Able To Plumbing vs Next Level Plumbing Services
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Able To Plumbing brings 22 years of licensed experience versus Next Level's 4 years, a meaningful difference when diagnosing hidden problems or handling complications.
| Able To Plumbing | Next Level Plumbing Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.6 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 4 years |
| License # | 838521 | 1084094 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | www.nextlevelplumbingservices.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize exceptional longevity of relationships spanning 10 to 20 years, honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work, and reliable same-day emergency response.
Next Level Plumbing Services
Customers highlight strong communication throughout projects, thorough documentation including photographs of completed work, and consistent punctuality for scheduled appointments.
Key Takeaway: Able To's reviews focus on long-term trust and rapid emergency response built over decades, while Next Level's reviews emphasize transparent communication and project documentation as a newer company building its reputation.
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...
Next Level Plumbing Services
Orlando is top notch when it comes to communication and information. We didn't use their services for an actual job yet, so I can't speak to the quality of the work. But he gave a very thorough and fr...
This company is outstanding! Customer focused and responsive. I had a water heater go out after two years, and the company that installed it wanted an astronomical amount to fix it. A huge rip off co...
Orlando's team installed a lateral sewer clean-out and did a lateral sewer inspection. They were excellent. The job was done thoroughly and the clean up + cement finish was superb. Orlando's communica...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older and plumbing issues may involve outdated materials, grandfathered installations, or hidden corrosion that requires experienced diagnosis to avoid costly misdiagnosis
- ✓ You value the stability of a contractor with decades of repeat customers and proven longevity in the same service area
- ✓ Your project involves gas line work or seismic safety installations where extensive experience with local building codes and inspection requirements matters
- ✓ You need same-day response for urgent situations and want a contractor with established systems for rapid scheduling
Consider Next Level Plumbing Services if...
- ✓ Your project is straightforward infrastructure work like water heater replacement or sewer line replacement where communication and documentation are your top priorities
- ✓ You appreciate contractors who document completed work with photographs of new installations for your records
- ✓ You're comfortable with a growing company that has 4 years of solid track record and properly maintains all required insurance and bonding
- ✓ You're located in Hayward or eastern Alameda County where Next Level is based and may have faster response times
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Able To Plumbing how their pricing compares for standard projects, since their extensive experience and loyal customer base may command higher rates
- → Ask Next Level about their team's background before forming the company and whether they have senior plumbers with more than 4 years of field experience
- → For complex diagnostic work, ask both companies to describe similar projects they've handled and how they approach unexpected discoveries during repairs
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Able To Plumbing's 22 years of licensed experience represents the safer choice, particularly for older homes, complex diagnostics, or gas line work where deep expertise matters. Their decades of repeat customers demonstrate consistent quality and their same-day emergency availability adds valuable peace of mind. Next Level Plumbing Services is a solid choice for straightforward projects in newer homes where strong communication and thorough documentation are priorities, and their 4 years of positive feedback shows competent work. If your project involves potential hidden complications or you're uncertain about the scope of needed repairs, Able To's veteran judgment is worth the likely price premium.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward swap in a newer home with accessible connections, probably not significantly. However, water heater projects often reveal corroded gas lines, outdated venting, or code violations that require judgment calls about what must be fixed versus what can wait. Able To's 22 years means they've seen these situations hundreds of times and can accurately assess true safety issues versus optional upgrades.
Not necessarily. Four years licensed represents solid experience, and their reviews specifically mention successful sewer line replacements and lateral work with good outcomes. However, complex sewer diagnostics involving old clay pipes, root intrusion patterns, or tricky access situations benefit from the pattern recognition that comes with Able To's additional 18 years of experience.
Able To Plumbing explicitly mentions same-day service for urgent situations and has reviews confirming rapid response, suggesting they have systems in place for emergency scheduling. Next Level's reviews emphasize punctuality for scheduled appointments but don't specifically highlight emergency availability. Ask both companies directly about their emergency response protocols and typical wait times.
The data doesn't provide pricing information for either company. Veteran contractors with loyal customer bases sometimes charge premium rates, but they may also work more efficiently and avoid costly diagnostic errors. Get detailed written estimates from both companies for your specific project and compare the scope of work included, not just the bottom line number.
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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 11, 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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