Compare Local Pros
Simply Plumbing And Rooter vs Star Rooter And Plumbing
Alameda Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Star Rooter has workers compensation insurance and handles more complex projects, while Simply Plumbing operates without workers comp coverage.
| Simply Plumbing And Rooter | Star Rooter And Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 17 years | 19 years |
| License # | 923441 | 884481 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Hayward, CA | San Lorenzo, CA |
| Website | simplyplumbingandrooter.com | www.starrooter.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Simply Plumbing And Rooter
Customers emphasize Simply Plumbing's remarkably quick arrival times, often within an hour, and reasonable pricing for standard residential repairs.
Star Rooter And Plumbing
Customers consistently highlight Star Rooter's thorough diagnostic approach using inspection equipment, transparent pricing explanations, and efficient completion of both routine and complex projects.
Key Takeaway: Star Rooter receives specific praise for diagnostic capabilities and handling major infrastructure work, while Simply Plumbing is distinguished primarily by exceptional response speed for routine service calls.
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...
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 Simply Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You need a straightforward repair like a toilet fix, garbage disposal replacement, or water heater installation where speed matters and you've confirmed your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries
- ✓ You value extremely quick response times and have had service providers arrive within an hour of calling
- ✓ Your project is routine residential work without complications requiring diagnostic cameras or infrastructure assessment
- ✓ You're willing to accept the liability risk of no workers comp in exchange for reported reasonable pricing on standard plumbing repairs
Consider Star Rooter And Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need diagnostic work to locate hidden leaks, assess sewer line condition, or inspect pipes in crawlspaces before committing to repairs
- ✓ Your project involves major infrastructure like complete home repiping, sewer lateral replacement, or water line installation from the street
- ✓ You want comprehensive insurance protection eliminating your liability exposure if workers are injured on your property
- ✓ You're dealing with municipal compliance requirements or utility district mandates requiring documentation and permitted work
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Simply Plumbing directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether contractor injuries on your property are covered if workers comp is absent
- → Ask Star Rooter whether camera inspection is included in their diagnostic process for your specific issue and if there are additional charges
- → Request references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if you're considering Simply Plumbing for anything beyond standard residential repairs
- → Ask both companies about their current crew composition and how long technicians have worked together
The Bottom Line
Star Rooter And Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners, particularly for anything beyond basic repairs. Their workers compensation insurance eliminates your liability exposure, their camera diagnostic equipment prevents guesswork on hidden problems, and their proven track record with major infrastructure projects provides confidence for complex work. Simply Plumbing And Rooter offers faster response times and potentially lower costs for straightforward residential repairs, but only makes sense if you've confirmed your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and your project is genuinely routine. For projects involving crawlspace work, sewer lines, or anything requiring diagnosis, Star Rooter's comprehensive coverage and diagnostic capabilities justify their selection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a Simply Plumbing technician is injured while working at your home, you could be held liable for medical costs and lost wages through your homeowner's insurance. This is a real financial risk that some homeowners accept for routine repairs, but others prefer to avoid entirely. Before hiring Simply Plumbing, call your homeowner's insurance agent to confirm your coverage and any deductible you'd face.
With 17 versus 19 years, both are veteran contractors with comparable experience levels. The licensing gap is minimal and unlikely to affect quality for standard residential work. The more significant difference is Star Rooter's demonstrated track record with complex infrastructure projects versus Simply Plumbing's focus on residential service calls.
For straightforward issues like a running toilet or replacing a garbage disposal, camera inspection adds little value and Simply Plumbing's quick response may serve you better. However, for drain problems, suspected sewer line issues, or hidden leaks, Star Rooter's diagnostic equipment can identify the actual problem location and extent before unnecessary demolition, potentially saving money overall.
Both companies receive positive feedback for availability, with Simply Plumbing noted for arriving within an hour and Star Rooter praised for same-day and weekend emergency service. For true emergencies, call both and see who can arrive first, but remember Simply Plumbing's lack of workers comp means greater liability exposure even during urgent situations.
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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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