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Able To Plumbing vs We Can Do It Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Able To Plumbing brings 22 years of licensed experience compared to We Can Do It Plumbing's four years, a meaningful difference when plumbing issues require diagnosing hidden problems.
| Able To Plumbing | We Can Do It Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 4 years |
| License # | 838521 | 1087842 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | www.abletoplumbing.com | www.wecandoitplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able To Plumbing
Customers emphasize decade-long relationships with the company, same-day emergency response, and honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary work.
We Can Do It Plumbing
Customers consistently highlight the educational explanations, transparent pricing discussions, and the team's ability to troubleshoot complex issues methodically.
Key Takeaway: Able To's feedback centers on trust built over years of repeat service, while We Can Do It's reviews focus on their communicative approach during individual projects as they build their reputation.
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...
We Can Do It Plumbing
What a relief to have my plumbing issue taken care of in such a prompt and professional manner! They really took the time to explain to me problems with my clogged sink and some options for fixing. Th...
My family has use We Can Do It Plumbing! for several projects: installing a new toilet, fixing leaking sink, and fixing a malfunctioning dishwasher. They have been excellent with every task. Highly re...
Update: we had their team install the heatpump water heater and they did it within a day. So fast, knowledgeable, and great teachers on how to use the app for this fancy gadget. They even saw how our ...
Consider Able To Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your plumbing issue involves an older home where hidden damage, outdated materials, or unusual configurations are likely, and you want someone who's seen similar situations dozens of times before.
- ✓ You value the stability of a contractor with two decades of operation and a customer base that returns year after year for additional work.
- ✓ You need same-day service for urgent situations, as this is a consistent strength in their customer feedback.
- ✓ You're in the Tri-Valley area where Able To has concentrated their entire 22-year service history and geographic familiarity.
Consider We Can Do It Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're comfortable working with a growing contractor and value their educational approach if you want to understand your plumbing system in detail during repairs.
- ✓ Your project is relatively straightforward without complex diagnostic challenges where decades of pattern recognition would provide substantial advantage.
- ✓ You're located in Oakland or closer to their East Bay service base rather than the Tri-Valley region.
- ✓ The transparent pricing conversations and options-focused approach align with how you prefer contractors to communicate, and customer feedback suggests this is a particular strength.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For We Can Do It Plumbing: Ask for references from projects completed in your first year of operation versus most recent work to understand how their capabilities have developed over four years.
- → For both: If your home was built before 2000, ask specifically about their experience with the plumbing materials and code standards from that era.
- → For Able To Plumbing: Ask whether the same team members who work on projects have been with the company for multiple years, given the long operational history.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Able To Plumbing's 22-year track record offers substantially more protection against diagnostic errors and unexpected complications than We Can Do It's four years of operation. This matters most for older homes, complex projects, or situations where hidden damage is likely. We Can Do It has built positive feedback around their communication style and problem-solving, which is commendable for a growing business, but they simply haven't accumulated the pattern recognition that comes from two decades of daily plumbing work. Unless you specifically value their educational approach for a straightforward project or are located much closer to Oakland, Able To's veteran status provides more confidence for the typical homeowner facing plumbing issues this week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward fixture replacements where nothing unexpected emerges, the experience gap matters less. However, even routine repairs can reveal underlying issues like corroded pipes, improper venting, or code violations. A contractor with 22 years has encountered thousands more edge cases and can spot warning signs earlier. If your home is older or you suspect there might be complications, experience becomes more valuable.
Those instances do demonstrate strong diagnostic skills and suggest the company has capable technicians. However, four years of operation means a narrower range of encountered scenarios compared to 22 years. Both companies show problem-solving ability in their reviews, but Able To's two decades include exposure to far more rare situations, legacy systems, and building-specific quirks in their service area.
Insurance protects you from injury liability and provides financial recourse, but experience affects whether problems get diagnosed correctly the first time and whether your plumber can adapt when complications arise mid-project. A veteran contractor is less likely to misdiagnose an issue that leads to repeat visits or incomplete solutions. Experience also means more refined estimating, so you're less likely to face significant cost overruns from unforeseen complications.
Location affects response time for emergencies and whether the contractor has concentrated experience with your area's specific infrastructure and building patterns. Able To has 22 years of Tri-Valley familiarity, while We Can Do It knows Oakland's older housing stock better. If you're equidistant, prioritize the experience level that matches your project complexity over the marginal difference in drive time.
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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