Quick Comparison
| Firm | Founded / Tenure & Credentials | Services & Specialties | Geographic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling | 1946 (Delmar Schaal founder, originally Schaal Furnace Company); Wendell Fouche acquired and assumed presidency 1980; current Owners Randy Keys and Dennis Lane | Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board license #50624-CL, BBB Accredited | 5670 NW Beaver Drive Johnston base; Des Moines plus Iowa City and Cedar Rapids |
| Holt Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical | 1947 (John F. Holt and wife Edith Holt founders, John a former Martin Bomber Plant sheet metal worker building B-26 and B-29 airplanes); son Lynn Holt second-generation (joined while in high school); third-generation Lynn and Dixie's children Ben Holt, Amanda Holt, and son-in-law Josh; three Holt family generations | Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board license, BBB Accredited | 1202 Thomas Beck Road Des Moines base; Des Moines plus Madison County (Afton, Winterset) |
| H & H Plumbing, Inc. | 2003 (Chris Hansen Jr founder); 23 years operating tenure; founder has 20-plus years personal trade experience | Iowa Contractor C131502, Plumbing and Mechanical 51027-CL, Pipelaying Sewer Waterlines Wells Tiling C087714; BBB Accredited (since 2004-07-12) | 32411 170th Street Granger base (50109); Des Moines plus surrounding communities |
| Herr Plumbing | 1996 (Rick Herr and wife Peggy Herr founders, started out of their home in West Des Moines); 30 years continuous family-owned operation; relocated to Urbandale 2002 | Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board license, BBB Accredited | Urbandale base; Des Moines plus West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee |
1. Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling
- Address: 5670 NW Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA 50131 (Des Moines service)
- Phone: (515) 207-7378
- Founder: Delmar Schaal (founded 1946; originally Schaal Furnace Company); Wendell Fouche acquired the company and assumed presidency 1980; current Owners Randy Keys and Dennis Lane
- Operating Since: 1946 (80 years; over 75 years helping Des Moines families)
- License: Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board license #50624-CL; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Des Moines (downtown, Beaverdale, Sherman Hill, Drake University, East Village, Mac-Bee, Capitol Hill, Ingersoll, South of Grand) plus Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, surrounding Polk County
- Website: callschaalyaall.com
80 Years of Continuous Schaal Operation Across Multiple Ownership Lines
Delmar Schaal established the Schaal Furnace Company in 1946, with founding tradition dating to the 1940s. Delmar’s promise was “A business succeeds by keeping customers satisfied.” This customer-satisfaction commitment shaped every business decision he made. Wendell Fouche acquired the company and assumed the presidency in 1980, continuing the founder’s customer-first culture. Today Randy Keys and Dennis Lane serve as Owners and Team Leaders. Across 80 years of continuous operation, Schaal has helped Des Moines families across more than seventy-five years of service.
Johnston Base With Des Moines and Iowa Reach
The 5670 NW Beaver Drive Johnston headquarters speeds dispatch reach across Des Moines plus Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and the broader Polk County market. Multi-trade service depth covers plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work for residential and commercial customers.
Iowa License #50624-CL Plus 80-Year Compliance Record
Schaal Plumbing operates under Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board license #50624-CL. Verification runs through the Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board public license search. The 80-year continuous operating tenure across multiple ownership transitions supports a verifiable long-tenure compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
2. Holt Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, & Electrical
- Address: 1202 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines, IA 50315
- Phone: (515) 285-6300
- Founder: John F. Holt and wife Edith Holt (founded 1947; John was a sheet metal worker and welder who built B-26 and B-29 airplanes at the Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha); son Lynn Holt second-generation (joined while in high school; opened Winterset second location 1977 with wife Dixie); third-generation Ben Holt, Amanda Holt, and son-in-law Josh; three Holt family generations
- Operating Since: 1947 (79 years; family owned and operated since 1947)
- License: Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board license; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Des Moines plus Madison County (Afton, Winterset) and surrounding Polk County (West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston)
- Website: holtplumbingandheating.com
Three Holt Family Generations Across 79 Years
John F. Holt and his wife Edith founded Holt Plumbing & Heating in 1947. John was a skilled sheet metal worker and welder who built B-26 and B-29 airplanes at the Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha during World War II. The original 1947 operation served Afton, Winterset, and surrounding Iowa areas. Lynn Holt joined his father in the firm while in high school, representing the second generation. In 1977, Lynn and his wife Dixie opened a second location in Winterset that grew to serve Des Moines and surrounding areas. Today the third generation works in the business: Ben Holt, Amanda Holt, and Amanda’s husband Josh. Three Holt family generations now run the firm.
