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Above All Plumbing vs Red Tulip Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Above All Plumbing brings 28 years of licensed experience and full workers comp coverage versus Red Tulip's 4 years without comp insurance.
| Above All Plumbing | Red Tulip Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 28 years | 4 years |
| License # | 739199 | 1092186 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Newark, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Website | www.aboveallplumbing.com | www.redtulipplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Above All Plumbing
Customers emphasize Above All's efficient troubleshooting that avoids unnecessary repairs and reliable emergency response developed over long-term relationships.
Red Tulip Plumbing
Customers highlight Red Tulip's exceptionally rapid response times with service often provided within hours of the initial call, including weekends.
Key Takeaway: Red Tulip demonstrates measurably faster initial response for emergency situations, while Above All receives more mentions of diagnostic skill that prevents over-repair or addresses root causes.
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...
Red Tulip Plumbing
I had a great experience with Red Tulip Plumbing in Fremont for a water heater installation and faucet installation. The team was professional, punctual, and very knowledgeable. They explained everyth...
The team who came out work quickly at repairing the drip in my shower.
Great commucation, responsive, knowledagble, reasonable, on time
Consider Above All Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your plumbing issue involves older infrastructure where hidden problems are likely, such as galvanized pipe replacement, main sewer line issues, or water heater replacement in homes built before 1980 where complications frequently emerge
- ✓ You want zero liability exposure if a worker is injured, particularly important for homeowners with significant assets or complex insurance situations
- ✓ Your project may require navigating permit complications or dealing with code compliance issues where decades of local experience provides tangible advantage
- ✓ You're managing an HOA or rental property where consistent, predictable service from an established contractor matters for long-term maintenance planning
Consider Red Tulip Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need extremely fast response for a straightforward emergency like a clogged drain or running toilet where immediate availability outweighs experience depth
- ✓ Your homeowner's insurance provides robust liability coverage and you're comfortable accepting the workers comp risk in exchange for potentially lower pricing
- ✓ Your project is relatively standard (faucet replacement, garbage disposal installation, basic leak repair) where 4 years of experience is adequate
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement throughout the service process and prefer working with a smaller, growing business
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Red Tulip directly about their liability coverage structure and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a contractor without workers comp is injured on your property
- → Ask Red Tulip for references from projects involving older homes or situations where unexpected complications arose to gauge their troubleshooting experience
- → Ask Above All about their typical response time for your specific issue to ensure their availability meets your schedule needs
- → Ask both companies whether they've handled your specific situation before and how many times, particularly if your home has older plumbing systems
The Bottom Line
Above All Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners, particularly for any project involving older plumbing systems, diagnostic complexity, or homeowners with liability concerns. Their 28 years of licensing and full insurance coverage provide protection that matters when things don't go as planned. Red Tulip can make sense if you need extremely fast response for a straightforward emergency, have confirmed adequate homeowner's insurance coverage for contractor injuries, and your project falls within standard repair territory. However, for any project where you're opening walls, working on main lines, or dealing with infrastructure over 30 years old, Above All's experience depth justifies choosing them despite potentially slower initial response. Don't compromise on workers comp coverage without explicitly understanding your liability exposure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward projects like replacing a toilet or unclogging a drain, the gap matters less—both companies handle these competently based on customer feedback. The experience difference becomes significant when diagnostics are involved or when opening walls reveals unexpected conditions like corroded pipes, outdated venting, or code violations. Above All's decades of pattern recognition help prevent costly surprises on projects that start simple but turn complex.
If a Red Tulip employee is injured on your property, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary coverage, potentially affecting your rates or coverage limits. The financial exposure depends on injury severity—a serious fall or equipment accident could result in claims reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Before hiring, call your insurance agent to understand your specific exposure and whether your policy has contractor injury exclusions.
That depends on your specific situation and risk tolerance. For true emergencies like active water leaks causing property damage, hours matter significantly and Red Tulip's exceptionally fast response could save you thousands in water damage. For scheduled work or non-emergency situations, Above All's response time appears adequate based on customer feedback, making the insurance gap harder to justify. Evaluate whether you're facing genuine emergency conditions or can wait for a fully insured contractor.
Owner involvement indicates accountability at both companies, which is positive. However, Above All's owner brings 28 years of hands-on problem-solving experience versus Red Tulip's 4 years. This shows up in ability to diagnose unusual sounds, predict where hidden problems exist, and make judgment calls about repair-versus-replace decisions. For routine maintenance, the quality gap is minimal; for diagnostic work on older systems, Above All's depth of experience provides more reliable assessments.
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 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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