When water’s spraying at 2am or power fails during a heatwave, you need contractors who answer NOW. Here’s your verified list of Bay Area emergency services with real response times and transparent pricing.
Before You Call Anyone: Your 3-Minute Emergency Protocol
A burst pipe can flood 250 gallons per hour. Your first actions determine whether you face $500 in repairs or $5,000 in restoration. Every Bay Area homeowner should know these critical shutoff locations before disaster strikes.
Gas leaks require immediate evacuation—don’t flip switches, use phones inside, or start vehicles. Call 911 from outside, then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. For water emergencies, locate your main shutoff valve (usually where the line enters your house) and turn clockwise to stop flow.
Quick Summary: Emergency Services Bay Area
Dealing with water damage? Our guide to water damage restoration services covers prevention tips and insurance claim assistance.
Swift Restoration — 30-Minute Response Guarantee
Swift Restoration backs their 30-minute response guarantee with strategically placed offices across the Bay. Their IICRC-certified teams arrive with truck-mounted extraction equipment capable of removing 300 gallons per minute—critical when every minute means more damage.
Call their emergency line and a live dispatcher (not answering service) triages your situation immediately. For East Bay residents, crews dispatch from Walnut Creek or Berkeley; SF emergencies deploy from their SOMA facility. They handle everything from burst pipes to post-fire cleanup.
Emergency Response Intel
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Discount Plumbing Rooter — No Weekend Upcharges

While competitors charge double after 5pm, Discount Plumbing maintains flat rates 24/7/365—including Christmas. Their 45-minute average response time beats most “emergency” services, with trucks carrying hydro-jetters and camera inspection equipment for immediate diagnosis.
Licensed for plumbing (C-36), HVAC (C-20), and sanitation (C-42), they handle everything from burst pipes to sewage backups. BBB A+ rating with $25,000 bond. Their dispatcher confirms arrival time before hanging up—no “someone will call you back” runaround.
Money-Saving Intel
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The Restoration CleanUp Company — 2-Hour Bay Area Guarantee
Since 1981, this IICRC-certified team guarantees arrival within 2 hours anywhere in the Bay Area—from Sacramento to San Jose. Multiple office locations mean a crew is always nearby, with testimonials praising their clear explanations of the entire mitigation process during stressful situations.
They handle fire, smoke, water damage, and mold remediation for residential and commercial properties. Their project managers walk you through insurance documentation, taking comprehensive photos and moisture readings that adjusters require. Fully licensed, insured, and bondable.
Insurance Navigation Help
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Roto-Rooter
The national brand locals trust when the basement’s flooding. No extra charges for nights, weekends, or holidays—a rarity in emergency services. Their Peninsula location holds an A+ BBB rating, with multiple franchise offices ensuring someone’s always available across all Bay Area counties.
Beyond basic plumbing, they handle water cleanup with truck-mounted extraction equipment. License #MP 633904 for San Francisco location. Special financing available for major repairs. Same-day service 365 days a year with transparent flat-rate pricing before work begins.
Why Roto-Rooter Works at 3am
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BELFOR Property Restoration
When insurance companies need massive disaster response, they call BELFOR. Their Hayward office coordinates Bay Area emergencies with resources most companies can’t match—from document recovery to electronics restoration. A+ BBB rating, IICRC certified, with direct insurance partnerships.
They handle complex multi-trade disasters: fire damage requiring structural work, flooding with mold risk, or earthquake damage across multiple properties. Their estimators use 3D virtual tours to create detailed scopes for insurance, streamlining claims from weeks to days.
Insurance Partnership Benefits
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Ace Plumbing & Rooter
Property managers across SF have Ace on speed dial—20 years of handling true emergencies builds that trust. Customer testimonials include saving a Super Bowl party from sewage backup and Sunday ceiling leak response. They charge by job, not hour, so quotes don’t increase if complications arise.
Phone lines open 7am-9pm daily, but emergency dispatch continues 24/7. Their temporary repair protocol prevents further damage when parts aren’t immediately available. BBB A+ rating, Diamond Certified 19 years running. Specializes in main line blockages with SF’s most powerful hydro-jetter.
Property Manager Preferred
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A 24 Electric Co.
Text a photo of your sparking outlet at 2am and get an estimate back—this SF electrician understands panic. Owner Eddie answers Sunday nights personally, often diagnosing issues over the phone to save you money. Handles code violations, permits, panel upgrades, and those terrifying burning smells.
The name isn’t marketing—they genuinely operate 24/7 including weekends and holidays. Testimonials praise quick response times and problem-solving that avoids unnecessary work. They’ll tell you if it can wait until morning, rare honesty in emergency services.
Smart Emergency Response
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Qualtech Heating & Cooling
When your AC dies during a heatwave, credentials matter. Qualtech’s Carrier Factory Authorized status means factory-trained techs with proper diagnostic equipment—not guesswork. Their 10-year labor guarantee beats industry standard by 9 years. A+ BBB rating over 35 years speaks to consistency.
Service trucks carry comprehensive parts inventory, avoiding “we’ll order it” delays during emergencies. Based in East Bay, covering Oakland to Walnut Creek with true 24/7 dispatch. Testimonials consistently mention professionalism, knowledge, and clear communication about repair options.
HVAC Emergency Intelligence
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Pacific Coast Home Services
One call handles everything—HVAC dies, pipe bursts, and power’s out? Pacific Coast sends multi-trade NATE-certified techs who fix all three. Based in San Jose with offices in Berkeley and Pleasanton, they’re positioned for rapid South Bay and East Bay response when others are closed.
