--- title: "Eric C. Foster Plumbing Heating & Cooling Inc." description: "Eric C. Foster Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been a family business in Chelmsford since 1978, when Eric and his wife Debbie started it out of their home;" doc_version: "2026-09-03" last_updated: "2026-09-03" --- # Eric C. Foster Plumbing Heating & Cooling Inc. **Trade:** Plumbing · **Address:** 145 Stedman St, Chelmsford, MA 01824 · **Phone:** (978) 256-5976 · **Website:** http://www.ecfplumber.com/ · **Languages:** English **Rating: 5.0/5** (high confidence) — from 463 reviews across 5 sources. 97% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 46 reviews, 2 negative. ## The honest read Eric C. Foster Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been a family business in Chelmsford since 1978, when Eric and his wife Debbie started it out of their home; the company expanded into HVAC in 2011, and Eric's sons Jared, Todd, and Travis are now part of running it. It holds an active Massachusetts plumbing license and an active Massachusetts HVAC license, both verified with the state registry, and the company says it covers Chelmsford, Concord, Nashua, and Boston. Their Google history runs deep — 463 reviews dating back to 2021, averaging 4.9 stars, with 61 posted in just the last six months. The recurring theme is speed on emergencies: one customer found water on the basement floor around noon and had a new water heater installed by 5:30 that same day; another called about a leaking pipe and had a technician out within a few hours. Reviewers name specific technicians often — Mark, Nate, Shane, Rob, and Kyle turn up repeatedly, usually praised for walking customers through the diagnosis in plain language rather than just doing the work and leaving. One longtime customer described being a Foster client since 1976, having had a heating system, water heaters, and gas conversions done over the decades. The company has also come up by name in a Chelmsford-area Reddit thread, where one commenter who'd hired them called the work excellent. A few reviews worth knowing about: in a May 2026 review, a customer wrote that a water heater installation was left with the plate over the electrical wire not properly seated, and was told to call an electrician to finish it. Another customer that same month said a technician arrived without the anode rods needed for a water heater repair. And in a January 2026 review, a customer called the work expensive, said the office was slow to return quotes after asking three times, and felt the phone staff were curt — a more critical account than the rest of the record, standing apart from the pattern of same-day, explained-clearly service most reviewers describe. For a family-run Chelmsford shop with decades in business and reviews running deep across both plumbing and heating work, this fits homeowners who want one call for anything from a burst pipe to a new boiler. Worth confirming: pin down the quote and any parts needed before the truck rolls — a few accounts describe installs needing a follow-up visit. **Strengths:** - Same-day emergency response — reviewers cite same-day water heater and leak fixes - Deep review history — 463 Google reviews since 2021, 4.9 star average - Registry-verified licenses — active Massachusetts plumbing and HVAC registrations - Family-run since 1978 — founded by Eric and Debbie Foster, sons now involved - Named technicians praised — Mark, Shane, Rob, Nate repeatedly cited in reviews - Recommended on local Reddit — a Chelmsford-area commenter called the work excellent **Concerns:** - Installation follow-up — one review flagged an unfinished electrical plate needing a follow-up - Wrong parts once — a customer said the technician lacked the requested anode rods - Pricing complaint — a January 2026 review called it costly with slow, unclear quotes ## Claims & citations Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication. - Rated 4.9 stars from 720 Google ratings _(confidence: high)_ - [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Eric%20C.%20Foster%20Plumbing%20Heating%20%26%20Cooling%20Inc.&query_place_id=ChIJ_zAvwGWj44kRfwNeFLmJzTE) — “Google: 4.9★ from 720 ratings” - Family-owned and operated since 1978, founded by Eric and Debbie Foster; sons Jared, Todd, and Travis are now involved _(confidence: high)_ - [Official Website](http://www.ecfplumber.com) — “Stated ownership (self-reported): Family-owned” - [Official Website](http://www.ecfplumber.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Eric and his wife Debbie first started the business in 1978 from their home in Chelmsford; the company expa…” - [Official Website](http://www.ecfplumber.