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Apollo Plumbing Services vs Boxers Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Apollo Plumbing has twice the licensing history, while Boxers specializes in emergency response with 24-hour availability.
| Apollo Plumbing Services | Boxers Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 2 years |
| License # | 1093562 | 1118575 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | East Palo Alto, CA | Milpitas, CA |
| Website | — | boxersplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Apollo Plumbing Services
Customers emphasize Apollo's professionalism, attention to detail, and clear communication during service delivery with consistent satisfaction across standard plumbing projects.
Boxers Plumbing
Boxers receives specific praise for emergency response speed with documented arrival times under an hour, transparent pricing, and thorough problem explanations during urgent situations.
Key Takeaway: Apollo's reviews focus on professional service quality and methodology, while Boxers' customers consistently highlight rapid emergency response and same-day availability as defining characteristics.
Customer Reviews
Apollo Plumbing Services
I can't say enough good things about the plumbing service I received from plumber Palo Alto Plumbing Solutions. From start to finish, the experience was top-notch. Their staff was friendly and attenti...
I had an excellent experience with the plumbing services in East Palo Alto. The team was prompt, professional, and efficiently fixed my plumbing issue. They provided a clear explanation of the problem...
Quick response, excellent work! Apollo Plumbing Services in Palo Alto exceeded my expectations. If you need plumbing in Palo Alto, look no further.
Boxers Plumbing
They saved the day!! Nothing was draining, They Came out in less than an hour after i called. Got our main drain cleared and showed me how to help prevent it from happening again. I couldn't be happie...
Awesome service! Fixed my problem within 24 hours. My water main broke and the whole house lost water. I called 3pm, boxer plumbing showed up at 5pm. By 3 pm the day after, the whole thing is fixed. T...
Quality works and friendly too👍😊
Consider Apollo Plumbing Services if...
- ✓ You have a standard plumbing project without emergency timing pressures and value a contractor with more years of experience navigating potential complications
- ✓ Your project involves older plumbing systems where Apollo's four years of licensing history could help identify hidden issues before they become expensive problems
- ✓ You prioritize a methodical, detail-oriented approach over speed, particularly for installations requiring precision
- ✓ You're located in East Palo Alto or Palo Alto where Apollo has established its primary service presence
Consider Boxers Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need emergency plumbing service and want a contractor built around 24-hour availability with documented response times under an hour
- ✓ You're dealing with an urgent situation like a major leak or drain backup where same-day service is essential
- ✓ You want transparent upfront pricing and clear explanations, which customers consistently mention in Boxers' reviews
- ✓ Your project matches their documented experience in emergency repairs, fixture installations, repiping, or water treatment systems
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Boxers how they handle complex diagnostic situations given their two years of licensing, and request references from projects similar to yours in scope and complexity
- → Ask Apollo about their emergency service availability if you need after-hours coverage, since their reviews don't emphasize this capability
- → Ask both companies for detailed written estimates and timeline commitments specific to your project type
- → Confirm both contractors will pull necessary permits and ask about their experience with city inspectors in your specific municipality
The Bottom Line
If you have a genuine emergency or need same-day service, Boxers Plumbing's specialized infrastructure and documented 30-60 minute response times make them the clear choice despite having half Apollo's licensing history. For non-emergency projects—particularly involving older plumbing systems, complex diagnostics, or situations where hidden problems might emerge—Apollo's four years of licensing provides meaningful additional experience for anticipating complications. Both contractors maintain proper insurance and bonding, so this decision hinges on whether you're paying for speed or experience. If timeline allows, Apollo's longer track record offers more reassurance for complex work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like fixture replacements or simple drain clearing, the gap matters less. For complex diagnostics, repiping projects, or work on older homes where problems often cascade, Apollo's four years of experience provides more exposure to unusual situations and hidden complications. If your plumbing system is older or you're unsure what's causing a problem, experience becomes more valuable.
Not necessarily—their customer reviews document successful completion of scheduled projects like bathroom repiping and fixture upgrades, not just emergencies. The emergency infrastructure means they're organized for quick mobilization, which can translate to faster scheduling. However, if you need a methodical assessment of an aging system rather than rapid problem-solving, Apollo's detail-oriented approach may be better suited.
Yes, both carry California's standard $25,000 bond providing identical financial recourse if work isn't completed as agreed. The meaningful protection difference comes from Apollo's longer licensing history, which provides a larger track record for you to verify through the Contractors State License Board and more years of proven compliance with state requirements.
Apollo's four years of experience gives them more exposure to complications like corroded gas lines, inadequate venting, or permit issues that can emerge during water heater work. Boxers lists water heater replacement in their documented project types and may get to you faster, but if you suspect code violations or have an older system, Apollo's experience edge becomes relevant for anticipating problems before they delay your project.
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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 06, 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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