Growth, Service and Prevention: Inside Elgin County Plumbing’s Year of Progress Over the past year, Elgin County Plumbing has continued to expand its services, invest in new technology and strengthen its team, all while maintaining the customer-first approach that helped build the company’s reputation in the first place. Owned and operated by Chris and Nicole Forbes, the business has steadily grown by focusing on quality workmanship, preventative maintenance and strong relationships with homeowners across the region. “We’re both hands-on owners,” says Chris. “I work in the field as a plumber, and Nicole manages operations, scheduling and customer experience in the office and showroom. She’s also not afraid to get out in the field when an extra hand is needed.” That shared involvement in both the technical and customer service sides of the business has helped shape the company’s continued growth. Nicole says one of the biggest contributions has been the human factor, with the addition of new team members. “I believe one of the biggest factors in our growth has been bringing Jed and Alex onto our team,” she explains. “Their addition has helped us handle more work and has also given Chris the opportunity to return to school to obtain his gas license, which will allow us to expand our services even further.” Chris notes that Elgin County Plumbing is now able to take on a wider range of projects than ever before. “We’ve expanded our technical capabilities,” he says. “We now handle more complex projects, including sewer and drain systems, sump pump systems, backflow protection, tankless water heaters, in-floor and radiant heating, and smart water monitoring systems.” Growth has also meant reinvesting in the tools and equipment needed to deliver high-quality service. “Over the last year, we’ve purchased new drain cleaning equipment and high- tech imaging tools that help us diagnose problems better and faster,” Chris says. “The right tools make a big difference, not just for us, but for the homeowner too.” While the company has expanded in several areas, both Chris and Nicole say their goal has never been simply to become bigger. “Our growth hasn’t been about trying to become the biggest plumbing company; it’s about becoming the most trusted local one,” Chris explains. “That mindset has really shaped how we’ve evolved over the last year.” Another important part of that evolution has been the development of Elgin County Plumbing’s Plumbing Service Plan. Designed to help homeowners stay ahead of potential plumbing issues, the program focuses on regular maintenance and inspections. Nicole says the idea behind the plan is simple. “We designed our plumbing service plan to help our customers prevent issues before they happen,” she says. “The goal is to stay ahead of potential problems through regular maintenance rather than waiting until something breaks.” Chris adds that many plumbing issues begin with small signs that homeowners may not notice. “A lot of plumbing problems give warning signs; people just don’t always notice them,” he says. “With our service plan, we’re checking things like sump pumps, water heaters, drains, shut-off valves and visible piping before there’s a failure.”
Those inspections can often prevent much larger problems. “We can prevent things like backed-up drains, failed sump pumps during heavy rain, leaking supply lines, running toilets that waste water, and even early water heater breakdowns,” Chris says. “Sometimes it’s just tightening a fitting or spotting corrosion early, and that small fix can prevent a major repair later.” Nicole notes that preventative maintenance can also help homeowners avoid unexpected stress during emergencies. “Regular maintenance can prevent issues such as discovering a shut-off valve isn’t working during an emergency,” she says. “Depending on the service plan selected, maintenance can also help prevent problems like a main sewer backup.” In today’s economy, both owners say proactive maintenance can make an even bigger difference. “Everything costs more right now, materials, labour, everything,” Chris explains. “If we can catch something early and fix it small, that’s always better than waiting for it to fail. A service plan helps people plan instead of reacting under pressure.” Along with expanded services and preventive maintenance options, Elgin County Plumbing has also enhanced the customer experience by updating its showroom. The showroom allows homeowners to see fixtures, materials and design options up close before beginning a renovation or upgrade. “Our showroom has helped customers see products in person and get better guidance before starting renovation projects,” Chris says. As Elgin County Plumbing continues to grow, Chris says the company remains focused on the values that helped build its reputation in the first place. “The biggest factor in our growth has been our team and our customers,” he says. “Nicole plays a huge role in operations and customer experience, and we’ve built systems that allow us to serve homeowners quickly and professionally. We focus heavily on communication, clean job sites and respecting people’s homes.” With an expanding team, new technology, preventative service programs and a welcoming showroom experience, Elgin County Plumbing is well-positioned to continue to be Elgin’s go-to plumbing service for years to come.
Page 20 St. Thomas Home Show Guide • April 2026
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