Quick Comparison
| Firm | Founded / Tenure & Credentials | Services & Specialties | Geographic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection Corp. | 1928 (Henry Joseph Pertzborn and wife Gertrude founders); James Pertzborn second generation; Robert J. Pertzborn third generation (1969 apprenticeship after military discharge); current President Joe Pertzborn and Vice President Jesse Pertzborn (Master Plumber, designer since mid-1990s, VP since 2014-04); four-generation Pertzborn family operation | WI Plumbing Contractor through DSPS, BBB Accredited | Madison base; Madison plus Dane County |
| Sauk Plains Plumbing & Pumps, Inc. | 1934 (founder lineage); 92-year continuous family-owned operation; current President Steve Kuhn | WI License #860628, BBB Accredited | 1620 Park Street Cross Plains base (53528); Madison plus Cross Plains, Middleton, Verona, Black Earth, Waunakee, Western Dane County |
| Benjamin Plumbing, Inc. | 1962 (Ralph M. Benjamin founder, started with one truck and kitchen-table office); current President Dale Benjamin (Ralph's son); second-generation Benjamin family operation | WI Plumbing Contractor through DSPS, BBB Accredited | 2870 Commerce Park Drive Fitchburg base; Madison plus Dane County |
| Arndt & Son Plumbing | 1972 (founder lineage); third-generation family-owned plumbing company; serves Dane and Green counties | WI Plumbing Contractor through DSPS, BBB Accredited | Madison base; Madison plus Brooklyn, Verona, Stoughton, Oregon, Dane and Green counties |
1. H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection Corp.
- Address: Madison, WI (Dane County service)
- Phone: (608) 257-3666
- Founder: Henry Joseph Pertzborn and wife Gertrude (founded 1928 working out of their home at 666 Crandall Street; raised six children together while building the business); oldest son James second generation; James’s oldest child Robert J. Pertzborn began work after school 1964 and apprenticed 1969 after military discharge; current President Joe Pertzborn (Robert’s son) and Vice President Jesse Pertzborn (Robert’s son, Master Plumber, designer since mid-1990s, VP since April 2014); four Pertzborn family generations
- Operating Since: 1928 (98 years)
- License: Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor through DSPS; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Madison (downtown, Capitol, University Heights, Vilas, Dudgeon-Monroe, Wexford, Westmorland, East Side, Schenk-Atwood, Maple Bluff, Shorewood Hills) plus Dane County
- Website: hjpertzborn.com
Four Pertzborn Family Generations Across 98 Years
Henry Joseph Pertzborn and his wife Gertrude founded H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing in 1928. They worked out of their home at 666 Crandall Street in Madison and raised six children while building the business. Their oldest son James became an integral part of the business expansion. In 1964, Robert J. Pertzborn (James’s oldest child) began working in the business after school and during summers. After his military discharge in 1969, Robert began his apprenticeship. Robert led the company into the new millennium with his two sons Joe and Jesse. Joe Pertzborn became President. Jesse Pertzborn served as Master Plumber and designer since the mid-1990s and became Vice President in April 2014. Four Pertzborn family generations now run the firm across 98 years.
Madison Operating Base With Dane County Reach
H.J. Pertzborn operates from a Madison base. The position opens rapid dispatch coverage across Madison neighborhoods (downtown, Capitol, University Heights, Vilas, Dudgeon-Monroe, Wexford, Westmorland, East Side, Schenk-Atwood, Maple Bluff, Shorewood Hills) plus the broader Dane County market. Service depth covers residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, and fire protection systems.
Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor Plus Fire Protection Specialty
H.J. Pertzborn operates under Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor credentialing through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The fire protection service line adds specialty depth beyond pure plumbing service. Verification runs through the DSPS license search at dsps.wi.gov. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification. The 98-year continuous Pertzborn family operating tenure plus four-generation transition supports a verifiable compliance record.
