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Hoppers Plumbing vs 5Th Generation Plumbing
Placer Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Hoppers Plumbing offers more than double the experience and workers compensation protection, while 5th Generation emphasizes rapid emergency response.
| Hoppers Plumbing | 5Th Generation Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 9 years |
| License # | 872354 | 1028105 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Auburn, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | www.hoppersplumbing.com | www.5thgenerationplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Hoppers Plumbing
Customers emphasize Hoppers' thorough communication, detailed explanations, and knowledgeable assessments especially for older home plumbing, with many reporting they've used the company repeatedly over years.
5Th Generation Plumbing
Customers consistently highlight 5th Generation's exceptional speed with same-day and even within-minutes response times for emergencies, along with punctual arrivals and clean work practices.
Key Takeaway: Hoppers is chosen for diagnostic expertise and repeat relationships built over time, while 5th Generation is selected primarily for rapid emergency response when speed is the top priority.
Customer Reviews
Hoppers Plumbing
Hoppers is the best! They are knowledgeable, and provide great service,.
Very positive experience. Responsive, knowledgeable, and the estimate that I received was reasonable for the work required.
Hopper's Plumbing is fantastic! They arrived on time and performed the job flawlessly. Couldn't be happier!
5Th Generation Plumbing
Sid and JT were awesome to work with! JT arrived within an hour of my call and had my water service line leak fixed the same day! JT took pictures and videos of the before and after, while explaining ...
David was amazing; he figured out a complex situation that we previously had other plumbers look at. We will now always call 5th Generation Plumbing first for all of our plumbing needs.
great
Consider Hoppers Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older with original plumbing that may have hidden corrosion, outdated materials, or code compliance issues requiring experienced diagnosis
- ✓ You want full insurance protection and prefer not to risk liability exposure from contractor injuries on your property
- ✓ Your project involves complex assessments like sewer line evaluations or repiping in vintage homes where experience matters
- ✓ You value detailed explanations and thorough communication over speed, and your situation isn't a same-day emergency
Consider 5Th Generation Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have an urgent emergency requiring immediate same-day or same-hour response and need someone who prioritizes rapid arrival times
- ✓ Your project is straightforward repair work like fixture replacements or basic leak repairs rather than complex diagnostic work
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries or willing to accept that liability risk
- ✓ You prioritize speed of service over the deepest experience bench for routine plumbing issues
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For 5th Generation: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether your policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors working on your property
- → For Hoppers: Ask about typical response times for emergency calls to ensure they meet your urgency needs if you have an immediate situation
- → For both: Request references from projects similar to yours in scope and age of home, particularly if you have an older property with potential hidden issues
The Bottom Line
Hoppers Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners, offering significantly more experience, full insurance protection, and proven capability with older home plumbing systems. The workers compensation gap alone creates meaningful liability risk with 5th Generation that many homeowners won't want to accept. However, if you have a true emergency requiring same-hour response and are willing to verify your own insurance coverage for contractor injuries, 5th Generation's speed advantage is real and documented. For planned work, complex projects, or older homes, Hoppers' 20-year track record provides better protection and diagnostic capability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like fixture replacements or basic leaks, the gap matters less. For diagnostic work on older homes, sewer line assessments, or complex repiping where hidden problems often emerge, Hoppers' 20 years means they've encountered more unusual situations and code changes. Customer feedback shows Hoppers is specifically mentioned for handling older plumbing systems effectively.
If a worker is injured on your property, you may be held liable for medical costs and damages since they lack workers comp insurance. Your homeowner's policy may or may not cover this—many exclude injuries to uninsured contractors. Before hiring 5th Generation, call your insurance agent to confirm your coverage for this scenario and understand your financial exposure.
That depends on your situation's urgency and risk tolerance. If you have a major backup or leak causing active damage, 5th Generation's same-day or same-hour response could prevent thousands in water damage. For less urgent emergencies or planned work, Hoppers' insurance protection and deeper experience may outweigh speed advantages. Ask Hoppers about their emergency response times before deciding.
Yes, both perform similar work including water heater replacements, leak repairs, fixture installations, and full plumbing installations. The difference shows up more in how they approach complex diagnostics and older systems rather than what services they offer. Both receive positive feedback about completing projects successfully and pricing fairly.
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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 10, 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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