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Phillips Plumbing vs Value Plumbing
Contra Costa Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Value Plumbing offers double the experience and workers compensation coverage that Phillips Plumbing lacks, but Phillips has stronger customer feedback on pricing and service quality.
| Phillips Plumbing | Value Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.1 |
| Years Licensed | 17 years | 37 years |
| License # | 929739 | 543959 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | El Cerrito, CA | Byron, CA |
| Website | www.phillipsplumbingco.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Phillips Plumbing
Customers consistently praise Phillips for competitive pricing that comes in below expectations, reliable service, and an honest, old-fashioned approach with high owner involvement.
Key Takeaway: Phillips has documented customer feedback emphasizing value and service quality, while Value has no available reviews despite decades longer in business, leaving their service approach unclear.
Customer Reviews
Phillips Plumbing
Every time I've called Phillips Plumbing that have helped me, always right, always competitively priced, and reliable. I couldn't live without them.
Did a bathtub drain replacement. They used quality parts, communicated through the process, and got the job done well. Definitely a good plumber to call.
Years ago, Phillips Plumbing was first recommended to me by a trusted contractor, I have been a customer ever since and never been disappointed. Ralph and his son run an honest old fashioned family ...
Value Plumbing
Very nice people
I'm waiting for them to call me my name is Leonardo Ramirez
Good place
Consider Phillips Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're working with a tight budget and customer feedback consistently mentions Phillips coming in less expensive than anticipated
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement and the personalized service model of a family-run operation
- ✓ Your homeowner's insurance policy covers contractor injuries and you're comfortable assuming that liability risk
- ✓ You're looking for straightforward residential plumbing work where their documented customer satisfaction is most relevant
Consider Value Plumbing if...
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is non-negotiable for you, eliminating the risk of contractor injury claims against your homeowner's policy
- ✓ Your project is complex or involves older infrastructure where 37 years of experience could prove valuable in diagnosing hidden problems
- ✓ You need commercial plumbing capabilities or have new construction work requiring established builder relationships
- ✓ You're located in eastern Contra Costa County where Byron-based Value Plumbing operates closest to your property
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Phillips Plumbing: Ask explicitly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether contractor injuries are covered under your policy and what your deductible would be
- → For Value Plumbing: Request references from recent residential service projects similar to yours, since customer feedback is limited
- → For both: Ask how long their current plumbing crew has worked together and what their typical response time is for your specific location
The Bottom Line
If workers compensation coverage matters to you—and for most homeowners it should—Value Plumbing is the clear choice despite limited customer feedback. Their 37 years of licensure and full insurance protection outweigh the uncertainty around service quality. However, if your homeowner's insurance adequately covers contractor injuries and you prioritize documented customer satisfaction and competitive pricing, Phillips Plumbing offers a compelling alternative with strong feedback on reliability and honest service. Contact your insurance agent first to understand your liability exposure, then decide whether Phillips' proven customer satisfaction or Value's comprehensive coverage better fits your risk tolerance and project needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both are veterans, so either has handled most residential situations. The difference shows more in unusual scenarios: diagnosing intermittent problems, dealing with pre-1970s plumbing materials, or identifying code violations in older homes. For straightforward repairs or replacements, Phillips' 17 years is sufficient. For complex diagnostics in older properties, Value's additional two decades could provide an advantage.
If a Phillips plumber is seriously injured on your property, your homeowner's insurance may be the primary coverage for medical bills and lost wages, which could mean a claim on your policy, potential rate increases, and out-of-pocket costs up to your deductible. The risk is real enough that many homeowners consider workers comp a dealbreaker. Call your insurance agent to understand your specific exposure.
Older companies sometimes built their reputation through builder relationships and repeat customers before online reviews became standard. Value may focus on commercial work or new construction where reviews are less common. The lack of feedback doesn't indicate problems, but it does mean you're hiring with less visibility into their service quality and communication style than you'd have with Phillips.
For most El Cerrito homeowners, Phillips' local presence means faster response times and familiarity with neighborhood plumbing characteristics and local permit processes. Value in Byron is about 35 miles away, which could mean higher trip charges or slower emergency response, though they serve the broader county. Ask both about travel fees and typical arrival times for your specific address.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Contra Costa.
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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 13, 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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