Compare Local Pros
Able To Plumbing vs Pelican Plumbers
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran contractors with 20+ years of experience and full insurance, but Able To Plumbing shows stronger customer relationships and broader project scope.
| Able To Plumbing | Pelican Plumbers | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 20 years |
| License # | 838521 | 872437 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | pelicanplumbers.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize exceptional loyalty spanning 10 to 20 years, thorough explanations of complex problems, and consistent quality across diverse installation projects from water heaters to gas line work.
Pelican Plumbers
Customers highlight practical troubleshooting skills, cost-conscious recommendations including DIY options when appropriate, and straightforward access to scheduling for urgent repairs.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing's reviews demonstrate substantially broader project complexity and deeper customer relationships, while Pelican Plumbers' feedback centers on diagnostic work and repair-focused service rather than major installations.
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...
Pelican Plumbers
It was very easy making an appointment. I actually talked to a real person. [They automatically get 5 srars for that.] The price was reasonable, I didn't have to wait a month for an appointment. My so...
Fantastic..highly recommend..the best
Excellent all around. We've relied on Pelican for various plumbing and heating problems over the years, and I've always been impressed by their know-how and honesty. We recently had a bad pilot light ...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have a complex project requiring installation expertise, such as water heater replacement, gas line work, seismic valve installation, or mainline repairs that require diagnostic skill and proper completion
- ✓ You value long-term contractor relationships and want a family-owned company where the owner is directly involved in service quality and communication
- ✓ Your project requires thorough explanation of problems and solutions before work begins, particularly if you're dealing with older plumbing that may have hidden complications
- ✓ You need a contractor with demonstrated customer loyalty spanning decades, suggesting consistent reliability for future service calls
Consider Pelican Plumbers if...
- ✓ You have a troubleshooting challenge where the problem isn't immediately clear and you want a technician who will take time to diagnose before recommending expensive replacements
- ✓ You prefer a cost-conscious approach where the contractor might suggest repair options you can handle yourself if appropriate
- ✓ You're in Berkeley or the immediate East Bay and want a locally-based contractor familiar with your area's specific plumbing characteristics
- ✓ You need straightforward emergency service for leaks or heating issues with easy appointment scheduling and direct access to a real person
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → What is your typical timeline and crew availability for a project like mine, and will the same technician handle the initial diagnosis and final installation?
- → Can you provide references from customers who have used your services for similar projects in the past two years, specifically for the type of work I need?
- → How do you handle unexpected complications that arise during a project, and what is your process for explaining additional costs before proceeding?
The Bottom Line
If you're installing a water heater, handling gas line work, repairing mainlines, or managing any complex plumbing project, Able To Plumbing's demonstrated experience with these installations and decade-long customer relationships make them the stronger choice. Their family-owned structure with high owner involvement delivers the thorough communication and quality consistency that complex projects require. Choose Pelican Plumbers if you need diagnostic troubleshooting for an unclear problem, prefer a cost-conscious approach that might suggest simpler solutions, or are located in Berkeley where their local knowledge applies. For most homeowners facing significant plumbing work, Able To Plumbing's broader project scope and exceptional customer retention provide more assurance of successful project completion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Focus on project type rather than years licensed, since both are veteran contractors. Able To Plumbing shows significantly more experience with complex installations like water heaters, gas lines, and mainline repairs in their customer feedback. Pelican Plumbers' reviews emphasize diagnostic troubleshooting and repair work. If you're replacing major systems or doing installation work, Able To Plumbing's track record is more relevant. For diagnostic challenges or straightforward repairs, either works.
The high owner involvement correlates with specific customer benefits in the reviews: thorough explanations before work begins, consistent communication, and long-term accountability that drives the 10-20 year customer relationships. If your project is complex or you want assurance that someone accountable will oversee quality, this structure offers practical advantages. For simple repairs, it matters less.
This reflects an honest service approach that can benefit homeowners on simple repairs, and customers specifically praised this cost-consciousness. However, it may also indicate the company focuses more on troubleshooting and minor repairs than complex installations. If you have a major project requiring installation expertise, ask Pelican Plumbers directly about their experience with that specific work type rather than assuming their diagnostic strength translates to installation projects.
Both demonstrate emergency availability in customer reviews. Able To Plumbing's feedback emphasizes advance notification before arrival and thorough cleanup, while Pelican Plumbers highlights easy appointment scheduling with a real person. The practical difference is minimal for urgent situations. Your choice should depend more on the project scope and which company's service approach matches your specific plumbing needs.
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 12, 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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