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Family owned and operated since 1978 by Eric and Debbie Foster; Eric's three sons Jared, Todd, and Travis are now…” - Holds an active Massachusetts plumbing license verified with the state registry _(confidence: high)_ - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA plumber license 3092-PL-C registry-verified active — registry holder of record: Eric C. Foster Plumbing & Heating LLC” - Holds an active Massachusetts HVAC license verified with the state registry _(confidence: high)_ - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA hvac license 1766-SM-M1 registry-verified active — registry holder of record: Eric C Foster” - States it serves Chelmsford, Concord, Nashua, and Boston _(confidence: medium)_ - [Official Website](http://www.ecfplumber.com) — “Stated service area (self-reported): Chelmsford, Concord, Nashua, Boston” - Reviewers repeatedly credit same-day response for urgent water heater and leak calls _(confidence: high)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xwc2FsWlNjRFJaWWtJM1gzQjRPVVpMV2xjNWVGRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlpsalZScDRZYkI3X3B4OUZLWlc5eFE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I needed a new water heater as I found water on my basement floor around noontime I called on them and I had a new water heater by 5:30 p…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xVeldHVjZRMGhTV2xWWE1sOW5PVUk0ZGpsVU1sRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlUzWGV6Q0hSWlVXMl9nOUI4djlUMlE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We had our water tank fail unexpectedly and called Eric C Foster Plumbing and Heating right away. They had a plumber at our home almost i…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25OeFRreHRaamxEU1RJNVpsUjVZWFpQUzNoMVdVRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnNxTkxtZjlDSTI5ZlR5YXZPS3h1WUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Excellent service! I called this morning with a leaking pipe and they squeezed me into their schedule a few hours later. They were really…” - Individual technicians are frequently named and praised by customers, including Mark, Shane, Rob, and Nate _(confidence: medium)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2s1bWVGTnFRVzQzWkhNd2NWTk9jWG81VVU5bWNFRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOk5meFNqQW43ZHMwcVNOcXo5UU9mcEE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Mark and Kevin did a great job - they were careful, thorough and pleasant to deal with, and happy to answer my questions.” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2t3MWF6SlRjblF4YkVwblp6a3RlblI2UmtWblUxRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkw1azJTcnQxbEpnZzktenR6RkVnU1E%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Shane was awesome, took the time to explain things to me, answered my question honestly and complete. His apprentice was personable and h…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25Gbk5rOXJVbGRQTWxwc1ZtSXdha1YwZVZSSlRrRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnFnNk9rUldPMlpsVmIwakV0eVRJTkE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Rob got our water heater working and did a thorough job assessing the remaining work to be done, which he explained clearly in language t…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21WUU4xYzBWRXg2VFUxRGVVMUxiMEZsU0dZd1ptYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmVQN1c0VEx6TU1DeU1Lb0FlSGYwZmc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Mark and Nate recently replaced the faucet in my kitchen and began the process of estimating the work and cost entailed in other plumbing…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pCMWNFMU9TV2RCU1hwNGIxRnRVblExUkdWeWJsRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjB1cE1OSWdBSXp4b1FtUnQ1RGVyblE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Had my navien combie flushed today and they were excellent. Mark was on time and called 15 min before as asked. He did an excellent job f…” - Recommended by name in a Reddit thread about Chelmsford-area plumbers _(confidence: medium)_ - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/LowellMA/comments/1lehls9/hvac_suggestions/myg71wh/) — “r/LowellMA — Frank's Heating (Tewksbury) or Eric Foster's (Chelmsford). I've hired both and both are excellent.” - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/LowellMA/comments/1r6c81t/recs_for_hvac_and_plumbing/o5r0cji/) — “r/LowellMA — Eric Foster Plumbing Heating & Cooling, based in Chelmsford” - Handles boiler and heating-system service beyond routine plumbing, including gas conversions and mini-split installs _(confidence: high)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21kQmQzUXlaMFIwYmw5dFduaFdkbEJ5UVZOdFkwRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmdBd3QyZ0R0bl9tWnhWdlByQVNtY0E%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Since 1976 I have been a Foster customer and have had many