2. Sauk Plains Plumbing & Pumps, Inc.
- Address: 1620 Park Street, Cross Plains, WI 53528
- Phone: (608) 798-2121
- Founder: Founder lineage 1934 (92-year continuous family-owned operation); current President Steve Kuhn
- Operating Since: 1934 (92 years)
- License: Wisconsin License #860628; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Madison plus Cross Plains, Middleton, Verona, Black Earth, Waunakee, Mazomanie, Sauk City, Prairie du Sac, Western Dane County
- Website: saukplainsplumbing.com
92 Years of Continuous Family-Owned Operation Since 1934
Sauk Plains Plumbing has provided plumbing, well, and pump services to Middleton, Madison, and Western Dane County since 1934. The firm has operated from 1620 Park Street in Cross Plains since the original 1934 founding. Steve Kuhn currently serves as President. Across 92 years of continuous family ownership, Sauk Plains Plumbing has built a sustained Western Dane County reputation centered on combined plumbing-and-pump-service depth.
Cross Plains Base With Western Dane County Reach
The 1620 Park Street Cross Plains headquarters sits in the Town of Cross Plains (53528) west of Madison. The position speeds dispatch reach across Western Dane County including Cross Plains, Middleton, Verona, Black Earth, Waunakee, Mazomanie, Sauk City, and Prairie du Sac. The firm specializes in plumbing service plus well pump installation, water treatment systems, drain cleaning, and water heater work.
Wisconsin License #860628 Plus Pump Specialty
Sauk Plains Plumbing operates under Wisconsin License #860628 through DSPS. The combined plumbing-and-well-pump service line distinguishes the firm among Madison-area operators. Western Dane County rural-housing-stock service requires well pump and water-treatment specialty depth uncommon among urban-only operators. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
3. Benjamin Plumbing, Inc.
- Address: 2870 Commerce Park Drive, Fitchburg, WI 53719 (Madison metro service)
- Phone: (608) 222-1798
- Founder: Ralph M. Benjamin (founded 1962 with one truck and kitchen-table office); current President Dale Benjamin (Ralph’s son); second-generation Benjamin family operation
- Operating Since: 1962 (64 years; over 60 years of greater Madison area service)
- License: Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor through DSPS; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Madison plus Fitchburg, Verona, Middleton, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, McFarland, Stoughton, Oregon, Dane County
- Website: benjaminplumbing.com
Two Benjamin Family Generations Across 64 Years
Ralph M. Benjamin founded Benjamin Plumbing in 1962 with only one truck and a kitchen-table office. Across 64 years of continuous Benjamin family ownership, the firm has grown into an award-winning second-generation family-owned plumbing business serving the greater Madison, Wisconsin area. Dale Benjamin (Ralph’s son) currently serves as President.
Fitchburg Base With Madison Metro Reach
The 2870 Commerce Park Drive Fitchburg headquarters enables rapid dispatch across the Madison metro footprint. Service extends through Madison plus Fitchburg, Verona, Middleton, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, McFarland, Stoughton, and Oregon. The Fitchburg position supports rapid south-Madison and Dane County south-suburban dispatch.
Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor Plus 64-Year Family Tenure
Benjamin Plumbing operates under Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor credentialing through DSPS. All plumbers on staff hold full Wisconsin licensing. The 64-year continuous Benjamin family operating tenure plus second-generation transition supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
4. Arndt & Son Plumbing
- Address: Madison, WI (Dane and Green county service)
- Phone: (608) 873-3274
- Founder: Founder lineage 1972; third-generation plumbing company; family-owned
- Operating Since: 1972 (54 years; three Arndt family generations)
- License: Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor through DSPS; BBB Accredited
- Service area: Madison plus Brooklyn, Verona, Stoughton, Oregon, Belleville, Mount Horeb, Dane County and Green County (Southern Wisconsin)
- Website: arndtandsonplumbing.com
Three Arndt Family Generations Across 54 Years
Arndt & Son Plumbing has served Dane and Green counties since 1972 as a third-generation plumbing company. Across 54 years of continuous family ownership, the firm has built three generations of plumbing-trade experience that translates into every job. The third-generation depth supports unbroken trade-knowledge transmission across the firm’s continuous family ownership line.
Madison Base With Southern Wisconsin Reach
Arndt & Son Plumbing operates from a Madison base. The position extends dispatch reach across Madison plus the southern Dane County corridor (Brooklyn, Verona, Stoughton, Oregon) plus Green County (Belleville, Mount Horeb). The firm provides residential and commercial plumbing services across the Southern Wisconsin market.
Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor Plus Three-Generation Family Tenure
Arndt & Son Plumbing operates under Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor credentialing through DSPS. The 54-year continuous Arndt family operating tenure plus three-generation operating depth supports a verifiable compliance record. BBB Accreditation provides third-party reputation verification.
Reference Notes
Wisconsin plumbing licensing runs through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Plumbing Section. DSPS issues Plumbing Contractor, Master Plumber, Master Plumber Restricted, Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Designer, and Plumbing Apprentice credentials. Verification runs through the DSPS license search at dsps.wi.gov. The City of Madison Building Inspection Division issues building permits within Madison city limits. Madison Water Utility handles water service connections plus annual backflow-prevention testing.
Madison-area residential housing reflects more than 175 years of construction since the city’s 1856 incorporation as Wisconsin’s state capital. Pre-1900 housing remains in Mansion Hill, the Capitol Square area, the Vilas Park district, and parts of University Heights. The 1900-1940 streetcar-suburb expansion built out University Heights, Vilas, Dudgeon-Monroe, Wexford, Westmorland, the East Side around Schenk-Atwood, and the Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills lakefront communities. Pre-war Tudor-revival, Colonial-revival, and craftsman-bungalow housing filled out 1900-1940 across University Heights, Maple Bluff, and the Vilas district. Postwar tract construction built out Hilldale, Westside, Eastside Spring Harbor, McFarland, Sun Prairie, and the Dane County suburban ring through 1945-1980. The 1980s-2000s drove the Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Waunakee, and outer Dane County subdivision expansion. Cast-iron drain stacks, galvanized supply piping, lead service lines in pre-1940 housing, plus winter freeze considerations driven by Upper Midwest cold snaps shape recurring service categories.
The four firms profiled cover four positions on the Madison market arc. H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection leads tenure with four Pertzborn family generations since Henry and Gertrude Pertzborn founded the firm in 1928. Robert Pertzborn led into the new millennium. Joe Pertzborn now serves as President with brother Jesse Pertzborn (Master Plumber and designer since the mid-1990s) as Vice President. Sauk Plains Plumbing & Pumps follows with 92 years of continuous family-owned operation since 1934 from a 1620 Park Street Cross Plains base under President Steve Kuhn and Wisconsin License #860628. Benjamin Plumbing brings 64 years of two-generation Benjamin family ownership since Ralph M. Benjamin founded the firm in 1962 with one truck and a kitchen-table office. Dale Benjamin (Ralph’s son) currently serves as President. Arndt & Son Plumbing runs 54 years of three-generation Arndt family operation since 1972 from a Madison base serving Dane and Green counties.
Verification paths run through dsps.wi.gov, BBB Wisconsin listings, the PHCC of Wisconsin directory, and the City of Madison Building Inspection contractor records. Pre-1900 Mansion Hill, Capitol Square, and University Heights housing tilts toward H.J. Pertzborn’s 98-year operating depth. Western Dane County rural-housing-stock service since 1934 fits Sauk Plains Plumbing & Pumps. Two-generation south-Madison and Dane County service since 1962 fits Benjamin Plumbing. Three-generation Dane and Green county Southern Wisconsin service since 1972 fits Arndt & Son Plumbing. National rollup brands operating in Wisconsin (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 Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor or Master Plumber license cross-checked through the DSPS public lookup. Third, BBB Accreditation or equivalent third-party rating. Fourth, minimum 10-year continuous operating tenure with documented Madison 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 Madison plumber’s license?
Use the Wisconsin DSPS license search at dsps.wi.gov. Search by license number or business name. Confirm active Plumbing Contractor or Master Plumber status, expiration date, and bonding before authorizing work.
What credentials should a Madison plumber hold?
At minimum: Wisconsin Plumbing Contractor or Master Plumber credential plus general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Specialty work (gas line, backflow prevention, fire sprinkler, sewer lateral, well pump, water treatment) requires additional credential layers.
How can I tell if a Madison 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 Madison?
Burst pipes, sewer backups, gas leaks, no-water events, frozen-pipe events, and water heater failures justify after-hours dispatch. Upper Midwest cold snaps drive freeze-burst pipe demand across Dane 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 Wisconsin DSPS public lookup before authorizing work. Information current as of the date below; firm details may change without notice. Last updated: 2026-05-10.