Contra Costa Heating And Air Conditioning vs Above All Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing an HVAC specialist to a plumbing specialist, so your decision depends entirely on which service you actually need.
| Contra Costa Heating And Air Conditioning | Above All Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.1 | ★ 4.4 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 28 years |
| License # | 970192 | 739199 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Leandro, CA | Newark, CA |
| Website | www.contracostaheating.com | www.aboveallplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Contra Costa Heating And Air Conditioning
Customers consistently praise installation quality, punctuality, and worksite cleanliness during active projects, but multiple reports describe frustration with difficulty reaching the company for post-installation callbacks and warranty service.
Above All Plumbing
Customers emphasize reliable responsiveness for both emergency and scheduled service, with property managers and homeowners reporting positive long-term relationships spanning years of repeated use.
Key Takeaway: Contra Costa excels during the active installation phase but struggles with post-project support, while Above All demonstrates consistent communication and reliability throughout the entire customer relationship including follow-up service.
Customer Reviews
Contra Costa Heating And Air Conditioning
Contra Costa Heating and Air Conditioning did an excellent job repairing our heater during winter. They arrived on time, explained the issue clearly, and left the work area very clean. Highly professi...
We had our furnace serviced and everything went smoothly. The technician was punctual, courteous, and respectful of our home. It's hard to find companies this reliable anymore.
Our furnace stopped working during a cold week and CCHA responded quickly. They fixed the issue the same day and left no mess behind.
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...
Consider Contra Costa Heating And Air Conditioning if...
- ✓ You need HVAC work specifically: furnace replacement, air conditioning installation, heat pump systems, or thermostat upgrades that fall outside plumbing scope
- ✓ You're purchasing an HVAC system through Costco or Home Depot and Contra Costa is the installation partner
- ✓ Your project is straightforward with minimal anticipated need for follow-up service or warranty support
- ✓ You prioritize installation quality and worksite cleanliness during the active project phase over post-completion responsiveness
Consider Above All Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need plumbing work: drain clearing, leak repairs, water heater service, fixture installations, or sewer line issues
- ✓ You value responsive emergency service availability and same-day appointments for urgent situations
- ✓ You want a contractor with proven long-term reliability and consistent communication after the initial service
- ✓ You're a property manager or HOA needing an established relationship with dependable callback service
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Contra Costa: Ask specifically how warranty service requests are handled, what the typical response time is for callbacks, and whether you'll have a direct contact for post-installation issues
- → For Contra Costa: Request references from customers who needed follow-up service or warranty work, not just initial installations
- → For Above All: Ask about their typical response time for emergency calls versus scheduled appointments to set realistic expectations
- → For both: Confirm the scope of work falls within their specialty and ask about their experience with your specific system age and project complexity
The Bottom Line
Your decision should start with what you actually need fixed. If you need HVAC work, Contra Costa Heating And Air Conditioning is your option here with solid installation crews, though you should establish clear warranty service expectations upfront given the documented post-installation communication challenges. If you need plumbing work, Above All Plumbing brings significantly more experience, proven long-term reliability, and consistent responsiveness that matters when pipes leak or drains back up. Above All's 28-year track record and strong service pattern make it the more dependable choice for plumbing. Don't hire an HVAC contractor for plumbing work or vice versa regardless of convenience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, these are separate licensed trades requiring different expertise. Contra Costa Heating And Air Conditioning only handles heating and cooling systems, while Above All Plumbing only handles water, drainage, and gas line work. If you need both services, you'll need to hire both contractors or find companies that employ licensed technicians in both trades.
For straightforward repairs, the difference may be minimal. However, 28 years of operation means Above All has encountered virtually every plumbing configuration, material transition, and hidden complication that exists in Alameda County homes, particularly important for older properties with galvanized pipes, cast iron stacks, or unclear system layouts. The longer track record also demonstrates business stability and established protocols.
If your HVAC system is likely to need adjustments, warranty service, or troubleshooting after installation, yes. Multiple customers report difficulty reaching the company for callbacks and slow response to post-project issues. If you're replacing a straightforward system and don't anticipate needing support, this matters less. Ask directly how they handle warranty claims and get contact information for post-installation service before signing.
Above All Plumbing clearly demonstrates responsive emergency service with same-day availability mentioned frequently by customers. Contra Costa focuses primarily on scheduled HVAC installations rather than emergency heating or cooling repairs. If you need urgent service, Above All's established dispatch coordination and customer reports suggest reliable emergency response for plumbing issues.
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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