different things done from the installation of new heating system, water heate…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pCMWNFMU9TV2RCU1hwNGIxRnRVblExUkdWeWJsRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjB1cE1OSWdBSXp4b1FtUnQ1RGVyblE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Had my navien combie flushed today and they were excellent. Mark was on time and called 15 min before as asked. He did an excellent job f…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN6Z01YOEhBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICzgMX8HA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Eric C Foster plumbing and heating has done a lot of work at our house. Fixing spring leaks in water pipes, patching a slow leak gas pip…” - Serves as a cooperative-education host site for Nashoba Tech's plumbing program _(confidence: medium)_ - [nashobatech.net](https://www.nashobatech.net/article/963636) — “nashobatech.net — Industry partners for the NCTI Plumbing program include Basnett Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Littleton; Campbel…” - [nashobatech.net](https://www.nashobatech.net/article/635690) — “nashobatech.net — Upon graduation, he plans to continue working for Eric C. Foster Plumbing & Heating of Chelmsford, for which he currently …” - One review described an installation left with an improperly seated electrical plate that needed an electrician to finish _(confidence: medium)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tWNlN6bGtUR3Q1VTBkVVZtczRMVVp6V2taa1FXYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkV6SzlkTGt5U0dUVms4LUZzWkZkQWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Plumber was not able to complete installation. The plate covering the electric wire is not properly in place. The plumber said I would ha…” - A customer reported the technician arrived without the requested anode rods for a water heater repair _(confidence: medium)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21JNGJHeFJObWxxWlZOMlExOXZUMUppU1dWdVUzYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmI4bGxRNmlqZVN2Q19vT1JiSWVuU3c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “3★ I'm not happy that I requested service for our water heater including replacing the anode rods, and the technician didn't come with the p…” - A January 2026 review described the work as expensive, with unclear quotes and unresponsive phone staff _(confidence: medium)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25ZelozRmphWFpqWjB0alJXWlpPRE52YldGTVRHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnYzZ3FjaXZjZ0tjRWZZODNvbWFMTGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ Overall experience was pretty meh. So Expensive, questionable expertise, caused more problems than I had before and I needed another comp…” - Specializes in Plumbing _(confidence: high)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT20xQlVtdzBjVzFOVkRWaGMxcDZkVXB4VG5FMWVHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOm1BUmw0cW1NVDVhc1p6dUpxTnE1eGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We have used Eric C. Foster Plumbing several times, and the service has been excellent every time.” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT214clMyNWphVXRTT0UxcVZHMDRka05WUzBSUldHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmxrS25jaUtSOE1qVG04dkNVS0RRWGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I highly recommend EC Foster plumbing and heating. They’ve completed multiple major and minor plumbing and heating projects ( toilet repa…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN6Z01YOEhBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICzgMX8HA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Eric C Foster plumbing and heating has done a lot of work at our house. Fixing spring leaks in water pipes, patching a slow leak gas pip…” - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA plumber license 3092-PL-C registry-verified active — registry holder of record: Eric C. Foster Plumbing & Heating LLC” - Specializes in HVAC / Heating & Cooling _(confidence: high)_ - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21kQmQzUXlaMFIwYmw5dFduaFdkbEJ5UVZOdFkwRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmdBd3QyZ0R0bl9tWnhWdlByQVNtY0E%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Since 1976 I have been a Foster customer and have had many different things done from the installation of new heating system, water heate…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pCMWNFMU9TV2RCU1hwNGIxRnRVblExUkdWeWJsRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjB1cE1OSWdBSXp4b1FtUnQ1RGVyblE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Had my navien combie flushed today and they were excellent. Mark was on time and called 15 min before as asked. He did an excellent job