Quick Comparison
| Firm | Founded / Tenure & Credentials | Services & Specialties | Geographic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Niesen Company | 1884 (Frank Niesen founder); family-owned and operated since inception; "oldest plumbing contractor in Cincinnati" | OH Plumbing Contractor, BBB Accredited | W Sharon Road base in Cincinnati (45240); Greater Cincinnati |
| Tarvin Plumbing | 1907 (F.G. Tarvin founder, New Richmond OH origin); five Tarvin family generations | OH Plumbing Contractor, BBB Accredited | Eastern Avenue base in Cincinnati (45226); Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky |
| Holtmeier Plumbing | 1938 (Tony Holtmeier founder); four Holtmeier family generations | OH Plumbing Contractor, BBB Accredited | Madison Road base in Cincinnati (since 1942); Greater Cincinnati |
| Halpin Plumbing | 1951 (John Halpin founder); three Halpin family generations; current owner Joe Halpin (Master Plumber); General Manager Skylar Halpin (third-generation Master Plumber 2016) | OH Master Plumber #17785, KY Master Plumber #7980, BBB Accredited | Fishwick Drive base in Cincinnati (45216); Greater Cincinnati plus Northern Kentucky |
1. Frank Niesen Company
- Address: 500 West Sharon Road, Cincinnati, OH 45240 (current location since 2008)
- Phone: (513) 541-4444
- Founder: Frank Niesen (founded 1884); family-owned and operated since inception
- Operating Since: 1884 (142 years; oldest plumbing contractor in Cincinnati)
- License: Ohio Plumbing Contractor; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Greater Cincinnati (downtown, Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Mount Adams, Oakley, Norwood, Blue Ash, Sharonville, Mason, Loveland, West Chester, Fairfield, Forest Park, Mount Healthy, Springdale, Northern Cincinnati corridor)
- Website: frankniesencompany.com
142 Years of Continuous Cincinnati Operation
Frank Niesen founded the firm in 1884. The Frank Niesen Company has operated continuously across 142 years of Greater Cincinnati service. The firm identifies itself as the oldest plumbing contractor in Cincinnati. Historical office locations include Sycamore Street downtown (1884-1975), Mitchell Avenue (1975-2008), and the current Sharon Road location (2008-present). Three location moves across 142 years reflect deliberate operational adaptation across multiple Cincinnati eras.
West Sharon Road North Cincinnati Base
The 500 West Sharon Road headquarters sits in north Cincinnati near the Sharonville and Springdale corridor. The position enables rapid dispatch across Greater Cincinnati. Service extends through the inner Cincinnati neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Mount Adams, Oakley, Norwood) plus the northern suburban corridor (Blue Ash, Sharonville, Mason, Loveland, West Chester, Fairfield).
Ohio Plumbing Contractor Compliance
Ohio regulates plumbing through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). Frank Niesen Company operates under Ohio Plumbing Contractor licensing through OCILB. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification through BBB Cincinnati. The 142-year operating history plus continuous Ohio plumbing-contractor credentialing supports a verifiable multi-generation compliance record.
2. Tarvin Plumbing
- Address: 3749 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45226
- Phone: (513) 321-3434
- Founder: F.G. Tarvin (founded 1907 in New Richmond, Ohio); five Tarvin family generations
- Operating Since: 1907 (119 years; “Providing top-quality plumbing services to the Cincinnati area for over 115 years”)
- License: Ohio Plumbing Contractor; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Cincinnati (Mount Lookout, Hyde Park, East End, Columbia Tusculum, Linwood, downtown), Newport KY, Covington KY, Bellevue KY, Northern Kentucky, Clermont County, New Richmond
- Website: tarvinplumbing.com
Five Tarvin Family Generations Spanning 119 Years
F.G. Tarvin founded Tarvin Plumbing in 1907 in New Richmond, Ohio. The firm relocated to Cincinnati and has operated continuously across 119 years. Five Tarvin family generations have run the business across the firm’s history. The 119-year operating tenure ranks Tarvin Plumbing among the longest-tenured family-owned plumbing operations in Ohio.
Eastern Avenue Cincinnati Operating Base
The 3749 Eastern Avenue headquarters sits in east Cincinnati near the Columbia Tusculum and Linwood corridor along the Ohio River. The position supports service across central and east Cincinnati plus the Northern Kentucky cross-river communities (Newport, Covington, Bellevue). Service extends east into Clermont County and the New Richmond founding-area corridor.
