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Able To Plumbing vs Service 4 Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Able To Plumbing brings twice the licensed experience with a 22-year track record and exceptional customer loyalty, while Service 4 Plumbing emphasizes rapid emergency response.
| Able To Plumbing | Service 4 Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 3.8 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 11 years |
| License # | 838521 | 1004766 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | service4plumbing.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize decades-long loyalty, honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work, thorough explanations, and meticulous worksite practices from a family-owned business.
Service 4 Plumbing
Customers highlight exceptionally rapid emergency response times of 30 minutes to a few hours, though some mention concerns about follow-up scheduling and customer service interactions.
Key Takeaway: Able To has cultivated remarkable repeat customer relationships spanning 10 to 20 years, suggesting consistent quality and trust, while Service 4's reviews focus on speed rather than long-term relationships.
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...
Service 4 Plumbing
I was having issues with my toilet and sink being clogged and I needed a same day appointment which they were able to accommodate. Both Raphael and the gentleman who assisted us were super communicat...
Absolutely amazing service! My kitchen sink is a tricky, high-end setup, but the Justin & team replaced it perfectly. His attention to detail and commitment to doing things the right way really stood ...
An accurate guy to fix the Plumbing problems in a one time and for the rest of you house age with a good materials and the best warranty
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your project involves an older home where diagnosing hidden damage requires extensive experience, such as corroded galvanized pipes or outdated gas line configurations that a 22-year veteran has repeatedly encountered
- ✓ You value a long-term plumbing relationship with a family-owned business where the same team will know your home's history for future repairs and emergencies
- ✓ Clear explanations and honest diagnostics matter more to you than shaving an hour off emergency response time, particularly if you want to avoid being sold unnecessary work
- ✓ You're in Livermore or the Tri-Valley area where Able To is based, making them the local option with same-day availability for urgent situations
Consider Service 4 Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're facing a true plumbing emergency where getting someone on-site within 30 minutes to an hour could prevent significant water damage or property loss
- ✓ You're in San Leandro or closer to the eastern bay, making Service 4 Plumbing geographically more convenient for rapid response
- ✓ Your project is straightforward with less concern about complex diagnostics, allowing you to benefit from their technical expertise on standard installations and repairs
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Service 4 Plumbing: Ask about their typical response time for non-emergency appointments and scheduling availability for multi-visit projects, as reviews mention concerns about follow-up availability
- → For both companies: Request references from projects similar to yours, particularly if your home has older plumbing that may require diagnostic work beyond the immediate repair
- → Ask each company how they handle unexpected complications discovered during work, including their process for explaining additional costs before proceeding
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Able To Plumbing is the stronger choice. Their 22 years of licensing, exceptional customer loyalty spanning decades, and reputation for honest diagnostics provide greater confidence in both quality and long-term reliability. The family-owned structure with high owner involvement means you're building a relationship with a plumber who will know your home for years to come. Choose Service 4 Plumbing if you're experiencing a true emergency where their 30-minute response time could prevent significant damage, or if you're located in San Leandro and need a local option. For planned projects, complex diagnostics, or establishing a trusted long-term plumbing relationship, Able To's veteran experience and proven track record make them the clear recommendation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward fixture replacements or simple repairs, both companies have sufficient expertise. However, for older homes where a simple leak may indicate broader corrosion issues or code compliance problems, Able To's 22 years of experience provides deeper diagnostic capability to identify problems before they become emergencies. Their customer loyalty spanning decades suggests they consistently catch issues others might miss.
Service 4 Plumbing has demonstrated response times as quick as 30 minutes for urgent situations, making them the faster emergency option. However, Able To Plumbing also offers same-day service for urgent issues and has a track record of reliable emergency response. Your location matters: if you're in San Leandro, Service 4 is closer; if you're in Livermore or Tri-Valley, Able To will likely arrive faster.
Their reviews consistently emphasize honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work, thorough explanations before proceeding, and meticulous worksite practices. Customers specifically mention instances where Able To recommended against expensive repairs, building trust over time. The family-owned nature and high owner involvement also mean you're getting consistent service from people invested in their reputation for decades, not rotating technicians.
Some reviews mention concerns about scheduling availability for follow-up work and customer service interactions, though others praise their punctuality and communication. Their rapid emergency response is clearly a strength, but ask specifically about their process for multi-visit projects or warranty follow-up if your job requires ongoing attention. Both companies maintain proper licensing, insurance, and bonding, so the concerns are operational rather than legal or financial.
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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 13, 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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