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Shields Plumbing vs Thompson Plumbing
Sacramento Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Shields Plumbing offers significantly more experience and full insurance protection, while Thompson Plumbing operates without workers compensation coverage on file.
| Shields Plumbing | Thompson Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.4 |
| Years Licensed | 26 years | 9 years |
| License # | 779715 | 1028731 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Citrus Heights, CA | Fair Oaks, CA |
| Website | shieldsplumbing.net | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Shields Plumbing
Shields Plumbing consistently receives praise for same-day availability, transparent communication, and completing work efficiently without pressure sales tactics.
Thompson Plumbing
Thompson Plumbing is recognized for weekend emergency response and thorough explanations, though customers note scheduling difficulties due to high demand.
Key Takeaway: Shields demonstrates better general availability for both emergency and routine work, while Thompson's high demand creates booking challenges despite strong emergency responsiveness.
Customer Reviews
Shields Plumbing
I had Eduardo come out for a tricky service call where the city the city was unable to tell us where our sewer line was and they were able to find the line and pinpoint a couple of key locations for u...
I dealt with both Blaine and Eduardo at Shields Plumbing regarding a water heater installation. They were both communicative, responsive and easily accessible. We're in the middle of the permitting ...
Shields was timely and quick with their work, had a change that needed to be done and they came out and took care of it right away.
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 Shields Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want to eliminate liability risk from worker injuries, as Shields carries workers compensation insurance that protects your property
- ✓ Your home is older or has had previous plumbing work that might reveal complications requiring extensive diagnostic experience
- ✓ You value established track records and prefer a contractor who has navigated 26 years of industry changes and building code evolutions
- ✓ You appreciate no-pressure sales approaches and want transparent communication without upselling tactics
Consider Thompson Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need weekend or after-hours emergency service and can verify insurance coverage details directly with the contractor
- ✓ You're willing to accept the scheduling challenges that come with a high-demand contractor and can be flexible on timing
- ✓ Your project is straightforward and doesn't require the diagnostic experience that comes from decades in business
- ✓ You're comfortable confirming your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries in the absence of workers comp
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Thompson Plumbing: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm whether your homeowner's insurance policy covers injuries to contractors working without workers comp
- → For Thompson Plumbing: Given the busy schedule mentioned in reviews, ask about realistic timeframes for non-emergency work
- → For both: Ask for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if you have an older home or suspect complications
- → For both: Ask how long their current crew has been with the company and who will actually be doing the work
The Bottom Line
Shields Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners. The combination of 26 years of experience and full workers compensation insurance provides both expertise and liability protection that Thompson cannot match. While Thompson offers solid service and emergency availability, the absence of workers comp creates real financial risk for you as the property owner. Unless you have a specific need for Thompson's weekend emergency services and can verify adequate insurance coverage independently, Shields offers better protection and substantially more experience at comparable pricing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward jobs like faucet replacement or drain clearing, both contractors have sufficient experience. The gap becomes meaningful for complex diagnostics—like identifying why a re-pipe failed, diagnosing intermittent pressure issues, or working with older homes where original plumbing may have hidden problems. Shields' 26 years means nearly three times the exposure to unusual scenarios and complications.
If a worker is injured on your property and the company lacks workers comp, you could potentially be liable for medical expenses and lost wages depending on your homeowner's insurance policy. Before hiring Thompson, call your insurance agent to confirm coverage. This isn't a theoretical concern—plumbing involves physical labor in tight spaces where injuries can occur.
Reviews specifically note Thompson's scheduling challenges due to high demand, while Shields receives consistent mentions of same-day and next-day availability even for non-emergencies. If you need work done within a tight timeframe, Shields appears to have better availability based on customer feedback patterns.
Both companies receive feedback describing pricing as fair and reasonable—there's no clear evidence that Thompson consistently charges less than Shields. Both avoid pressure sales and upselling. The decision should focus on insurance protection and experience depth rather than assuming a price difference that reviews don't consistently support.
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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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