Compare Local Pros
Cupertino Plumbing vs Nelson Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both veteran plumbers with 34 years of experience, but only Cupertino Plumbing carries workers compensation insurance.
| Cupertino Plumbing | Nelson Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 34 years | 34 years |
| License # | 624905 | 626176 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Campbell, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.cupertinoplumbing.com | nelsonplumbers.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Cupertino Plumbing
Customers consistently praise responsive scheduling, clear communication throughout projects, thorough explanations of work, and attention to clean work sites across diverse project types.
Nelson Plumbing
Customers emphasize fast emergency response including weekend availability and strong technical knowledge, with less detailed feedback about communication or project process.
Key Takeaway: Cupertino receives more comprehensive feedback about the customer experience and communication, while Nelson is specifically recognized for emergency response speed.
Customer Reviews
Cupertino Plumbing
Very friendly and knowledgeable. Did a stellar job replacing my kitchen faucet.
Cupertino Plumbing fixed two issues - on two separate visit weeks apart 1) Post the washer cycle, while being drained, the water was coming out of the pipe next to the washer 2) When the dishwasher cy...
Amazing customer service and value! Highly recommend.
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 Cupertino Plumbing if...
- ✓ You want full insurance protection without potential gaps in liability coverage that could affect your homeowner's policy.
- ✓ Communication and detailed explanations throughout the project are priorities for you, based on consistent customer feedback patterns.
- ✓ Your project involves routine maintenance or scheduled installations where thorough planning and clean work site practices matter.
- ✓ You value a company with extensive documented customer feedback across diverse project types from drain cleaning to major repiping.
Consider Nelson Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need true emergency plumbing service with weekend availability and prioritize speed of response above all else.
- ✓ You're willing to verify current workers compensation coverage directly and confirm your liability exposure before hiring.
- ✓ Your project is straightforward enough that technical expertise matters more than extensive communication throughout the process.
- ✓ You're specifically located in San Jose and prefer a contractor based in your immediate area.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Nelson Plumbing: Ask directly about current workers compensation coverage status and request proof of insurance. Confirm whether your homeowner's policy would cover contractor injuries if workers comp isn't in place.
- → For both companies: Request references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if you're planning major work like whole-house repiping.
- → Ask about crew composition, how long technicians have been with the company, and who specifically would be working on your property.
The Bottom Line
Cupertino Plumbing is the safer choice for most homeowners. While both companies have identical 34-year track records and handle similar work, Cupertino carries workers compensation insurance that protects you from liability if someone is injured on your property. They also demonstrate stronger customer feedback patterns around communication and thorough service. Choose Nelson Plumbing only if you need emergency response and are willing to verify their current insurance status and confirm your liability exposure with your homeowner's insurance agent before any work begins.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, significantly. Experience doesn't protect you from liability if a worker is injured on your property. Without workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may have to cover medical bills and legal costs, potentially raising your premiums or exposing you to lawsuits. This is a real financial risk regardless of how long a company has been in business.
Technical capability is likely comparable given their matching 34-year histories and similar project types. The practical difference is in service experience: Cupertino shows stronger patterns in communication and detailed customer interaction, while Nelson emphasizes emergency speed. Choose based on whether project communication or rapid response matters more for your specific situation.
Both handle whole-house repiping successfully. Cupertino Plumbing has more detailed customer feedback about communication, explanations, and clean work practices during complex projects, which matters when contractors are in your home for days. Nelson can certainly handle the technical work, but verify their workers comp status first since major projects mean more worker hours and higher injury risk exposure.
Contact your insurance agent before hiring any contractor without workers comp. Some policies exclude coverage for contractor injuries, leaving you personally liable. Others may cover it but with deductibles, premium increases, or claim history impacts. Don't assume you're protected without explicit confirmation from your insurer about this specific scenario.
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.