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Able To Plumbing vs Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran plumbers with 20+ years experience, but Able To Plumbing carries workers compensation insurance while Clogbusters does not.
| Able To Plumbing | Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 3.4 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 25 years |
| License # | 838521 | 792293 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Able To Plumbing earns consistent praise for responsive scheduling, professional communication, and thorough explanations, with many customers reporting 10 to 20 years of repeat business.
Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building
Clogbusters receives mixed feedback with some customers highlighting quick emergency response while others report frustration with appointment confirmation and quote delivery.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing shows predictable service quality across all customer touchpoints, while Clogbusters demonstrates variable communication consistency that makes the customer experience less reliable.
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...
Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building
Great Experience. Highly Recommend!
Amazing service. Professional and he got it done. This man is our savior. Thank you from Breathe Health Center and Services!
Had a plumbing emergency tonight, called 4 other plumbers who couldn't send someone out until later in the week before I found Clogbusters. They sent someone out right away, did an excellent job with ...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want to avoid liability exposure from contractor injuries, as Able To Plumbing maintains workers compensation insurance that protects you if someone gets hurt during your project.
- ✓ Clear communication and scheduling predictability matter to you, given the consistent feedback about advance notification, on-time arrival, and thorough explanations before work begins.
- ✓ You value a relationship contractor for future needs, as many customers report using Able To Plumbing for 10 to 20 years for various projects from routine repairs to complex installations.
- ✓ Your project involves multiple steps like gas line work or seismic shutoff valves where detailed explanation and honest diagnostics are important.
Consider Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building if...
- ✓ You have an immediate plumbing emergency and Clogbusters has availability this week when other plumbers cannot respond quickly, as some customers report same-day emergency service.
- ✓ You are willing to verify workers compensation coverage directly or confirm your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries before hiring.
- ✓ You prefer a Berkeley-based contractor for a Berkeley property and proximity is a deciding factor for your situation.
- ✓ You are prepared to be proactive about confirming appointments and following up on quotes given the mixed communication feedback.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Clogbusters directly about current workers compensation coverage and request a certificate of insurance, or contact your homeowner's insurance to understand your liability if hiring a contractor without workers comp.
- → Ask Clogbusters how they handle appointment confirmations and quote delivery timelines, given the mixed feedback about communication consistency.
- → Ask both companies for references from projects completed in the past six months that are similar to yours in scope and complexity.
The Bottom Line
Able To Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners. The workers compensation coverage eliminates a significant liability risk that Clogbusters exposes you to, and the consistent customer service feedback suggests a more predictable experience from initial contact through project completion. With 22 years of licensing, a strong base of repeat customers spanning decades, and clear patterns of responsive communication, Able To Plumbing delivers veteran expertise with operational reliability. Choose Clogbusters only if you have an immediate emergency and they have availability when Able To Plumbing does not, and only after verifying insurance coverage or confirming your liability exposure with your homeowner's insurance agent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a worker is injured at your home and the contractor lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may be responsible for medical bills and lost wages, potentially leading to premium increases or out-of-pocket costs. California law requires contractors with employees to carry workers comp, though some operate as sole proprietors or use subcontractors. Before hiring Clogbusters, ask them to provide a current certificate of insurance or consult your insurance agent about your exposure.
Not significantly in this case. Both companies have over 20 years of continuous licensing, placing them well beyond the threshold where experience differences affect technical competence for standard residential plumbing. A 3-year vs. 22-year comparison would be meaningful, but 22 years vs. 25 years both represent veteran-level expertise navigating complex projects and building code changes.
Some customers report excellent emergency response from Clogbusters while others cite difficulties confirming appointments and receiving quotes. This suggests service quality may depend on workload or project type. If you choose Clogbusters, establish clear communication expectations upfront about how and when you will receive appointment confirmations and written estimates before work begins.
The data provided does not include pricing information for either company. Customers of Able To Plumbing mention honest diagnostics and avoiding unnecessary work, which can actually reduce costs compared to companies that oversell services. Request detailed written estimates from both companies for your specific project to compare actual pricing rather than making assumptions based on service quality differences.
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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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