# R P Holmes Corporation

**Trade:** Plumbing · **Address:** 97 Border St, Newton, MA 02465, USA · **Phone:** (617) 527-0682 · **Website:** http://www.rpholmes.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 3.9/5** (medium confidence) — from 8 reviews across 5 sources. A 0–5 star rating built from what customers and the public say (every review and mention weighted by where it was posted, how old, how detailed and how credible it is, shrunk toward a 3.5★ baseline when evidence is thin) plus what the record shows (Reddit recommendations or warnings, a registry-verified licence, how recently they were reviewed, customer work photos, BBB grade, negative news, a revoked licence). Positive record counts only as far as the reviews have earned it; penalties count in full. Confidence describes how much weighted evidence stands behind the number, never the number itself: low when fewer than about five normal reviews' worth of weight (or mentions only) support it, medium up to about twenty, high beyond that across at least two sources. An operator flag for a suspicious review pattern caps a rating at 3.5★ and marks it low.
88% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 1 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

R P Holmes has been doing plumbing and heating work in West Newton since 1931, and the company is now in its third generation — current president Susanne M. Holmes is a licensed plumber and construction supervisor with 32 years at the firm. Its Massachusetts plumbing license is active, and the Better Business Bureau rates it A+, though the business is not BBB accredited.

That kind of tenure shows up in the reviews: one customer has used the company for 25 years, another for over 40, both describing a team that has handled everything from routine fixture repairs to furnace and hot water tank replacements over the decades. On a recent furnace replacement in a Victorian with a tight basement, the crew — four to six men working early mornings into late evenings across two days — finished the job at the original one-day quote with no extra charges despite the difficult access. A 2023 review specifically notes the company standing behind its work when a problem came up. A recent Reddit thread names R P Holmes as a serious contender for mini-split work, with the poster noting they'd also used the company for other plumbing and heating jobs and liked them.

Not every job has gone as smoothly. In a 2022 review, a customer described a trap primer that started leaking after a water heater installation, which they attributed to the repositioning of the piping during the job; the company returned to fix it but charged an additional $641, arguing the connected piping fell outside the water heater installation itself. It's a genuine billing dispute worth asking about before signing off on scope.

For anyone in West Newton or the greater Newton area, this is a family firm with nearly a century of history and long-tenured customers, alongside one clear dispute over where a job's scope ends.

**Strengths:**
- Family-owned since 1931 — now in its third generation
- Active MA plumbing license — verified against the state registry
- A+ BBB grade — long-standing Newton-area reputation
- Decades-long customers — some cite 25 or over 40 years
- Tough job, kept quote — furnace install held the original price
- Recommended on Reddit — named a top contender for HVAC work

**Concerns:**
- Billing dispute — a 2022 review cites a $641 charge for a follow-up leak

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- Its Massachusetts plumbing license is active. _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA plumber license 12799-PL-M verified active”
- The Better Business Bureau rates the company A+, though it is not a BBB-accredited business. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-newton/profile/bathroom-remodel/rp-holmes-corporation-0021-6751) — “Better Business Bureau grade: A+”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-newton/profile/bathroom-remodel/rp-holmes-corporation-0021-6751) — “R.P. Holmes Corporation has a BBB business profile (residential/commercial plumbing, heating, and bathroom/kitchen remodeling) with a BBB le…”
- The company says it is family-owned since 1931, now in its third generation, led by Susanne M. Holmes, a licensed plumber and construction supervisor with 32 years at the firm. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.rpholmes.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Has provided plumbing and heating services to the metropolitan Boston community since 1931.”
  - [Official Website](http://www.rpholmes.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Family-owned, now in its 3rd generation of ownership; run by President Susanne M. Holmes, a licensed Plumber and …”
- Multiple reviewers describe using the company for decades, including one customer citing 25 years and another over 40 years. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25CSmFWQjNPWEY0UW5OR1ZXcHZSR1pLU205SWVHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnBJaVB3OXF4QnNGVWpvRGZKSm9IeGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We have used Holmes for about 25 years and have found them to be very responsive, efficient, knowledgeable and courteous.  They have solv…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURSMVBHNFl3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDR1PG4Yw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We have used Holmes Plumbing for over 40 years. There is no one better! They serve the greater Newton community. We have referred them to…”
- A customer described a furnace replacement in a Victorian with difficult basement access completed at the original one-day quote with no extra charges. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25oNk9UTk5NalZzYjI0MmQwZFpNVWxyYVZkdlRXYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnh6OTNNMjVsb242d0dZMUlraVdvTWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Excellent service and communication for a Furnace replacement in a Victorian with tight access to the basement. Four -6 men were here at …”
- A 2026 Reddit poster named R P Holmes as a top contender for mini-split work and said they had used the company for other plumbing and heating jobs and liked them. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/massachusetts/comments/1vki9pr/metrowest_minisplit_installers/p2tfwpw/) — “r/massachusetts — That’s why we chose them. The other top
contender was RP Holmes who we also like and has done a lot of other plumbing and …”
- In a 2022 review, a customer described a trap primer leak after a water heater installation that they attributed to repositioned piping, and said the company charged an additional $641 for the return visit, arguing the connected piping was outside the original scope. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNlb3FPeVZBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICeoqOyVA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ It's a pity that we did not review google review on this company before the work. We hired this company to instal a new water heater to r…”
- Specializes in Plumbing _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25SVmFXOHhTWGhGTFd0V1JHb3hiMDVQYjB4eE4zYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnRVaW8xSXhFLWtWRGoxb05Pb0xxN3c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We have been customers of RP Holmes for many years.  They are not only highly competent and professional, but also very personable and de…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25CSmFWQjNPWEY0UW5OR1ZXcHZSR1pLU205SWVHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnBJaVB3OXF4QnNGVWpvRGZKSm9IeGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We have used Holmes for about 25 years and have found them to be very responsive, efficient, knowledgeable and courteous.  They have solv…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNlb3FPeVZBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICeoqOyVA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ It's a pity that we did not review google review on this company before the work. We hired this company to instal a new water heater to r…”
  - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA plumber license 12799-PL-M verified active”
- Specializes in HVAC / Heating & Cooling _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.rpholmes.com) — “RP Holmes Corporation is a family-owned plumbing, heating, and cooling contractor based in West Newton, MA, offering repairs, installations,…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25oNk9UTk5NalZzYjI0MmQwZFpNVWxyYVZkdlRXYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnh6OTNNMjVsb242d0dZMUlraVdvTWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Excellent service and communication for a Furnace replacement in a Victorian with tight access to the basement. Four -6 men were here at …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25CSmFWQjNPWEY0UW5OR1ZXcHZSR1pLU205SWVHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnBJaVB3OXF4QnNGVWpvRGZKSm9IeGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We have used Holmes for about 25 years and have found them to be very responsive, efficient, knowledgeable and courteous.  They have solv…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNieDdqRTFBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x53b32d65fadb7df!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICbx7jE1AE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ RP Holmes recently installed a new furnace. Great job by a very conscientious and professional team! I have already recommended them to a…”

