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Moore Plumbing vs Star Rooter And Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Moore Plumbing brings 16 more years of experience but lacks workers compensation insurance, while Star Rooter carries full coverage and demonstrates capacity for complex infrastructure projects.
| Moore Plumbing | Star Rooter And Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 35 years | 19 years |
| License # | 599650 | 884481 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Leandro, CA | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Website | — | www.starrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Moore Plumbing
Customers emphasize Moore Plumbing's honest, straightforward approach with direct owner involvement and quick response times for both routine and complex projects.
Star Rooter And Plumbing
Star Rooter stands out for same-day availability, transparent pricing with clear explanations, and efficient completion of projects ranging from simple repairs to major infrastructure work.
Key Takeaway: Moore builds long-term personal relationships with the owner as the primary contact, while Star Rooter operates with systematic processes including camera diagnostics and team efficiency that complete major projects within tight timelines.
Customer Reviews
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!
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 Moore Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have a trusted relationship with your homeowner's insurance agent and can quickly confirm your policy covers contractor injuries on your property, eliminating the workers comp gap as a concern.
- ✓ You value working directly with an experienced owner on every aspect of your project rather than a rotating crew, especially for complex troubleshooting.
- ✓ Your plumbing issue involves an older home where 35 years of experience diagnosing hidden problems and unusual configurations could prevent costly surprises.
- ✓ You prioritize long-term relationship building with a contractor who has maintained customer relationships for over two decades.
Consider Star Rooter And Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want full insurance protection without checking your homeowner's policy for contractor injury coverage, giving you complete peace of mind.
- ✓ Your project involves major infrastructure work like complete home repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or water line installation where Star Rooter has demonstrated efficient completion.
- ✓ You need camera diagnostics to accurately assess pipe conditions before committing to repair versus replacement decisions.
- ✓ Same-day or emergency weekend service is important for your situation, as Star Rooter consistently delivers rapid response.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Moore Plumbing directly about their workers compensation status and request confirmation in writing about liability if a worker is injured. Contact your homeowner's insurance to verify your coverage includes contractor injuries.
- → Ask Star Rooter whether they'll use camera diagnostics for your specific issue and if that's included in the estimate or an additional charge.
- → Ask both companies for references from projects similar to yours in age and scope, particularly if you have an older home with galvanized or original plumbing.
- → Ask Moore about their backup plan if the owner is unavailable during your project timeline.
The Bottom Line
Star Rooter And Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners because full workers compensation coverage eliminates a significant liability risk that Moore Plumbing presents. While Moore's additional 16 years of experience is valuable, especially for unusual problems in older homes, Star Rooter's 19 years still represents veteran-level expertise with proven capacity for complex projects. If you specifically value direct owner interaction throughout the entire job and can confirm your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries, Moore offers that personal approach. Otherwise, Star Rooter provides comprehensive protection, modern diagnostic tools, and efficient project completion with same-day availability for emergencies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a simple swap in an accessible location with standard connections, the experience gap matters less. However, both contractors have decades of experience already, so either can handle it competently. The workers comp coverage becomes the more important differentiator for this type of project where someone will be working in your home for several hours.
If a worker is injured on your property and the company lacks workers comp, they could potentially sue you directly for medical expenses and lost wages. Your homeowner's insurance may cover this under liability provisions, but policies vary. You need to call your insurance agent before hiring to confirm coverage and understand any deductibles or limits.
Camera inspection can add diagnostic costs upfront, but it often saves money by identifying the exact problem location and preventing unnecessary exploratory work. Ask Star Rooter whether camera inspection is included in their service call fee or quoted separately for your specific situation. The investment typically pays off for drain, sewer, and underground pipe issues.
Moore Plumbing appears to have the owner physically present and working on most jobs directly, giving you one consistent point of contact. Star Rooter also has high owner involvement but operates with a team structure, meaning the owner oversees projects and maintains quality control while experienced technicians perform the work. Choose based on whether you prefer one person handling everything versus a supervised team approach.
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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