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Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services vs Stellar Plumbing
San Mateo Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
A veteran contractor with full insurance protection versus a responsive newer company with owner expertise but no workers comp coverage.
| Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services | Stellar Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 2 years | 20 years |
| License # | 1111601 | 863322 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Mateo, CA | Brisbane, CA |
| Website | mazplumbing.com | stellarplumbinginc.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services
Customers consistently emphasize rapid emergency response, same-day availability, and the owner's direct hands-on involvement in complex underground and sewer projects with transparent pricing.
Stellar Plumbing
Customers appreciate punctual scheduled appointments, professional service delivery, and clear explanations for routine repairs and fixture installations.
Key Takeaway: Maz operates as an urgent-response, owner-driven service tackling complex projects, while Stellar functions as a traditional scheduled service provider focusing on standard plumbing work.
Customer Reviews
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...
Stellar Plumbing
Carter is an experienced professional who's on time and always fixes any issues we are having. Highly recommend!
Great experience from start to finish. Scheduling the appointment was easy, they arrived right on time, and Lan was extremely knowledgeable. Everything was explained clearly and the work was done effi...
Super happy with our upgraded kitchen faucet and water filtration system! Highly recommended professional service!
Consider Maz Plumbing Under Ground And Sewer Services if...
- ✓ You need emergency or same-day service for urgent plumbing issues, as Maz consistently delivers rapid response including weekends
- ✓ Your project involves complex underground plumbing or sewer line replacement where the owner's nearly 30 years of hands-on expertise provides value
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries since Maz lacks workers comp, and you want the owner directly performing your work
- ✓ You value transparent upfront pricing and appreciate working with the same person from estimate through completion
Consider Stellar Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want the liability protection of workers compensation insurance covering anyone working on your property
- ✓ You prefer a contractor with 20 years of documented business continuity and established operational systems
- ✓ Your project is routine maintenance, fixture installation, or standard repairs that don't require emergency response
- ✓ You value predictable scheduling with professional technicians who arrive on time as scheduled
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Maz Plumbing: Ask whether the owner works alone or brings crew members, and confirm your homeowner's insurance policy adequately covers contractor injuries if workers comp isn't carried
- → For Maz Plumbing: Request references specifically from complex underground or sewer projects completed under the current 2-year license to verify capabilities beyond the owner's personal experience
- → For Stellar Plumbing: Ask about their typical response time for emergency situations and whether they handle complex underground work or primarily focus on standard repairs
- → For both: Request detailed written estimates and ask how they handle unexpected complications discovered mid-project
The Bottom Line
For routine plumbing needs where liability protection matters most, Stellar Plumbing's 20-year track record and workers comp coverage make it the safer choice. However, if you're facing an emergency or complex underground/sewer project and need rapid response with the owner directly involved, Maz Plumbing delivers that service model—just verify your insurance coverage handles the workers comp gap and confirm the owner will personally handle your specific work. Most homeowners prioritizing protection and established reliability should lean toward Stellar, while those needing urgent specialized underground work may accept Maz's insurance trade-off for faster, owner-driven service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The owner worked in plumbing for decades before obtaining his own contractor license two years ago, likely working under other licenses previously. While his personal skill may be extensive, the business itself has only two years of documented independent operation, which matters for established systems, financial track record, and accountability.
It's a real liability concern. If a crew member gets injured at your home and the contractor lacks workers comp, you could face a lawsuit that your homeowner's insurance may not fully cover. Stellar's workers comp coverage protects you from this risk, while with Maz you should verify what crew size to expect and confirm your insurance coverage.
Customer feedback strongly suggests Maz Plumbing excels at rapid emergency response with same-day and weekend availability, and reviews specifically praise underground and sewer line work quality. Stellar's reviews don't emphasize emergency response or complex underground projects, focusing instead on scheduled appointments and routine work.
Not necessarily better technical quality—both receive positive feedback on workmanship. The 20-year history primarily indicates business stability, established processes, and lower risk of the company disappearing mid-project. Maz's owner brings substantial personal expertise, but the newer business license means less documented track record of the company's financial reliability and warranty backing.
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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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