Compare Local Pros
Egan Plumbing vs San Francisco Plumbing Company
San Mateo Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two veteran plumbers with nearly identical credentials, but San Francisco Plumbing has documented customer feedback while Egan has limited review history.
| Egan Plumbing | San Francisco Plumbing Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 3.7 | ★ 3.9 |
| Years Licensed | 40 years | 49 years |
| License # | 484784 | 323223 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Carlos, CA | Brisbane, CA |
| Website | www.eganplumbing.com | www.sfplumbingcompany.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
San Francisco Plumbing Company
Customers consistently note responsive owner communication, professional workmanship, and thorough job site cleaning, with high satisfaction on both emergency repairs and planned commercial projects.
Key Takeaway: San Francisco Plumbing has documented customer feedback establishing service expectations, while Egan Plumbing's limited review history requires homeowners to rely on direct references for equivalent assurance.
Customer Reviews
Egan Plumbing
The Best
San Francisco Plumbing Company
Our kitchen sink was clogged, call sf plumbing and Sean sent out a plumber And he had sink unclogged and cleaned sink Cleaner than it's ever been. Very professional
Shan, the owner is a great guy. He has just finished a job on my commercial property and did a great job. He was very responsive , punctual. He gave me free consultation at first and when I signed the...
Great experience. Prompt response to a plumbing issue, great customer experience, and trust worthy people. Very happy and will use them again.
Consider Egan Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're working in San Carlos specifically and want a contractor based in your immediate community
- ✓ You have a direct referral from someone who has used Egan Plumbing and can share firsthand experience about their service approach
- ✓ You're comfortable evaluating a contractor through phone conversations and in-person consultations without relying on documented customer feedback
Consider San Francisco Plumbing Company if...
- ✓ You want to review documented customer experiences before committing, particularly regarding communication responsiveness and workmanship standards
- ✓ You have a commercial plumbing project that requires consultation and planning, where San Francisco Plumbing has demonstrated experience
- ✓ You value high owner involvement throughout the project, which customers specifically mention as a strength
- ✓ You're looking for a contractor with documented attention to job site cleanliness and professional presentation
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Egan Plumbing for at least three recent references you can contact, specifically requesting customers who had projects similar to yours in scope and complexity
- → Ask both companies who will actually perform the work on your property and how long their current plumbing crew has worked together
- → Ask San Francisco Plumbing about their office staffing situation, since limited availability has occasionally affected callback times according to customer feedback
- → Ask both contractors how they handle unexpected complications discovered during work and whether their estimates include provisions for common hidden issues
The Bottom Line
San Francisco Plumbing Company has the slight edge for most homeowners based on documented customer experiences showing responsive owner involvement, professional workmanship, and thorough service delivery across both residential and commercial projects. Their 49 years of operation and established feedback pattern provides more confidence in what to expect. However, Egan Plumbing's 40-year track record and identical insurance credentials mean they could be equally capable—you just need to do more due diligence through direct references. If Egan provides strong recent references and their quote is competitive, either choice is defensible. Request references from Egan before deciding.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For typical residential plumbing work, the difference between 40 and 49 years is functionally negligible—both have diagnosed every plumbing issue you're likely to encounter multiple times over. Either company has the experience to handle aging pipe systems and code compliance. The more relevant factor is their documented service approach and customer communication patterns.
This could reflect different approaches to online presence, customer solicitation for feedback, or simply where past customers chose to share experiences. It doesn't necessarily indicate quality differences, but it does mean you have less third-party information to evaluate Egan's service delivery before hiring. Request direct references from Egan to fill this information gap.
Customers note limited office staffing has occasionally affected callback times, though the owner himself is described as highly responsive on active projects. If you need frequent updates or have tight coordination requirements, discuss your communication expectations upfront and confirm the owner will be your primary contact. For straightforward projects, this appears to be a minor rather than systemic issue.
Yes, both have operated in San Mateo County for decades and have extensive experience with the aging plumbing systems, galvanized pipes, and foundation-related issues common to older homes in San Carlos and Brisbane. Either contractor should be able to diagnose hidden damage and work within the constraints of older construction.
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.