Quick Comparison
| Firm | Founded / Tenure & Credentials | Services & Specialties | Geographic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric | 1934 (E.H. Armstrong founder); generations of family ownership across 92 years | TX HVAC TACLA8019E, TX Master Plumber M-17317, TX Electrical TECL 32611, BBB Accredited | 710 East 40th Street Lubbock base (79404); Lubbock plus West Texas |
| Joe Rushing Plumbing Co. | 1948 (Joe Rushing founder, Naval Air Corps veteran and Texas Tech football player; gained experience at father-in-law's Rountree Plumbing); Joe Ray Rushing took over 1970; current third-generation Joe D, Rushing and Ronda Rushing; four-generation continuous Rushing family operation | TX Master Plumber through TSBPE, TX HVAC, BBB Accredited | 2405 1st Street Lubbock base; Lubbock plus West Texas |
| Earl's Plumbing, Heating & Air | 1972 (David Haralson founder); son Earl Haralson trained under his father, earned degree from Texas Tech University and studied at Asbury Seminary, earned Master Plumber's license 2004; co-owner Chuck Hall (Vice President, brother-in-law) | TX Master Plumber through TSBPE (Earl Haralson 2004), TX HVAC, BBB Accredited | Lubbock base (plus North Dallas, San Angelo, Abilene); Lubbock plus West Texas |
| Phil Kerr's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company | 1977 (Roy Kerr founder); current Phil Kerr (Roy's son); over 30 years family-owned and operated; Phil Kerr Master Plumber M-39129 | TX Master Plumber M-39129, TX HVAC, BBB Accredited | Lubbock base; Lubbock plus West Texas |
1. Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric
- Address: 710 East 40th Street, Lubbock, TX 79404
- Phone: (806) 762-0337
- Founder: E.H. Armstrong (founded 1934); generations of Armstrong family ownership across 92 years
- Operating Since: 1934 (92 years; cornerstone of the Lubbock community)
- License: Texas HVAC TACLA8019E; Texas Master Plumber M-17317; Texas Electrical TECL 32611; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Lubbock (downtown, Tech Terrace, Heart of Lubbock, North Lubbock, South Lubbock, West Lubbock, Tech, Stubbs Park, Carlisle, Maxey Park) plus West Texas (Wolfforth, Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Ransom Canyon, Buffalo Springs Lake, Plainview, Levelland)
- Website: bettercallarmstrong.com
92 Years of Continuous Armstrong Family Operation
E.H. Armstrong founded Armstrong Plumbing in 1934. Across 92 years of continuous Armstrong family ownership, the firm has built a Lubbock-community institution. Generations of family ownership have shaped the firm’s reputation around quality workmanship, honest service, and customer commitment. The 92-year operating tenure ranks Armstrong among the longest-tenured family-owned plumbing operations in West Texas.
East 40th Street Lubbock Operating Base
The 710 East 40th Street Lubbock headquarters places the firm in central Lubbock (79404). The position brings dispatch within across Lubbock plus the broader West Texas market. Service extends through Lubbock neighborhoods (downtown, Tech Terrace, Heart of Lubbock, North Lubbock, South Lubbock, West Lubbock) plus Wolfforth, Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Ransom Canyon, Plainview, and Levelland.
Multi-Trade TACL, TPL, and TECL Credentialing
Armstrong Plumbing operates under three Texas trade credentials: HVAC TACLA8019E, Master Plumber M-17317 through TSBPE, and Electrical TECL 32611. Multi-trade credentialing supports unified plumbing-and-HVAC-and-electrical residential and commercial service. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification. The 92-year continuous Armstrong family operating tenure plus multi-trade credentialing supports a verifiable compliance record.
2. Joe Rushing Plumbing Co.
- Address: 2405 1st Street, Lubbock, TX 79415
- Phone: (806) 763-2401
- Founder: Joe Rushing (founded 1948; Naval Air Corps veteran, Texas Tech football player; gained experience working at his father-in-law’s Rountree Plumbing); Joe Ray Rushing took over 1970; current third-generation Joe D. Rushing and Ronda Rushing; four-generation continuous Rushing family operation
- Operating Since: 1948 (78 years; Lubbock’s second-oldest plumbing company)
- License: Texas Master Plumber through TSBPE; Texas HVAC; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Lubbock plus Wolfforth, Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Ransom Canyon, Buffalo Springs Lake, Plainview, Levelland, West Texas
- Website: joerushing.com
Four Rushing Family Generations Across 78 Years
Joe Rushing founded Joe Rushing Plumbing in 1948. Joe served in the Naval Air Corps and played football at Texas Tech University. He gained valuable experience working at Rountree Plumbing, owned by his father-in-law, before launching his own firm. Joe Rushing’s son Joe Ray Rushing took the reins in 1970, building on the foundation. Today the third generation leads the firm: Joe Ray’s son Joe D. Rushing and daughter Ronda Rushing. Four Rushing family generations have run the business across 78 years.