## Ownership

- Identifies as family-owned — the business's own statement, not independently verified.

## License

Status: **active** (#12799-PL-M, plumber) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-07-01, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=R%20P%20Holmes%20Corporation&query_place_id=ChIJef5TV_mC44kR37etX9YyOwU): 4.0★ from 19 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=R%20P%20Holmes%20Corporation&query_place_id=ChIJef5TV_mC44kR37etX9YyOwU): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/west-newton/profile/bathroom-remodel/rp-holmes-corporation-0021-6751): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](http://www.rpholmes.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Exa](https://reviews.birdeye.com/r-p-holmes-corporation-873539072): 8 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)

## Mentions

Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding.

- “That’s why we chose them. The other top
contender was RP Holmes who we also like and has done a lot of other plumbing and heating work for us.” — u/Competitive_Manager6 in r/massachusetts (2026-08-10) — https://www.reddit.com/r/massachusetts/comments/1vki9pr/metrowest_minisplit_installers/p2tfwpw/

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Solomon Levin · 2026-04-15**: We have been customers of RP Holmes for many years.  They are not only highly competent and professional, but also very personable and dedicated to client service.  When we recently had frozen pipes, the team at RP Holmes responded quickly to resolve the issue.  They are so trustworthy that we gave …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Marsha Canick · 2026-01-16**: Excellent service and communication for a Furnace replacement in a Victorian with tight access to the basement. Four -6 men were here at varying times. They came early, worked late, then had to come the next day. All services were completed skillfully for the original 1 day quote. No extra charges, …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Dodie Flash · 2025-11-09**: We have used Holmes for about 25 years and have found them to be very responsive, efficient, knowledgeable and courteous.  They have solved all sorts of plumbing issues.  They have installed, maintained repaired and replaced plumbing fixtures, our furnace and hot water tanks, as well as our heating …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Sallie Craig Huber · 2024-07-30**: RP Holmes recently installed a new furnace. Great job by a very conscientious and professional team! I have already recommended them to a neighbor who had furnace problems.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Frank Lowenstein · 2023-11-03**: Stood behind their work when there was a problem. Service folks are really knowledgeable.  Friendly too. Prices are normal.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Hank Kearsley · 2023-04-18**: We have used Holmes Plumbing for over 40 years. There is no one better! They serve the greater Newton community. We have referred them to our neighbors
- **1/5 · Google Reviews · Xu LUO · 2022-09-09**: It's a pity that we did not review google review on this company before the work. We hired this company to instal a new water heater to replace an old one. After the installation the trap primer started to leak caused by the re-positioning of the piping. We called for correction, and the job was don…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Theo Bisbicos · 2022-07-22**: Always prompt and helpful.

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-10T03:23:55.168Z.
Cite as: R P Holmes Corporation — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/r-p-holmes-corporation-newton)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/r-p-holmes-corporation-newton