Patterson Plumbing And Drain vs We Can Do It Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Patterson brings 20 years of experience with fast response times but lacks workers comp, while We Can Do It offers full insurance protection with 4 years in business.
| Patterson Plumbing And Drain | We Can Do It Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 4 years |
| License # | 869970 | 1087842 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Fremont, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | pattersonplumbingpro.com | www.wecandoitplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Patterson Plumbing And Drain
Customers emphasize Patterson's rapid emergency response and same-day service, with frequent mentions of arriving within hours and working weekends.
We Can Do It Plumbing
Customers highlight We Can Do It's educational approach and thorough explanations, appreciating learning about their plumbing systems during repairs.
Key Takeaway: Patterson is chosen for speed and emergency responsiveness while We Can Do It is valued for taking time to explain options and teach customers about their systems.
Customer Reviews
Patterson Plumbing And Drain
We had a toilet clogging emergency that we couldn't fix with a plunger. I found Patterson Plumbing on Nextdoor as recommended by a few follks. Very prompt in responding to my request and resolved the ...
Ivan fixed a toilet flush issue and performed a full drain clean out on 2 separate service calls. He's responsive, knowledgeable, and experienced - which results in correctly diagnosing and remedying...
We replaced the garbage disposal unit. Ivan explained the issue well and his quote is reasonable. Quickly fixed. In addition, he is a really nice person to talk to. Would recommend.
We Can Do It Plumbing
What a relief to have my plumbing issue taken care of in such a prompt and professional manner! They really took the time to explain to me problems with my clogged sink and some options for fixing. Th...
My family has use We Can Do It Plumbing! for several projects: installing a new toilet, fixing leaking sink, and fixing a malfunctioning dishwasher. They have been excellent with every task. Highly re...
Update: we had their team install the heatpump water heater and they did it within a day. So fast, knowledgeable, and great teachers on how to use the app for this fancy gadget. They even saw how our ...
Consider Patterson Plumbing And Drain if...
- ✓ You have an emergency plumbing situation requiring same-day or immediate response, where Patterson's track record of arriving within hours matters more than insurance considerations.
- ✓ Your home is older with potentially unusual plumbing configurations where Patterson's 20 years of experience diagnosing hidden damage and complications provides meaningful advantage.
- ✓ You've confirmed your homeowner's insurance provides adequate coverage for contractor injuries and you're comfortable accepting that liability risk in exchange for veteran experience.
- ✓ You prioritize rapid turnaround and have straightforward projects where Patterson's speed-focused service approach aligns with your timeline needs.
Consider We Can Do It Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want to eliminate liability risk if a worker is injured on your property, making We Can Do It's workers compensation insurance the deciding factor for your peace of mind.
- ✓ You value detailed explanations and want to understand your plumbing system, as We Can Do It's educational approach means you'll learn throughout the repair process.
- ✓ Your project involves complex troubleshooting where having multiple options presented with transparent pricing helps you make informed decisions about repair versus replacement.
- ✓ You have a standard residential plumbing issue where 4 years of licensed experience provides sufficient expertise without the workers comp liability concerns.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Patterson directly about liability coverage: if a worker is injured, what insurance responds, and request confirmation in writing. Contact your homeowner's insurance to verify your policy covers contractor injuries.
- → Ask We Can Do It for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if your home has older plumbing or unusual configurations where Patterson's additional experience might matter.
- → Ask both companies about their diagnostic process for your specific issue and how they handle unexpected complications discovered during work.
The Bottom Line
Choose We Can Do It Plumbing if eliminating workers comp liability is your priority or if you value detailed explanations and educational service. Their 4 years of experience handles standard residential plumbing competently with full insurance protection. Choose Patterson Plumbing if you have an emergency requiring immediate response, an older home with complex systems where 20 years of experience matters, or straightforward projects where you've confirmed your homeowner's insurance adequately covers contractor injuries. For most homeowners with standard plumbing needs, We Can Do It's complete insurance coverage outweighs Patterson's experience advantage unless you face an active emergency or have verified you're comfortable with the liability exposure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like toilet replacements or drain clearing, both companies have adequate experience. The gap matters more for older homes with outdated systems, complex diagnostics where hidden damage exists, or unusual configurations where Patterson's two decades of pattern recognition helps anticipate problems. We Can Do It's customers mention solving issues other plumbers missed, showing strong technical capability despite less tenure.
If a Patterson employee is injured on your property, your homeowner's insurance becomes the primary coverage since the company lacks workers comp. This could affect your insurance rates or expose you to direct liability depending on your policy limits and the injury severity. Before hiring Patterson, call your insurance agent to understand your coverage and consider whether the experience advantage justifies this risk.
Patterson has a stronger track record for same-day emergency response, with customers consistently reporting arrival within minutes to hours and service on weekends and holidays. We Can Do It receives praise for prompt scheduling and on-time arrival but isn't specifically noted for emergency speed. If you have an active leak or urgent failure, Patterson's response pattern gives them the edge despite the workers comp concern.
Both companies receive feedback about reasonable and transparent pricing, so cost likely won't differ dramatically for similar work. The decision should weigh experience depth against liability protection based on your specific project complexity and risk tolerance. Get quotes from both, then factor in whether Patterson's veteran experience or We Can Do It's workers comp coverage matters more for your situation.
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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 07, 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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