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Mike Counsil Plumbing vs Venture Plumbing
Santa Clara Plumbing Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Mike Counsil brings 32 years of experience versus Venture's 17 years, but Venture shows stronger project range and owner engagement.
| Mike Counsil Plumbing | Venture Plumbing | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 32 years | 17 years |
| License # | 679261 | 934775 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.mcplumbing.com | www.ventureplumbinginc.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Mike Counsil Plumbing
Mike Counsil customers emphasize quick emergency response, professional service delivery, and fair pricing for standard repairs and appliance work.
Venture Plumbing
Venture customers highlight punctual service, thorough project explanations, and relationship continuity across multiple plumbing needs over several years.
Key Takeaway: Venture builds repeat customer relationships through communication and owner involvement, while Mike Counsil excels at responsive, efficient single-call service for urgent needs.
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...
Venture Plumbing
Venture Plumbing installed the Moen Flo water pressure monitor in my house. The technician was polite, knowledgeable and prompt. Very happy with the service and would recommend Venture plumbing for a...
Venture Plumbing replaced my house entire pipe system, they also replaced faucets, shower head as well as installing water softener for my house. All workers were very professional, worked hard and kn...
Honest fair price for plumbing services. Nonplumbing may require third party service as opposed to one stop service. Faucet repair thought they had part sourced but required a second trip to plumbing ...
Consider Mike Counsil Plumbing if...
- ✓ You need immediate emergency response for urgent situations like water heater failures or leak repairs, where Mike Counsil's noted quick response times provide peace of mind
- ✓ Your plumbing needs are straightforward repairs or appliance replacements rather than complex system work, and you value efficient, no-nonsense service
- ✓ You prefer working with the longest-tenured contractor available, particularly if your home is older and may present diagnostic challenges from decades-old plumbing systems
Consider Venture Plumbing if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex work like whole-house repiping, sewer line replacement, or tankless water heater installation where Venture's demonstrated experience matters
- ✓ You value detailed explanations and want to understand multiple repair options before deciding on a course of action
- ✓ You're looking for a plumbing partner for ongoing needs across multiple years, given Venture's pattern of repeat customer relationships and high owner involvement
- ✓ Responsive scheduling coordination and communication throughout the project are priorities for you
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Mike Counsil about their experience with complex projects like repiping or sewer work if your needs extend beyond standard repairs
- → Ask Venture about their average emergency response time and availability for urgent situations
- → Ask both companies for references from projects completed in homes similar to yours in age and plumbing system type
- → Ask about the specific technician or crew who would handle your project and their tenure with the company
The Bottom Line
For emergency repairs and straightforward plumbing service where speed matters most, Mike Counsil's 32-year track record and noted quick response make them the safer choice. For complex projects like repiping, sewer work, or situations where you want thorough explanations and ongoing relationship continuity, Venture's demonstrated project range and high owner involvement provide better alignment. Both are solid, veteran contractors with proper protections in place—your decision should hinge on whether your priority is emergency responsiveness or comprehensive project capability with strong communication.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repairs like faucet replacements or garbage disposal work, both companies have more than sufficient experience. The experience gap becomes meaningful if your repair uncovers hidden issues—older homes often reveal corroded pipes, outdated materials, or code violations that require diagnostic judgment built over decades. Mike Counsil's additional 15 years provides deeper pattern recognition for these complications.
Venture Plumbing's customer feedback specifically mentions whole-house repiping projects with satisfied outcomes, demonstrating proven capability in this complex work. While Mike Counsil has the technical experience for such projects given their 32 years in business, the available data doesn't show the same documented track record of large-scale residential repiping that Venture's reviews provide.
Owner involvement creates accountability and continuity, particularly for complex projects requiring multiple visits or decision points. Venture's high owner involvement means you're more likely to have consistent communication and relationship continuity across different service needs over time. For one-time emergency repairs, this matters less than for ongoing plumbing partnerships or major installations.
Mike Counsil receives specific praise for quick emergency response times, suggesting this is a core strength of their operation. Venture receives positive feedback for responsive scheduling, but the emphasis in their reviews centers more on planned projects and thorough communication rather than emergency speed. If immediate emergency response is your primary concern, ask Venture directly about their emergency availability and typical response times.
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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 06, 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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