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Simply Plumbing And Rooter vs Monarch Plumbing And Rooter
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Monarch carries workers compensation insurance while Simply Plumbing does not, creating significant liability protection differences despite Simply's longer 17-year track record.
| Simply Plumbing And Rooter | Monarch Plumbing And Rooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 17 years | 10 years |
| License # | 923441 | 1014475 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Hayward, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Website | simplyplumbingandrooter.com | www.monarchplumbinginc.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Customers consistently emphasize Simply Plumbing's rapid response times with some reporting arrival within an hour, combined with professional service and reasonable pricing.
Monarch Plumbing And Rooter
Monarch receives particular recognition for transparent camera diagnostics that show customers their plumbing issues directly, alongside rapid response and competitive pricing across diverse project types.
Key Takeaway: Monarch's camera inspection approach provides visual evidence during diagnostics while Simply emphasizes speed and direct communication, reflecting different service philosophies for building customer trust.
Customer Reviews
Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Carlos was my knight in shining armor! He was at my house with an hour of contacting him after a prior. Plumber stood me up two days in a row came and assessed the situation with my toilet. Explain t...
Carlos came out to replace my garbage disposal. He was very professional & prompt. Communicates clearly and responds quickly. Garbage disposal still working great!
I've used the services of Simply Plumbing & Rooter for my Hayward and San Jose rental properties: install new water heater and haul away the old one, install a water line for the refrigerator automati...
Monarch Plumbing And Rooter
Honest and Professional. Eli showed up in an urgent situation and made sure that everything is taken care of by the time he left. Highly recommend him.
Very professional service. Jack went above and beyond. One of the best plumbers I have worked with.
Jack came on time to investigate the issue with our garbage disposal (leaks). Apparently it was just loose to cause leaks and no other significant issues. He helped tighten it. Since there is no other...
Consider Simply Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You have a straightforward residential plumbing need like water heater replacement, garbage disposal installation, or toilet repair where project complexity is minimal.
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the liability gap from missing workers compensation.
- ✓ The 17-year track record matters for your situation, particularly if you have an older home where experience diagnosing vintage plumbing systems adds value.
- ✓ You prioritize high owner involvement and direct communication with the contractor throughout the service process.
Consider Monarch Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You need workers compensation coverage in place to protect yourself from liability if someone gets injured during your plumbing work.
- ✓ Your project involves complex infrastructure work like whole-house repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or situations requiring permit coordination with local agencies.
- ✓ You want camera diagnostic capabilities to see plumbing problems yourself before authorizing repair work.
- ✓ You're comparing multiple estimates and want demonstrated experience with emergency services including holiday and overnight availability.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Simply Plumbing directly about their liability insurance coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether contractor injuries on your property are covered if workers comp isn't carried.
- → Ask Monarch for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if you're planning major work like repiping or sewer replacement.
- → Ask both contractors whether they'll provide camera inspection footage for your specific issue and what their diagnostic process includes.
- → Ask about warranty terms for the specific work you need and who handles callbacks if issues arise after completion.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Monarch Plumbing And Rooter offers better overall protection and capability. The workers compensation coverage alone provides significant liability protection that Simply Plumbing cannot match, and Monarch's demonstrated experience with complex projects from drain clearing to whole-house repiping shows versatility you may need even if your current project seems simple. Simply Plumbing's 17-year history is genuinely valuable, particularly for older homes, but that experience advantage doesn't offset the insurance gap unless you've confirmed your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries. If you're hiring Simply, make that insurance verification call before signing anything. For straightforward repairs where you've handled the liability question, either contractor shows strong responsiveness and professionalism.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward replacements like water heaters or garbage disposals, both contractors have sufficient experience. The 17-year history becomes more valuable when dealing with older homes where plumbing configurations have changed over decades, or when unexpected complications arise requiring problem-solving from past similar situations. If your home was built before 2000, Simply's additional years may provide more relevant experience.
If a technician is injured on your property and the company lacks workers comp, they could potentially sue your homeowner's insurance for medical costs and lost wages. This could affect your insurance rates or result in out-of-pocket costs if your policy doesn't cover it. Before hiring Simply Plumbing, call your insurance agent to confirm your coverage includes this scenario and understand your deductible.
For a basic drain clog, camera inspection may be overkill and could add cost. However, if you've had recurring drain issues or want to understand the condition of your pipes beyond just clearing the immediate blockage, seeing the camera footage helps you make informed decisions about whether deeper repairs are needed. Ask upfront whether camera inspection is included or an additional charge.
Simply Plumbing may be capable of larger projects, but their description and customer feedback focus on standard residential services rather than whole-house repiping or sewer laterals. If you need major infrastructure work, ask Simply directly about their experience with that specific project type and request references. Monarch has documented experience with these complex jobs.
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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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