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Precise Plumbing vs R B Travis
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Precise Plumbing brings three times the experience with recognized diagnostic expertise, but R B Travis carries workers compensation insurance that protects homeowners from liability.
| Precise Plumbing | R B Travis | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 15 years | 4 years |
| License # | 961915 | 1084502 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Leandro, CA | Livermore, CA |
| Website | — | www.serviceexperts.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Precise Plumbing
Customers emphasize Precise Plumbing's rapid response times, diagnostic accuracy for complex issues, and ability to provide significantly lower quotes than competitors.
R B Travis
Customers consistently praise R B Travis for professional communication, punctuality, thorough explanations, and maintaining clean worksites across diverse project types.
Key Takeaway: Precise Plumbing earns recognition for diagnostic expertise and second-opinion value on complex problems, while R B Travis builds loyalty through consistent operational professionalism and communication practices.
Customer Reviews
Precise Plumbing
Jay, was not only quick to respond to my messages late at night but came early the following day for an estimate on a mothers day. When he arrived, he was very knowledgeable and prepared to do the ser...
I had another plumber come in and do a repair just 4 months ago. It's already leaking. I called Nick and he came over within 24 hours and repaired it for one third the price I paid before. He truly ca...
I was told by another plumber that I had a broken sewer pipe under the slab of my house. They quoted me $11,000. I called Precise Plumbing and spoke with Jay. He convinced me that he is an experienced...
R B Travis
Excellent work and we appreciate his professionalism
Have made multiple calls over more than 3 years. Consistently received expert service. Shoutout for Cody. Professional, good listener, fast and knowledgeable about his job. I would recommend RBTravis ...
Outstanding service from Javier at R.B. Travis. HomeServe scheduled R.B. Travis to fix two clogged sinks in my home (kitchen and bathroom). Javier called ahead, arrived on time, and went above and be...
Consider Precise Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're dealing with a complex diagnostic challenge like intermittent leaks, sewer line issues, or under-slab problems where 15 years of pattern recognition experience provides meaningful advantage
- ✓ You need a second opinion after receiving a high quote elsewhere, as customers report Precise Plumbing frequently provides significantly lower estimates
- ✓ You require weekend or holiday availability and value rapid response times for urgent plumbing issues
- ✓ You've confirmed your homeowner's insurance policy adequately covers contractor injuries since the company lacks workers comp
Consider R B Travis if...
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is a priority for you to avoid potential liability if someone is injured during your plumbing work
- ✓ You're working through a home warranty provider like HomeServe and want a contractor with established insurance network relationships
- ✓ You value consistent communication practices including advance notice of arrival times and thorough explanations throughout the repair process
- ✓ Your project is relatively straightforward like water heater installation, pipe replacement, or drain clearing where 4 years of experience is sufficient
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Precise Plumbing specifically about liability coverage and verify with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property
- → Ask R B Travis for references from complex diagnostic projects similar to yours, particularly if you're dealing with sewer lines or hidden leak issues
- → Ask both companies how they would approach diagnosing your specific problem before committing to repairs, comparing their diagnostic processes
The Bottom Line
For complex diagnostic work, older homes with potential hidden issues, or situations where you need a cost-effective second opinion, Precise Plumbing's 15 years of experience provides meaningful advantages that customers consistently recognize. However, you must verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries since they lack workers comp. For straightforward repairs, installations, or if workers compensation coverage is a priority, R B Travis offers competent service with professional communication and proper insurance protection. If your project involves challenging diagnostics like sewer line issues and you've confirmed insurance coverage, Precise Plumbing's veteran experience is the stronger choice. For routine work where liability protection matters, choose R B Travis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like faucet replacement or toilet fixes, both companies have sufficient experience. The gap becomes meaningful when diagnosing intermittent problems, dealing with older plumbing systems with hidden issues, or evaluating whether a repair or replacement makes more financial sense. Precise Plumbing's 15 years means they've likely encountered your specific problem multiple times before, which reduces diagnostic time and improves accuracy.
It's a real liability concern. If a Precise Plumbing worker is injured on your property and the company lacks workers comp, the injured worker could file a claim against your homeowner's insurance for medical bills and lost wages. Before hiring them, call your insurance agent to confirm your coverage and understand your deductible. Some homeowners accept this risk for the experience and pricing advantages, but you need to make that decision with full information.
Precise Plumbing specifically advertises emergency services with demonstrated weekend and holiday availability, and customers consistently mention same-day and next-day response times. R B Travis shows strong punctuality and communication but doesn't emphasize emergency response in the same way. If you're dealing with an active leak or sewage backup requiring immediate attention, Precise Plumbing appears structured for rapid response.
Yes, particularly for projects over $1,000 or involving diagnostic work. Customers mention Precise Plumbing providing significantly lower quotes than competitors, but pricing varies by project complexity and scope. Getting quotes from both lets you compare not just price but also their diagnostic approach, timeline, and how they explain the problem. This also helps you assess whether the experience difference matters for your specific situation.
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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 12, 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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