Performance Plus Plumbing vs We Love Small Jobs
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized plumbing contractor with a general contractor who lacks workers comp insurance.
| 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 |
Key Differences
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
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...
We Love Small Jobs
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...
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...
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
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
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.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
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.
Other Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.
Compare Local Pros