# RP McLaughlin Plumbing and Heating

**Trade:** Plumbing · **Address:** 59 Bridge St, Salem, MA 01970, USA · **Phone:** (978) 532-3300 · **Website:** http://www.rpmclaughlin.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 3.9/5** (medium confidence) — from 8 reviews across 6 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.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 0 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

RP McLaughlin Plumbing and Heating has run out of Salem since 1988 — 38 years, per its BBB profile — and the name that keeps coming up locally, on Reddit and Nextdoor threads about who to call in Salem and Peabody, is theirs. Robert P. McLaughlin holds the company's active Massachusetts plumber license, and the shop is run with his wife Deborah, whom several reviewers know simply as "Debbie."

The clearest theme across a decade of Google reviews and local social posts is what happens when the heat goes out. One reviewer called on the coldest morning of the year, left a message with the answering service, and had a tech at the door fixing the furnace before the pipes could freeze. Another called on a warm-enough Saturday, got no answer from seven other plumbers, and still got a courteous callback from McLaughlin even though the crew was too swamped to help right away. A third, in an early-2023 review, groused about a two-day wait for a callback — then updated the same post after McLaughlin came through, going on to use them four more times and calling the wait worth it.

That pattern — busy, in demand, but reliable once they're on the job — repeats on Reddit and Nextdoor: neighbors in r/SalemMA and Nextdoor Salem/Peabody describe using the company for a decade or more, across multiple properties, for both plumbing and heating work, and call them fast, honest, and reasonably priced.

BuildZoom's permit record backs up the heating focus: about 70 recorded jobs, mostly boiler and water heater replacements around Salem, Peabody, Topsfield, and Methuen, plus gas piping. Its BBB page carries an A+ grade (though the company isn't BBB-accredited) and lists boiler, water heater, radiant heat, and small kitchen and bath repair work.

Worth knowing before calling: demand can outrun capacity — a couple of accounts describe the crew as too busy to respond right away during a cold snap, so it's worth calling early or lining up a backup for a true emergency.

**Strengths:**
- Emergency heat calls — comes through on urgent no-heat outages
- Longstanding trust — customers return for a decade or more
- Honest & fair — consistently called reasonably priced

**Concerns:**
- High demand — response can lag during busy stretches

**Where sources disagree:**
- BuildZoom's project list for the company's licence also includes cellulose insulation permits in Brookline and Lowell alongside its Salem-area boiler and water heater work — an odd fit for a plumbing business, not otherwise corroborated

