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Above All Plumbing vs Pro Rooter

Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Both veteran plumbing contractors with 28 and 34 years experience respectively offer similar protection and credentials, with differences primarily in service focus and customer interaction style.

Above All Plumbing: Newark-based veteran plumber with 28 years experience, known for responsive emergency service, clear customer communication, and owner involvement across diverse residential and commercial work.
Pro Rooter: San Leandro veteran plumber with 34 years experience, recognized for efficient completion of substantial sewer and drainage projects using diagnostic camera technology.
Above All Plumbing Pro Rooter
Rating 4.4 4.1
Years Licensed 28 years 34 years
License # 739199 636652
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Newark, CA San Leandro, CA
Website www.aboveallplumbing.com prorooterinc.net

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Key Differences

The most significant difference between these contractors lies in their service focus and customer interaction patterns rather than experience or protection levels. Above All Plumbing demonstrates a broader service model spanning emergency calls, routine maintenance, and diverse repair work for homeowners, property managers, and HOAs, with customers consistently highlighting responsive communication, same-day availability, and clear explanations from technicians. Pro Rooter shows particular strength in substantial drainage and sewer infrastructure projects, with customers noting efficient completion of major pipe replacements within single-day timeframes and specialized diagnostic capabilities using camera inspection technology. Above All's high owner involvement creates accountability and relationship continuity that matters for ongoing service relationships, while Pro Rooter's unclear owner involvement may reflect a more crew-based operation focused on project execution efficiency. The six-year experience difference between them is negligible at this veteran level—both have navigated decades of code changes, product evolution, and complex problem-solving. Your decision should focus on whether you need a responsive service partner for diverse plumbing needs or efficient execution of specific drainage and sewer work.

What Customers Say

Above All Plumbing

Customers consistently highlight Above All Plumbing's responsive communication, same-day emergency availability, and technicians who provide clear explanations while maintaining clean worksites.

Pro Rooter

Pro Rooter's customers emphasize efficient project completion, particularly for substantial sewer line work, along with professional conduct and diagnostic camera inspection capabilities.

Key Takeaway: Above All receives feedback centered on service responsiveness and customer interaction quality, while Pro Rooter's reviews focus on project execution efficiency and specialized sewer infrastructure capabilities.

Customer Reviews

Above All Plumbing

Dec 2025

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!

Dec 2025

Junior worked tirelessly on the leak at our place and was super kind and communicative.

Nov 2025

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...

Pro Rooter

Oct 2025

Richard is the best!! The Pro Rooter team has helped me many times over the years, and Richard has been wonderful. Thank you!!!'

Apr 2025

I read a few negative reviews and figured I would chime in. I work for a local organization that uses vendors to support 35 houses in alameda county. Pro rooter is actually one of the most reliable an...

Jun 2024

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Consider Above All Plumbing if...

  • You need a plumbing partner for ongoing maintenance, emergency response, or property management across multiple locations, where relationship continuity and consistent communication matter
  • Your project involves troubleshooting an unclear plumbing problem that requires diagnostic skills and clear explanation of options rather than straightforward replacement work
  • You value same-day emergency availability and responsive scheduling, particularly important if you're dealing with active leaks or urgent service needs
  • You prefer working with a company where owner involvement provides direct accountability throughout the service relationship
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Consider Pro Rooter if...

  • Your project centers on sewer line issues, main drainage problems, or infrastructure work where camera inspection diagnostics and substantial pipe replacement experience are relevant
  • You prioritize efficient completion of larger plumbing projects within compressed timeframes, particularly if you need sewer or drainage work completed in a single day
  • Your situation involves coordination with water districts or city inspectors for main line work, where Pro Rooter has demonstrated experience navigating these processes
  • You're managing a straightforward project where execution efficiency matters more than ongoing communication or relationship development
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • Ask Above All Plumbing how they handle after-hours emergency calls and what their typical response time is for urgent situations in your specific area
  • Ask Pro Rooter about owner involvement in project oversight and who will be your primary point of contact throughout the work
  • Request references from projects similar to yours in scope and complexity, particularly if you're facing sewer line or drainage infrastructure work
  • Clarify what diagnostic approaches each company uses for your specific issue and whether camera inspection is included in their assessment process

The Bottom Line

Both contractors are fully credentialed veterans with equivalent protection and decades of experience—you can't make a wrong choice on qualifications alone. Choose Above All Plumbing if you need a responsive service partner for diverse plumbing work, emergency availability, ongoing maintenance relationships, or situations requiring diagnostic troubleshooting and clear communication. Choose Pro Rooter if your project centers on sewer lines, drainage infrastructure, or substantial pipe replacement where their camera inspection capabilities and efficient single-day completion of major projects align with your needs. For most homeowners facing general plumbing needs or building an ongoing service relationship, Above All's broader service focus and owner involvement provide practical advantages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

At 28 and 34 years of licensing, both contractors are veteran-level operators who have handled decades of evolving codes, materials, and complex situations. The experience gap is functionally negligible—you're choosing between deeply established companies. Focus instead on their service approach and project strengths, which show more meaningful differences for your specific plumbing needs.

Above All Plumbing has a clearer track record for emergency response, with customers specifically mentioning same-day service availability and responsiveness to urgent situations. Their broader service model and high owner involvement suggest infrastructure designed for handling diverse emergency calls. Pro Rooter's reviews emphasize scheduled project work rather than emergency response capabilities.

Pro Rooter shows specific experience with camera inspections for sewer diagnostics and has completed substantial pipe replacement projects efficiently, making them well-suited for sewer infrastructure work. While Above All handles diverse plumbing including main line repairs, Pro Rooter's customer feedback specifically highlights their diagnostic camera capabilities and sewer line project experience.

Above All's high owner involvement provides direct accountability and relationship continuity that matters particularly for ongoing service relationships, property management situations, or if you value personal attention throughout the process. Pro Rooter's unclear owner involvement may reflect a more crew-based operation, which can work well for straightforward projects where execution efficiency is the priority over personal relationship building.

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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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