Above All Plumbing vs Diablo Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both veteran plumbers with nearly identical credentials differ mainly in customer feedback patterns, with Above All showing more consistent execution and Diablo facing scheduling challenges.
| Above All Plumbing | Diablo Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.2 |
| Years Licensed | 28 years | 37 years |
| License # | 739199 | 570711 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Newark, CA | Pleasanton, CA |
| Website | www.aboveallplumbing.com | diabloplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Above All Plumbing
Customers consistently praise Above All for responsive service, efficient troubleshooting, and operational reliability including communication and clean worksites without notable complaints.
Diablo Plumbing
Diablo receives strong feedback for technical expertise and emergency response but faces recurring complaints about scheduling delays, late arrivals, and pricing transparency.
Key Takeaway: Above All demonstrates smooth operational execution across the customer experience while Diablo's technical strengths are undermined by documented challenges managing appointments and communication timing.
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...
Diablo Plumbing
Sean S was the best! Found t h e problem and fixed the problem in record time. Would highly recommend this company. Responded to my problem quickly and sent a person who knew what was needed.
Once again we had Diablo Plumbing out to figure out why our water heater was not working, they were easy to work with on the phone and on time when they said they'd be here. Julie was very professiona...
Timely and efficiently
Consider Above All Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need reliable appointment windows and value punctuality, as Above All receives consistent feedback about communication and scheduling coordination without the delays reported elsewhere
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential plumbing work like leak repairs, drain clearing, or fixture installation where veteran-level experience is sufficient and execution reliability matters more than maximum technical depth
- ✓ You're a property manager or have multiple properties requiring ongoing service relationships, as reviews show repeated long-term customer relationships suggesting dependable performance
- ✓ Clean worksites and floor protection matter to you, as customers specifically mention these details in their feedback about Above All's work habits
Consider Diablo Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older with potentially complex plumbing issues requiring maximum diagnostic experience, as Diablo's 37 years and customer mentions of handling complicated situations in older homes suggest deeper institutional knowledge
- ✓ You have flexible scheduling and can accommodate potential delays or appointment window changes, allowing you to benefit from their technical expertise without frustration over timing issues
- ✓ Your situation involves complex sewer lateral work or unusual water pressure problems where that additional decade of experience diagnosing atypical issues provides meaningful value
- ✓ You're willing to ask detailed questions upfront about pricing and timing to address the transparency concerns other customers have mentioned
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Diablo: What's your current scheduling capacity, and how do you communicate if technicians are running late? Can you provide a detailed written estimate before work begins?
- → For both companies: Can you provide references from projects completed in the last six months that are similar to mine in scope and complexity?
- → For Diablo: How do you handle the scheduling challenges mentioned in customer feedback, and what changes have you made to improve appointment reliability?
The Bottom Line
Both companies bring veteran-level credentials and proper insurance coverage, making either a defensible choice for residential plumbing work. Above All Plumbing emerges as the more reliable option for most homeowners who need dependable scheduling, clear communication, and consistent execution without operational headaches. Their 28 years provides more than adequate experience for standard plumbing projects while their operational track record suggests a smoother customer experience. Choose Diablo Plumbing only if your project specifically benefits from their additional nine years of experience—particularly complex diagnostics in older homes or unusual sewer work—and you're willing to manage around their documented scheduling and communication challenges by setting explicit expectations upfront. For this week's decision, Above All offers less execution risk for typical residential plumbing needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For standard residential plumbing work like leak repairs, water heaters, or drain clearing, both companies have more than sufficient experience and the difference is minimal. The experience gap becomes more relevant if you have an older home with unusual plumbing configurations or complex diagnostic challenges where Diablo's additional decade might surface solutions Above All hasn't encountered as frequently. For most homeowner projects, execution reliability matters more than the experience difference.
Scheduling issues typically indicate capacity strain rather than technical competence—the company may be taking on more work than their dispatch system handles smoothly or underestimating job durations. Their technical work receives praise, but operational management appears to be a weakness. If you choose Diablo, request specific appointment times rather than windows and ask for text updates if technicians are delayed.
Both companies offer same-day emergency service and receive positive feedback for urgent response times. Above All shows more consistent communication throughout the process, while Diablo's customers mention quick arrival but also note timing uncertainty. For emergencies where you need someone fast and can be flexible about exact timing, either works. If you need reliable updates about arrival windows, Above All has the edge.
The data doesn't indicate either company charges significantly more or less than the other. The concern with Diablo isn't pricing level but transparency—some customers mention unclear pricing communication upfront. Request detailed written estimates from whichever company you choose before authorizing work, and ask both to explain their pricing structure for your specific project during the initial call.
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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 10, 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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