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Above All Plumbing vs Ben Jacobs Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Above All Plumbing brings 9 additional years of licensed experience with broader service documentation, while Ben Jacobs emphasizes competitive pricing.
| Above All Plumbing | Ben Jacobs Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 28 years | 19 years |
| License # | 739199 | 899531 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Newark, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | www.aboveallplumbing.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Above All Plumbing
Customers consistently praise Above All for responsive emergency service, efficient troubleshooting that avoids unnecessary work, clear communication from both technicians and office staff, and professional worksite practices.
Ben Jacobs Plumbing
Customers highlight Ben Jacobs for reasonable pricing and effective emergency response, particularly during severe weather-related flooding events.
Key Takeaway: Above All's feedback spans a wide range of routine and emergency plumbing projects with emphasis on diagnostic skill, while Ben Jacobs' available feedback concentrates on emergency flooding scenarios and cost-effectiveness.
Customer Reviews
Above All Plumbing
The team is professional and responsive! We asked to replace the pipes and installed a new RO filter under kitchen sink, the new pipes are beautiful!
Junior worked tirelessly on the leak at our place and was super kind and communicative.
From start to finish Above All Plumbing has been superb. We were recommended by a family friend. Rick, the owner answered the call right away and by the end of the day, Dawn had called to fit us in. C...
Ben Jacobs Plumbing
Excellent work, very reasonable, great guy!
There are not enough good words I can say about Ben Jacobs plumbing!!! In those stormy crazy rainy days we had recently in Oakland our whole basement and crawl space was completely Flooded . Water st...
Consider Above All Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have a complex diagnostic challenge like intermittent leaks, recurring drain issues, or problems that previous plumbers couldn't solve, where 28 years of pattern recognition matters
- ✓ Your property is older with original plumbing that may require knowledge of obsolete fixtures, discontinued parts, or grandfathered code exceptions
- ✓ You're a property manager or HOA needing a reliable vendor for varied plumbing needs across multiple properties, as Above All demonstrates commercial experience
- ✓ You value documented versatility across project types from routine faucet installations to emergency sewer line clearing
Consider Ben Jacobs Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're primarily concerned about getting competitive pricing and Ben Jacobs' reputation for reasonable rates aligns with your budget priorities
- ✓ You're dealing with an emergency flooding situation where Ben Jacobs has specific documented experience with storm-related basement and crawl space water intrusion
- ✓ You prefer working with a somewhat smaller operation (19 years versus 28 suggests potentially different company size) while still getting veteran-level experience
- ✓ Oakland location proximity matters for your project and you want a contractor deeply familiar with Oakland's specific housing stock
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask both companies for a detailed written estimate that breaks down labor and materials so you can directly compare Ben Jacobs' pricing reputation against Above All's quote
- → Ask Ben Jacobs for references on projects similar to yours, particularly if your need goes beyond emergency flooding work, to confirm capability across their full service range
- → Ask Above All about their typical response time for emergencies and whether their larger client base affects availability during peak demand periods
- → Ask both companies how long their current technicians have been with the company, as individual plumber experience matters as much as company longevity
The Bottom Line
Above All Plumbing is the stronger choice for most homeowners based on 28 years of licensed experience, documented versatility across diverse project types, and extensive positive feedback spanning residential and commercial work. The additional 9 years of experience provides meaningful value for older homes, complex diagnostics, or situations where you need confidence the plumber has seen your problem before. However, get quotes from both companies—if Ben Jacobs comes in significantly lower and your project is relatively straightforward, their 19 years of veteran experience still provides solid capability at a better price point. Request detailed written estimates, compare scope and pricing carefully, and ask Ben Jacobs for references matching your specific project type to confirm their breadth beyond the flood-focused feedback available.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For truly routine installations in newer homes, the gap matters less. However, even standard projects can reveal surprises in older Alameda County homes—corroded connections, non-standard venting, outdated pan requirements—where Above All's 28 years provides more pattern recognition for handling complications without change orders. If your home was built before 1990, that additional experience has practical value.
Customer mentions of reasonable pricing for Ben Jacobs appear in general contexts, not just emergencies, suggesting competitive rates across services. However, you won't know until you get written estimates from both companies. Request detailed quotes and compare line items directly rather than relying on reputation alone.
No. Above All's customer feedback includes substantial residential work from individual homeowners, not just property managers. Commercial capability typically means more resources and broader technical exposure, which benefits residential customers. High owner involvement at both companies suggests you'll receive personal attention regardless.
Not automatically. Both companies serve Alameda County, and Newark to Oakland is a short drive within their normal service areas. Ben Jacobs' Oakland location may offer slightly faster emergency response, but for scheduled work, location difference is minimal. Focus on experience match, pricing, and availability rather than a few miles' difference.
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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 11, 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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