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R B Travis vs Taz Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Taz Plumbing brings nearly three times the licensed experience, but lacks workers compensation insurance which creates potential liability for homeowners.
| R B Travis | Taz Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 11 years |
| License # | 1084502 | 998588 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | www.serviceexperts.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
R B Travis
Customers consistently praise R B Travis for systematic communication practices including arrival notifications, thorough explanations, and answering questions throughout repairs.
Taz Plumbing
Customers highlight Taz Plumbing's ability to solve problems other contractors couldn't, along with competitive pricing and educational approach during service calls.
Key Takeaway: R B Travis earns feedback for process reliability and communication systems, while Taz Plumbing stands out for technical problem-solving ability and tackling difficult diagnostics.
Customer Reviews
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...
Taz Plumbing
Knowledgeable, super friendly, and efficient. Even learned a couple helpful things about plumbing unrelated to my issue!
Great and helpful plumbers, and saved the day when I had an emergency situation in need of repair. Fast and friendly. Very reasonable price for the job. Would absolutely use again!
We had a leaking pipe and Najeeb came out right away, and fixed the leak very quickly. He stuck to his quote and did not try to upsell us.
Consider R B Travis if...
- ✓ You're working through a home warranty provider, as R B Travis has established coordination processes with companies like HomeServe
- ✓ You want full insurance protection without worrying about liability gaps if someone gets hurt on your property
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential work like water heater installation, drain clearing, or standard repairs where communication and reliability matter more than decades of troubleshooting experience
- ✓ You prefer companies with systematic communication practices like advance arrival notices and thorough explanations of repair options
Consider Taz Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your plumbing problem has stumped other contractors or involves unusual complications requiring deep diagnostic experience
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying insurance coverage yourself and potentially confirming your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries
- ✓ Competitive pricing is a priority and you value contractors who honor quotes without upselling
- ✓ You're seeking a contractor with over a decade of field experience handling both residential and commercial projects, indicating broader exposure to different plumbing systems
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Taz Plumbing about current liability insurance coverage and request a certificate of insurance; confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered if a contractor without workers comp is injured at your property
- → Ask R B Travis for references from projects similar to yours in complexity, particularly if your work involves older systems or potential hidden damage
- → Ask both companies how they handle unexpected complications discovered mid-project and whether quoted prices include common contingencies
- → Ask Taz Plumbing how they protect homeowners from liability given the absence of workers compensation on file
The Bottom Line
If you need full insurance protection without liability concerns, R B Travis is the clear choice despite less experience—the workers compensation gap at Taz Plumbing creates real risk that most homeowners should avoid. However, if you're willing to verify insurance coverage and accept potential liability exposure, Taz Plumbing's 11 years of experience and problem-solving track record make them worth considering for complex issues or situations where other plumbers have failed. For straightforward residential repairs where protection matters most, go with R B Travis. For difficult diagnostics where you're comfortable managing insurance questions yourself, Taz Plumbing's deeper experience may justify the extra due diligence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like faucet replacements or standard leak fixes, both companies are fully qualified. The experience gap becomes more relevant for complex diagnostics, older home plumbing systems with multiple potential failure points, or situations where previous contractors failed to solve the problem. Taz Plumbing's 11 years provides more pattern recognition for unusual issues, while R B Travis's four years is sufficient for most common residential needs.
If a Taz Plumbing employee is injured while working at your home, your homeowner's insurance might become the primary coverage since their employer doesn't carry workers comp. This could result in a claim on your policy, potentially affecting your rates or coverage. Before hiring them, contact your homeowner's insurance to understand your exposure and ask Taz Plumbing what liability protections they carry instead.
Get written estimates from both for your specific project. Taz Plumbing's reviews specifically highlight competitive pricing as a standout trait, while R B Travis's pricing feedback focuses more on transparency than cost leadership. For straightforward work, pricing may be similar, but Taz's experience might allow faster diagnosis and potentially lower labor costs on complex problems.
It indicates they're comfortable with documentation requirements and coordination processes that warranty providers demand, which often means organized communication and systematic approaches. This relationship doesn't necessarily make them better at plumbing, but suggests reliability and administrative competence that translates well to direct homeowner projects where clear communication matters.
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 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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