Compare Local Pros
Big Picture Plumbing vs Mike Counsil Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Mike Counsil brings 32 years of veteran experience versus Big Picture's 7 years, though Big Picture shows stronger community engagement and broader project scope.
| Big Picture Plumbing | Mike Counsil Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 7 years | 32 years |
| License # | 1046875 | 679261 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Morgan Hill, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | bigpictureplumbing.com | www.mcplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Big Picture Plumbing
Big Picture customers consistently emphasize thorough explanations, educational approach, and the owner's investment in helping them understand their plumbing systems and preventive care.
Mike Counsil Plumbing
Mike Counsil customers highlight professional service delivery, quick emergency response, and clean worksite practices during repairs.
Key Takeaway: Big Picture's reviews reveal a communication-focused service model with detailed customer education, while Mike Counsil's feedback emphasizes efficient professional execution without the same emphasis on explanatory depth.
Customer Reviews
Big Picture Plumbing
Isaac & Kevin were very nice and knowledgeable. They diagnosed the problem with our garbage disposal, removed it, and replaced it quickly. Would highly recommend!
Looking for a plumber who is personable, professional, on time, and does quality work? Look no more! Dwayne Black owner of Big Picture Plumbing is your man. Replaced our aging water heater. Very hi...
It was time for a new water heater and when the time came, I decided on Dwayne at Big Picture Plumbing. Prior to Dwayne coming by to assess my situation, I did my research and came up with what I fig...
Mike Counsil Plumbing
I called Mike Counsil Plumbing and Rooter because my water heater was leaking all over my garage, Their customer service reps on the phone were very nice and courteous. They scheduled an appt for me r...
Thank you for coming out and fixing the garbage disposal. Their response was quick, and the technicians were very helpful. Plus, they wore booties and cleaned up after themselves.
I had an excellent experience with Mike Counsil Plumbing. They are very professional & patient explaining things to me. The pricing was fair, and the customer service was outstanding. I highly recomme...
Consider Big Picture Plumbing if...
- ✓ You're located in Morgan Hill or southern Santa Clara County and value working with a contractor deeply embedded in your local community network
- ✓ You want thorough explanations of your plumbing system and preventive maintenance guidance, not just quick fixes
- ✓ Your project involves sewer lateral inspection or repair, pipe replacement, or installations beyond standard appliance work
- ✓ Competitive pricing matters and you appreciate contractors who invest time in detailed quotes and education
Consider Mike Counsil Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have an older home with potentially complicated plumbing issues where three decades of troubleshooting experience could prove valuable
- ✓ You're in San Jose and need a contractor with deep familiarity with the area's building stock and municipal requirements
- ✓ You prioritize a veteran company's institutional knowledge over individual communication style
- ✓ Your needs are primarily emergency response and standard repairs rather than complex installations
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Big Picture: Ask for references from customers with homes similar in age to yours, particularly if you have a pre-1980s property where veteran experience might matter
- → For Mike Counsil: Ask about their approach to customer education and whether technicians take time to explain underlying issues beyond the immediate repair
- → For both: Request details about warranty coverage on parts and labor, and ask how they handle complications discovered mid-project
The Bottom Line
If you're in Morgan Hill with a project requiring detailed communication, competitive pricing, or scope beyond basic repairs, Big Picture Plumbing's strong local presence and customer education approach make them the better fit despite less overall experience. Choose Mike Counsil if you're in San Jose with an older home where 32 years of veteran troubleshooting experience could prove valuable, or if you prioritize institutional longevity over individual service style. For most homeowners facing standard residential plumbing needs, Big Picture's 7-year track record is fully sufficient, and their communication strengths may prove more valuable day-to-day than the experience gap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like a leaking faucet or running toilet, probably not. But if your project involves diagnosing mysterious leaks, working with older pipe materials, or navigating unexpected complications behind walls, Mike Counsil's 32 years of pattern recognition can save time and money. Big Picture's 7 years still qualifies as experienced, not new, which is sufficient for most residential work.
Big Picture explicitly shows sewer lateral inspection and repair in their project history, while Mike Counsil's customer feedback focuses on appliance repairs and emergency response. If your project involves scope cameras, lateral replacements, or municipal compliance work, Big Picture demonstrates more relevant experience in their reviews.
It provides practical accountability beyond licensing and bonding. When a contractor is actively recommended in local Facebook groups and serves repeat neighborhood customers, there's additional reputational pressure to maintain quality. This matters most if you're in Morgan Hill itself; if you're in San Jose, Mike Counsil's local presence provides the same benefit.
Big Picture's reviews specifically and repeatedly emphasize thorough explanations, customer education, and the owner taking time to discuss preventive maintenance. Mike Counsil's feedback mentions professional service and patient explanations, but without the same emphasis on educational approach. If understanding your system matters beyond just fixing the immediate problem, Big Picture shows a stronger pattern here.
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See our ranked list of top plumbing contractors in Santa Clara.
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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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