Capelli Plumbing vs Moore Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Moore Plumbing brings 35 years of veteran experience versus Capelli's 9 years, but lacks workers compensation insurance which shifts liability risk to homeowners.
| Capelli Plumbing | Moore Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 9 years | 35 years |
| License # | 1026755 | 599650 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Leandro, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | capelliplumbing.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Capelli Plumbing
Capelli Plumbing customers consistently praise the company's professional multi-technician team operation, with particular emphasis on structured communication from both office staff and field workers who explain issues before proceeding.
Moore Plumbing
Moore Plumbing customers highlight decades-long relationships and the owner's direct personal involvement, with some reporting continuous service spanning 15-20 years and appreciation for his honest, straightforward diagnostic approach.
Key Takeaway: Capelli operates as a structured team with multiple technicians providing coverage, while Moore centers on direct owner involvement and has cultivated multi-decade customer relationships that suggest exceptional consistency and trust over time.
Customer Reviews
Capelli Plumbing
Discovered a plugged drain line servicing our kitchen sink, dishwasher and clothes washer. Water from kitchen back flowing from the drain on the washing machine. Contacted our favorite plumbing compan...
Capelli Plumbing has been my go to for years. Recently, I needed a new garbage disposal and was having electrical problems with the old unit. James promptly scheduled the job for the next day even th...
I am very pleased with the professionalism that Preston displayed when installing my water heater. He explained everything to me thoroughly every step of the way.
Moore Plumbing
I've been doing business with Moore Plumbing since 2010. He's just a straight shooter. No BS , honest and hardworking. His prices are fair and he does good work.
Fastest response, quick, quality work and best price I've seen vs. 3 other plumbers in the area
Showed up and went out of their way to fix what they found. Also, took the time to discuss more problems they found. Will have them back when necessary!
Consider Capelli Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want full liability protection and can't risk your homeowner's insurance covering contractor injuries, which could affect your rates or result in denied claims.
- ✓ Your home was built in the last 30 years and the plumbing issue is relatively straightforward without extensive diagnostic complexity.
- ✓ You prefer working with a structured team operation where multiple technicians share scheduling coverage rather than depending on a single owner-operator's availability.
- ✓ The peace of mind from verified workers compensation coverage is worth more to you than additional years of field experience.
Consider Moore Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accepting that liability risk in exchange for Moore's veteran expertise.
- ✓ Your home is older with potentially complicated plumbing systems where 35 years of diagnostic experience could identify hidden problems a less experienced contractor might miss.
- ✓ Your project involves unusual complexity like septic systems, challenging repiping in older construction, or situations requiring creative problem-solving from decades of field experience.
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement throughout the entire project and Moore's multi-decade track record of customer relationships dating back over 20 years.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Moore Plumbing directly about their workers compensation status and whether they carry general liability insurance that would cover injuries on your property, then verify your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries and understand the deductible implications.
- → Ask Capelli about their technicians' experience levels with your specific issue, particularly if your home is older or has unusual plumbing configurations.
- → Request references from both companies for projects similar to yours in homes of similar age and construction.
- → Ask each contractor what complications they anticipate based on your home's age and the scope of work, to gauge their diagnostic depth.
The Bottom Line
If you have an older home with potentially complicated plumbing or a project requiring extensive diagnostic skill, Moore Plumbing's 35 years of veteran experience offers genuine problem-solving advantages—but only if you're comfortable with the workers compensation gap and have verified your insurance situation. For most homeowners, particularly those with standard projects or newer homes, Capelli Plumbing provides the better overall value: sufficient experience for reliable service delivery combined with complete insurance coverage that protects you from liability risks that could cost far more than any plumbing repair. Call your homeowner's insurance agent before choosing Moore; choose Capelli if that call reveals any coverage gaps or uncertainty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward projects in newer homes, the experience difference matters less since Capelli's 9 years provides adequate exposure to standard situations. The veteran experience becomes more valuable when projects reveal unexpected complications like corroded pipes, outdated systems, or problems requiring creative solutions that typically only come from three decades of troubleshooting.
Without workers compensation coverage, an injured worker may file a claim against your homeowner's insurance, potentially increasing your rates or exhausting coverage limits. Some homeowner policies explicitly exclude coverage for contractors without their own workers comp, leaving you personally liable for medical bills and lost wages. Before hiring Moore Plumbing, call your insurance agent to understand your specific exposure and whether you need additional coverage.
You can and should ask, but the state records show no workers compensation on file for Moore Plumbing. They may carry general liability insurance which covers property damage but typically not worker injuries. If they cannot provide current workers compensation certificates, you'll need to decide whether their veteran experience justifies accepting the liability risk that Capelli's coverage eliminates.
Capelli operates with multiple technicians, which typically provides more scheduling flexibility and backup coverage if one person is unavailable. Moore features direct owner involvement, which some customers value highly but may mean less flexibility if the owner is committed to another project. Ask both companies about their current availability for your specific timeline and whether they have backup coverage for emergencies.
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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 12, 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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