f…” - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN6Z01YOEhBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x31cd89b9145e037f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICzgMX8HA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Eric C Foster plumbing and heating has done a lot of work at our house. Fixing spring leaks in water pipes, patching a slow leak gas pip…” - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA hvac license 1766-SM-M1 registry-verified active — registry holder of record: Eric C Foster” ## Ownership - Identifies as family-owned — the business's own statement, not independently verified. ## License Status: **active** (#3092-PL-C, plumber) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-09-03, never self-reported. Re-check at the official registry: https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page ## Sources - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Eric%20C.%20Foster%20Plumbing%20Heating%20%26%20Cooling%20Inc.&query_place_id=ChIJ_zAvwGWj44kRfwNeFLmJzTE): Listed on this source - [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Eric%20C.%20Foster%20Plumbing%20Heating%20%26%20Cooling%20Inc.&query_place_id=ChIJ_zAvwGWj44kRfwNeFLmJzTE): 4.9★ from 720 ratings - [Official Website](http://www.ecfplumber.com): 40 yrs in business · Self-reported profile and service details - [Exa](https://eric-c-foster-plumbing-heating-cooling-inc.wheree.com/): 0 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source) - [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/eric-c-foster-plumbing-and-heating-chelmsford-2): Listed on this source ## Mentions Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding. - “Eric Foster Plumbing Heating & Cooling, based in Chelmsford” — u/the-right-cards in r/LowellMA (2026-02-16) — https://www.reddit.com/r/LowellMA/comments/1r6c81t/recs_for_hvac_and_plumbing/o5r0cji/ - “Frank's Heating (Tewksbury) or Eric Foster's (Chelmsford). I've hired both and both are excellent.” — u/the-right-cards in r/LowellMA (2025-06-18) — https://www.reddit.com/r/LowellMA/comments/1lehls9/hvac_suggestions/myg71wh/ - “Upon graduation, he plans to continue working for Eric C. Foster Plumbing & Heating of Chelmsford, for which he currently works every other week through Nashoba Tech’s Cooperative Education program.” — nashobatech.net — https://www.nashobatech.net/article/635690 - “Industry partners for the NCTI Plumbing program include Basnett Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Littleton; Campbell Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Littleton; Eric C. Foster Plumbing &…” — nashobatech.net — https://www.nashobatech.net/article/963636 ## Recent reviews - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Laura Lech · 2026-09-01**: Great and responsive! - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Mackenzie Carrigan · 2026-08-31**: Kyle was super helpful and knowledgeable! - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Debbie Mathis · 2026-08-22**: Great service! Technician was pleasant and very informative. He was prompt and had the leak fixed in no time. Such a life saver! Had an issue at the beginning of the year and once again they were here and fixed the issue and explained the whole process. Very fair prices! - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Michael Fortier · 2026-08-20**: Robert & his associate (can’t remember his name) did the job quickly and professionally. - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Scott McMeniman · 2026-08-17**: The crew that came and serviced my boiler were a politeand knowledgeable - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Liz Burton · 2026-08-14**: Mark and Kevin did a great job - they were careful, thorough and pleasant to deal with, and happy to answer my questions. - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Phil howland · 2026-08-05**: If Superman was a plumber he’d work for Eric C. Foster!! - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Theresa Rossi · 2026-08-05**: Shane was awesome, took the time to explain things to me, answered my question honestly and complete. His apprentice was personable and hardworking. - **4/5 · Google Reviews · Tim Burr · 2026-07-24**: Shane was excellent, would like to use Shane on another project, but need to review price first. Shane was professional and detailed. - **5/5 · Google Reviews · Peggy Dowcett · 2026-07-23**: Timely and professional. --- Data freshness: last scanned 2026-09-03T16:15:16.122Z. Cite as: Eric C. Foster Plumbing Heating & Cooling Inc. — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/eric-c-foster-plumbing-heating-and-cooling-inc-chelmsford) Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/eric-c-foster-plumbing-heating-and-cooling-inc-chelmsford ## Sitemap [Full site index](https://tavlee.com/sitemap.md)