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Mr Drain vs Thompson Plumbing
Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Mr Drain offers more experience and complete insurance protection, while Thompson Plumbing lacks workers compensation coverage.
| Mr Drain | Thompson Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.4 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 9 years |
| License # | 871866 | 1028731 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Carmichael, CA | Fair Oaks, CA |
| Website | www.mrdrainplumbers.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Mr Drain
Customers consistently praise Mr Drain's professional technicians, thorough diagnostic explanations, and rapid emergency response, though some find pricing higher than expected.
Thompson Plumbing
Thompson Plumbing receives strong feedback for weekend emergency availability, reasonable pricing below market rates, and direct owner involvement, though busy schedules create connection challenges.
Key Takeaway: Thompson's pricing is consistently described as reasonable and below expectations, while Mr Drain occasionally draws pricing concerns, reflecting the tradeoff between lower-cost owner-operator service and higher-overhead veteran operation with full insurance.
Customer Reviews
Mr Drain
They were technicians extraordinary! From the moment they arrived, their expertise was obvious. They pulled a foreign object out of my shower drain that looked like it had been lodged there since 1990...
My son flushed 3 little toys down the toilet which clogged it. Collin Rochester was our technician. He was very professional, friendly and took care of the problem quickly and efficiently. The price w...
Very nice guy and very knowledgeable, but he underestimated the age of my hot water heater. I'm probably would not have had it replaced because it was only seven years old instead of 30 years old like...
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 Mr Drain if...
- ✓ You need guaranteed workers compensation coverage to protect yourself from liability if someone gets hurt during the job, especially for complex projects like sewer line work or pipe replacement.
- ✓ Your home is older and may have hidden complications requiring a contractor who's seen two decades of Sacramento-area plumbing systems and code evolutions.
- ✓ You prefer a company with multiple technicians for more flexible scheduling rather than depending on a single owner's availability.
- ✓ Your project involves complex diagnostics or potentially concealed damage where veteran-level experience makes a practical difference.
Consider Thompson Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're willing to verify insurance coverage directly and confirm your homeowner's policy adequately covers contractor injuries before work begins.
- ✓ Pricing is a primary concern and you're comfortable with a smaller operation to access more competitive rates that customers consistently describe as reasonable.
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement and don't mind scheduling challenges in exchange for personal attention from the business owner.
- ✓ Your project is straightforward (fixture replacement, drain clearing, valve work) where nine years of experience is fully adequate for successful completion.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Thompson Plumbing: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance agent whether your policy covers contractor injuries if workers comp is absent.
- → For Thompson Plumbing: Given the busy schedule noted in reviews, ask about realistic timelines for starting and completing your specific project.
- → For Mr Drain: Request a detailed written estimate and ask if there's flexibility on pricing, since some reviews mention higher quotes compared to competitors.
- → For both: Ask for references from projects similar to yours completed in the past year, and inquire about warranty terms for the specific work you need.
The Bottom Line
Mr Drain is the safer choice for most homeowners because their workers compensation coverage protects you from liability, and 20 years of experience provides meaningful advantage for complex diagnostics or older homes. Thompson Plumbing offers competitive pricing and personal owner attention, but only makes sense if you're willing to verify insurance coverage with your own policy and accept scheduling limitations. Unless budget is your primary constraint and you've confirmed adequate liability protection through your homeowner's insurance, Mr Drain's complete insurance and veteran experience justify their selection despite potentially higher pricing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward work like fixture replacements or basic drain clearing, nine years is sufficient. The experience gap becomes meaningful for complex diagnostics, older homes with hidden issues, or projects involving obsolete systems where Mr Drain's two decades of exposure to various scenarios provides practical advantage in anticipating complications.
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may become primary coverage, potentially affecting your rates or exposing you to direct liability claims. Before hiring Thompson, call your insurance agent to understand your policy's coverage and consider requiring Thompson to add you as an additional insured on any liability policy they maintain.
Mr Drain's pricing likely reflects their workers compensation insurance costs, larger operational overhead with multiple technicians, and veteran-tier experience. Thompson's lower pricing comes from owner-operator structure and reduced insurance expenses. Whether the premium is justified depends on your project complexity and risk tolerance regarding insurance protection.
Customer feedback indicates high demand affects Thompson's availability, so expect potential delays for non-emergency work. When you contact them, ask directly about current wait times and whether your project timeline is realistic. For urgent needs, reviews suggest Thompson does accommodate emergency calls, including weekends.
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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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