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Boxers Plumbing vs Mike Counsil Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're choosing between a 2-year contractor with standout emergency speed and a 32-year veteran with deep plumbing experience.
| Boxers Plumbing | Mike Counsil Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 2 years | 32 years |
| License # | 1118575 | 679261 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Milpitas, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | boxersplumbing.com | www.mcplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Boxers Plumbing
Boxers Plumbing customers consistently emphasize exceptionally fast emergency response times, with many noting 30-minute to 1-hour arrivals and transparent communication throughout repairs.
Mike Counsil Plumbing
Mike Counsil Plumbing customers highlight professional service delivery and fair pricing, with appreciation for technician cleanliness and patient explanations of plumbing issues.
Key Takeaway: Boxers receives notably more enthusiastic feedback about response speed and availability for emergencies, while Mike Counsil's reviews focus more on professionalism and service approach without the same emphasis on rapid response.
Customer Reviews
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👍😊
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 Boxers Plumbing if...
- ✓ You have an urgent plumbing emergency requiring same-day or after-hours service, where Boxers' documented 30-minute to 1-hour response times provide clear advantage
- ✓ Your project is straightforward (fixture replacement, drain clearing, water heater installation) where speed and communication matter more than decades of experience
- ✓ You've struggled to find available plumbers and need someone who can fit you into their schedule quickly
- ✓ You value detailed explanations of plumbing problems and transparent pricing discussions during the service call
Consider Mike Counsil Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older with original plumbing that may involve obsolete materials, unusual configurations, or hidden complications requiring veteran diagnostic skills
- ✓ Your project is complex (whole-house repiping, sewer line work, commercial-grade installations) where 32 years of problem-solving experience reduces risk
- ✓ You prioritize the stability and track record that comes with three decades of continuous licensing and business operations
- ✓ Your situation is non-emergency and you want a contractor who has handled virtually every plumbing scenario imaginable
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Boxers Plumbing: Ask for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your work involves older home plumbing or complex installations beyond standard repairs
- → For Mike Counsil Plumbing: Ask about their typical response time for your specific situation to confirm they can meet your timeline expectations
- → For both: Confirm who will actually perform the work and how long that specific technician has been doing plumbing (licensing duration doesn't always reflect individual crew experience)
The Bottom Line
For straightforward plumbing work and emergencies where speed matters most, Boxers Plumbing delivers documented rapid response and clear communication despite being newer. For complex projects, older homes with potential complications, or situations where decades of diagnostic experience reduce risk, Mike Counsil's 32-year track record provides substantially more depth. Both carry proper insurance and bonding, so your decision should center on project complexity and timeline urgency. If you're unsure about your plumbing system's condition or the project involves unknowns, the veteran contractor offers more problem-solving experience when complications arise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs with no surprises, probably not. Both companies can handle basic fixture work and drain clearing competently. The experience gap matters when the simple repair reveals a bigger problem—corroded pipes behind the wall, venting issues, or code violations requiring permit knowledge. A veteran contractor is more likely to spot these complications early.
Boxers Plumbing has stronger documented evidence of rapid emergency response, with customer feedback consistently mentioning arrivals within 30 minutes to an hour and same-day service even for late-night calls. Mike Counsil offers emergency services, but their reviews don't emphasize the same speed of response that defines Boxers' reputation.
It's a legitimate consideration for complex projects or older homes where experience matters. For routine work and emergencies where speed is critical, their 2-year track record combined with proper insurance and bonding provides adequate protection. Just ask about their experience with your specific type of project and request references.
Both companies receive feedback describing their pricing as reasonable and fair, so there's no clear evidence of significant price differences. Established companies sometimes charge more for their reputation, but they may also work more efficiently due to experience. Get quotes from both for an accurate comparison on your specific 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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