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Ducks Plumbing Heating Air vs Thompson Plumbing
Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both companies offer similar experience and service quality, but Ducks Plumbing carries workers compensation insurance while Thompson does not.
| Ducks Plumbing Heating Air | Thompson Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.4 |
| Years Licensed | 9 years | 9 years |
| License # | 1022840 | 1028731 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Fair Oaks, CA |
| Website | www.ducksplumbingca.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
Customers consistently praise Ducks for responsive communication, professional courtesies, and reliable scheduling with same-day availability for both routine and emergency work.
Thompson Plumbing
Thompson receives recognition for emergency availability including weekends, but customers note the challenge of connecting due to high demand and busy scheduling.
Key Takeaway: Ducks demonstrates consistent availability and capacity for scheduled work, while Thompson operates at high demand levels that create scheduling challenges despite competitive pricing and thorough service.
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...
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 Ducks Plumbing Heating Air if...
- ✓ You need both plumbing and HVAC work done and want one contractor handling multiple systems
- ✓ You want the protection of full workers compensation insurance to avoid potential liability exposure
- ✓ You prefer reliable scheduling with same-day or next-day availability for both routine and emergency needs
- ✓ You value consistent communication and professional courtesies like thorough cleanup and technicians wearing shoe coverings
Consider Thompson Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have a true plumbing emergency and need weekend or after-hours response
- ✓ You're willing to verify insurance coverage directly and understand the liability implications
- ✓ You can be flexible with scheduling given the company's high demand and busy calendar
- ✓ You're primarily focused on emergency plumbing repairs rather than HVAC or multi-system projects
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Thompson directly about current workers compensation coverage and request proof of insurance, then confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered if a contractor's worker is injured on your property
- → Ask Thompson about current wait times for service given customer mentions of high demand and busy scheduling
- → Ask Ducks about their HVAC technician availability if you need heating or cooling work in addition to plumbing
The Bottom Line
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air is the safer choice for most homeowners due to their workers compensation coverage, which protects you from liability exposure that Thompson cannot provide. The addition of HVAC services and more consistent availability makes Ducks better suited for scheduled projects and multi-system needs. Consider Thompson only if you have a true emergency, can verify their insurance status directly, understand the liability risks, and are willing to work around their busy schedule. For routine repairs, installations, or any project involving both plumbing and HVAC, Ducks offers broader protection and service capability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If Thompson lacks workers comp and a worker is injured at your home, you could face a liability claim that your homeowner's insurance may not cover. Ducks carries this coverage, transferring that risk away from you. This is particularly important for complex projects like sewer line work where injury risk is higher.
No, Thompson focuses exclusively on plumbing services. If you need furnace repair, AC installation, or other HVAC work along with plumbing, you'd need to hire a second contractor. Ducks handles both trades, which simplifies coordination and may reduce overall costs for multi-system projects.
Both offer emergency response, but Thompson specifically emphasizes weekend and after-hours availability for urgent situations like flooding. However, customers note Thompson's schedule is very busy, which may affect response time. Ducks customers report same-day service even for non-emergencies, suggesting strong availability across the board.
Both companies receive consistent feedback for reasonable, competitive pricing. The cost difference is unlikely to be significant for comparable plumbing work. Your decision should focus on insurance coverage, service scope, and availability rather than expecting a major price advantage from either contractor.
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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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