Compare Local Pros
Able To Plumbing vs R B Travis
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Able To Plumbing brings 22 years of licensed experience compared to R B Travis's 4 years, which matters significantly for complex diagnostics and handling unexpected complications.
| Able To Plumbing | R B Travis | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 4 years |
| License # | 838521 | 1084502 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Livermore, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | www.serviceexperts.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize decade-long relationships, same-day responsiveness for urgent issues, and honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work.
R B Travis
Customers highlight punctual arrival within scheduled windows, professional communication practices, and smooth coordination with home warranty providers.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing's reviews reflect long-term customer loyalty spanning 10 to 20 years and trust in diagnostic honesty, while R B Travis receives praise for operational professionalism and efficiency with standard 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...
R B Travis
Excellent work and we appreciate his professionalism
Have made multiple calls over more than 3 years. Consistently received expert service. Shoutout for Cody. Professional, good listener, fast and knowledgeable about his job. I would recommend RBTravis ...
Outstanding service from Javier at R.B. Travis. HomeServe scheduled R.B. Travis to fix two clogged sinks in my home (kitchen and bathroom). Javier called ahead, arrived on time, and went above and be...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older than 15 years and may have outdated plumbing configurations, galvanized pipes, or hidden issues that require experienced diagnosis beyond surface symptoms
- ✓ You need gas line work, seismic shutoff valve installation, or mainline repairs where experience navigating permits and code requirements matters significantly
- ✓ You value the continuity of working with a family-owned business where the same team will likely handle your future needs and remembers your home's plumbing history
- ✓ Your project involves complex troubleshooting where honest assessment about whether repairs are necessary could save you thousands in unnecessary work
Consider R B Travis if...
- ✓ Your plumbing issue is straightforward (standard leak repair, fixture replacement, drain clearing) where execution quality matters more than diagnostic experience
- ✓ You're working through a home warranty provider like HomeServe and need a contractor with established coordination processes for insurance claims
- ✓ You prefer a growing company with modern training practices and updated approaches to standard residential plumbing work
- ✓ Budget is a primary concern and you want to compare quotes from contractors at different experience tiers
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Able To Plumbing: Ask how often the owner or senior technicians are on-site for diagnostics versus routine service calls, and request examples of similar projects in homes built around the same era as yours
- → For R B Travis: Ask about their experience with projects like yours specifically, how they handle unexpected complications discovered mid-project, and what their escalation process is for unusual diagnostic challenges
- → For both: Request references from projects completed in the past year that match your specific scope, and ask how they handle warranty work if issues arise after completion
The Bottom Line
If your project involves anything beyond routine fixture replacement—older home plumbing, gas line work, complex diagnostics, or situations where hidden problems are likely—Able To Plumbing's 22 years of licensed experience provides substantially more value than R B Travis's 4 years. Their diagnostic accuracy, familiarity with older plumbing systems, and track record of customer relationships lasting decades justify choosing them for projects where getting it right the first time matters. R B Travis is a competent choice for straightforward repairs in newer homes or when coordinating through home warranty providers, but recognize you're working with a contractor still building their experience base. For most homeowners facing plumbing decisions this week, Able To Plumbing's veteran status offers better protection against complications and misdiagnosis.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For truly routine work with no complications, both contractors can execute competently. However, even standard projects can reveal unexpected issues—corroded shutoff valves, code violations, or hidden leaks. Able To Plumbing's 22 years means they've seen these complications countless times and can pivot efficiently, while R B Travis may need more time diagnosing unusual situations. If your home is newer and the job is straightforward, the gap matters less.
Working with warranty networks primarily indicates administrative capability to handle insurance coordination and payment processing. It doesn't necessarily mean lower quality, but warranty work often operates on fixed price schedules that may limit time spent on complex diagnostics. Ask R B Travis how they approach projects that exceed warranty scope and whether their pricing or approach differs for direct customers.
Not necessarily. While experienced contractors may charge more per hour, they often complete work faster and diagnose accurately the first time, avoiding multiple visits or unnecessary parts replacement. Their reputation also depends on fair pricing after 22 years serving the same community. Get quotes from both to compare total project cost, not just hourly rates.
The legal protections are equivalent, yes. Both carry proper insurance and bonding that protects you financially. The experience difference affects execution risk—how likely complications are to be handled smoothly versus requiring do-overs or additional work. Able To Plumbing's two decades reduce the probability of misdiagnosis or incomplete solutions that require follow-up service.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Alameda.
Other Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.