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Capelli Plumbing vs R B Travis
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Capelli Plumbing brings more than double the licensed experience, which matters when diagnosing complex plumbing issues and handling unexpected complications.
| Capelli Plumbing | R B Travis | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 9 years | 4 years |
| License # | 1026755 | 1084502 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Leandro, CA | Livermore, CA |
| Website | capelliplumbing.com | www.serviceexperts.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Capelli Plumbing
Customers emphasize Capelli's fast scheduling and same-day availability, with multiple mentions of long-term repeat business spanning years.
R B Travis
Customers highlight R B Travis's punctuality with advance arrival notices and smooth coordination with home warranty providers.
Key Takeaway: Capelli's reviews show a pattern of decade-long customer relationships suggesting sustained satisfaction, while R B Travis feedback focuses more heavily on operational efficiency and scheduling precision.
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.
R B Travis
Excellent work and we appreciate his professionalism
Have made multiple calls over more than 3 years. Consistently received expert service. Shoutout for Cody. Professional, good listener, fast and knowledgeable about his job. I would recommend RBTravis ...
Outstanding service from Javier at R.B. Travis. HomeServe scheduled R.B. Travis to fix two clogged sinks in my home (kitchen and bathroom). Javier called ahead, arrived on time, and went above and be...
Consider Capelli Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're dealing with an older home where hidden issues are likely, and you want a contractor who's diagnosed unusual problems across hundreds more projects
- ✓ Direct owner involvement matters to you for accountability and consistent quality oversight throughout your project
- ✓ You're located in San Leandro or closer to their base, potentially reducing travel time charges and enabling faster emergency response
- ✓ Your project involves complex diagnostics like intermittent leaks or system-wide issues requiring pattern recognition from extensive experience
Consider R B Travis if...
- ✓ You're working through a home warranty provider and need a contractor with established insurance coordination systems already in place
- ✓ You're located in Livermore, San Jose, Modesto or eastern parts of their broader service territory where they're the local option
- ✓ Your project is straightforward with clear scope, where strong communication and punctuality matter more than extensive diagnostic experience
- ✓ You prefer a growing company that may have more schedule flexibility than a busier established contractor
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Capelli about owner availability during your specific project and who will supervise the work if multiple crews are deployed
- → Ask R B Travis how many plumbing projects they've completed in homes built in the same era as yours, particularly if you have pre-1980s construction
- → Ask both companies for references from projects matching your specific scope, especially if you're dealing with older systems or whole-home repiping
- → Ask about their approach when opening walls reveals additional problems beyond the original scope, including how they handle pricing adjustments mid-project
The Bottom Line
For most residential plumbing projects, Capelli Plumbing's nine years of licensed experience provides meaningful advantages in diagnostic capability and handling unexpected complications that routinely emerge when opening walls or working with older systems. The company's high owner involvement adds consistent quality oversight. R B Travis is a solid choice for homeowners working through home warranty providers who need established insurance coordination, those located in their eastern service areas like Livermore or San Jose, or for straightforward projects with clear scope where their four years of experience is entirely sufficient. If you're dealing with an older home, complex diagnostics, or system-wide issues, Capelli's additional five years of field experience across hundreds more projects justifies choosing them despite potentially longer travel from their San Leandro base.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For truly straightforward repairs, both companies can handle the work competently based on customer feedback. The experience gap becomes significant when simple jobs reveal underlying problems, which happens frequently in plumbing. Capelli's additional years mean more exposure to complications like corroded supply lines, outdated shut-off valves, or code violations that require immediate attention during what seemed like a basic repair.
Home warranty relationships don't indicate higher quality, just different business development strategies. R B Travis has invested in building these referral networks, which means they're practiced at insurance coordination and pre-approved pricing structures. Capelli may focus on direct customer relationships and repeat business instead. If you're using home warranty coverage, R B Travis's experience with those systems is a practical advantage.
Communication quality appears comparable between both companies based on customer reports. The decision shouldn't hinge on communication differences since both demonstrate professionalism in this area. Focus instead on the experience gap, geographic convenience, and whether owner involvement matters for your specific project complexity.
Geographic proximity offers practical benefits like faster emergency response and potentially lower travel charges, but shouldn't override experience considerations for complex projects. If you're in San Leandro with a complicated diagnostic issue, Capelli's location and deeper experience both favor them. If you're in Livermore with a straightforward installation, R B Travis's local presence makes sense. For areas between their bases, weigh project complexity more heavily than location.
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 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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