Thomas Beck Road Des Moines Operating Base
The 1202 Thomas Beck Road Des Moines headquarters enables rapid dispatch across Des Moines plus Madison County (Afton, Winterset) and surrounding Polk County (West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston). Multi-trade service depth covers HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work.
Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board Plus Three-Generation Compliance Record
Holt Plumbing operates under Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board credentialing. The 79-year continuous Holt family operating tenure plus three-generation transition supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
3. H & H Plumbing, Inc.
- Address: 32411 170th Street, Granger, IA 50109 (Des Moines service)
- Phone: (515) 999-2030
- Founder: Chris Hansen Jr (founded 2003); founder brings 20-plus years personal trade experience; fully licensed, bonded, and insured master plumber
- Operating Since: 2003 (23 years)
- License: Iowa Contractor C131502, Plumbing and Mechanical 51027-CL, Pipelaying Sewer Waterlines Wells Tiling C087714; BBB Accredited (since 2004-07-12)
- Service area: Des Moines plus Granger, Polk City, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, Grimes, Clive
- Website: handhplumbing.net
23 Years of Hansen Family Master Plumber Operation
Chris Hansen Jr founded H & H Plumbing in 2003. The founder brings 20-plus years of personal plumbing trade experience to the firm. As a fully licensed, bonded, and insured master plumber, Chris Hansen leads the firm’s complete range of residential and commercial plumbing services. Across 23 years of continuous Hansen family ownership, the firm has built a sustained Des Moines and surrounding-community service grid.
Granger Operating Base With Des Moines Reach
The 32411 170th Street Granger headquarters extends dispatch reach across Des Moines plus Granger, Polk City, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, Grimes, and Clive. Service depth covers full residential and commercial plumbing.
Iowa Triple-License Credentialing Plus 23-Year Compliance Record
H & H Plumbing operates under three Iowa credentials: Contractor C131502, Plumbing and Mechanical 51027-CL, and Pipelaying Sewer Waterlines Wells Tiling C087714. Triple-credentialing supports unified contractor, plumbing, mechanical, and pipelaying work. BBB Accreditation since 2004-07-12 provides third-party reputation verification.
4. Herr Plumbing
- Address: Urbandale, IA (Des Moines service)
- Phone: (515) 270-4377
- Founder: Rick Herr and wife Peggy Herr (founded October 1996 out of their home in West Des Moines); relocated office and shop to Urbandale 2002; family-owned and operated
- Operating Since: 1996 (30 years)
- License: Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board license; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Des Moines plus West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Johnston, Polk County
- Website: herrplumbing.com
30 Years of Continuous Herr Family Operation
Rick Herr and his wife Peggy Herr founded Herr Plumbing in October 1996, starting the business out of their home in West Des Moines. In 2002, the firm relocated its office and shop to Urbandale. Across 30 years of continuous Herr family ownership, the firm has built a sustained Des Moines metro reputation.
Urbandale Operating Base With Des Moines Metro Reach
Herr Plumbing operates from an Urbandale base. The position brings dispatch within across Des Moines plus West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Johnston, and the broader Polk County market. Service depth covers full residential plumbing including water heater installation and replacement.
Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board Plus 30-Year Family Tenure
Herr Plumbing operates under Iowa Plumbing Mechanical Board credentialing. The 30-year continuous Herr family operating tenure since 1996 supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
Reference Notes
Iowa plumbing licensing runs through the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The Board issues Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Apprentice Plumber, and Contractor credentials. Verification runs through the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board public license search at idph.iowa.gov. The City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center issues building permits within Des Moines city limits. Des Moines Water Works handles water service connections plus annual backflow-prevention testing.
Des Moines-area residential housing reflects more than 175 years of construction since the city’s 1851 incorporation as the Iowa state capital. Pre-1900 housing remains in Sherman Hill, Drake University-adjacent neighborhoods, the East Village, and parts of Capitol Hill. The 1900-1940 streetcar-suburb expansion built out Beaverdale, Sherman Hill, Drake University, the East Village, Mac-Bee, Capitol Hill, Ingersoll, and South of Grand. Pre-war Tudor-revival, Colonial-revival, Craftsman-bungalow, and Iowa cottage housing filled out 1900-1940 across South of Grand, Sherman Hill, and the Beaverdale district. Postwar tract construction built out Easter Lake, the South Side, and the Polk County suburban ring through 1945-1980. The 1980s-2000s drove the West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Ankeny, and Johnston suburban subdivision expansion. Cast-iron drain stacks, galvanized supply piping, lead service lines in pre-1940 housing, plus Upper Midwest winter freeze considerations driven by extreme cold snaps shape recurring service categories.
The four firms profiled cover four positions on the Des Moines market arc. Schaal Plumbing leads tenure with 80 years of continuous operation since Delmar Schaal founded the Schaal Furnace Company in 1946. Wendell Fouche acquired in 1980. Randy Keys and Dennis Lane currently serve as Owners and Team Leaders. Holt Plumbing follows with three Holt family generations across 79 years since John F and Edith Holt founded the firm in 1947. John was a former Martin Bomber Plant sheet metal worker. Lynn Holt represents the second generation. Ben, Amanda, and son-in-law Josh represent the third generation. H & H Plumbing brings 23 years of Hansen family operation since Chris Hansen Jr’s 2003 founding, supported by Iowa triple-credentialing (Contractor, Plumbing/Mechanical, Pipelaying). Herr Plumbing runs 30 years of continuous Herr family operation since Rick and Peggy Herr’s October 1996 founding from their West Des Moines home. The firm relocated to Urbandale in 2002.
Verification paths run through idph.iowa.gov, BBB Iowa listings, the PHCC of Iowa directory, and the City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center contractor records. Pre-1900 Sherman Hill and East Village housing tilts toward Schaal Plumbing’s 80-year operating depth. Three-generation Holt family Des Moines and Madison County service since 1947 fits Holt Plumbing. Triple-credentialed Hansen family plumbing service since 2003 fits H & H Plumbing. Three-decade Herr family residential service since 1996 fits Herr Plumbing. National rollup brands operating in Iowa (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 Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board license cross-checked through the Iowa Department of Public Health public lookup. Third, BBB Accreditation or equivalent third-party rating. Fourth, minimum 10-year continuous operating tenure with documented Des Moines 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 Des Moines plumber’s license?
Use the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board license search at idph.iowa.gov. Search by license number or business name. Confirm active Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, or Contractor status, expiration date, and bonding before authorizing work.
What credentials should a Des Moines plumber hold?
At minimum: Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board credential plus general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Specialty work (gas line, backflow prevention, fire sprinkler, sewer lateral, well pump, mechanical) requires additional credential layers. Pipelaying, sewer, water lines, wells, and tiling work may require additional Iowa Contractor credentialing.
How can I tell if a Des Moines 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 Des Moines?
Burst pipes, sewer backups, gas leaks, no-water events, frozen-pipe events, and water heater failures justify after-hours dispatch. Upper Midwest extreme cold snaps drive freeze-burst pipe demand across Polk County. 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 Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board public lookup before authorizing work. Information current as of the date below; firm details may change without notice. Last updated: 2026-05-10.