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Comet Plumbing And Sewer vs Bailey Plumbing

Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Comet Plumbing brings more than double the licensing experience with 15 years versus Bailey's 7, meaningful for complex diagnostics and handling unexpected complications.

Comet Plumbing And Sewer: Veteran plumbing contractor with 15 years of licensing history and owner-operated service model in Sunnyvale.
Bailey Plumbing: Experienced plumbing company with 7 years of licensing serving San Jose with multiple technicians and rapid response capability.
Comet Plumbing And Sewer Bailey Plumbing
Rating 4.9 5.0
Years Licensed 15 years 7 years
License # 951887 1044290
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Sunnyvale, CA San Jose, CA
Website www.call-comet.com baileyplumbinginc.com

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Key Differences

The most significant difference between these contractors is experience depth. Comet Plumbing's 15 years of continuous licensing means Andrew Rhodes has navigated nearly twice as many plumbing seasons, building codes updates, and problem scenarios as Bailey's 7-year history. This matters practically when older homes reveal hidden damage during sewer work or when diagnostic skills prevent small repairs from becoming major projects. Both companies receive similar customer feedback on response speed and communication quality, and both handle comparable project types from basic repairs to full system replacements. The operational difference lies in structure: Comet operates with high owner involvement from Andrew Rhodes handling fieldwork directly, while Bailey runs with multiple technicians serving a broader geographic area. Both serve Santa Clara County effectively, with Comet based in Sunnyvale and Bailey in San Jose.

What Customers Say

Comet Plumbing And Sewer

Customers consistently praise rapid response times with same-day availability, direct communication with owner Andrew Rhodes, and thorough diagnostic work including camera inspections that identify underlying issues.

Bailey Plumbing

Customers highlight quick response times including emergency weekend service, professional technician interactions with clear problem explanations, and thorough diagnostics with transparent pricing before work begins.

Key Takeaway: Both companies receive nearly identical feedback on speed and communication quality, with the primary operational distinction being Comet's direct owner involvement versus Bailey's multiple-technician service model.

Customer Reviews

Comet Plumbing And Sewer

Dec 2025

Comet plumbing did a excellent job at my home . A fair price, competent, knowledgeable, efficient , clean and professional! Thank you Andy, I will be calling you for future issues if needed.

Dec 2025

We had a drain issue right around the holidays and Andrew fixed it that same day. He and his team have always done great work at a fair price!

Dec 2025

Andrew from Comet Plumbing was wonderful! He helped install two clean-outs and fixed a root infested pipe for a reasonable price (plus nice discount). I'll definitely be using them again!

Bailey Plumbing

Jan 2026

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...

Jan 2026

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...

Jan 2026

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 Comet Plumbing And Sewer if...

  • Your home is older and plumbing projects often uncover additional problems requiring experienced judgment calls about hidden damage extent and repair approach
  • You prefer working directly with the business owner who will personally handle your project from diagnosis through completion
  • Your property is in Sunnyvale or northern Santa Clara County where Comet is locally based
  • You value the accumulated problem-solving expertise that comes from 15 years of continuous field experience with vintage and modern systems
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Consider Bailey Plumbing if...

  • You need flexible scheduling with multiple technicians available, particularly valuable if you manage rental properties requiring simultaneous service calls
  • Your property is in San Jose or southern Santa Clara County where Bailey is locally based
  • You're comfortable working with different skilled technicians rather than exclusively with the owner
  • Your project timeline benefits from a multi-technician operation that can potentially accommodate urgent scheduling needs
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • Ask both companies for references from projects similar to yours in age and scope, particularly if your home was built before 1980
  • Ask each contractor who will actually perform the work on your specific project and how long they've been with the company
  • Request details about their diagnostic process for your particular issue and what complications they've encountered on similar projects
  • Ask about warranty terms on both labor and materials, and how they handle callbacks if issues arise after completion

The Bottom Line

Both contractors meet essential standards with proper licensing, bonding, and workers comp coverage, but Comet Plumbing's 15-year licensing history provides meaningfully deeper experience for complex diagnostics and handling the unexpected complications common in older homes. If you prefer working directly with a veteran owner-operator and your property is in Sunnyvale, Comet is the stronger choice. Bailey offers solid 7-year experience with multi-technician flexibility that serves rental property owners and San Jose residents well. For straightforward projects, either company will serve you competently; for older properties or complex infrastructure work, Comet's additional experience depth provides added confidence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

For a simple swap in an accessible location with standard connections, both companies have ample experience. The gap becomes meaningful if your installation requires code upgrades, venting modifications, or if the technician discovers corrosion or other issues during removal that require judgment calls about additional work needed.

Comet's profile indicates high owner involvement with Andrew handling much of the fieldwork directly, but you should confirm at booking whether Andrew will personally handle your specific project. This matters if working directly with the 15-year veteran is important to your decision.

Both companies receive consistent feedback about same-day and weekend availability. Bailey's multi-technician structure may offer more scheduling flexibility during high-demand periods, while Comet's owner-operated model means you'll likely get Andrew directly. Ask each about their current availability for your specific timeframe.

Comet's 15 years of licensing history means more exposure to varied vintage plumbing scenarios and complications that arise when opening walls in older properties. Bailey's 7 years still represents solid experience, but fewer seasons diagnosing hidden damage in aging infrastructure. For homes built before 1970, ask each contractor about their specific experience with your home's era and plumbing materials.

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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 08, 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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