Gotelli Plumbing vs Tavor Plumbing
San Mateo Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Gotelli brings 33 more years of experience and workers compensation coverage, while Tavor earns consistently stronger feedback for communication and problem-solving.
| Gotelli Plumbing | Tavor Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 3.4 | ★ 4.7 |
| Years Licensed | 53 years | 20 years |
| License # | 284740 | 866266 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Brisbane, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Website | — | tavorplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Gotelli Plumbing
Gotelli receives praise for emergency response speed and thorough cleanup practices, but experiences vary with some customers reporting follow-up communication issues and appointment concerns.
Tavor Plumbing
Tavor consistently earns feedback highlighting punctual arrivals, clear explanations throughout service, and diagnostic problem-solving that identified issues other plumbers missed, with a strong pattern of repeat customers.
Key Takeaway: Tavor's reviews show remarkably consistent praise for communication and reliability, while Gotelli's feedback is more mixed despite their significantly longer operating history.
Customer Reviews
Gotelli Plumbing
Guys arrived on time, wore protective booties to keep floor clean, and quickly fixed my leaking trap pipe cleaning up thoroughly before leaving. They gave me great advice on another drippy bathroom f...
Fantastic service! Solved a mysterious house leak. I am always going to call Gotelli for my plumbing issues.
Bernardo and Felipe just came out to fix a problem with a sink and a problem with the dishwasher. As always, they excelled. While they were here, they also fixed faucet knobs in three different bathro...
Tavor Plumbing
Fidelity home warranty sent Rick to fix our shower mixer valve after they had sent a different plumber to diagnose it. Rick was very responsive and easy to schedule then when he came he did a great jo...
A truly wonderful experience! Our plumber was punctual and super communicative. He showed up the same day he got the call for some non-emergency repairs, diagnosed the issues and came back the next da...
Rick has helped us through plumbing issues big and small. Never any stress and always with a great sense of humor. He's a notch professional and a top notch guy!
Consider Gotelli Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have an older home where Gotelli's 53 years of experience with legacy systems, outdated materials, and grandfathered code issues could prove invaluable in diagnosing hidden problems
- ✓ You need emergency plumbing service and want responsive arrival times, an area where Gotelli receives consistent positive feedback
- ✓ You want complete insurance protection and prefer not to risk liability exposure from a contractor without workers compensation coverage
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying appointment confirmations and following up proactively on communication, areas where some customers have reported inconsistency
Consider Tavor Plumbing if...
- ✓ You value clear communication and detailed explanations of problems and solutions throughout the service process, where Tavor consistently excels
- ✓ You've had other plumbers unable to diagnose or resolve your issue, as multiple customers report Tavor identified problems that competitors missed
- ✓ You're looking for a long-term plumbing partner, given the pattern of repeat customers and multi-year relationships in reviews
- ✓ You're willing to verify current workers compensation coverage or confirm your homeowner's policy adequately covers contractor injuries on your property
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Tavor directly about current workers compensation insurance status and request proof of coverage, or confirm with your homeowner's insurance that you're protected if a contractor's employee is injured at your property
- → Ask Gotelli about their process for appointment confirmations and follow-up communication, given some customer concerns in these areas
- → Ask both companies for references from projects similar to yours in scope and complexity
- → Ask Tavor about their diagnostic approach if you've had previous plumbers unable to resolve your issue
The Bottom Line
If you need emergency service or have an older home with complex plumbing systems, Gotelli's 53 years of experience and full insurance coverage make them the safer choice despite mixed feedback on communication. However, for scheduled work where clear communication and thorough diagnostics matter most, Tavor's consistently exceptional customer feedback is compelling—but only if you first verify workers compensation coverage or confirm your homeowner's policy protects you from contractor injury liability. Don't hire Tavor without resolving the insurance question.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a real liability concern. If a Tavor employee is injured at your home and the company lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may be responsible for medical bills and lost wages, which can be substantial. Some homeowner policies exclude this coverage entirely. Before hiring Tavor, call your insurance agent to verify your protection or ask Tavor if they've obtained coverage since their last filing.
For complex projects or older homes, yes. A company operating since 1971 has encountered plumbing systems, materials, and code requirements that no longer exist but still affect repairs in older properties. For straightforward fixture repairs or drain clearing in newer homes, the experience gap matters less. Both companies qualify as veteran contractors.
Customer reviews consistently highlight Tavor's communication skills, diagnostic thoroughness, and reliability on scheduled appointments. Several customers specifically mention problems solved that other plumbers missed. Gotelli receives praise for emergency response and quality work, but some reviews note concerns with follow-up communication and appointment consistency that don't appear in Tavor's feedback pattern.
Gotelli receives specific praise for responsive emergency service and quick arrival times during urgent situations. Tavor earns consistent feedback for punctual arrivals and same-day or next-day availability. Both handle emergency work, but if you're scheduling routine maintenance or non-urgent repairs, Tavor's stronger pattern of communication and appointment reliability may provide more peace of mind.
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 13, 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.
Compare Local Pros