Verified record
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
Merrimack Valley Plumbing is a Haverhill plumbing and HVAC outfit — boilers, water heaters, gas fitting, heating controls — in business since 2017 under owner Jonathan Haigh, with 22 employees per BBB. Its lead Massachusetts plumbing license, 15869-PL-M, is registry-verified active, held by Christopher E. Riley. The written record is dominated by permit and code problems on installation jobs. A 2026 Angi review describes a water heater installed without a permit from the Town of Londonderry that started spurting rusty water, with multiple code violations identified and no fix offered when the company came back. A 2025 Angi account of a boiler install raises similar red flags — an exhaust vent set less than three feet from the gas meter and intake/exhaust holes drilled too close to code. A BBB review separately describes vents installed crooked, wiring left exposed, and an entire system put in backwards. A 2024 Reddit thread about a group HVAC buy calls the experience "absolutely TERRIBLE" and warns others away, though without specifics. Not every account is bad — a BBB reviewer said MVP fixed a toilet promptly with no issues, another called the company professional and respectful start to finish, and a 2024 review credited the tech work and being thrilled to have heat again. Angi's own aggregate lands at 3.0 stars from five ratings, split roughly 40% five-star and 40% one-star with almost nothing in between — a genuinely divided track record rather than a uniformly bad one. Angi also lists nine years of experience. BBB's file adds to the concern: the company isn't accredited, carries an F grade for failing to respond to three complaints on file, and shows a second Massachusetts plumbing license number (16607-PL-M) alongside the verified one. Separately, BuildZoom's own directory pages mark two additional business-level license records "License Not Verified," with conflicting expiration dates — one already lapsed by BuildZoom's own reading. One thing to flag: BuildZoom also carries a second address for the company in Andover with a different phone number than the Haverhill listing BBB and Yelp use — same name, trade and permit footprint, but worth confirming which location and number is current before booking. Given the permit and code issues showing up across multiple independent sources, it's worth asking directly about permitting practice and getting any promised fix in writing before work begins.
“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 Aug 16, 2026.
Water heater replacements4.2