Compare Local Pros
A2Z Water Heaters vs Howdy Plumbing
Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
A2Z Water Heaters brings 19 years of specialized water heater experience versus Howdy Plumbing's 2 years as a full-service plumber.
| A2Z Water Heaters | Howdy Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 19 years | 2 years |
| License # | 896708 | 1119556 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | www.a2zwaterheaters.com | www.howdyplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
A2Z Water Heaters
Customers consistently praise A2Z for educational, detailed explanations and meticulous code-compliant installations that often correct previous substandard work.
Howdy Plumbing
Howdy Plumbing receives recognition for transparent pricing with multiple solution options and punctual, responsive service across various plumbing projects.
Key Takeaway: A2Z's reviews emphasize deep technical expertise and code compliance focus specific to water heaters, while Howdy Plumbing's feedback highlights versatile service across broader plumbing needs with transparent pricing practices.
Customer Reviews
A2Z Water Heaters
I highly recommend A2z Water Heaters for their outstanding work on my two properties. They demonstrated exceptional professionalism and a strong work ethic throughout the process.
I called on Friday, they came out on Saturday to give an estimate. He had the replacement heater with him and installed it in about 3 hours. Fred did a great job installing our water heater. Brough...
a2z Water Heaters did a phenomenal job with replacing my old gas water heater. It started making a loud noise and I realized water was already running out, so I called a2z Water Heaters. I had seen ...
Howdy Plumbing
Kyle is a really nice guy. Did a great job for us and helped us with maintenance tips. Reasonably priced. We will definitely be using him again. Sounds of Sacramento Rehearsal
Kyle was very helpful and understanding with our problem. He explained what he was doing and how everything goes. Would heavily recommend this company.
Plumbing leak under sink. Kyle fixed clogged drain with ni charge! Very professional, will definitely use again!
Consider A2Z Water Heaters if...
- ✓ Your home is older and the existing water heater installation may have code violations or outdated components requiring experienced assessment
- ✓ You want a contractor who has diagnosed and resolved thousands of water heater-specific complications over nearly two decades
- ✓ You prefer working with a specialist who focuses exclusively on water heater systems rather than general plumbing
- ✓ Your installation involves gas lines, venting complexity, or location challenges where deep expertise matters
Consider Howdy Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need additional plumbing work completed during the same visit, such as fixture repairs or drain work
- ✓ You're comfortable working with a newer contractor who can still handle standard water heater replacements competently
- ✓ You value having one plumbing contact for all future residential needs beyond just water heaters
- ✓ Your installation is straightforward without complications and you want competitive full-service plumbing support
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Howdy Plumbing: Ask how many water heater installations they've personally completed and request references specifically for water heater projects similar to yours
- → For A2Z Water Heaters: Confirm their typical timeline from initial call to completed installation and inspection signoff
- → Ask both contractors to walk your installation site and identify any potential complications or code compliance issues before providing final quotes
The Bottom Line
For water heater replacement specifically, A2Z Water Heaters is the stronger choice for most homeowners. Their 19 years of specialized experience means they've handled virtually every complication and code requirement that can arise, particularly valuable for older homes or non-standard installations. Howdy Plumbing can handle straightforward replacements competently and offers the advantage of full-service plumbing if you have multiple needs, but their two-year licensing history means significantly less experience diagnosing hidden problems. Unless you specifically need bundled plumbing services, A2Z's veteran expertise provides greater confidence for this critical home system.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly if your home has older plumbing or the existing installation wasn't done to code. Experienced contractors quickly identify hidden issues like corroded gas connectors, inadequate venting, or structural problems that can turn a simple replacement into a complex project. A2Z's veteran status means they've resolved these complications thousands of times.
Not necessarily for straightforward replacements in newer homes with compliant existing installations. They maintain proper licensing and insurance, and reviews show competent work. However, their two-year history means less experience diagnosing unexpected problems or handling complex code compliance issues that veteran contractors encounter routinely.
Only if you actually have additional plumbing needs planned for the same timeframe. Don't sacrifice water heater specialization for theoretical future convenience. If you need a faucet fixed next year, you can hire any plumber then—but your water heater installation happens once and should be done by someone with deep expertise.
Both companies show quick response patterns in reviews, with customers mentioning same-day and emergency service. A2Z's specialization means they likely stock more parts and handle installations faster once onsite. For true emergencies with complications, A2Z's 19 years of troubleshooting experience provides more confidence in rapid problem resolution.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Sacramento.
Other Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.