Compare Local Pros
Able Plumbing Sewer And Drain vs Allstar Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Allstar Plumbing brings nearly five times the experience and full workers compensation coverage that Able Plumbing lacks.
| Able Plumbing Sewer And Drain | Allstar Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 6 years | 29 years |
| License # | 1063451 | 732611 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.ablesewer.com | goallstar.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Able Plumbing Sewer And Drain
Customers consistently praise Able Plumbing for identifying cost-effective alternatives that save thousands compared to expensive repair quotes from other contractors.
Allstar Plumbing
Allstar Plumbing earns repeated mentions for arriving within an hour of emergency calls and handling complex diagnostics with professionalism across both residential and commercial projects.
Key Takeaway: Able specializes in finding budget-friendly solutions to avoid major expenses, while Allstar emphasizes rapid emergency response and veteran-level problem-solving for challenging situations.
Customer Reviews
Able Plumbing Sewer And Drain
Able came yesterday and cleaned our septic tank and they were on time, efficient and dependable. I highly recommend this company!
Fast, courteous, professional! Great pricing and very friendly admin team!
Great work and Customer service.
Allstar Plumbing
Great job Luis I give a 10
Joe L. Provided a great services and very satisfied with the work he did.
Joe was a great technician that new his job very well. He did a great job in letting us know what was happening with all of the repairs. You have a great company that is very helpful and professional....
Consider Able Plumbing Sewer And Drain if...
- ✓ You have a straightforward septic pumping or sewer line issue and want a contractor known for identifying cost-effective solutions rather than expensive replacements
- ✓ Your project is relatively simple with low injury risk, and you're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries on your property
- ✓ You value contractors who specialize in finding alternatives that save thousands compared to initial quotes from other plumbers
- ✓ Budget is your primary concern and you're willing to accept the insurance gap for potentially lower costs
Consider Allstar Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want full workers compensation coverage to eliminate liability risk if someone is injured during your plumbing project
- ✓ Your home is older or the problem is complex, where 29 years of diagnostic experience matters in identifying root causes
- ✓ You need emergency or same-day service, where Allstar's track record shows technicians arriving within an hour
- ✓ Your project involves commercial property, gas line work, or sophisticated installations where veteran-level expertise reduces error risk
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Able Plumbing: Ask specifically what happens if a worker is injured on your property, and verify with your homeowner's insurance whether you have adequate coverage for contractors without workers comp
- → For Able Plumbing: Request detailed references from projects similar to yours to assess their capability despite fewer years in business
- → For both companies: Ask for a detailed written estimate and clarify exactly what emergency or after-hours pricing looks like before agreeing to service
- → For Allstar Plumbing: Given their 29-year history, ask how long their current technicians have been with the company to understand crew stability
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Allstar Plumbing is the safer choice with 29 years of proven experience, full workers compensation coverage, and demonstrated ability to handle both routine and complex emergencies quickly. The insurance gap alone makes Able Plumbing a liability risk unless you've confirmed your homeowner's policy explicitly covers contractor injuries. Consider Able only if you have a straightforward septic or sewer project, have verified your insurance coverage, and prioritize their reputation for finding cost-saving alternatives. If your project involves diagnosis, emergency response, or any complexity, Allstar's veteran-level expertise and complete insurance protection justify choosing them.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For truly simple work like replacing a faucet, the gap matters less. But most plumbing calls involve diagnosis—figuring out why something leaked or backed up—and that's where Allstar's 29 years means they've seen your exact situation dozens of times before. Able's 6 years is respectable for straightforward projects, but complex problems benefit from veteran-level pattern recognition.
If a technician is seriously injured at your home, you could face a lawsuit for medical bills and lost wages that may exceed your homeowner's liability limits. Many homeowner policies have exclusions or caps for contractor injuries. Before hiring Able, call your insurance agent and confirm your coverage explicitly includes contractors without their own workers comp—don't assume you're protected.
Reviews suggest Able excels at diagnosing alternatives to full replacements—like repairing a section of pipe instead of replacing the entire line. This isn't necessarily lower hourly rates, but rather problem-solving that avoids expensive scope. If your priority is exploring every option before committing to major work, this appears to be Able's strength.
Multiple customers report technicians arriving within an hour of calling, and the company explicitly offers same-day and weekend emergency service. Their 29-year operation suggests they have the crew size and scheduling systems to actually deliver on rapid response, unlike newer companies that may overpromise availability.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Santa Clara.
Other Santa Clara 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.