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Performance Plus Plumbing vs We Love Small Jobs

Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

You're comparing a specialized plumbing contractor with a general contractor who lacks workers comp insurance.

Performance Plus Plumbing: Performance Plus Plumbing is a veteran plumbing specialist with full insurance coverage, known for rapid response on water heaters, drains, and leak emergencies.
We Love Small Jobs: We Love Small Jobs is a veteran general contractor specializing in repairs and remodeling but operates without workers compensation coverage on file.
Note: We Love Small Jobs does not carry workers compensation insurance, meaning you could be liable if a worker is injured on your property.
Performance Plus Plumbing We Love Small Jobs
Rating 4.9 5.0
Years Licensed 32 years 31 years
License # 692664 703749
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Livermore, CA Oakland, CA
Website performanceplusplumbing.com welovesmalljobs.com

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Key Differences

The most critical distinction is that these contractors operate in different trades entirely. Performance Plus Plumbing specializes exclusively in plumbing systems—water heaters, sewer lines, leak detection, and drain clearing—while We Love Small Jobs handles general contracting work like framing, remodeling, and structural repairs. This isn't a matter of preference but of matching the right contractor to your specific project type. Beyond trade specialization, the insurance difference is significant: Performance Plus carries active workers compensation coverage while We Love Small Jobs does not, creating potential liability exposure if someone is injured during your project. Both companies share nearly identical tenure at 32 and 31 years respectively, indicating established operations and deep local knowledge. Performance Plus emphasizes rapid response and same-day service availability, particularly for emergencies, while We Love Small Jobs focuses on accommodating unusual jobs and building long-term client relationships spanning decades. The companies also serve different geographic centers within Alameda County—Livermore versus Oakland—which may affect response times depending on your location.

What Customers Say

Performance Plus Plumbing

Customers consistently emphasize Performance Plus Plumbing's rapid response times and same-day service, along with professional diagnostic capabilities from knowledgeable technicians.

We Love Small Jobs

Customers highlight We Love Small Jobs' reliability on timeline and budget commitments, with particular appreciation for tackling unusual projects other contractors decline.

Key Takeaway: Performance Plus receives specific praise for speed and emergency responsiveness, while We Love Small Jobs earns recognition for long-term client relationships spanning decades and willingness to handle specialized or small-scope work.

Customer Reviews

Performance Plus Plumbing

Dec 2025

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...

Dec 2025

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...

Sep 2025

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...

We Love Small Jobs

Dec 2025

My attic ladder fell down and needed replacement parts for repair and avoid replacing the entire ladder. We Love Small Jobs searched at length before finding the right fitting parts, scheduled the re...

Jun 2025

We Love Small Jobs is a wonderful organization, run by super helpful and professional staff. The job they did for us was done superbly well by a competent, very helpful crew, both on time and on budge...

Jun 2025

I am giving We Love Small Jobs 5 out of 5 stars. Over the last 20+ years WLSJ has done both small and large jobs on my house. Here is a list of the work done over the years for me: tore out, refram...

Consider Performance Plus Plumbing if...

  • You need plumbing work specifically: water heater installation or repair, drain clearing, sewer line issues, leak detection, or toilet repairs—this is Performance Plus Plumbing's exclusive focus
  • You have an urgent plumbing situation requiring same-day or next-day service, which customers consistently report receiving
  • You want full insurance protection including workers compensation, eliminating your liability if a technician is injured
  • You're dealing with warranty work on water heater manufacturers, as Performance Plus has established relationships as an authorized service provider
View full profile →

Consider We Love Small Jobs if...

  • You need general contracting work like framing, structural repairs, remodeling projects, or specialized repairs outside the plumbing trade
  • Your project is unusual or small enough that other contractors have declined it, as We Love Small Jobs specifically positions itself to accept these jobs
  • You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the liability risk associated with the missing workers comp coverage
  • You value long-term contractor relationships and prefer working with someone who handles diverse project types over time
View full profile →

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • For We Love Small Jobs: Ask for proof of liability insurance and confirm explicitly whether your homeowner's policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors—contact your insurance agent to verify this before hiring
  • For We Love Small Jobs: Ask whether they'll obtain workers comp coverage for your specific project or if they operate as a sole proprietor without employees
  • For Performance Plus Plumbing: Confirm their service area covers your location promptly if you're outside central Livermore, and ask about trip charges for distance
  • For both: Request references from projects completed in the past year that match your specific scope and complexity

The Bottom Line

Your decision depends entirely on what work you need done. If you have plumbing issues—water heaters, drains, leaks, or sewer lines—Performance Plus Plumbing is the clear choice with specialized expertise, full insurance coverage including workers comp, and proven rapid response capabilities. If you need general contracting, framing, remodeling, or non-plumbing repairs, then We Love Small Jobs is relevant, but you must address the workers comp gap by verifying your liability coverage before proceeding. Don't hire a general contractor for plumbing work or a plumbing specialist for structural repairs—match the contractor's license to your project type first, then evaluate insurance and service factors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Without workers compensation insurance on file, you could be held personally liable for medical expenses and lost wages if a worker is injured during your project. Your homeowner's insurance may provide some coverage, but many policies exclude or limit protection for uninsured contractor injuries. Before hiring, contact your insurance agent to understand your specific exposure and consider whether the liability risk is acceptable for your project.

General contractors can coordinate plumbing work by hiring licensed plumbing subcontractors, but they typically shouldn't perform specialized plumbing themselves unless separately licensed for that trade. For straightforward plumbing issues like water heater replacement or drain clearing, a specialized plumbing contractor like Performance Plus offers focused expertise. If your project involves plumbing as part of a larger remodel, ask We Love Small Jobs which licensed plumber they'd subcontract and whether that plumber carries workers comp.

Plumbing emergencies—burst pipes, water heater failures, major leaks—create immediate property damage and disruption that worsens by the hour. Performance Plus has structured their operations specifically around rapid response, which customers consistently mention in feedback. This service model is particularly valuable for urgent situations but also benefits routine work when you need scheduling flexibility.

No, the one-year difference between 32 and 31 years is essentially meaningless. Both companies are firmly established veterans with comparable operational histories. The meaningful differences lie in their trade specialization, insurance coverage, and service models rather than this marginal tenure gap.

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 13, 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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