Compare Local Pros
Boxers Plumbing vs Nelson Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Choose between Nelson's 34 years of deep technical expertise versus Boxers' workers comp protection and documented emergency response culture.
| Boxers Plumbing | Nelson Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 2 years | 34 years |
| License # | 1118575 | 626176 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Milpitas, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | boxersplumbing.com | nelsonplumbers.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Boxers Plumbing
Boxers receives consistent praise for ultra-fast emergency response with specific 30-minute to 1-hour arrival times, transparent communication with detailed problem explanations, and reasonable pricing.
Nelson Plumbing
Nelson earns recognition for technical expertise and professional service across both minor repairs and major whole-house projects, with emphasis on knowledge depth.
Key Takeaway: Boxers' reviews emphasize communication transparency and documented speed metrics, while Nelson's focus on technical knowledge suggests customers value expertise over detailed explanations.
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👍😊
Nelson Plumbing
I have so much to say about how great Nelson Plumbing is! In an emergency I was lucky I picked the right company for the job! Fast response on a Saturday! Professional and super knowledgeable! New wat...
I don't know what I'd do without Carrie Nelson (ok and P.J., her husband) We have used Nelson Plumbing from small things like replacing our kitchen sink faucet to repiping our entire 2 story house wit...
Consider Boxers Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need absolute certainty about liability protection and want workers comp coverage in place before anyone starts work on your property
- ✓ Your project is relatively straightforward (fixture installation, drain clearing, leak repair, water heater replacement) where speed and clear communication outweigh decades of experience
- ✓ You value detailed explanations of problems and transparent pricing discussions, based on consistent customer feedback patterns
- ✓ You need guaranteed emergency response speed, with documented 30-minute to 1-hour arrival times for after-hours situations
Consider Nelson Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex diagnostics in an older home where 34 years of experience encountering hidden problems provides real value
- ✓ You're planning major work like whole-house repiping in a two-story home where technical depth and having seen every complication matters significantly
- ✓ You're willing to verify workers comp coverage directly or confirm your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries before work begins
- ✓ You have an established relationship with the company or strong referrals that give you confidence in their capabilities
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Nelson: Ask directly about current workers compensation coverage and request a certificate of insurance, or confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured
- → For Boxers: Ask for references from customers who had projects similar to yours in scope and complexity, particularly if your work involves older homes
- → For both: Ask how they handle unexpected complications discovered during work—pricing approach, timeline impacts, and communication process
- → For Nelson: Given 34 years in business, ask whether the same technicians who've been with the company long-term will be assigned to your project
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Boxers Plumbing is the safer choice because workers comp coverage eliminates a real liability risk that Nelson's experience doesn't offset for typical residential projects. Choose Boxers for standard repairs, installations, and emergency work where their documented response speed, transparent communication, and insurance protection provide better overall value. Consider Nelson only if you're facing a genuinely complex diagnostic challenge in an older home where 34 years of pattern recognition matters significantly—and only after confirming workers comp coverage or verifying your homeowner's policy protects you. Don't let experience alone override the concrete financial exposure of missing insurance.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends entirely on your project complexity and risk tolerance. For a whole-house repipe in a 1960s home where hidden corrosion and code issues are likely, Nelson's decades of diagnostic experience provide tangible value. For a water heater replacement or fixture installation, the workers comp protection from Boxers outweighs the experience advantage. Verify your homeowner's policy coverage before deciding.
Two years licensed is relatively new, which means less exposure to rare complications in older Bay Area homes. Their review history shows successful completion of repiping projects and complex installations like gas shutoff valves, but Nelson's 34-year track record suggests deeper pattern recognition for unusual scenarios. For standard residential work, Boxers' licensing and customer feedback indicate competence.
If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could be held liable for medical costs and lost wages under California law. Some homeowner's policies provide coverage, but many don't or have exclusions. This isn't theoretical—it's a concrete financial risk that you should verify with your insurance agent before hiring any contractor without workers comp.
Customer reviews show both respond quickly to emergencies, but Boxers has more specific documentation of 30-minute to 1-hour arrival times and same-day service. Nelson's reviews confirm weekend availability and fast response but with less detail on exact timeframes. For middle-of-the-night emergencies, Boxers' 24-hour service emphasis may provide slightly more predictability.
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 12, 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.