Expert technicians “standing by and on call” for after-hours, weekend, and holiday emergencies. All work 100% guaranteed. Emergency diagnosis includes duct cleaning if needed—they don’t just patch problems. Regional offices mean someone’s always close when crisis hits.
Multi-Trade Advantage
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Wedge Roofing
Tree through your roof at midnight? Wedge coordinates everything: arborist for removal, temporary cover installation, engineering assessment if needed. Licensed since 1976 (#416737) with zero CSLB complaints. As General Contractors, they fix both roof and structural damage—one company, complete solution.
Multiple emergency crews available during Bay Area storms, not just one on-call tech. Staff passed Pinkerton background checks, carry multi-million liability insurance. Three consecutive years “People Love Us On Yelp” winner. Serves Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco with rapid storm response.
Storm Response Protocol
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While Wedge handles emergency storm damage 24/7, for planned roof replacements and preventive maintenance, explore our comprehensive guide to Bay Area’s top 12 roofing contractors with detailed pricing, warranty comparisons, and specialization breakdowns.
Giuliani Construction & Restoration
Insurance companies call them “subrogation masters”—they navigate claims so well, adjusters prefer working with them. IICRC and EPA-certified, handling everything from emergency mitigation to complete reconstruction. One project manager from start to finish means less stress and faster insurance approval.
As licensed General Contractors, they manage architectural plans, engineering, and city permits alongside emergency response. Offices in South San Francisco and San Jose provide Greater Bay Area coverage. Full-year guarantee on materials and workmanship. 24/7 emergency response for fire, water, and biohazard cleanup.
Insurance Claim Mastery
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Wells Electrical
Three decades of East Bay electrical emergencies creates deep local knowledge—they know which neighborhoods have aluminum wiring issues and where old panels commonly fail. Their 24-hour electricians work around the clock, not just on-call. Full residential and commercial capability including safety inspections.
Beyond emergency repairs, they handle panel upgrades, complete rewiring, and circuit breaker work. Home electrical safety inspections catch problems before they become midnight emergencies. Primary East Bay focus means faster response than companies covering entire Bay Area.
East Bay Electrical Expert
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COIT
Since 1950, COIT’s handled Bay Area disasters with a unique guarantee: they’ll re-service, restore to pre-loss condition, credit the item’s value, or repair any damage their team causes. That’s confidence from 75 years experience. IICRC certified, A- BBB rating, working directly with insurance agencies.
Beyond basic water extraction, they handle contents restoration—saving furniture, documents, and valuables others would discard. Their detailed documentation process satisfies even difficult adjusters. Bay Area-wide coverage with established insurance relationships speeds claim processing significantly.
Comprehensive Guarantee Details
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Advanced Plumbing & Drain
Small shop, personal service—when you call Advanced, you’re likely talking to the owner. A+ BBB rating with strong Yelp reviews praising honest pricing and quality work. They accept all payment methods including checks, helpful when banks are closed during midnight emergencies.
Serves San Francisco and Peninsula with free estimates. The owner-operator model means consistent quality—the person quoting is the person fixing. Smaller operation may mean longer response during multiple emergencies, but customers praise the personalized attention when they arrive.
Small Shop Advantages
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Glover & Son HVAC
Family-run since 1999, Glover & Son offers what corporate chains can’t—financing for emergency system replacements when your furnace dies unexpectedly. BBB Accredited, serving East Bay and South Bay with genuine 24/7 emergency response. The “& Son” means multi-generational expertise stays in the family.
Beyond repairs, they handle complete system replacements during emergencies—critical when a 20-year-old furnace finally fails in January. Financing approval can happen over the phone, avoiding days without heat. Their family reputation depends on every call, creating accountability mega-companies lack.
Family Business Benefits
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FAQs: Emergency Home Repairs Bay Area
What should I do first when my pipe bursts at 2am?
Immediately shut off your main water valve (usually where the line enters your house), then call Swift Restoration (30-minute guarantee) or Discount Plumbing (no night fees). Document damage with photos for insurance while waiting.
Which emergency repair services in the Bay Area don’t charge extra for weekends?
Discount Plumbing Rooter and Roto-Rooter explicitly don’t charge weekend/holiday premiums. Most others add 50-100% surcharge after hours. Always ask about emergency fees before authorizing work.
How much do emergency plumbers charge in San Francisco?
Emergency plumbing typically starts at $200-300 for the call-out, plus $150-250/hour. Ace Plumbing charges by job not hour, so quotes won’t increase. Get written estimates before work begins.
Should I call a restoration company or plumber for water damage?
Call a plumber first to stop active leaks, then restoration for water extraction and drying. Companies like BELFOR and Restoration CleanUp handle insurance documentation better than trade contractors.
How can I verify an emergency contractor is legitimate at night?
Ask for their CSLB license number and check cslb.ca.gov immediately. Legitimate contractors provide this without hesitation. Watch for red flags: cash-only demands, unmarked vehicles, pressure for immediate payment.
Home emergencies don’t follow business hours, but preparation transforms panic into action. Keep this guide bookmarked, print the quick reference numbers, and know your shutoff locations before disaster strikes.
Remember: legitimate emergency contractors provide license numbers willingly, offer written estimates, and accept multiple payment methods. When in doubt, verify credentials at cslb.ca.gov even at 3am—it could save thousands in repairs and prevent fraud.