Compare Local Pros
Plumbing Experts vs Star Rooter And Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Star Rooter brings 19 years of experience and workers comp coverage versus Plumbing Experts' 5 years without workers comp protection.
| Plumbing Experts | Star Rooter And Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 19 years |
| License # | 1075672 | 884481 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Dublin, CA | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Website | www.plumbingexpertsinc.com | www.starrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Plumbing Experts
Customers consistently praise Plumbing Experts for exceptionally rapid response times, often arriving within hours or minutes, combined with clear communication about repair options and competitive pricing for routine work.
Star Rooter And Plumbing
Star Rooter receives strong feedback for thorough diagnostic practices including crawlspace inspections and camera equipment, transparent pricing, and efficient completion of both simple repairs and complex multi-day projects.
Key Takeaway: While both companies excel at responsiveness, Star Rooter's reviews reflect successful handling of major infrastructure projects like complete home repiping and sewer lateral replacements, while Plumbing Experts' feedback centers on quick resolution of routine service calls and water heater work.
Customer Reviews
Plumbing Experts
Ivan is a very knowledgeable and customer-centric plumber. I used his services for both water heater replacement/installation and home water control system. Both times the business was very fairly pri...
Highly recommend Ivan. He did a great job diagnosing problems with my tankless water heater and clearly explained what was happening and what actually needed to be fixed. He returned later to help wit...
Ivan and Vlad are the best! They're my go to plumbing for all issues. Thanks for your help everytime!
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 Plumbing Experts if...
- ✓ You need a straightforward repair or water heater replacement where speed and competitive pricing are priorities, and you're comfortable with the workers comp risk.
- ✓ Your project is routine residential work like leak repair, drain cleaning, or fixture installation rather than major infrastructure renovation.
- ✓ You've confirmed your homeowner's insurance provides adequate coverage for contractor injuries, as Plumbing Experts operates without workers comp.
- ✓ You're in Dublin or immediate surrounding areas where their rapid response times shine, with customers reporting arrival within hours or even minutes.
Consider Star Rooter And Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your project involves major work like home repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or water line installation where 19 years of experience matters significantly.
- ✓ You want full insurance protection without assuming liability risk if someone gets injured during the work.
- ✓ Your home is older and the initial problem might reveal hidden complications requiring deeper diagnostic expertise and problem-solving capacity.
- ✓ You need municipal compliance work or coordination with utility districts, where Star Rooter has demonstrated experience navigating regulatory requirements.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Plumbing Experts directly about liability coverage and verify with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property without workers comp coverage.
- → If your project might expand beyond the initial scope, ask Plumbing Experts about their experience with complex situations similar to yours and request specific references.
- → Ask both companies for detailed written estimates and clarify what's included in the quoted price, especially for water heater replacements where both have strong track records.
The Bottom Line
Star Rooter And Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners, particularly for anything beyond routine repairs. The workers compensation coverage alone eliminates a significant liability risk, and their 19 years of experience provides substantially more assurance when projects get complicated or reveal hidden problems. If you're dealing with major work like repiping or sewer replacement, Star Rooter is clearly the appropriate contractor. Plumbing Experts remains a viable option for straightforward repairs and water heater replacements if you verify your insurance coverage and prioritize competitive pricing, but understand you're accepting more risk for potentially modest savings.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
If a plumber from Plumbing Experts is injured while working at your home, you could potentially be held liable for medical expenses and lost wages depending on your homeowner's insurance coverage. Star Rooter's workers comp coverage transfers that risk to their insurance carrier. Before hiring Plumbing Experts, call your homeowner's insurance agent to understand your exposure and whether you need additional coverage.
For truly straightforward work like replacing a toilet flapper or clearing a simple drain clog, the 14-year experience gap matters less. However, plumbing problems often reveal hidden issues once work begins, and Star Rooter's nearly two decades of experience means they've seen more complications and know how to handle unexpected discoveries. For anything beyond the most basic repair, that experience becomes increasingly valuable.
Customer feedback suggests Plumbing Experts offers competitive pricing, but specific price differences aren't documented in available data. Their lower overhead from operating without workers comp may contribute to lower quotes for routine work. Get written estimates from both companies for your specific project to compare actual pricing rather than assumptions.
Both companies receive strong feedback specifically for water heater work, with customers noting quick installations completed within hours. For standard water heater replacement in a straightforward location, Plumbing Experts demonstrates solid capability. If your installation involves complications like tight access, code upgrade requirements, or conversion between tank types, Star Rooter's deeper experience provides more assurance.
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.