Ohio Plumbing Contractor Compliance and Plumbing-Plus-Remodeling Service Mix
Tarvin Plumbing operates under Ohio Plumbing Contractor licensing through OCILB. The remodeling service line extends scope beyond pure plumbing into broader bathroom-and-kitchen renovation work. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification through BBB Cincinnati. The five-generation operating depth supports trade-knowledge transmission across the firm’s continuous family ownership.
3. Holtmeier Plumbing
- Address: Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH (location since 1942)
- Phone: (513) 871-2200
- Founder: Tony Holtmeier (founded 1938; bought Madison Road property 1942); sons Don and Tom (second generation); third generation Andrew (1979), Tommy (1983), Paul (1991); fourth generation Adam (2002), Sam (2015); four Holtmeier family generations active
- Operating Since: 1938 (88 years); four Holtmeier family generations
- License: Ohio Plumbing Contractor; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Cincinnati (Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Madisonville, Oakley, Pleasant Ridge, Mariemont, Indian Hill, East End), Norwood, Madeira, Montgomery, Blue Ash, Sycamore Township, Hamilton County
- Website: holtmeierplumbing.com
Four Holtmeier Family Generations Spanning 88 Years
Tony Holtmeier founded Holtmeier Plumbing in 1938. In 1942, he purchased the Madison Road property where the firm still resides today (84 years at the same address). Tony’s sons Don and Tom carried the second generation. The third generation began in 1979 with Don’s son Andrew, followed by Tommy in 1983 and Paul in 1991. The fourth generation began in 2002 with Don’s grandson Adam, and grandson Sam joined in 2015. Four Holtmeier generations now work together across the firm’s operating team.
Madison Road Cincinnati Base Since 1942
The Madison Road headquarters has rooted Holtmeier Plumbing for 84 years (since 1942). The position supports service across east Cincinnati’s affluent neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Mariemont, Indian Hill) plus the broader Hamilton County market. Madison Road sits in the heart of the historic east-Cincinnati residential corridor.
Ohio Plumbing Contractor and Multi-Generation Trade Practice
Holtmeier Plumbing operates under Ohio Plumbing Contractor licensing through OCILB. The four-generation Holtmeier family operating tenure represents an unusual depth of family-trade practice in the Cincinnati market. Each successive generation has progressed through Ohio’s plumbing-trade licensing pipeline before assuming operational leadership. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
4. Halpin Plumbing, Inc.
- Address: 5177 Fishwick Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45216
- Phone: (513) 631-2001
- Founder: John Halpin (founded 1951 with wife Grace’s support); current owner Joe Halpin (Master Plumber, 40+ years experience); General Manager Skylar Halpin (granddaughter, third-generation, Master Plumber’s License #2016)
- Operating Since: 1951 (75 years); three Halpin family generations
- License: Ohio Master Plumber #17785; Kentucky Master Plumber #7980; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Cincinnati (Hyde Park, Indian Hill, Oakley, Wyoming, Montgomery, Norwood, Blue Ash, Madeira, Pleasant Ridge, Sharonville), Northern Kentucky cross-river
- Website: halpinplumbing.com
Three Halpin Family Generations Plus Cross-State Master Plumber Credentialing
John Halpin founded the firm in 1951 with his wife Grace’s support. His son Joe Halpin (current owner and Master Plumber, 40+ years experience) carries the second generation. Joe’s daughter Skylar Halpin joined in 2012 as the third-generation Halpin family leader, serving as General Manager. Skylar earned her Ohio Master Plumber’s License in 2016. Three continuous Halpin family generations operate the firm.
Fishwick Drive Cincinnati Base and Cross-River Northern Kentucky Reach
The 5177 Fishwick Drive headquarters sits in north-central Cincinnati near the Lockland and Roselawn corridor. The position extends dispatch reach across Hamilton County plus cross-river service into Northern Kentucky. Service extends through the affluent east Cincinnati neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Indian Hill, Oakley, Madeira) plus the northern suburban arc (Wyoming, Montgomery, Blue Ash, Sharonville).
