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Able To Plumbing vs Star Rooter And Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two highly experienced contractors with similar credentials but different service areas and project specializations separate them.
| Able To Plumbing | Star Rooter And Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 19 years |
| License # | 838521 | 884481 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | www.starrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize decade-long relationships with Able To Plumbing, highlighting honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work and thorough explanations of problems before proceeding.
Star Rooter And Plumbing
Star Rooter customers consistently mention thorough inspection practices including crawlspace work and camera diagnostics, with emphasis on transparent pricing and efficient completion of major projects.
Key Takeaway: Able To Plumbing's feedback centers on trust built through long-term relationships and diagnostic honesty, while Star Rooter's reviews emphasize technical thoroughness with inspection technology and efficient execution of complex infrastructure projects.
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...
Star Rooter And Plumbing
We appreciated how quickly the plumbers were able to come to our home and ascertain the best course of action they should take. They were able to resolve the issue of the stoppage in the drain line wh...
Freddy was a great and a best work for me and family.
We had a great experience with Star Rooter! He took very good care of my parents bathrooms who are located in Castro Valley. Freddy and crew, were knowledgeable, great to work with and super polite. P...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're located in Livermore, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, or other Tri-Valley communities where Able To Plumbing operates and can provide faster response times
- ✓ Your project involves gas line work, seismic shutoff valves, or other specialty residential plumbing where their documented experience is evident
- ✓ You value the 10-20 year customer relationships reflected in their feedback, suggesting consistent quality and a contractor you can call repeatedly
- ✓ You need a plumber who emphasizes honest diagnostics and avoiding unnecessary work, a pattern customers specifically highlight
Consider Star Rooter And Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're located in Oakland, Berkeley, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Alameda, Hayward, or other East Bay communities Star Rooter serves
- ✓ Your project involves major infrastructure work like complete home repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or water line installation from street to house
- ✓ You're facing municipal compliance requirements or utility district mandates that require experience with permitting and coordination, which Star Rooter's project history demonstrates
- ✓ You need a contractor experienced with camera inspection technology for accurate diagnosis of hidden pipe problems
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Which company actually serves your specific address efficiently, as their service territories don't significantly overlap between Tri-Valley and East Bay?
- → If you're planning major infrastructure work, ask Star Rooter for references on similar repiping or sewer lateral projects and timeline expectations
- → If you need gas line work or seismic safety installations, ask Able To Plumbing about their experience with your specific equipment or compliance requirements
- → Ask both contractors about their current scheduling availability, as same-day service depends on demand at the time you call
The Bottom Line
Your location determines much of this decision, as these contractors serve different regions with minimal overlap. If you're in the Tri-Valley, contact Able To Plumbing. If you're in the East Bay communities Star Rooter serves, they're your logical choice. Beyond geography, Star Rooter is the stronger option for major infrastructure projects like complete home repiping or sewer lateral replacements, where their documented experience matters significantly. Able To Plumbing excels at comprehensive residential service including gas line work and seismic safety installations. Both are veteran contractors with excellent credentials, workers comp coverage, and strong customer loyalty patterns, so you can proceed confidently with whichever serves your area and matches your project scope.
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Frequently Asked Questions
At 22 years versus 19 years, both contractors are veteran operators with comprehensive experience diagnosing complex problems and handling unexpected complications. The three-year difference is not significant when both have nearly two decades of licensed work. Their project specializations matter more than this small experience gap.
Star Rooter has clearly documented experience with complete home repiping, sewer lateral replacements, and water line installations from street to house, including municipal compliance work. While Able To Plumbing may handle such projects, their customer feedback emphasizes standard residential service calls rather than major infrastructure work. If you're facing a whole-house repipe or sewer lateral replacement, Star Rooter's proven track record in this area is relevant.
Able To Plumbing specifically serves Livermore, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek in the Tri-Valley, while Star Rooter covers Oakland, Berkeley, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Alameda, and Hayward in the East Bay. While contractors may occasionally work outside their primary territory, response times and service availability will be best within each company's stated service area. Confirm directly whether your address falls within their efficient service zone.
Customer feedback for both companies consistently highlights same-day availability and responsiveness for urgent situations. Neither shows a pattern of scheduling delays or poor availability. The practical difference will depend on their current workload when you call, not historical patterns. Both maintain high owner involvement, which typically supports responsive scheduling.
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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