Compare Local Pros
Clear Drain Plumbing vs Bailey Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Clear Drain Plumbing brings 22 years of licensed experience versus Bailey Plumbing's 7 years, a meaningful difference for complex diagnostics and hidden problems.
| Clear Drain Plumbing | Bailey Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 7 years |
| License # | 833802 | 1044290 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Los Gatos, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.cleardrainplumbing.com | baileyplumbinginc.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Clear Drain Plumbing
Customers emphasize rapid response within hours, photo documentation of completed work, and long-term relationships with some clients using the service since 2007.
Bailey Plumbing
Reviews consistently highlight professional technician conduct, thorough diagnostic explanations, and meticulous attention to leaving work areas clean after job completion.
Key Takeaway: Clear Drain receives mentions of decade-long customer relationships suggesting retention through quality, while Bailey earns specific praise for educational communication and cleanliness during the work process.
Customer Reviews
Clear Drain Plumbing
Quick to respond. Excellent communication. Sent photos of all work that was completed. Highly recommend for any of your plumbing needs. Will definitely use again.
Prompt, efficient and professional. Would use them if I have any plumbing needs in the future.
I had an outstanding experience with Clear Drain Plumbing! He was impeccably professional, and wrapped up the job in record time. The pricing was fair and upfront. I can't recommend them enough for de...
Bailey Plumbing
I have used Bailey Plumbing several times over the last few years. They are always responsive and identify and fix the problem for a good price. I would highly recommend Bailey for your plumbing needs...
Huge thanks to Matt, Bryan, and Abel from Bailey Plumbing! They were incredibly responsive and even worked over the weekend to help us out. Their dedication and service were outstanding. Highly recomm...
Chrus came out and showed us exactly what was wrong with our drain.. quoted us a price. It was fixed perfectly and without a bunch of problems. I would definitely recommend abd use this company for an...
Consider Clear Drain Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older with original plumbing that may hide surprises requiring veteran diagnostic skills accumulated over two decades
- ✓ You're facing complex sewer line issues where extensive experience interpreting camera diagnostics and anticipating underground complications provides meaningful value
- ✓ You prefer a contractor with documented long-term customer relationships, including clients who have used their services for 15+ years across multiple properties
- ✓ Your project centers specifically on drain cleaning or sewer main work where Clear Drain shows particular specialization
Consider Bailey Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need a contractor comfortable working across both residential and commercial applications, particularly if you own rental properties
- ✓ Your project involves whole-house repiping or comprehensive plumbing system overhauls where Bailey shows extensive project experience
- ✓ You value detailed explanations and educational communication during the repair process, an attribute customers specifically highlight
- ✓ You're in San Jose proper where Bailey's base location may offer marginally faster response times for emergency situations
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For complex projects, ask each company about similar jobs they've completed in homes built in your home's era and what unexpected issues they typically encounter
- → Ask how they handle complications discovered mid-project, particularly hidden damage behind walls or underground
- → Request references from customers whose projects match your scope, whether that's routine service calls or major system replacements
- → Inquire about warranty terms on both labor and parts for your specific project type
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Clear Drain Plumbing's 22 years of licensed experience provides measurable advantage, particularly for older homes, complex diagnostics, or projects where anticipating complications matters. Bailey Plumbing remains a solid choice with seven years of established experience, especially if you need commercial capability or prefer their San Jose location. Both are properly insured and deliver rapid response with transparent pricing. If your project is straightforward and routine, either will serve you well. For situations where experience depth could prevent costly surprises or misdiagnoses, Clear Drain's veteran status offers genuine value worth the comparison.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward service calls like simple drain clogs or fixture swaps, both contractors have sufficient expertise. The experience advantage becomes meaningful when problems aren't straightforward—when a drain clog signals a deeper sewer line issue, or when diagnostic skills prevent recommending unnecessary work. For truly routine tasks, either company will serve you well.
Both companies receive specific customer praise for emergency response on evenings and weekends, with same-day availability mentioned repeatedly. Bailey's reviews include several weekend emergency calls, while Clear Drain's customers note appointments within hours of calling. Ask each company directly about their current emergency availability and response time commitments.
Both companies have extensive water heater replacement experience in their project histories. Clear Drain's additional 15 years matters more if your home has unusual venting requirements, challenging access, or code compliance questions from multiple renovation eras. For standard replacements in accessible locations, both have demonstrated competency.
Clear Drain's 22 years of experience provides meaningful advantage when dealing with older homes where plumbing problems often connect to issues installed decades ago. Veteran plumbers develop pattern recognition for how problems manifest in different eras of construction and are more likely to catch warning signs of broader system issues before they become emergencies.
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.