Compare Local Pros
Able To Plumbing vs Plumbing Connection
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran plumbers with identical credentials and excellent service records, but Able To Plumbing's 22 years offers deeper experience for complex diagnostic work.
| Able To Plumbing | Plumbing Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 16 years |
| License # | 838521 | 944509 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Union City, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize long-term loyalty spanning 10-20 years, thorough explanations before work begins, and honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary repairs.
Plumbing Connection
Customers highlight exceptionally fast emergency response within 20 minutes to one hour and reasonable pricing that compares favorably to other area plumbers.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing builds decade-long relationships through diagnostic expertise and patient education, while Plumbing Connection wins customers with rapid response times and competitive pricing for urgent needs.
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...
Plumbing Connection
I was so happy Nery came to help us with a dripping shower. He did an amazing job. He was so professional, and clean as he worked. Very grateful to Nery! 🌟 Estoy muy agradecida con Nery al ayudarnos ...
They came quickly and gave honest advice. I really appreciate all they did for us. Will call them again for sure
Very happy with them! Nery came out the same day to look at my leaking tub faucet and fixed it right then for an incredibly reasonable price. They'll definitely get my business again!
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older and you need a plumber who has seen decades of evolving building codes, hidden corrosion patterns, and complex diagnostic challenges that come with aging systems
- ✓ Your project involves specialized gas line work, seismic safety installations, or mainline repairs where deeper expertise reduces the risk of misdiagnosis
- ✓ You value long-term contractor relationships and want a company with proven 10-20 year customer retention demonstrating consistency
- ✓ You're located in Livermore, San Ramon, or Walnut Creek where they have concentrated service experience
Consider Plumbing Connection if...
- ✓ You need emergency service and want the fastest possible response time, with documented arrivals within 20 minutes to one hour
- ✓ Price sensitivity is a priority and you're comparing quotes for standard residential work like water heater replacement, drain clearing, or fixture repairs
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential plumbing without specialized complexity requiring maximum diagnostic experience
- ✓ You're located in Union City, Fremont, or the East Bay area where they maintain their primary service focus
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For projects involving older homes or complex systems, ask each company about their specific experience with similar diagnostic challenges and how they approach troubleshooting hidden problems
- → Ask Plumbing Connection what their typical response time is for your specific location to confirm the ultra-fast service extends to your area
- → Request detailed written estimates from both to compare pricing directly, particularly if cost is a deciding factor for your project
The Bottom Line
Both companies are excellent choices with proper credentials and proven track records. Choose Able To Plumbing if your project involves complexity, specialized work, or you have an older home where their 22 years of diagnostic experience matters. Their decade-plus customer relationships demonstrate exceptional consistency. Choose Plumbing Connection if you need the fastest possible emergency response, want competitive pricing for standard residential work, or are located in the East Bay area. For most straightforward plumbing repairs, either will serve you well, so let location convenience and your specific timeline drive the decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward water heater swaps in newer homes, both have more than enough experience to handle the work properly. The experience gap becomes meaningful if your water heater is in a difficult location, requires gas line modifications, or if your home's older plumbing might reveal complications during installation. Able To Plumbing's additional years provide more pattern recognition for unexpected issues.
Plumbing Connection's reviews specifically mention reasonable and competitive pricing compared to other providers, while Able To Plumbing's reviews emphasize avoiding unnecessary work rather than low pricing. For standard repairs, Plumbing Connection may offer better value. For complex diagnostics, Able To Plumbing's approach of preventing unnecessary work could save money overall.
While both provide same-day appointments, Plumbing Connection has multiple documented instances of arrival within 20 minutes to one hour for urgent situations, suggesting their emergency response infrastructure is exceptionally fast. Able To Plumbing emphasizes same-day service but doesn't highlight the sub-hour response times that Plumbing Connection customers report.
Yes, significantly. Able To Plumbing is based in Livermore serving the Tri-Valley area, while Plumbing Connection operates from Union City focusing on the East Bay. While both can likely serve overlapping areas, you'll get faster response and more competitive pricing from the company closer to your home with established service patterns in your neighborhood.
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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