Compare Local Pros
Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter vs Tremors Plumbing And Sewer
San Mateo Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both are three-year plumbers with similar service approaches, but only Tremors carries workers compensation insurance.
| Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter | Tremors Plumbing And Sewer | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 3 years | 3 years |
| License # | 1100857 | 1095390 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Millbrae, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Website | drdrainplumbingandrooter.com | tremorsplumbingandsewerinc.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter
Customers consistently praise rapid response within 30 minutes to two hours, clear explanations with documentation, and coming fully prepared with parts and tools.
Tremors Plumbing And Sewer
Customers highlight fast response times often within an hour, same-day and after-hours availability, professional service, and fair pricing compared to competitor estimates.
Key Takeaway: Both companies receive nearly identical feedback patterns for speed, communication, and pricing, with no meaningful difference in customer satisfaction themes despite the workers comp distinction.
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...
Tremors Plumbing And Sewer
They're the best - simply put. They have the knowledge, the skills, and do an amazing job. Jordan and Effren installed a new toilet, fixed our shower and tub, and installed a new water heater, all i...
Francisco & David are amazing! I had a problem and they solved it with expertise and care! Thank you guys!! I highly recommend them.
Francisco was responsive, fast, and professional. He was able to come out in the evening within thirty minutes of my call and took care of the problem with our clogged pipes. Will definitely be using ...
Consider Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You need immediate plumbing service and Dr Drain confirms they can arrive first, and you've verified with your homeowner's insurance that you have adequate liability coverage for contractor injuries
- ✓ You're comparing multiple quotes and Dr Drain's pricing is noticeably lower, and you're willing to accept the workers comp gap for cost savings
- ✓ You've had positive previous experiences with this company and feel comfortable with the coverage situation after discussing it directly with them
Consider Tremors Plumbing And Sewer if...
- ✓ You want to eliminate potential liability exposure if a plumber is injured while working at your property, which workers comp coverage provides
- ✓ You're undertaking more complex projects like gas line installation or sewer line work where injury risk may be higher
- ✓ You prefer not to rely on your homeowner's insurance as backup coverage for contractor injuries, avoiding potential claims on your policy
- ✓ You need 24/7 emergency service with full insurance protection regardless of when the problem occurs
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Dr Drain directly about their liability insurance limits and confirm with your homeowner's insurance agent whether your policy covers injuries to contractors working without workers comp
- → Ask both companies for references from projects similar to yours completed within the past year, given their three-year licensing history
- → Ask about the specific technician who will perform your work and how long they've been with the company
The Bottom Line
Choose Tremors Plumbing And Sewer for the workers compensation coverage that protects you from liability if a technician is injured at your property. While Dr Drain Plumbing And Rooter delivers comparable service quality and response times based on customer feedback, the insurance gap creates unnecessary risk for homeowners. Both companies are equally new at three years licensed, offer similar services, and receive praise for fast response and professional work, making workers comp the deciding factor. If you prefer Dr Drain for timing or pricing reasons, call your homeowner's insurance agent first to understand your exposure before scheduling the work.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
If a technician without workers comp is injured at your home, your homeowner's insurance may become liable for their medical expenses and lost wages, potentially resulting in a claim on your policy. Workers comp transfers this risk away from you entirely. For routine repairs this may seem like a minor concern, but plumbing work involves crawl spaces, ladders, and heavy equipment where injuries can occur.
Not necessarily—the owners and technicians may have worked in plumbing for many years before obtaining their own licenses. However, three years of business ownership means less track record handling complex projects, managing complications, and standing behind warranty work over time. Ask both companies about their team's total plumbing experience and request references from projects similar to yours.
Both companies serve San Mateo County with same-day and emergency response capabilities, and customer reviews indicate similar arrival times. Dr Drain operates from Millbrae while Tremors is based in San Mateo, which may affect response time depending on your specific location. Ask each company for an estimated arrival window based on your address and current schedule.
Customer reviews indicate both offer competitive pricing, with Dr Drain specifically mentioned as competitive compared to other area plumbers and Tremors noted as reasonable and fair. Given their similar business profiles, pricing is likely comparable. Get written estimates from both for your specific project to make a direct comparison.
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 04, 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.