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Able To Plumbing vs Mallard Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran contractors with equal protections, but Able To Plumbing has detailed customer feedback showing reliability while Mallard Plumbing has mixed reviews and no verifiable service patterns.
| Able To Plumbing | Mallard Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 3.3 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 43 years |
| License # | 838521 | 443102 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | mallardplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers consistently praise same-day responsiveness, honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work, thorough explanations, and repeat business relationships spanning 10 to 20 years.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing has extensive documented feedback showing consistent service patterns, while Mallard Plumbing has mixed reviews with no verifiable details about current operations despite longer business 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...
Mallard Plumbing
Knowledgeable reliable plumber
Good service, fair price, have used for many years.
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ You value predictability and want to know what to expect: customers consistently describe the same positive experiences with scheduling, communication, and worksite practices across multiple years
- ✓ You need responsive service for urgent plumbing issues: same-day appointments for emergencies are a documented pattern, not just a promise
- ✓ You prefer working with a family-owned operation where owner involvement is high and you're likely to see the same team if you need future service
- ✓ You want a contractor who has built their business on repeat customers and long-term relationships rather than one-time transactions
Consider Mallard Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're dealing with an unusual or complex plumbing situation where exposure to older building systems matters: 43 years means experience with plumbing installations and materials that may predate what a 22-year contractor has encountered
- ✓ You're located in Oakland or the immediate area and prefer a contractor based closer to your property
- ✓ You're willing to conduct thorough vetting yourself (checking recent references, asking detailed questions) to determine current service quality
- ✓ The longevity of a business that has operated successfully for over four decades gives you confidence despite limited current feedback
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Mallard Plumbing: Ask for references from the past 12 months and contact at least three to understand current service quality, communication practices, and how they handle scheduling and pricing transparency
- → For Mallard Plumbing: Ask specifically what the mixed feedback involved and how they've addressed service concerns—their response will tell you whether they're actively managing quality
- → For both: Ask about their typical response time for your specific project type and whether the same technician would handle follow-up work if needed
- → For both: Request a detailed written estimate before work begins and clarify their policy on unexpected complications or additional costs discovered during the job
The Bottom Line
Able To Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners who need reliable service this week. While Mallard Plumbing's 43-year licensing history demonstrates impressive longevity, Able To Plumbing provides verifiable evidence of what matters day-to-day: same-day emergency response, honest diagnostics, thorough communication, and customer relationships lasting decades. The mixed feedback for Mallard Plumbing means you'd be taking a chance without doing significant additional vetting. If you're in the Tri-Valley area and need predictable, responsive service, Able To Plumbing is the clear choice. Only consider Mallard Plumbing if you're in Oakland, willing to thoroughly vet recent references, and have a complex situation where their additional decades of experience might matter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both qualify as veteran contractors with decades of technical experience. The 21-year difference might matter for highly unusual situations involving very old plumbing systems, but for typical residential work, the more relevant question is current service quality and reliability. Able To Plumbing's documented patterns of responsiveness and customer retention provide clearer evidence of what you'll actually experience than licensing tenure alone.
Mixed feedback suggests inconsistent experiences—some customers were satisfied while others were not. Without specific patterns documented, you can't predict which experience you'll have. This doesn't mean they're a bad contractor, but it does mean you need to do additional homework by checking recent references and asking pointed questions about communication, scheduling, and pricing practices before committing.
In this case, it's substantive. High owner involvement typically means direct accountability and consistency in how jobs are handled. The fact that customers report using them for 10 to 20 years and mention the same positive practices repeatedly suggests the family structure translates to stable service quality, not just a branding angle.
It may affect response time and trip charges. Able To Plumbing specifically serves the Tri-Valley area including Livermore, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek, while Mallard Plumbing is Oakland-based. If you're in the Tri-Valley, Able To Plumbing's local presence likely means faster response. If you're in Oakland or the immediate area, Mallard's proximity could be advantageous—just confirm they actively serve your specific location.
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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 13, 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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