Compare Local Pros
Just Water Heaters And Plumbing vs Star Rooter And Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Star Rooter brings 19 years of experience with workers comp coverage, while Just Water Heaters has no workers comp insurance on file.
| Just Water Heaters And Plumbing | Star Rooter And Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 3.2 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 11 years | 19 years |
| License # | 997251 | 884481 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Fremont, CA | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Website | www.justwaterheatersplumbing.com | www.starrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Just Water Heaters And Plumbing
Customers mention successful repeat service relationships for water heater work, though some report difficulty with callback responsiveness.
Star Rooter And Plumbing
Customers consistently praise same-day availability, thorough diagnostic practices with camera equipment, transparent pricing, and clear communication throughout projects ranging from simple repairs to complex infrastructure work.
Key Takeaway: Star Rooter shows a consistent pattern of responsive communication and transparency across diverse project types, while Just Water Heaters has mixed feedback on communication responsiveness despite positive mentions from repeat customers.
Customer Reviews
Just Water Heaters And Plumbing
Have had this young man in my home several times. He's installed our water heaters from Dale Hardware and today he repaired our toilet and checked and cleared and repaired the drains in both our bathr...
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 Just Water Heaters And Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have an existing relationship with the company and have successfully used them for water heater work in the past
- ✓ Your project is straightforward water heater replacement with no complications expected
- ✓ You've confirmed your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and you're comfortable with that liability exposure
- ✓ You're staying within their core specialization and don't need complex diagnostic work or large-scale repairs
Consider Star Rooter And Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need workers compensation coverage to protect yourself from liability if someone is injured during your project
- ✓ Your plumbing issue requires diagnosis of hidden problems like sewer line deterioration or leak detection
- ✓ You're facing a complex project like complete home repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or water line installation
- ✓ You value same-day availability, transparent pricing, and consistent communication based on established customer feedback patterns
- ✓ You need a contractor with demonstrated capacity to handle municipal compliance work or emergency situations
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Just Water Heaters to provide proof of workers compensation insurance or explain what liability protection you have if a worker is injured; confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered for contractor injuries
- → Ask Just Water Heaters about their callback protocol and how they handle communication during multi-day projects given mixed feedback in this area
- → Ask Star Rooter for references on projects similar to yours, particularly if you're considering complex work like repiping or sewer replacement
The Bottom Line
Star Rooter And Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners. The workers compensation coverage alone protects you from significant liability risk, and their 19 years of experience, broader project capacity, and consistent customer feedback on communication and responsiveness make them better equipped for both routine and complex plumbing work. Just Water Heaters may be viable if you have an existing relationship with them, your project is simple water heater replacement, and you've confirmed adequate liability coverage through your homeowner's insurance. But for any project involving diagnosis, complex repairs, or if you want comprehensive contractor insurance protection, Star Rooter is the clear choice. Contact Star Rooter first—their same-day availability means you can likely get an assessment this week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a plumber is injured while working at your home and the company has no workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may become liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and potential lawsuits. This can be a significant financial risk. Before hiring Just Water Heaters, contact your homeowner's insurance agent to understand your coverage and potential exposure.
Yes, especially for complex plumbing issues. Star Rooter's 19 years means they've encountered nearly twice as many problem scenarios—hidden galvanized pipe deterioration, tricky sewer lateral complications, unusual leak sources. This experience matters most when initial diagnosis is critical or when projects uncover unexpected issues requiring adaptive solutions.
The data suggests different specializations. Just Water Heaters focuses on water heaters and basic plumbing repairs. Star Rooter handles everything from simple repairs to complete home repipes, sewer lateral replacements, and municipal compliance work. If your project is straightforward water heater work, either may suffice; for complex infrastructure projects, Star Rooter has demonstrated broader capacity.
Star Rooter receives consistent praise for clear explanations, transparent pricing, and regular project updates throughout complex jobs. Just Water Heaters has positive feedback from repeat customers but also reports of callback difficulties. If you need frequent communication and detailed explanations during your project, Star Rooter shows a more consistent pattern in this area.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Alameda.
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Savior Plumbing
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Star Rooter And Plumbing
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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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