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Mike Counsil Plumbing vs Swags Plumbing And Rooter
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Mike Counsil Plumbing brings 32 years of veteran experience versus Swags Plumbing's 6 years, but both maintain full credentials and strong customer feedback.
| Mike Counsil Plumbing | Swags Plumbing And Rooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 32 years | 6 years |
| License # | 679261 | 1059465 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.mcplumbing.com | www.swagsplumbing.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Mike Counsil Plumbing
Mike Counsil Plumbing receives consistent praise for quick emergency response, professional technicians, and clean worksite practices with fair pricing.
Swags Plumbing And Rooter
Swags Plumbing And Rooter stands out for same-day availability, exceptional communication with thorough explanations, high owner involvement, and punctual arrivals that often exceed expectations.
Key Takeaway: Swags demonstrates significantly stronger customer feedback patterns around communication quality and accessibility, while Mike Counsil's feedback emphasizes reliability and professionalism without the same emphasis on exceptional customer engagement.
Customer Reviews
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...
Swags Plumbing And Rooter
Jaime came over to my house to check on our hot water heater that stopped working the night before. He was quick to answer my phone calls and text messages. He helped us relight our pilot and was very...
I called after hours but someone still answered the phone in one ring and helped me troubleshoot my water heater over the phone and had it working normal again in less than 10 minutes. This company is...
Our technician, Daniel, was fantastic: personable, professional, candid and knowledgeable! A terrific representative for this company. We are presently pondering the options that Daniel described fo...
Consider Mike Counsil Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your home is older with original plumbing systems where diagnosing hidden deterioration requires decades of pattern recognition with Bay Area housing stock
- ✓ You value the stability and institutional knowledge that comes with 32 years of continuous operation in the same market
- ✓ Your project is straightforward and you prioritize a veteran presence over intensive communication during the repair process
- ✓ You need emergency response and appreciate established dispatch systems with experienced technicians
Consider Swags Plumbing And Rooter if...
- ✓ You want same-day or weekend availability with high likelihood of rapid response during off-hours emergencies
- ✓ Communication is a priority and you value detailed explanations, transparent pricing discussions, and phone troubleshooting before appointments
- ✓ You appreciate high owner involvement and direct access to decision-makers throughout your project
- ✓ Your project may be complex like whole-house repiping and you want a company demonstrating capabilities across diverse residential work
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Mike Counsil about their typical response time for same-day emergencies and whether the owner is involved in customer interactions or project oversight
- → Ask Swags about their experience with older home plumbing systems similar to yours and how they handle unexpected complications discovered during repairs
- → Ask both companies for references from projects matching your specific needs, particularly if your work involves complex diagnostics or older infrastructure
The Bottom Line
If your home is older with original plumbing or your project requires deep diagnostic experience with hidden problems, Mike Counsil's 32 years of veteran knowledge provides meaningful advantage. However, if you prioritize same-day availability, exceptional communication, and high owner involvement, Swags Plumbing delivers these strengths with solid 6-year experience credentials. Both maintain full insurance and bonding. For most standard residential plumbing needs, Swags' communication approach and accessibility may provide better customer experience, but complex older-home diagnostics favor Mike Counsil's three decades of pattern recognition.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like fixture replacement or basic drain cleaning, the gap matters less. But for diagnostics on older homes, intermittent leaks, or projects where hidden damage might emerge, Mike Counsil's three decades of pattern recognition with Bay Area plumbing provides meaningful advantage. If your issue is mysterious or your home is 30+ years old, veteran experience helps.
Both handle emergencies, but customer feedback suggests different strengths. Mike Counsil receives praise for quick emergency response with established dispatch. Swags stands out for same-day availability, evening and weekend accessibility, and willingness to troubleshoot by phone immediately. If you need service tonight or want direct communication during an urgent situation, Swags shows stronger patterns in this area.
At 6 years licensed, Swags qualifies as experienced, not new. Customer feedback confirms they handle diverse work including whole-house repiping and complex installations successfully. However, they lack Mike Counsil's institutional knowledge of decades-old regional plumbing systems and long-term problem patterns in older Bay Area homes.
Customer feedback clearly indicates Swags excels in communication, with consistent mentions of thorough explanations, transparent pricing discussions, and accessibility. High owner involvement means direct access to decision-makers. Mike Counsil receives positive feedback for professionalism but without the same emphasis on exceptional communication or detailed walkthroughs of repair options.
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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 07, 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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