Compare Local Pros
Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter vs Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services
San Mateo Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two newer license holders with similar fast-response models, but Maz brings nearly 30 years of owner experience versus Dr Drain's three years in business.
| Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter | Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 3 years | 2 years |
| License # | 1100857 | 1111601 |
| Workers' Comp | — | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Millbrae, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Website | drdrainplumbingandrooter.com | mazplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter
Customers consistently praise Dr Drain's rapid response within 30 minutes to two hours, clear explanations of problems, and arriving fully prepared with parts and tools for same-day completion.
Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services
Maz customers repeatedly highlight the owner's hands-on technical expertise, transparent upfront pricing, clean worksites, and problem-solving ability particularly for complex underground and sewer work.
Key Takeaway: Dr Drain's reviews emphasize speed and communication for routine repairs, while Maz's feedback focuses on the owner's diagnostic skill and quality execution of technically complex installations and underground projects.
Customer Reviews
Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter
I had to install gas and water shutoff valves for my insurance change and Dickson and Dandy installed the valves perfectly for us. I got quotes from a couple more places and Dickson's quotes were most...
Very reliable and reasonable plumbing services. I've used Dixon and his crew for several issues over the past five years. They've helped during an emergency (Sunday night) and have consistently provid...
Very professional and thorough folks. I called them for a same day emergency leak under the sink and they arrived within the hour. They diagnosed the issue and had everything ready in the van. After a...
Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services
Fantastic experience with Al - quality work and great service! Al did an excellent job installing my new bathtub, shower kit, valves, and bath spout. His workmanship is top-notch, everything looks and...
Maz plumbing is SUPERB. Family owned (the actual owner, Al, comes in to do the work with his helper), he has been in business for almost 30 years. Top quality, speed, clear communication, honest, tid...
Al is the only plumber you need to know around this area. I have hired many plumbing companies before I got to know Al and hated all of them so much. Especially big plumbing companies that send out am...
Consider Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You need emergency drain clearing, leak repair, or fixture replacement handled quickly with competitive pricing and don't require specialized underground expertise.
- ✓ Your plumbing issue is straightforward (toilet repair, faucet replacement, garbage disposal) and you value same-day response over decades of experience.
- ✓ You've received quotes from other plumbers and want a second competitive bid for routine residential repairs.
Consider Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services if...
- ✓ Your project involves underground plumbing, sewer line replacement, or complex installations like tankless water heaters where three decades of diagnostic experience matters.
- ✓ You have an older home where hidden complications may surface during work and want a plumber who can adapt based on extensive field experience.
- ✓ You're planning a bathroom remodel with bathtub or shower installation requiring precision and expertise beyond routine fixture work.
- ✓ You need honest assessment of whether to repair or replace aging plumbing systems, benefiting from the owner's long-term perspective on what solutions last.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Since neither company carries workers compensation insurance, ask each to confirm their liability coverage details and verify whether your homeowner's policy would cover contractor injuries on your property.
- → For Dr Drain, ask for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if your work involves anything beyond routine repairs.
- → For Maz, ask whether the owner will personally perform the work or if assistants will handle portions, and how their nearly 30 years of experience translates to warranty or callback rates.
- → Request detailed written estimates from both that specify exactly what's included and what scenarios might increase costs.
The Bottom Line
For routine repairs, drain clearing, and emergency fixture work, Dr Drain delivers fast, competitively priced service adequate for straightforward residential needs. However, for anything involving underground plumbing, sewer lines, complex installations, or older homes where hidden issues may surface, Maz's nearly 30 years of owner experience provides significantly more diagnostic depth and problem-solving capability despite the newer license. The workers comp gap affects both equally—confirm your liability exposure before hiring either. If your project is simple and price-sensitive, Dr Drain works fine. If complexity or long-term system assessment matters, Maz's experience justifies the choice.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward fixture work, both companies handle these projects successfully based on customer feedback. Dr Drain's three years of licensed work is sufficient for routine repairs. The experience gap becomes relevant when diagnostics are needed or when simple jobs reveal underlying problems requiring judgment calls about repair versus replacement.
If a plumber or assistant is injured while working on your property and the company lacks workers comp, you could potentially be held liable for medical costs and lost wages. Before hiring either company, contact your homeowner's insurance to understand your coverage and consider asking the contractor for a certificate of liability insurance. This is a real financial risk, not just paperwork.
The owner likely worked for other companies or held different license types before establishing the current contractor license two years ago. The nearly three decades of hands-on experience remains valuable for complex diagnostics and problem-solving, while the newer license reflects the formal business establishment timeline. Ask Maz directly about where that experience was gained.
Both offer same-day and weekend emergency service with rapid response times consistently mentioned in reviews. Dr Drain customers report 30-minute to two-hour arrival times, while Maz provides same-day or next-day emergency availability. For straightforward emergencies like leaks or clogs, either responds quickly; for complex emergencies requiring immediate diagnosis of underlying causes, Maz's experience depth may prove advantageous.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in San Mateo.
Other San Mateo Plumbing Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.