Compare Local Pros
Howdy Plumbing vs National Rooter
Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
National Rooter's 26 years of licensed experience vastly outweighs Howdy Plumbing's two years, offering deeper expertise for complex problems.
| Howdy Plumbing | National Rooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 2 years | 26 years |
| License # | 1119556 | 769300 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | www.howdyplumbing.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Howdy Plumbing
Howdy Plumbing customers consistently praise quick response times, transparent pricing with multiple options, and thorough explanations throughout service calls.
National Rooter
National Rooter customers specifically highlight the company's ability to solve difficult problems that defeated other contractors, characterizing them as experts for tough challenges.
Key Takeaway: Howdy earns loyalty through communication and accessibility while National Rooter earns recognition for technical problem-solving capability on jobs others couldn't handle.
Customer Reviews
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!
National Rooter
Sal and Ron are true experts and real professionals with any plumbing problem, even the toughest ones. Fast, efficient, friendly and priced right. Highly recommend.
I highly recommend National Rooter. I went through four or five major rooter companies who failed to resolve my plumbing problem but charged me nonetheless. In desperation I finally landed National Ro...
If you're scanning reviews, I recommend you call National Rooter to get your clogged sewer line flowing smoothly. I found National Rooter two years ago when a clog in my main sewer line resulted in a...
Consider Howdy Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have a straightforward plumbing need like toilet installation, faucet repair, or water heater replacement where technical complexity is limited
- ✓ You value transparent upfront pricing and want multiple solution options presented with clear cost differences
- ✓ Quick response time and same-day availability matter more to you than decades of experience for your particular project
- ✓ Direct owner involvement throughout your service call is important to you
Consider National Rooter if...
- ✓ You're dealing with a persistent drain or sewer problem that hasn't been resolved by other plumbers you've tried
- ✓ Your home is older and plumbing issues may involve complications that require experienced troubleshooting
- ✓ You need confidence that your contractor has seen similar problems hundreds of times over 26 years
- ✓ The specific problem involves main drain clogs or sewer line issues where National Rooter has demonstrated expertise
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Howdy Plumbing for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if your situation involves complications or older home systems
- → Ask National Rooter about their range of services if your needs extend beyond drain and sewer work to confirm they handle your specific project type
- → Ask both contractors what complications they've encountered on jobs like yours and how they've handled unexpected issues mid-project
The Bottom Line
For standard residential plumbing repairs and installations where complexity is limited, Howdy Plumbing offers accessible service with transparent pricing and strong responsiveness. However, for difficult drain and sewer problems, older home complications, or any situation where diagnostic expertise matters, National Rooter's 26 years of licensed experience provides significantly greater capability. If your project involves troubleshooting, hidden damage risk, or has already stumped another contractor, the experience gap is decisive—choose National Rooter. For straightforward work where you value owner involvement and clear pricing communication, Howdy Plumbing is adequately qualified despite their limited tenure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's a real possibility, particularly with older homes or complex systems where experience recognizing subtle warning signs matters. National Rooter's 26 years means they've built pattern recognition for hidden issues. For straightforward replacements and repairs, Howdy's training and owner involvement may be sufficient, but for diagnostic work or projects likely to uncover surprises, experience depth provides meaningful protection.
Customer reviews emphasize their drain and sewer expertise, particularly solving difficult clogs that stumped other contractors. Their 26-year license covers full plumbing work, but if you need water heater replacement or fixture installation, confirm they regularly perform that work with the same expertise they bring to drain issues.
Reviews describe Howdy's pricing as transparent and affordable with a $99 service option, while National Rooter's pricing is characterized as fair for the expertise provided. Newer contractors sometimes price competitively to build their business, but compare specific quotes for your project rather than assuming either is cheaper.
Yes, particularly for sewer and drain issues. National Rooter has specific customer feedback about solving problems after four or five other contractors failed, demonstrating the value of decades navigating difficult scenarios. For challenging diagnostic work on main drains and sewer lines, their 26-year track record is a substantial advantage over a two-year contractor.
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 12, 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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