1st Street Lubbock Operating Base
The 2405 1st Street Lubbock headquarters opens rapid dispatch coverage across Lubbock plus the West Texas market. Service depth includes both plumbing and HVAC under one roof, supporting unified residential and commercial project work. Service extends through Lubbock neighborhoods plus Wolfforth, Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Ransom Canyon, Buffalo Springs Lake, Plainview, and Levelland.
TX Master Plumber Plus HVAC Multi-Trade Compliance
Joe Rushing Plumbing operates under Texas Master Plumber credentialing through TSBPE plus Texas HVAC credentialing. Combined plumbing-and-HVAC credentialing supports unified residential and commercial service. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification. The 78-year continuous Rushing family operating tenure plus four-generation transition supports a verifiable compliance record.
3. Earl’s Plumbing, Heating & Air
- Address: Lubbock, TX (West Texas plus North Dallas, San Angelo, Abilene service)
- Phone: (806) 793-2725
- Founder: David Haralson (founded 1972); son Earl Haralson trained under his father, earned a degree from Texas Tech University, studied at Asbury Seminary, returned to Lubbock with 20 years of plumbing experience, and earned his Master Plumber’s license 2004; wife Crissy managed books then sales and marketing; co-owner Chuck Hall (Vice President, Crissy’s brother-in-law)
- Operating Since: 1972 (54 years)
- License: Texas Master Plumber through TSBPE (Earl Haralson 2004); Texas HVAC; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Lubbock plus North Dallas, San Angelo, Abilene plus West Texas (Wolfforth, Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Ransom Canyon)
- Website: callearls.com
Two Haralson Generations Plus Hall Family Co-Ownership Across 54 Years
David Haralson opened Earl’s Plumbing in 1972. David’s son Earl Haralson trained under his father before earning a degree from Texas Tech University and studying at Asbury Seminary. Earl returned to Lubbock with 20 years of plumbing experience and earned his Master Plumber’s license in 2004. Earl built the business on integrity, quality, and respect with support from his wife Crissy, who managed the books and later sales and marketing. Crissy’s sister Niki and brother-in-law Chuck Hall joined soon after. Chuck Hall now serves as Vice President. Both Earl Haralson and Chuck Hall were born and raised in Lubbock and graduated from Texas Tech University.
Lubbock Base With Multi-Texas-City Reach
Earl’s Plumbing operates from a Lubbock base. The position speeds dispatch reach across West Texas plus separate North Dallas, San Angelo, and Abilene operations. Service depth covers plumbing, heating, and air conditioning across residential and commercial markets.
TX Master Plumber Plus HVAC Multi-Trade Credentialing
Earl’s Plumbing operates under Texas Master Plumber credentialing (Earl Haralson 2004) through TSBPE plus Texas HVAC credentialing. Combined plumbing-and-HVAC credentialing supports unified residential and commercial service. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
4. Phil Kerr’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Company
- Address: Lubbock, TX (West Texas service)
- Phone: (806) 793-7700
- Founder: Roy Kerr (founded 1977); current Phil Kerr (Roy’s son, Master Plumber M-39129); over 30 years family-owned and operated
- Operating Since: 1977 (49 years)
- License: Texas Master Plumber M-39129 (Phil Kerr) through TSBPE; Texas HVAC; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Lubbock plus Wolfforth, Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Ransom Canyon, Plainview, Levelland, West Texas
- Website: philkerrsplumbing.com
Two Kerr Family Generations Across 49 Years
Roy Kerr founded Phil Kerr’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in 1977. Roy’s son Phil Kerr now leads the firm as Master Plumber under license M-39129. Across 49 years of continuous Kerr family ownership, the firm has built a Lubbock-and-West-Texas service map. Phil Kerr brings second-generation operational continuity to the founder’s plumbing-and-HVAC service line.
Lubbock Base With West Texas Reach
Phil Kerr’s Plumbing operates from a Lubbock base. The position enables rapid dispatch across the Lubbock metro plus the West Texas suburban arc (Wolfforth, Idalou, Shallowater, Slaton, Ransom Canyon, Plainview, Levelland). Multi-trade service depth covers plumbing, heating, and air conditioning.
TX Master Plumber M-39129 Plus HVAC Multi-Trade Compliance
Phil Kerr’s Plumbing operates under Texas Master Plumber license M-39129 (Phil Kerr) through TSBPE plus Texas HVAC credentialing. The 49-year continuous Kerr family operating tenure plus second-generation transition supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
Reference Notes
Texas plumbing licensing runs through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). TSBPE issues Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Tradesman Plumber-Limited, and Responsible Master Plumber (RMP) credentials through sequentially numbered records (M-prefix). Verification runs through the TSBPE public license search at tsbpe.texas.gov. The City of Lubbock Building Inspection Department issues building permits within Lubbock city limits. Lubbock Water Utilities handles water service connections plus annual backflow-prevention testing.
