A Local Loss: Saying Goodbye to J Plumbing

It’s always difficult to hear about a local business closing its doors, especially when that business has been a trusted name in the community for years. J Plumbing, a well-respected plumbing company here in Barrie, recently announced that they are going out of business. As a company that has served countless families and homeowners throughout Simcoe County throughout the decades, J Plumbing’s departure leaves a noticeable void in the local plumbing industry. 

The Importance of Supporting Legitimate Local Businesses 

When a company like J Plumbing closes, it’s a reminder of how important it is to support local businesses that truly care about their customers and the community. Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, and when they thrive, so do we. These businesses not only contribute to the local economy but also provide jobs to skilled professionals who live and work in our area. J Plumbing’s employees were all licensed plumbers, which ensured that customers could count on high-quality, professional plumbing repairs and services. It’s always a challenge when we lose such an important local resource. 

Unethical Plumbing Businesses Are on the Rise 

In recent years, we’ve noticed an influx of businesses with flashy websites promising high quality service, near perfect Google reviews, and honest pricing. They look and sound great until an un-trained first-year apprentice (or general labourer) appears at your doorstep and attempts to sell and perform services which you may not need.  

When Hiring a Plumbing Company, be on the Watch For: 

• No real photos of actual plumbers in their team (check to verify if the business logo is photo-shopped onto their plumbers t-shirts or hats). Our plumber John is, as of today, displayed prominently on our homepage for a reason – he’s a real person and journeyman plumber, not a model that has been photo-shopped! 
• Their “local” address is an office or retail building and a ghost-mailbox with no bay doors and storage to hold an inventory of plumbing parts and supplies located on the ground floor.  
• Near-perfect google reviews (nobody is perfect, and this is suspect!). 

Although none of these are perfect indicators that there is anything illegitimate or unethical about a plumbing company, in our opinion, all three being true would make the risk higher. 

Stay Local, Stay Supported 

While it’s unfortunate to see a local business like J Plumbing go out of business, we hope to continue the tradition of providing excellent plumbing services to the residents of Barrie and Simcoe County. If you’re in need of any plumbing services, repairs, or advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Let’s keep supporting local businesses that care about the community, and we’ll continue to take care of your plumbing needs with pride. 

Here’s to keeping Barrie and Simcoe County strong, one pipe at a time!