day even th...
I am very pleased with the professionalism that Preston displayed when installing my water heater. He explained everything to me thoroughly every step of the way.
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your plumbing problem involves older homes, where 22 years of experience means Able To Plumbing has likely diagnosed similar hidden issues in galvanized pipes, outdated venting, or complicated mainline configurations multiple times
- ✓ You value conservative diagnostics and avoiding unnecessary work, as customers specifically note instances where the company recommended against replacements when repairs sufficed
- ✓ You're in Livermore or the Tri-Valley area where the company has spent two decades learning the region's specific housing stock, soil conditions, and municipal requirements
- ✓ You prefer building a long-term relationship with one plumber, as the substantial base of 10 to 20 year repeat customers suggests the company will still be operating years from now
Consider Capelli Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're located in San Leandro or prefer a contractor based closer to the central East Bay rather than Tri-Valley
- ✓ You need a multi-technician operation that can potentially handle multiple simultaneous projects or provide backup coverage if your primary technician is unavailable
- ✓ You value clear office coordination, as customers specifically mention helpful communication from both office staff and field technicians working together
- ✓ Your project is relatively straightforward where 9 years of experience provides sufficient expertise without requiring the pattern recognition that comes from 22 years in business
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Able To Plumbing about specific experience with your home's age and plumbing configuration, particularly if you have an older property with potential hidden complications
- → Ask Capelli about pricing structure upfront and request detailed written estimates before work begins, given the mixed feedback about cost expectations
- → If your project involves diagnosis of an unclear problem, ask both companies how they approach troubleshooting and what their process is if the initial diagnosis proves incomplete
The Bottom Line
Able To Plumbing holds a clear advantage for most homeowners through 22 years of licensed operation versus Capelli's 9 years. That experience gap means more refined diagnostics, greater exposure to unusual complications, and a proven track record of customer relationships lasting decades. Both companies maintain proper insurance and bonds, offer responsive scheduling, and handle diverse plumbing work competently. If you're in San Leandro and prefer multi-technician operations, Capelli serves that area well with solid professionalism. But for complex diagnostics, older homes, or situations where getting it right the first time matters most, Able To Plumbing's veteran status provides measurably more depth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For truly routine installations where nothing goes wrong, both companies have sufficient experience. The gap matters when complications arise—corroded connections that break during removal, code violations discovered mid-project, or unexpected configuration issues. With 22 years in business, Able To Plumbing has encountered these variations many more times and can adjust without delays or change orders.
Mixed pricing feedback typically reflects differences in project complexity or customer expectations rather than overcharging. Some homeowners underestimate typical plumbing costs in the Bay Area, while others may have received quotes for more extensive work than anticipated. Always get detailed written estimates from any plumber before authorizing work to avoid surprises.
Customer feedback suggests both deliver on prompt scheduling for urgent situations. The operational difference is that Able To Plumbing appears to be a smaller operation with high owner involvement, while Capelli runs a multi-technician model with office coordination. Either can typically accommodate same-day emergencies, but Capelli may have more scheduling flexibility for non-urgent work due to multiple crews.
For emergency repairs where response time is critical, proximity helps. For planned projects or complex diagnostics, prioritize experience and capability over location within the same county. Both companies serve overlapping areas of Alameda County, so travel time differences are modest compared to the practical value of 22 years versus 9 years diagnosing problems.
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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 10, 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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