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Big Brothers Plumbing vs Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Simply Plumbing And Rooter has 7 more years of experience but lacks workers compensation insurance, while Big Brothers Plumbing carries full coverage.
| Big Brothers Plumbing | Simply Plumbing And Rooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 10 years | 17 years |
| License # | 1015557 | 923441 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Alameda, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Website | www.bigbrothersplumbinginc.com | simplyplumbingandrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Big Brothers Plumbing
Big Brothers Plumbing customers consistently emphasize educational approach with thorough explanations, same-day emergency availability, and respectful worksite practices.
Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Simply Plumbing And Rooter customers highlight extremely quick response times with some same-hour arrivals, high owner involvement, and reasonable pricing for professional work.
Key Takeaway: Big Brothers receives more specific feedback about technician communication and customer education, while Simply Plumbing feedback centers on speed of response and direct owner accessibility.
Customer Reviews
Big Brothers Plumbing
Chuck at Big Brothers Plumbing did an excellent job. We had a huge leak and needed help fast. Also, Ashton was very helpful in relaying our information to Chuck and sent him out the same day.
Called in to Big Brother because our relatively new Navien tankless heater stopped working late last night. After setting up a same day appointment, Sarai followed up with me and asked me to check a f...
Big Brothers Plumbing was great - friendly, timely, and able to quickly determine and solve the problem! Highly recommend!
Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Carlos was my knight in shining armor! He was at my house with an hour of contacting him after a prior. Plumber stood me up two days in a row came and assessed the situation with my toilet. Explain t...
Carlos came out to replace my garbage disposal. He was very professional & prompt. Communicates clearly and responds quickly. Garbage disposal still working great!
I've used the services of Simply Plumbing & Rooter for my Hayward and San Jose rental properties: install new water heater and haul away the old one, install a water line for the refrigerator automati...
Consider Big Brothers Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want full insurance protection without needing to verify coverage gaps with your own homeowner's policy, eliminating potential liability concerns if an injury occurs during your plumbing work.
- ✓ You're a newer homeowner who values detailed explanations and education about your plumbing system, as customers consistently mention Big Brothers' technicians take time to explain issues and options.
- ✓ You need emergency service and want confidence in same-day availability, particularly for urgent situations like water heater failures or significant leaks.
- ✓ You're located in Alameda, Oakland, or San Leandro where Big Brothers maintains their primary service area and local dispatch.
Consider Simply Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You have an older home or complex plumbing situation where Simply Plumbing's additional 7 years of field experience may help diagnose hidden issues or handle unexpected complications more efficiently.
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement throughout your project and prefer working with a contractor where the owner maintains high engagement with customer communication.
- ✓ You're willing to confirm with your homeowner's insurance that you're covered for contractor injuries, and you're comfortable accepting that responsibility in exchange for working with a more experienced veteran contractor.
- ✓ You're located in Hayward or eastern Alameda County where Simply Plumbing is based and may offer faster response for their immediate service area.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Simply Plumbing And Rooter directly about their workers compensation status and what liability protection they carry. Confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether your policy covers injuries to contractors working at your property.
- → Ask Simply Plumbing for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if you have an older home, to understand how their 17 years of experience translates to handling complications.
- → Ask Big Brothers Plumbing about their current availability for same-day service and whether your location falls within their primary quick-response zone.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Big Brothers Plumbing is the safer choice with full insurance coverage, strong 10-year experience, and documented excellence in customer service and emergency response. The workers compensation coverage alone eliminates a significant liability concern that could cost you thousands if an accident occurs. However, if you have a complex plumbing situation in an older home, you've confirmed your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries, and you value Simply Plumbing's additional 7 years of field experience, their veteran status may justify accepting that risk. Call your insurance agent first to understand your coverage, then decide based on project complexity and your comfort with potential liability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a plumber is injured while working at your home and the company doesn't carry workers compensation insurance, you as the property owner could potentially be sued for medical expenses and lost wages. Your homeowner's insurance may cover this, but you should confirm with your carrier before hiring. Some homeowners accept this risk when working with experienced contractors, while others prefer the protection that comes with full coverage.
For straightforward work like a garbage disposal replacement or basic faucet repair, the difference is minimal. However, for diagnosing intermittent issues, working with older plumbing systems, or handling complications during water heater installations, those extra 7 years translate to more scenarios encountered and resolved. If your home was built before 1980 or you're addressing recurring problems, the additional experience becomes more valuable.
Both receive feedback about prompt service, so you're likely to get quick response from either. Big Brothers specifically emphasizes same-day emergency availability with documented cases of arrival within hours, while Simply Plumbing notes some arrivals within an hour. Your location matters here—you'll likely get faster response from whichever company is closer to your home.
It depends on your risk tolerance and insurance situation. Call your homeowner's insurance agent this week and ask specifically if you're covered for injuries to uninsured contractors. If you are covered and comfortable with your deductible, and you value Simply Plumbing's veteran experience for a complex project, it may be acceptable. If you're not covered or prefer to eliminate that liability entirely, Big Brothers provides that protection with still-solid 10-year experience.
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 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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