Compare Local Pros
Able To Plumbing vs Reed Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Reed Plumbing brings 13 additional years of licensed experience to complex diagnostics, while Able To Plumbing emphasizes same-day responsiveness and long-term customer relationships.
| Able To Plumbing | Reed Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 35 years |
| License # | 838521 | 601931 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Livermore, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | dareedplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize same-day responsiveness, thorough educational explanations, and remarkable loyalty with many using Able To Plumbing continuously for 10 to 20 years.
Reed Plumbing
Customers highlight Reed Plumbing's diagnostic efficiency and ability to quickly identify root problems while finding cost-saving solutions that avoid major expenses.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing builds decades-long customer relationships through accessible service and detailed communication, while Reed Plumbing earns repeat business through superior troubleshooting skills that solve difficult problems efficiently.
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...
Reed Plumbing
TL;DR: Good folks, will use again. I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel, and so short a toilet for the family. Flush the toilet, and realize I'm standing in a puddle ... bad. Yeah, it's "just" a w...
They took all the extra time necessary to fix a small problem that took an unexpectedly large amount of time, with patience and professionalism and without charging more than the pre-agreed cost.
Called on Saturday about a clean out that kept on getting plugged up. They showed up the next working day on Monday bright and early and spent 2 hours blasting grease all the way down to the street wi...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need same-day service for an urgent plumbing issue and value a contractor who prioritizes rapid response over waiting in a queue
- ✓ You prefer detailed explanations before work begins and want a team that takes time to educate you about your plumbing systems
- ✓ You're looking for a long-term plumbing partner rather than one-time service, as their customer retention suggests reliability across years
- ✓ You value high owner involvement in a family-owned business where accountability is direct and personal
Consider Reed Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your plumbing problem is difficult to diagnose or previous contractors haven't resolved the issue, as Reed's strength is efficient problem identification
- ✓ You want to avoid unnecessary expensive repairs and value a contractor known for finding cost-saving solutions
- ✓ Your home is older with potentially complex plumbing configurations where 35 years of experience encountering unusual systems becomes an advantage
- ✓ You prioritize diagnostic expertise and problem-solving depth over relationship-building and educational communication
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Able To Plumbing about typical response times for non-emergency situations to understand if same-day availability extends beyond urgent calls
- → Ask Reed Plumbing about their communication style and whether they provide detailed explanations before work, as reviews emphasize diagnostics over educational approach
- → For complex jobs, ask both companies for references from projects involving similar plumbing systems or building ages as your home
The Bottom Line
Both contractors are fully qualified veteran operators you can trust. Choose Reed Plumbing if your situation involves difficult diagnosis, you've had unsuccessful attempts to fix the problem, or your home has complex older plumbing where 35 years of diverse experience provides meaningful advantage. Choose Able To Plumbing if you need rapid response for urgent issues, prefer detailed explanations and education about your systems, or want a relationship-focused contractor with proven decades-long customer loyalty. For straightforward repairs, Able's accessibility and communication style give them a practical edge for most homeowners. For head-scratching problems that require expert troubleshooting, Reed's diagnostic depth is worth prioritizing.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward fixture replacements or simple leak repairs, both contractors have more than enough experience. The gap becomes meaningful when you encounter unusual problems, hidden damage, or systems that don't behave as expected—situations where Reed's 35 years of troubleshooting diverse scenarios provides an edge. If your issue is straightforward, Able's 22 years is entirely sufficient with the added benefit of faster scheduling.
Able To Plumbing has a clear reputation for same-day service on urgent issues with advance notification before arrival, making them the better choice for time-sensitive situations. Reed Plumbing receives positive feedback for on-time arrival to scheduled appointments but isn't specifically noted for emergency responsiveness. If speed matters more than diagnostic complexity, Able To Plumbing is your answer.
Both companies receive praise for honest practices, but the emphasis differs. Able To Plumbing is noted for avoiding unnecessary work through thorough diagnostics and clear pre-work explanations. Reed Plumbing is specifically recognized for finding solutions that avoid major expenses through superior problem identification. Both appear trustworthy, but Reed may have a slight edge in cost-saving diagnostic skills.
Able To Plumbing demonstrates exceptional customer retention with clients reporting 10 to 20 years of continued service, suggesting they excel at relationship maintenance and consistency. Their high owner involvement and family-owned structure create direct accountability. Reed Plumbing also has repeat customers but isn't characterized by the same decades-long loyalty pattern. For a long-term plumbing partner, Able's track record is stronger.
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.