Lubbock-area residential housing reflects more than 130 years of construction since the city’s 1909 official incorporation. Pre-1950 housing remains in downtown Lubbock and the Heart of Lubbock historic district. The 1950s-1970s expansion built out Tech Terrace (grounded by Texas Tech University), the Maxey Park district, Stubbs Park, North Lubbock, and the South Lubbock corridor. Postwar tract construction built out West Lubbock, Lubbock Country Club, and the broader Lubbock County suburban arc through 1950-1980. The 1980s-2000s drove the West Lubbock master-planned-community expansion plus the South Loop 289 commercial-and-residential corridor. Slab-on-grade construction throughout the postwar tracts, copper-and-PEX supply piping in newer construction, plus episodic West Texas summer heat stress on water heaters and fixtures shape recurring service categories. Cotton-belt agricultural-area service plus Texas Tech University rental housing add specialty service-line demand.
The four firms profiled cover four positions on the Lubbock market arc. Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric leads tenure with 92 years of continuous Armstrong family ownership since E.H. Armstrong’s 1934 founding. The firm holds three Texas trade credentials (TACLA8019E HVAC, M-17317 Master Plumber, TECL 32611 Electrical) supporting unified plumbing-HVAC-electrical service across West Texas. Joe Rushing Plumbing follows with four Rushing family generations since Joe Rushing’s 1948 founding. Joe Ray Rushing took over 1970. Joe D. Rushing and Ronda Rushing (Joe Ray’s children) now lead the third generation. Earl’s Plumbing brings two Haralson generations plus Hall family co-ownership since David Haralson’s 1972 founding. Earl Haralson earned his Master Plumber license 2004. Co-owner Chuck Hall serves as Vice President. Phil Kerr’s Plumbing runs two Kerr family generations since Roy Kerr’s 1977 founding under son Phil Kerr’s Master Plumber license M-39129.
Verification paths run through tsbpe.texas.gov, BBB West Texas listings, the PHCC of Texas directory, and the City of Lubbock Building Inspection contractor records. Pre-1950 downtown Lubbock and Heart of Lubbock housing tilts toward Armstrong’s 92-year operating depth. Four-generation Lubbock plumbing-and-HVAC service since 1948 fits Joe Rushing Plumbing. Two-generation Haralson-plus-Hall family West-Texas-and-multi-Texas-city service since 1972 fits Earl’s Plumbing. Two-generation Kerr family Lubbock-and-West-Texas plumbing-and-HVAC service since 1977 fits Phil Kerr’s Plumbing. National rollup brands operating in West Texas (Authority Brands’ Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Neighborly’s Mr. Rooter, Service Experts, Roto-Rooter, Wrench Group, Redwood Services, Master Trades Group, ARS, Apex Service Partners, Turnpoint Services) sit outside the four-firm independent profile.
Selection Methodology
Selection follows four criteria. First, continuous family ownership or founder-operator continuity outside the national rollup pattern. Second, verifiable Texas Master Plumber or RMP license cross-checked through the TSBPE public lookup. Third, BBB Accreditation or equivalent third-party rating. Fourth, minimum 10-year continuous operating tenure with documented Lubbock service coverage. Firms acquired by national franchise networks (Authority Brands’ Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Neighborly’s Mr. Rooter, Service Experts, Roto-Rooter, Wrench Group, Redwood Services, Master Trades Group, ARS, Turnpoint Services) are excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a Lubbock plumber’s license?
Use the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners license search at tsbpe.texas.gov. Search by license number or business name. Confirm active Master Plumber or RMP status, expiration date, and bonding before authorizing work.
What credentials should a Lubbock plumber hold?
At minimum: Texas Master Plumber credential plus general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Specialty work (gas line, backflow prevention, fire sprinkler, sewer lateral, water heater installation) requires additional credential layers. Combined plumbing-and-HVAC service requires additional Texas HVAC TACL classification.
How can I tell if a Lubbock plumber is locally owned versus a national rollup?
Check ownership disclosures and acquisition history. National franchise brands typically operate under parent-company branding. Search the firm name plus “acquired” or “parent company” to surface ownership structure. The four firms in this directory all run as independent locally-owned operators.
When should I call an emergency plumber in Lubbock?
Burst pipes, sewer backups, gas leaks, no-water events, frozen-pipe events, and water heater failures justify after-hours dispatch. West Texas summer heat plus episodic winter freeze events drive recurring service demand. Each firm in this directory offers either 24/7 emergency service or structured after-hours response.
Editorial Note
Compiled by the editorial team. Firm details cross-verified through state license databases, BBB business profiles, and firm-published websites where available. License numbers should be re-verified through the TSBPE public lookup before authorizing work. Information current as of the date below; firm details may change without notice. Last updated: 2026-05-10.