Barter Plumbing and Heating

Earl is Barter Plumbing and Heating, as far as its customers are concerned — many of them thank him by name, and its Google page shows 5★ from 53 ratings. The Malden company describes itself as a 24-hour residential plumbing and heating service for Malden, Medford, Melrose and Stoneham. Old steam systems and emergencies are regular calls. In a February 2025 review, a new homeowner told their steam boiler needed immediate service said Earl came over to check it was safe, later talked them through a problem by phone at 8:30 PM, and charged nothing for either. A January 2025 customer said he repaired a leaking pipe junction on an old steam radiator, and an October 2022 customer said he installed an oil burner and water heater in their 100-year-old house. A March 2026 customer said Barter handled a plumbing emergency while they were out of town so their elderly mother stayed safe, and a January 2022 customer said Earl was there in 15 minutes when their furnace failed with a toddler at home and no one else could come until the next day. Customers notice small touches: a December 2025 customer said he took his shoes off without being asked, and a January 2025 customer said he put on booties before entering. A July 2025 customer said he replaced an out-of-code water line and called DPW to shut off the water. Several customers call his pricing fair and upfront.