Fair pricing — reviewers repeatedly cite quotes well below competitors
Boiler replacement — one 2024 job quoted low and done in days
Water heater emergencies — same-week replacements after major leaks
Verified master plumber — state registry confirms an active MA licence
What does plumbing work cost in Greater Boston?
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from McNiff Plumbing & Heating LLC. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Owner on the job — Jim McNiff answers calls and does the work
Long-term clients — several describe a decade or more of jobs
Permits handled — coordinated electrician, inspection and rebates
Solo operator — scheduling depends on one plumber's availability
Review attribution — a 2025 comment names another plumber and Worcester
Nothing recent — newest comment on file dates from September 2025
McNiff Plumbing & Heating is a one-man Stoneham operation run by James "Jim" McNiff, who holds Massachusetts plumber licence 12835-PL-M — the state registry lists it as active with McNiff as the holder of record, matching the number the business publishes itself. He states he has been doing plumbing and heating work for homeowners and businesses since 1988, and he answers his own phone.
The reviews on file are few but unusually detailed, and they describe the same person doing the same kind of work across more than a decade. Hot water tanks and boilers dominate. In a February 2024 review, a customer who had used him for close to twenty years described a new hot water tank installed the day after they called in a panic over a major leak. A February 2023 review from new homeowners described a water heater failing during record January cold: Jim assessed it promptly in his busiest season, coordinated the electrician, permits and inspection, and set them up for rebates.
Heating work runs alongside the plumbing. A November 2024 customer, holding two wildly different quotes for a new boiler and heat pumps, emailed on a Saturday at 9am, got a call at 10, an evaluation at 11, a quote 20% below the next-best, and a new boiler three days later. Two reviewers separately describe oil-to-gas heat conversions; another said he installed boilers at two different residences.
Price is the most consistent theme in what customers write. Reviewers writing in 2023 and 2024 called his pricing transparent, competitive, fair and "consistently the most reasonable cost compared to other plumbers," with one noting he gives free advice on minor jobs a homeowner can do themselves. Responsiveness is the second theme — returned calls, punctual arrivals, and same-day or next-day attendance on leaks. A March 2024 reviewer mentions Jim's son Michael working alongside him.
What's worth knowing before you call: this is a solo licensed plumber, not a company with a dispatch desk, so ask about his schedule for anything that isn't an emergency. The most recent comment on file dates from September 2025, so nothing here describes the last few months. One 2025 review credits a plumber named Sean for work "around Worcester" — that matches neither the owner named throughout the rest of the reviews nor the Stoneham-area towns the business lists, so treat it as possibly belonging to a different business.
McNiff suits a north-of-Boston homeowner who wants a licensed master plumber personally on the job for a water heater, boiler, or heating conversion, and who values a straight quote over a sales call. Confirm current availability, insurance, and the scope in writing before booking.
Read the comments
Most recent comments
5.0Sep 30, 2025
Sean was the only plumber around worcester to answer on a sunday. He came out very next day to fix my water leak. was very professional! would def reccomend his services.
I had 2 companies come and look at my heating issues and they gave me wildly different opinions. Both gave me quotes on a new boiler and heat pumps. My neighbors encouraged me to contact McNiff. They said he'd at least give me solid advice, even if I didn't accept his quote. I emailed him on Saturday morning at 9 am, he called me at 10, he was at my house by 11 for an evaluation. His quote was 20% lower than the next best quote. He put a new boiler in my house 3 days later. He's reliable, responsive and professional.
Jim has always been our go-to since we made the wise decision for his help converting from oil to gas years ago. From the big jobs, to smaller water heater or boiler issues, to toilet, valve, faucet repair, we can always depend on his service and price.
I've had Jim do a bunch of jobs at my home over the years (new toilet install, 2nd water meter install, sink fix, etc), and he's always done great work. He has consistently been the most reasonable cost compared to other plumbers, and he gives great free advice on how to do minor jobs yourself to help you avoid costs when you want to.
We needed a few things - new disposal, new outdoor faucet and some tub work - and Jim did it promptly, professionally and at a fair price. Highly recommend.