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Performance Plus Plumbing vs Mallard Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are veteran plumbers with identical credentials, but Performance Plus has substantial positive customer feedback while Mallard's customer experiences are mixed.
| Performance Plus Plumbing | Mallard Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 3.3 |
| Years Licensed | 32 years | 43 years |
| License # | 692664 | 443102 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | performanceplusplumbing.com | mallardplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Performance Plus Plumbing
Customers consistently praise rapid response times, same-day service delivery, professional technician knowledge, and courteous office staff interactions across emergency and routine plumbing work.
Key Takeaway: Performance Plus has established verifiable patterns of customer satisfaction and service reliability, while Mallard's mixed feedback provides no clear indicators of what to expect from the service experience.
Customer Reviews
Performance Plus Plumbing
Performance Plus Plumbing LLC exceeded my expectations! The team was professional, friendly, and highly skilled. They arrived on time, quickly identified the issue, and completed the repair efficientl...
This company is very honest, Sylvia explains the service in detail, and her pleasant demeanor is soothing to your worries during a break down of your equipment. Appointments that are scheduled with th...
Our Condo Association needed emergency leak detection and of all the companies contacted, the service was same morning and they were able to locate the source. They are very professional and Cliff is...
Mallard Plumbing
Knowledgeable reliable plumber
Good service, fair price, have used for many years.
Consider Performance Plus Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need rapid response for an emergency situation like a water heater failure or significant leak, as Performance Plus consistently delivers same-day service.
- ✓ You value predictable, professional interactions from initial phone contact through completed work, based on repeated customer praise for both office staff and field technicians.
- ✓ Your project involves water heater repair or replacement, an area where Performance Plus has documented expertise including warranty service work and multiple system types.
- ✓ You prefer working with a company that has established patterns of efficient diagnosis and clear customer communication rather than relying solely on years in business.
Consider Mallard Plumbing if...
- ✓ You are located in Oakland and prefer a contractor based in your immediate area rather than traveling from Livermore.
- ✓ You have a specific relationship with Mallard or a strong referral from someone whose judgment you trust, which can outweigh general pattern data.
- ✓ You plan to thoroughly vet any contractor through detailed conversations and references, making your own assessment of current capabilities regardless of mixed historical feedback.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Mallard Plumbing directly about their current service response times and what percentage of calls they handle same-day versus next-day, given the lack of documented service patterns.
- → Request recent references from Mallard for projects similar to yours, specifically asking permission to contact customers from the past six months.
- → Ask both companies about their current staffing levels and whether the same technician who provides the estimate will perform your work.
- → Confirm pricing structures and whether either company charges premium rates for emergency or same-day service.
The Bottom Line
Performance Plus Plumbing is the clearer choice for most homeowners making a decision this week. While both companies have veteran-level experience and identical insurance protection, Performance Plus demonstrates consistent customer satisfaction, reliable same-day service, and documented expertise in common residential plumbing needs. Mallard's 43 years in business is impressive, but mixed customer feedback without identifiable service strengths creates uncertainty you don't need when choosing a contractor. If you're in Oakland and strongly prefer a local company, contact Mallard directly to assess their current capabilities, but expect to do more vetting work to feel confident in your choice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While 43 years shows business longevity, it doesn't guarantee current service quality. Performance Plus at 32 years is also a veteran contractor with decades of experience navigating code changes and system technologies. The meaningful difference is that Performance Plus demonstrates consistent, recent positive customer experiences while Mallard's mixed feedback suggests variable outcomes you cannot predict.
Performance Plus has documented patterns of same-day service across emergency and scheduled work, with customers consistently noting rapid response times. Mallard Plumbing has no documented service response patterns in available data. If speed matters for your situation, Performance Plus has verifiable track record while Mallard would require direct confirmation of their current availability and response capabilities.
Performance Plus has documented experience with traditional tank units, tankless systems, and manufacturer warranty work including component-level repairs like burners and gas valves. They serve as a warranty provider for multiple manufacturers, indicating technical certification. Mallard's specific project capabilities are not documented in available data, so you would need to ask directly about their experience with your particular water heater type and any manufacturer certifications they hold.
Location matters for response time and potential travel charges, but shouldn't override service quality patterns. Both serve Alameda County broadly. If you're equidistant or within reasonable range of both, Performance Plus's documented reliability and customer satisfaction patterns are more significant than office location. If you're in central Oakland and Livermore adds significant travel time, ask Mallard directly about their current service strengths before assuming proximity compensates for mixed feedback.
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 11, 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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