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Able To Plumbing vs Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Able To Plumbing brings 5 additional years of experience and full workers compensation coverage, while Simply Plumbing And Rooter lacks workers comp insurance.
| Able To Plumbing | Simply Plumbing And Rooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 17 years |
| License # | 838521 | 923441 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | simplyplumbingandrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize decade-long relationships with Able To Plumbing, valuing thorough explanations, honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work, and reliable same-day service for urgent needs.
Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Customers highlight Simply Plumbing And Rooter's exceptionally fast response times, with some reporting arrival within an hour of contact, alongside reasonable pricing and professional service.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing builds long-term customer loyalty over 10-20 years suggesting consistent quality across diverse projects, while Simply Plumbing And Rooter stands out for speed of response rather than depth of ongoing 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...
Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Carlos was my knight in shining armor! He was at my house with an hour of contacting him after a prior. Plumber stood me up two days in a row came and assessed the situation with my toilet. Explain t...
Carlos came out to replace my garbage disposal. He was very professional & prompt. Communicates clearly and responds quickly. Garbage disposal still working great!
I've used the services of Simply Plumbing & Rooter for my Hayward and San Jose rental properties: install new water heater and haul away the old one, install a water line for the refrigerator automati...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older and plumbing issues may involve hidden complications that benefit from 22 years of diagnostic experience
- ✓ You want the liability protection of confirmed workers compensation insurance covering anyone working on your property
- ✓ You value thorough explanations and honest assessments that may identify ways to avoid unnecessary repairs
- ✓ You're looking to establish a long-term relationship with a plumber for ongoing maintenance and future projects
Consider Simply Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You need someone who can respond within hours rather than days for an urgent plumbing emergency
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying workers comp status directly or confirming your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries
- ✓ Your project is straightforward (garbage disposal, toilet repair, water heater) rather than complex diagnostics
- ✓ You prioritize speed of response over the additional years of experience
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Simply Plumbing And Rooter: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm whether your homeowner's insurance policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors working on your property
- → For both: Request references from projects completed in homes built in the same era as yours, especially if your home is older than 30 years
- → For Simply Plumbing And Rooter: Ask how they handle complex diagnostic situations that may require troubleshooting beyond the initial apparent problem
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Able To Plumbing is the safer choice. The combination of workers compensation coverage, five additional years of experience, and a proven track record of handling complex projects with honest diagnostics outweighs Simply Plumbing And Rooter's faster response times. The workers comp gap alone represents a real liability risk you shouldn't accept unless you've confirmed coverage with your insurance agent. However, if you have a plumbing emergency happening right now and need someone within the hour, Simply Plumbing And Rooter's exceptional speed may justify the insurance verification effort for a straightforward repair.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor has no workers comp, you may face a liability claim against your homeowner's insurance or personal assets. Before hiring Simply Plumbing And Rooter, contact your insurance agent to confirm your policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors. This is a real financial risk, not just a paperwork issue.
For straightforward work like replacing a garbage disposal or fixing a leaky faucet, the difference is minimal. However, for diagnostic work or projects in older homes where problems often reveal additional issues, those extra years mean more exposure to unusual situations and complications that require creative problem-solving.
Simply Plumbing And Rooter has a pattern of exceptionally fast response, with customers reporting arrival within an hour for urgent issues. Able To Plumbing offers same-day service for emergencies but doesn't emphasize the ultra-rapid response that Simply Plumbing's customers highlight. If you need someone immediately, Simply Plumbing appears faster based on feedback patterns.
Able To Plumbing's customer base includes more varied complex projects like mainline leak repairs, gas line evaluations, and seismic shutoff valves, with customers using them repeatedly over decades. Simply Plumbing's feedback focuses more on standard replacements and repairs. For complex diagnostics or whole-house plumbing concerns, Able To Plumbing's experience breadth is an advantage.
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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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