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Economy Plumbing vs Goodfellow Plumbing
San Mateo Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Economy Plumbing offers more than double the experience and carries workers compensation insurance, while Goodfellow operates without workers comp coverage.
| Economy Plumbing | Goodfellow Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 35 years | 15 years |
| License # | 613784 | 963098 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Burlingame, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Website | economysf.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Economy Plumbing
Economy Plumbing consistently receives praise for rapid response times, professional communication, and efficiency across diverse residential plumbing projects from water heaters to emergency repairs.
Goodfellow Plumbing
Goodfellow Plumbing is noted specifically for flexible problem-solving during gas line installations, with customers appreciating their ability to adapt when initial plans require modification.
Key Takeaway: Economy shows breadth across emergency service and common repairs with emphasis on speed, while Goodfellow demonstrates depth in gas work with adaptive installation approaches but limited documented service range.
Customer Reviews
Economy Plumbing
Water Heater needed repair. Economy Plumbing sent Chris and Rudy, who assessed the situation, provided recommendations on what to do and what not to do, picked up parts, and took care of business. Rea...
Pierre from Economy Plumbing arrived exactly at 6pm to help us replace a leaking water heater. He was quick and efficient - everything was installed and cleaned up within an hour. Super friendly and h...
Chris replaced my water heater. Fast, efficient, neat. Thank you . Fast pitch...!
Goodfellow Plumbing
I highly recommend Noel with Goodfellow Plumbing. He had to modify his original plan to install a new gas line and instead of scrubbing the installation, he came up with a solution from a different so...
Consider Economy Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need emergency or after-hours plumbing service, where Economy's documented quick response times (45-minute arrivals mentioned) provide reassurance
- ✓ You want to eliminate liability risk from contractor injuries, as Economy maintains active workers compensation coverage
- ✓ Your project involves common residential issues like water heaters or toilet repairs where Economy shows extensive documented experience
- ✓ You value a contractor with 35 years of experience navigating older plumbing systems and building code evolution
Consider Goodfellow Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your project specifically involves gas line installation where Goodfellow has demonstrated expertise and adaptive problem-solving
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accepting that liability exposure
- ✓ You're in San Bruno where Goodfellow is based and prefer a very local contractor
- ✓ Your project may require creative solutions during installation, where Goodfellow's flexibility has been noted by customers
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Goodfellow: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property
- → For Goodfellow: Request references from projects similar to yours beyond gas line work if your needs are broader
- → For Economy: Ask about their experience with your specific plumbing issue and typical response times for your area
- → For both: Confirm pricing structure and whether emergency or after-hours calls carry premium charges
The Bottom Line
Economy Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners. Their workers compensation coverage eliminates a significant liability risk that Goodfellow exposes you to, and their 35 years of experience provides deeper expertise across a broader range of plumbing situations. Economy also demonstrates proven emergency response capabilities that Goodfellow hasn't documented. Consider Goodfellow only if your project specifically involves gas line installation where their adaptive approach shines, and only after confirming your insurance situation protects you from worker injury claims.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a Goodfellow technician is injured while working at your home, you could be held financially responsible for their medical expenses and lost wages. Many homeowner's insurance policies don't cover contractor injuries when the contractor should have had their own workers comp. This is a real financial risk you're accepting.
For straightforward repairs, the gap matters less. But 35 years means Economy has seen complications you haven't thought of—corroded pipes in older homes, code changes across decades, and rare failure patterns. That experience helps diagnose hidden problems before they become expensive surprises.
That depends on your project and risk tolerance. For complex gas line installations where adaptability matters, Goodfellow's documented flexibility is valuable. But you must weigh that against real liability exposure. Ask Goodfellow if they carry general liability insurance at minimum, and verify your coverage with your insurance agent before signing.
Economy Plumbing has documented evidence of rapid emergency response with customers reporting 45-minute arrival times and after-hours availability. Goodfellow's reviews don't mention emergency service, focusing instead on planned installations. If you need urgent help, Economy is the evidenced choice.
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See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in San Mateo.
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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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