Compare Local Pros
Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building vs Star Rooter And Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Star Rooter provides workers compensation insurance and consistently reliable communication, while Clogbusters lacks workers comp and shows mixed communication experiences.
| Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building | Star Rooter And Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 3.4 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 25 years | 19 years |
| License # | 792293 | 884481 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Website | — | www.starrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building
Customers praise Clogbusters for fast emergency response and completed technical work, but report inconsistent experiences with appointment confirmation and quote delivery.
Star Rooter And Plumbing
Star Rooter receives consistent feedback about transparent communication, clear pricing explanations, efficient project completion, and professional conduct across both simple and complex projects.
Key Takeaway: While both companies respond quickly to emergencies, Star Rooter demonstrates reliable communication throughout the entire customer experience, whereas Clogbusters shows a pattern of communication challenges after the initial response.
Customer Reviews
Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building
Great Experience. Highly Recommend!
Amazing service. Professional and he got it done. This man is our savior. Thank you from Breathe Health Center and Services!
Had a plumbing emergency tonight, called 4 other plumbers who couldn't send someone out until later in the week before I found Clogbusters. They sent someone out right away, did an excellent job with ...
Star Rooter And Plumbing
We appreciated how quickly the plumbers were able to come to our home and ascertain the best course of action they should take. They were able to resolve the issue of the stoppage in the drain line wh...
Freddy was a great and a best work for me and family.
We had a great experience with Star Rooter! He took very good care of my parents bathrooms who are located in Castro Valley. Freddy and crew, were knowledgeable, great to work with and super polite. P...
Consider Clogbusters Plumbing And General Building if...
- ✓ You need emergency plumbing service today and are comfortable verifying that your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries on your property
- ✓ Your project is a straightforward repair like a faucet replacement or drain clearing where technical competence matters more than project management
- ✓ You're willing to be proactive about confirming appointments and following up on quotes rather than expecting consistent outreach
Consider Star Rooter And Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want workers compensation insurance in place to protect yourself from liability if someone is injured during your project
- ✓ Your project is complex—such as repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or municipal compliance work—where transparent pricing and clear communication throughout the process matters
- ✓ You value predictable communication with clear explanations of what work is needed and why, rather than having to chase down information
- ✓ You prefer a contractor with demonstrated capability across both emergency repairs and major infrastructure projects
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Clogbusters directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property
- → Ask Clogbusters about their typical communication process for scheduling and quotes, and whether you'll have a direct contact number
- → Ask Star Rooter for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if you're planning complex work like repiping or sewer replacement
The Bottom Line
Star Rooter And Plumbing is the clearer choice for most homeowners. They provide the workers compensation insurance that protects you from liability, demonstrate consistent communication from quote through completion, and show proven capability on both emergency repairs and complex projects. The feedback pattern is notably more reliable across the customer experience. Choose Clogbusters only if you need emergency service immediately, have verified your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries, and your project is straightforward enough that mixed communication experiences won't derail the work. For any complex project or if liability protection matters to you, Star Rooter is the better option.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn't carry workers comp, you could be held financially liable for their medical bills and lost wages. This is a real risk homeowners face. Before hiring Clogbusters, verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and understand your deductible and coverage limits.
Customers report same-day service from both companies for emergencies, so response speed appears comparable. The difference emerges after the initial call: Star Rooter receives consistent feedback about clear communication throughout the service, while Clogbusters shows mixed experiences with follow-up communication and quote delivery.
Both companies qualify as veterans with substantial experience—25 years versus 19 years. For most residential plumbing projects, this difference is less significant than insurance coverage and communication reliability. The gap would only matter if you're dealing with an unusually rare plumbing configuration or historic home with unique challenges.
Workers comp insurance does add business costs that may be reflected in pricing, but Star Rooter receives specific feedback about transparent pricing and adherence to quoted amounts. The actual price difference depends on your specific project. Request detailed written quotes from both companies and compare the total cost alongside the insurance protection you're receiving.
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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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