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Above All Plumbing vs Patterson Plumbing And Drain
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Above All Plumbing brings 28 years of licensing and full insurance protection, while Patterson offers faster response times but lacks workers compensation coverage.
| Above All Plumbing | Patterson Plumbing And Drain | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 28 years | 20 years |
| License # | 739199 | 869970 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Newark, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Website | www.aboveallplumbing.com | pattersonplumbingpro.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Above All Plumbing
Customers consistently praise Above All for efficient troubleshooting that solves problems without unnecessary repairs, responsive emergency availability, and technicians who explain issues clearly while maintaining clean worksites.
Patterson Plumbing And Drain
Patterson customers emphasize exceptionally fast response times with same-day service often arriving within minutes to hours, competitive pricing compared to other quotes, and highly responsive owner communication even on weekends.
Key Takeaway: Patterson appears to prioritize speed of arrival and value pricing, while Above All emphasizes diagnostic efficiency and problem-solving that avoids more extensive repairs—different approaches to customer service that both deliver satisfaction.
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...
Patterson Plumbing And Drain
We had a toilet clogging emergency that we couldn't fix with a plunger. I found Patterson Plumbing on Nextdoor as recommended by a few follks. Very prompt in responding to my request and resolved the ...
Ivan fixed a toilet flush issue and performed a full drain clean out on 2 separate service calls. He's responsive, knowledgeable, and experienced - which results in correctly diagnosing and remedying...
We replaced the garbage disposal unit. Ivan explained the issue well and his quote is reasonable. Quickly fixed. In addition, he is a really nice person to talk to. Would recommend.
Consider Above All Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want complete liability protection and won't accept the risk of a contractor without workers compensation insurance on your property
- ✓ Your home is older and you need a plumber with maximum experience diagnosing hidden damage behind walls, under slabs, or in aging pipe systems
- ✓ You value efficient troubleshooting that identifies the actual problem rather than defaulting to extensive repairs
- ✓ You're working with an HOA or property management situation where proper insurance documentation is required
Consider Patterson Plumbing And Drain if...
- ✓ You need a plumber at your door within hours today and speed of arrival is your top priority for an urgent situation
- ✓ You're budget-conscious and want competitive pricing, and you're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries
- ✓ You've gotten quotes that seem high and want a second opinion from a company customers describe as reasonably priced
- ✓ You're comfortable assuming the workers comp risk in exchange for faster service and potentially lower costs
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Patterson directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether your policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors on your property
- → Ask both companies about their experience with your specific issue, particularly if you have an older home with galvanized pipes, cast iron drains, or outdated fixtures
- → Ask Patterson why they don't carry workers comp and whether they use subcontractors who might have their own coverage
- → Ask both companies for their typical response time for your situation and whether same-day service affects pricing
The Bottom Line
Above All Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners. The combination of full workers compensation coverage, 28 years of licensing experience, and strong troubleshooting skills provides better protection and diagnostic capability, particularly for complex issues or older homes. Patterson offers genuinely faster response times and competitive pricing that customers consistently praise, but the missing workers comp creates real liability exposure that you need to address with your insurance company before hiring. If you can't confirm your homeowner's policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors, the decision is clear: go with Above All. If you've verified coverage and need a plumber at your door in the next few hours, Patterson's speed and pricing may justify the added complexity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a plumber is injured at your home and the company lacks workers compensation, they could potentially sue you or file a claim against your homeowner's insurance for medical bills and lost wages. Some homeowner policies cover this, others specifically exclude injuries to uninsured contractors. Call your insurance agent before hiring to understand your actual exposure, because this is a real financial risk, not just paperwork.
Yes, particularly for complex diagnostics. A 28-year plumber has seen nearly a decade more of Bay Area housing stock evolution, obsolete fixture types, and failure patterns in aging infrastructure. For straightforward work like a faucet replacement, it matters less. For diagnosing why your shower pressure dropped or finding a hidden slab leak, that additional experience becomes valuable.
Patterson's customers do mention competitive pricing and remarkably fast response times, sometimes arriving within an hour. If your situation is genuinely urgent and you've confirmed your insurance covers uninsured contractors, that speed has value. For non-emergencies or complex diagnostics where you want maximum protection and experience, Above All's complete insurance and additional eight years of licensing may justify any price difference.
Waivers offer limited protection and may not hold up if a serious injury occurs, particularly in California where workers compensation laws are designed to protect workers. The proper solution is hiring a contractor who carries workers comp, or verifying your homeowner's insurance specifically covers this gap. Don't rely on a verbal agreement or simple waiver for something that could cost tens of thousands in medical bills.
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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 13, 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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