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Ducks Plumbing Heating Air vs Howdy Plumbing
Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Ducks Plumbing brings nine years of licensing versus Howdy Plumbing's two years, a meaningful difference in diagnosing complex plumbing issues.
| Ducks Plumbing Heating Air | Howdy Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 9 years | 2 years |
| License # | 1022840 | 1119556 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | www.ducksplumbingca.com | www.howdyplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
Customers emphasize Ducks' responsive communication, thorough cleanup practices, and professional conduct with repeat business spanning multiple years.
Howdy Plumbing
Customers highlight Howdy's quick response times, transparent pricing with affordable entry options, and thorough explanations of multiple solution approaches.
Key Takeaway: Both companies receive remarkably similar praise for communication and professionalism, suggesting comparable customer service standards despite the experience gap.
Customer Reviews
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
I have never been disappointed with the service from the crew at Ducks. They always provide outstanding service.
They came in within a day of my calling them, were fast and made great recommendations.
Super efficient & very personable. Saul showed me where the issues were and did a beautiful job on my shower & feed lines. Additionally, it was a messy job cutting into the wall, but he cleaned up eve...
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 Ducks Plumbing Heating Air if...
- ✓ Your home is older than 20 years and plumbing projects often reveal unexpected complications requiring experienced troubleshooting and adaptation
- ✓ You need both plumbing and HVAC services and prefer working with one contractor who can handle your furnace, air conditioning, and water systems
- ✓ Your project is complex such as whole-system replacements, sewer line work, or renovations where hidden issues are likely
- ✓ You value a longer track record of handling diverse scenarios across nearly a decade of licensed operation
Consider Howdy Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your plumbing need is straightforward like fixture replacement, drain clearing, or water heater installation where newer contractors perform equally well
- ✓ You're drawn to the $99 service option for initial diagnostics and want to minimize upfront costs
- ✓ You prioritize emergency availability and quick response times, where Howdy demonstrates strong performance
- ✓ Your project is standard residential plumbing without HVAC components or unusual complexity
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Howdy Plumbing: Ask for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if your home is older or the scope might expand beyond initial estimates
- → For both companies: Confirm their experience with your specific home age and plumbing type, especially if you have galvanized pipes, cast iron drains, or other older materials
- → Ask how each company handles unexpected complications discovered mid-project and whether pricing adjustments require your approval before proceeding
- → Request details about warranty coverage on parts and labor for the specific work you need completed
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Ducks Plumbing Heating Air's nine years of licensure provides meaningfully greater protection against complications, particularly if your home is older or your project could reveal hidden issues. Their HVAC capabilities also add value if you want one contractor for all mechanical systems. Choose Howdy Plumbing if your project is straightforward, your home is newer, and you're confident the scope won't expand beyond basic repairs or installations. If you proceed with Howdy, ask detailed questions about their experience with projects like yours and secure references from similar work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For truly straightforward work like replacing a faucet or clearing a simple drain clog, both contractors can handle it competently. The experience difference becomes significant when what looks simple reveals underlying problems, like discovering corroded pipes behind walls or outdated venting during water heater replacement. Ducks' additional years mean more exposure to these complications and proven approaches for resolving them efficiently.
Howdy's reviews mention successful whole-house repipe projects, showing they take on substantial work. However, large projects in older homes often present unexpected challenges like concealed damage or non-standard configurations. Ask Howdy specifically about their experience with homes similar to yours in age and construction, and request references from comparable repipe projects they've completed.
Only if you actually need HVAC services now or anticipate needing them soon. Having one contractor familiar with your home's mechanical systems can streamline future work and create accountability. If you only need plumbing and have a separate HVAC contractor you trust, Ducks' additional capabilities don't provide immediate value for this decision.
Newer contractors sometimes offer more competitive pricing to build their customer base, and Howdy's $99 service option reflects this. If your budget is tight and the work is genuinely routine, Howdy's lower entry price and transparent pricing approach can provide good value. Just ensure the scope is truly straightforward before prioritizing cost over experience depth.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Sacramento.
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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 08, 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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