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Boyd Plumbing vs Thompson Plumbing
Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Boyd Plumbing carries workers compensation insurance while Thompson operates without it, creating meaningful liability differences despite Thompson's longer track record.
| Boyd Plumbing | Thompson Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.4 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 9 years |
| License # | 1082614 | 1028731 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rancho Cordova, CA | Fair Oaks, CA |
| Website | boydplumbing.net | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Boyd Plumbing
Boyd customers consistently praise technicians for taking time to educate homeowners about their plumbing systems, explaining problems clearly, and presenting multiple repair options with transparent pricing.
Thompson Plumbing
Thompson customers highlight the owner's willingness to handle weekend emergencies and after-hours calls, along with pricing that comes in below expected rates, though availability can be challenging due to high demand.
Key Takeaway: Boyd emphasizes structured communication and customer education through multiple technicians, while Thompson operates as a responsive but busy owner-operator model focused on emergency accessibility and competitive pricing.
Customer Reviews
Boyd Plumbing
We noticed on Sunday a bubble in the ceiling of our family room. We have a full bath above and thought maybe the drain was busted or a pipe. We called our homeowners insurance AAA and they said they w...
This time we knew to ask for Sean. On a prior occasion he replaced our toilet, this time water heater repair. You can really trust him to tell you what YOU need. He is pleasant, professional and get t...
Sean was very professional and was able to give me good options to solve my plumbing issues. Although I chose anot her more specialized company to do the repairs I would use Boyd and recommend them ...
Thompson Plumbing
Impeccable. Ryan is absolutely the best man for the job..and his rates are ridiculously less than expected! So win/win! He is extremely busy (understandably), so it is difficult to connect with him...
A great guy helped us with the clogged sink and bathroom.
They did a great job, provided great value, and they're really nice. I'll definitely use them again. We had two showers backing up and we couldn't fix it ourselves. These guys fixed the problem
Consider Boyd Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want comprehensive insurance protection and prefer working with a company that carries workers compensation coverage to minimize your liability exposure
- ✓ Your project involves complex diagnostics or you'd benefit from detailed explanations of multiple repair options with transparent pricing
- ✓ You need flexible scheduling with multiple technicians available rather than relying on a single owner's availability
- ✓ You value consistent communication throughout the service process with office support and technician introductions
Consider Thompson Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying insurance coverage details directly and potentially accepting workers comp liability in exchange for Thompson's other advantages
- ✓ You have a weekend or after-hours emergency and value Thompson's proven track record of responding to urgent calls outside business hours
- ✓ You prefer working directly with an experienced owner rather than various technicians, and nine years of licensing matters more to you than four
- ✓ Price sensitivity is a priority and you're willing to work around a busy schedule to access Thompson's reportedly competitive rates
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Thompson: Ask explicitly about liability coverage options and confirm whether your homeowner's insurance would cover contractor injuries, then check with your insurance agent about potential exposure
- → For Boyd: Ask which technician would be assigned to your project and request information about their specific experience with your type of plumbing issue
- → For Thompson: Given the noted scheduling challenges, ask about realistic timelines for non-emergency work and whether the owner personally handles all service calls
- → For both: Request references from projects similar to yours completed within the past year to verify current service quality
The Bottom Line
Boyd Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners who want to minimize liability risk while still receiving responsive, professional service. The workers compensation coverage alone provides meaningful protection that Thompson cannot match, and Boyd's multiple-technician structure offers better scheduling flexibility despite having less experience. Choose Thompson only if you're willing to verify insurance coverage thoroughly, can accept potential liability exposure, and specifically value the owner's nine years of hands-on experience enough to work around a busy schedule. For standard residential plumbing without unusual complexity, Boyd's combination of proper insurance, strong communication, and same-day availability makes it the more straightforward decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It matters significantly. If a plumber is injured at your property and the company lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may become primary coverage, potentially increasing your rates or exposing you to direct liability. For a straightforward toilet repair, the risk may seem minimal, but plumbing work involves confined spaces, water damage potential, and heavy equipment that create real injury scenarios.
That depends on your risk tolerance and project complexity. Nine years versus four years is meaningful for diagnosing hidden pipe damage or handling complicated remodels, but it doesn't eliminate the liability exposure. If you choose Thompson, get written confirmation of their liability insurance limits and verify coverage with your own insurance agent before work begins.
Both handle emergencies, but differently. Thompson has specific feedback about weekend and after-hours response with direct owner availability, while Boyd emphasizes same-day scheduling during business hours with multiple technicians. For a 2am Sunday pipe burst, Thompson's owner-operator model may be more accessible, but Boyd's multiple-technician structure provides better weekday flexibility.
Workers comp costs contractors roughly 5-15% of labor costs, but Thompson's feedback specifically mentions below-expected pricing while Boyd customers highlight multiple pricing options without complaints about high rates. The price difference may be less dramatic than the insurance gap suggests, making Boyd's additional protection potentially worthwhile for many homeowners.
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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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