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Able To Plumbing vs Pacific Plumbing Systems
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran plumbers with full insurance and similar customer satisfaction, but Able To has 4 more years of experience and higher owner involvement.
| Able To Plumbing | Pacific Plumbing Systems | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 18 years |
| License # | 838521 | 909639 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | pacificplumbingsystem.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize long-term loyalty spanning 10 to 20 years with the same family-owned company, valuing same-day responsiveness and honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work.
Pacific Plumbing Systems
Customers note consistent service quality delivered by the same technicians over multiple visits, with particular appreciation for punctuality and arriving early for scheduled appointments.
Key Takeaway: Able To's customer base explicitly mentions decade-plus relationships with the family owners, while Pacific's customers recognize individual technicians who return for repeat service calls.
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...
Pacific Plumbing Systems
Todd was personable, courteous and professional. He thoroughly explained why the toilet wasn't filling properly. He was fantastic!
Todd showed up promptly and made the repairs. We are very happy with the service!
Always good work and on time. Todd was great.
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're located in Livermore, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, or the Tri-Valley area where they focus their service territory
- ✓ You value direct interaction with a family-owned business where the owners are actively involved in customer relationships
- ✓ Your project involves older home plumbing where an additional four years of field experience may help diagnose hidden issues behind walls or under foundations
- ✓ You appreciate the documented pattern of customers staying with the same company for 10 to 20 years
Consider Pacific Plumbing Systems if...
- ✓ You're located in San Leandro or the broader East Bay area where they concentrate their operations
- ✓ You prefer working with a company that retains the same technicians over time, so you may see familiar faces on repeat service calls
- ✓ Your plumbing needs are routine repairs or installations where 18 years of experience provides ample expertise
- ✓ The slightly shorter track record doesn't concern you when the company still qualifies as veteran-tier with nearly two decades of licensure
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Which plumber can reach your specific address within their primary service area for faster response times?
- → For Pacific Plumbing Systems, ask who owns the company and whether they're involved in customer communication or project oversight
- → Ask each company how they handle unexpected complications discovered during work, particularly if your home was built before 1980
- → Request references from projects completed in the past year that match your specific plumbing need
The Bottom Line
Both companies are solid choices with veteran-level experience, full insurance coverage, and proven customer satisfaction. Choose Able To Plumbing if you're in the Tri-Valley area and value their additional four years of experience and high owner involvement, particularly for complex projects or older homes where hidden complications may emerge. Choose Pacific Plumbing Systems if you're in San Leandro or the East Bay and prioritize working with a company that keeps the same technicians long-term. The experience gap is meaningful but not disqualifying—Pacific's 18 years still represents veteran-tier expertise for standard residential plumbing. Your location and which company serves your area as their primary territory should heavily influence your decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward water heater replacement in a standard location, both companies have ample experience to handle the job properly. The experience difference becomes more relevant if your water heater is in a tight crawl space, requires gas line modifications, or if your home has older plumbing that might reveal complications once work begins. In those scenarios, Able To's additional years navigating unusual situations may provide extra confidence.
High owner involvement typically means faster decision-making when complications arise, direct accountability for customer satisfaction, and consistency in pricing and service standards. Able To's customers specifically mention the family-owned nature as part of their positive experience over 10 to 20 years. Pacific's technician retention suggests good management, but you may interact primarily with employees rather than ownership when issues need resolution.
Both companies have documented experience with these larger projects. Able To specifically lists mainline leak repairs and seismic gas shutoff valves among completed work, while Pacific has handled bathroom replumbs and gas line work. Ask each company directly about their experience with your specific project type and request references from similar jobs completed in the past year.
Able To customers specifically mention same-day service for urgent situations, which is explicitly part of their service model. Pacific focuses on same-day and next-day appointments for routine work. For true emergencies like active leaks or no water service, ask each company their typical response time and whether they charge premium rates for emergency calls versus standard appointments.
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 07, 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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