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Merrimack Valley Plumbing has operated in Haverhill since the LLC was formed in 2017, offering plumbing, heating, and boiler work under Massachusetts plumbing license 15869-PL-M, registry-verified active and held by Christopher E Riley. Angi lists the company with about nine years in the trade, and town permit records show 32 completed plumbing projects around the Merrimack Valley, including 11 in the past three years, mostly modest jobs. Their track record is genuinely split. In an April 2026 Angi review, a customer said a water heater was installed without a Town of Londonderry permit and later showed leaks and rust, with several issues not up to code. A March 2025 Angi review called a boiler installation "overwhelmingly disappointing," citing quality problems with the work. A Better Business Bureau reviewer separately described crooked vents, exposed wiring, cigarette butts left in the driveway, and a heating system installed backwards after a job. Against that, a January 2024 Angi review praised the customer service and the crew's work after a heating repair, a May 2024 review said a boiler job got done despite needing three plumbers and called the crew personable, and another Better Business Bureau reviewer said the company fixed their toilet promptly with no issues. In an October 2024 Reddit thread, a homeowner who had organized a group buy with the company called the experience "TERRIBLE" and urged others to avoid them. The Better Business Bureau gives the company an F grade for not responding to three complaints on file. BuildZoom separately lists two license records for the business, marks both "License Not Verified," and gives them conflicting expiration dates. Given that split record, it's worth asking directly about permitting practices for the specific job and confirming the license on the state's registry before booking, especially for a water heater or boiler installation.
“we organized a group buy with Merrimack Valley Plumbing. They were absolutely TERRIBLE. Please avoid them.”
Installed water heater without a permit from the Town. Right away had problems with water spurting and rusty. They came back and did nothing. The Town of Londonderry has tried contacting them to request they get a permit. Several errors were identified as not being up to code. Do not use them.
I hired Merrimack Valley Plumbing to install a boiler in my home, and my experience was overwhelmingly disappointing. While the boiler functions, the installation process and quality of work raised numerous red flags. I want to share my experience to help others make an informed decision when considering this company. Installation Issues Code Violations: The exhaust is less than 3 feet from the gas meter, and the holes drilled in the joists for intake and exhaust are less than 2 inches from the bottom, both of which do not meet code requirements. Improper Venting: Both the exhaust and intake vents are installed too close to the ground (not meeting the 12-inch clearance required for expected snowfall) and are too close to each other (less than the 12-inch separation required). Unsealed Penetration: The hole drilled in the siding was left unsealed, creating a potential entry point for rodents. Condensate Drain Issues: The installed condensate pump is leaking and wasn’t tested. Additionally, rather than a permanent drain installation, they daisy-chained it into a pump for a portable air conditioner. Wiring Errors: The zones for the primary bedroom and second floor were wired backward, causing overheating in both areas. Missing Outdoor Sensor: The outdoor temperature sensor, critical for proper operation, was not installed. No CO Alarm: A carbon monoxide alarm was not installed, which is essential for safety. Unprofessional Workmanship: Trash, including a metal duct pipe, was left in the crawl space near live electrical wires. Process Concerns Permit Delays: The company failed to file permits before starting work. I only discovered this after contacting the town permitting office myself. Mismanagement and Delays: The project stretched far beyond the promised timeline, with repeated excuses about missing parts and limited crew availability, despite prior assurances that the job would be completed in two days. Broken Promises: They claimed a project manager would take measurements in advance to ensure a smooth installation, but no one came. Additionally, they rescheduled initially, promising a larger crew, only to send a single plumber on the first day. Misinformation and Deception Throughout the project, I encountered multiple instances where Merrimack Valley Plumbing provided misleading or false information: - They lied about the dates permits were filed. - They claimed delivery issues caused delays, though they should have anticipated these based on the advance photos provided. - They repeatedly shifted blame rather than taking accountability for the delays and issues. Overall Experience While the boiler itself works, the installation was riddled with code violations, safety oversights, and poor workmanship. Additionally, the company’s lack of transparency and repeated dishonesty made an already frustrating situation worse. I would not recommend Merrimack Valley Plumbing to others. Their lack of professionalism, disregard for safety codes, and failure to take responsibility for their mistakes created an unnecessarily stressful and costly experience.
It went as expected
It took 3 plumbers but the job did get done and everyone was personable.
Very impressed with customer service, tech work plus thrilled to have heat again!!
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1 change recorded — last scanned Sep 19, 2026.
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Merrimack Valley Plumbing. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$290 – $710
Typical plumbing job around $500
Water heater replacements4.2
Fast emergency response4.0