Ohio Master Plumber #17785 Plus Kentucky Master Plumber #7980
Halpin Plumbing holds dual-state credentialing: Ohio Master Plumber License #17785 plus Kentucky Master Plumber License #7980. The cross-state Ohio-and-Kentucky credentialing supports Greater Cincinnati metro service across the Ohio River state border. The Cincinnati metro extends substantially into Northern Kentucky (Newport, Covington, Bellevue, Florence, Erlanger), and dual-state credentialing enables unified service across the bi-state metro footprint. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
Reference Notes
Ohio plumbing licensing runs through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). OCILB issues Plumbing Contractor and Plumbing/HVAC Contractor credentials through sequentially numbered records. Verification runs through com.ohio.gov/dico. The City of Cincinnati Buildings and Inspections issues building permits within Cincinnati city limits. Greater Cincinnati Water Works handles water service connections plus annual backflow-prevention testing. Cross-river Northern Kentucky work runs through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC) Division of Plumbing.
Cincinnati-area residential housing reflects more than 230 years of construction. Pre-1850 housing remains in Over-the-Rhine, Mount Adams, and the historic downtown core. The 1850-1910 streetcar-suburb expansion built out Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Walnut Hills, Avondale, and Clifton. Pre-war Tudor-revival and Colonial-revival housing filled out 1900-1940 across Mariemont, Indian Hill, and the East Walnut Hills corridor. Postwar tract construction built out Anderson Township, Sycamore Township, and Colerain Township through 1945-1970. The 1980s-1990s drove the West Chester, Mason, and Liberty Township master-planned-community expansion. Northern Kentucky cross-river growth (Florence, Erlanger, Crescent Springs, Fort Thomas) extended outer-suburban development through the 2000s. Steam-and-radiator boiler service plus cast-iron drain replacement plus winter freeze-protection considerations shape recurring service categories.
The four firms profiled cover four positions on the Cincinnati market arc. Frank Niesen Company leads tenure with Frank Niesen’s 1884 founding plus 142 years of continuous family-owned operation, identifying as the oldest plumbing contractor in Cincinnati. Tarvin Plumbing follows with five Tarvin family generations since F.G. Tarvin’s 1907 New Richmond, Ohio founding, supported by an Eastern Avenue Cincinnati base across 119 years. Holtmeier Plumbing brings four Holtmeier family generations since Tony Holtmeier’s 1938 founding. Sons Don and Tom carried the second generation. Third-generation members joined in stages: Andrew 1979, Tommy 1983, Paul 1991. Fourth-generation members include Adam 2002 and Sam 2015. The Madison Road Cincinnati base has grounded the firm since 1942. Halpin Plumbing runs three Halpin family generations since John Halpin’s 1951 founding. Joe Halpin serves as current Master Plumber owner. Skylar Halpin (granddaughter) joined as third-generation General Manager and earned her Master Plumber credential in 2016. The firm holds dual Ohio Master Plumber #17785 and Kentucky Master Plumber #7980 credentialing for cross-river service.
Verification paths run through com.ohio.gov/dico, BBB Cincinnati listings, the PHCC of Ohio directory, and the City of Cincinnati Buildings and Inspections contractor records. Pre-1900 Over-the-Rhine, Mount Adams, and downtown Cincinnati housing tilts toward Frank Niesen’s 142-year operating depth. Five-generation Tarvin family service across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky fits Tarvin Plumbing. Four-generation east Cincinnati residential service fits Holtmeier. Cross-state Ohio-and-Kentucky three-generation residential service fits Halpin Plumbing.
Selection Methodology
Selection follows four criteria. First, continuous family ownership or founder-operator continuity outside the national rollup pattern. Second, verifiable Ohio Plumbing Contractor license cross-checked via the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board public lookup. Third, BBB Accreditation or equivalent third-party rating. Fourth, minimum 10-year continuous operating tenure with documented Cincinnati 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) are excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a Cincinnati plumber’s license?
Use the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board public licensee database at com.ohio.gov/dico. Search by license number or business name. Confirm active status, classification, bonding, and insurance before authorizing work.
What credentials should a Cincinnati plumber hold?
At minimum: Ohio Plumbing Contractor credential plus general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Specialty work (gas line, backflow prevention, fire sprinkler, sewer lateral, boiler service) requires additional credential layers. Cross-river Northern Kentucky service requires additional Kentucky Master Plumber credentialing.
How can I tell if a Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?
Burst pipes, sewer backups, gas leaks, no-water events, and water heater failures justify after-hours dispatch. Cold winter snaps drive freeze-burst pipe demand across Greater Cincinnati. 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 Ohio OCILB public lookup before authorizing work. Information current as of the date below; firm details may change without notice. Last updated: 2026-05-10.