## Claims & citations

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

- Massachusetts plumber license is active, held by Robert P. McLaughlin _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA plumber license 10154-PL-M registry-verified active — registry holder of record: Robert P McLaughlin”
- BBB profile shows 38 years in business since 1988, an A+ grade, and no BBB accreditation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/salem/profile/plumber/rp-mclaughlin-pumbling-heating-0021-98450) — “Better Business Bureau grade: A+”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/salem/profile/plumber/rp-mclaughlin-pumbling-heating-0021-98450) — “A BBB business profile for RP McLaughlin Plumbing & Heating at 59 Bridge St, Salem MA, phone (978) 532-3300, showing an A+ BBB rating but NO…”
- Came through on a coldest-day-of-the-year furnace outage before pipes froze _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNobUwtWDdRRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChmL-X7QE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I always say, if you’re gonna lose your heat why not do it on the record breaking, sub-zero, coldest day of the year. Early in the mornin…”
- Called back promptly even when too busy to take the job right away _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNocHJmSmJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChprfJbQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Called because I had no heat (Saturday), but it was a warmish day for the region so I wasn’t super concerned. However, I called 7 other p…”
- Long-tenured customers on Reddit and Nextdoor describe using them for a decade or more across multiple properties _(confidence: medium)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1ovnpwn/plumber/nok6dcg/) — “r/SalemMA — +1 I have used McLaughlin for my house and my parent’s house for HVAC and plumbing for over 10 years. Fast, cost-efficient, and …”
  - [Nextdoor](https://nextdoor.com/p/yYj4-twKjKzf) — “Nextdoor (Peabody, MA) — J. I’ve used them over 25 years without complaint”
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1j46b71/plumbers/mg6zogo/) — “r/SalemMA — R.P. McGlaughlin here in Salem is the best plumber. Mostly family run and they have down a lot of work for us on our triple deck…”
- Described repeatedly as honest, fast and reasonably priced _(confidence: medium)_
  - [checkbook.org](https://www.checkbook.org/ma/salem/plumbers/r-p-mclaughlin/jsx6w) — “checkbook.org — directory listing for RP McLaughlin Plumbing and Heating (generated listing text, not a customer account)”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfMDZhbTVBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC_06am5AE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ McLaughlin Plumbing is the best; always responsive, friendly and professional.”
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1dt7mff/plumber_and_sewer_contractor_recommendations/lbintwe/) — “r/SalemMA — Mc Laughlin plumbing on bridge St.  VERY honest very good and very fair”
- Demand can outrun capacity, delaying a response during busy stretches _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNocHJmSmJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChprfJbQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Called because I had no heat (Saturday), but it was a warmish day for the region so I wasn’t super concerned. However, I called 7 other p…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN1dnFmY0xREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICuvqfcLQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I left a message on their answering service 2 days ago on Wednesday and have not heard back from them. They have been recommended, but th…”
- boiler installation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/salem/profile/plumber/rp-mclaughlin-pumbling-heating-0021-98450) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Boiler installation, Water heater installation, Radiant heat, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Small repairs”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/r-p-mclaughlin-co-inc-m10154) — “A BuildZoom profile for R P Mclaughlin Co Inc (licence M10154) of Peabody MA with a BuildZoom score of 99 and 70 recorded projects at a typi…”
- water heater installation _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/salem/profile/plumber/rp-mclaughlin-pumbling-heating-0021-98450) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Boiler installation, Water heater installation, Radiant heat, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Small repairs”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/r-p-mclaughlin-co-inc-m10154) — “A BuildZoom profile for R P Mclaughlin Co Inc (licence M10154) of Peabody MA with a BuildZoom score of 99 and 70 recorded projects at a typi…”
- furnace repair _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNocHJmSmJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChprfJbQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Called because I had no heat (Saturday), but it was a warmish day for the region so I wasn’t super concerned. However, I called 7 other p…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNobUwtWDdRRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChmL-X7QE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I always say, if you’re gonna lose your heat why not do it on the record breaking, sub-zero, coldest day of the year. Early in the mornin…”
- gas piping _(confidence: medium)_
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/r-p-mclaughlin-co-inc-m10154) — “Services offered (BuildZoom): Fire Sprinkler Systems, Septic Tanks and Systems, Gas and Piping, Boiler/Water Heater, Sewer Laterals”
- Specializes in Plumbing _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURoeWZIY3l3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDhyfHcywE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Fabulous plumbing people, using them for many years.”
  - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA plumber license 10154-PL-M registry-verified active — registry holder of record: Robert P McLaughlin”
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1dt7mff/plumber_and_sewer_contractor_recommendations/lbintwe/) — “r/SalemMA — Mc Laughlin plumbing on bridge St.  VERY honest very good and very fair”
- Specializes in HVAC / Heating & Cooling _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMxZ0tYSXl3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC1gKXIywE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Easy as can be. Booked an appointment, they came , serviced my heating system, and i never looked back. Great Job!”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNocHJmSmJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChprfJbQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Called because I had no heat (Saturday), but it was a warmish day for the region so I wasn’t super concerned. However, I called 7 other p…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNobUwtWDdRRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xb84eac4a9217045f!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChmL-X7QE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I always say, if you’re gonna lose your heat why not do it on the record breaking, sub-zero, coldest day of the year. Early in the mornin…”

## License

Status: **active** (#10154-PL-M, plumber) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-08-05, 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=RP%20McLaughlin%20Plumbing%20and%20Heating&query_place_id=ChIJwwxBrRQU44kRXwQXkkqsTrg): 4.9★ from 23 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=RP%20McLaughlin%20Plumbing%20and%20Heating&query_place_id=ChIJwwxBrRQU44kRXwQXkkqsTrg): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/salem/profile/plumber/rp-mclaughlin-pumbling-heating-0021-98450): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](http://www.rpmclaughlin.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Exa](https://www.checkbook.org/ma/salem/plumbers/r-p-mclaughlin/jsx6w): 6 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/r-p-mclaughlin-co-inc-m10154): 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.

- “J. I’ve used them over 25 years without complaint” — nextdoor.com (2026-07-13) — https://nextdoor.com/p/yYj4-twKjKzf
- “Mclaughlin plumbing used them for years for regular maintenance and a couple of emergencies.  The best.” — nextdoor.com (2026-07-10) — https://nextdoor.com/p/yYj4-twKjKzf
- “+1 I have used McLaughlin for my house and my parent’s house for HVAC and plumbing for over 10 years. Fast, cost-efficient, and they are reliable honest people.” — u/saluki05 in r/SalemMA (2025-11-13) — https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1ovnpwn/plumber/nok6dcg/
- “McLaughlin Plumbing on Bridge Street. Great work, fast, reasonable prices.” — u/Braincloud in r/SalemMA (2025-11-13) — https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1ovnpwn/plumber/nok3n83/
- “R.P. McGlaughlin here in Salem is the best plumber. Mostly family run and they have down a lot of work for us on our triple decker and my in-laws condo. Good work, Honest people, and reasonable prices…” — u/saluki05 in r/SalemMA (2025-03-05) — https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1j46b71/plumbers/mg6zogo/
- “Mc Laughlin plumbing on bridge St.  VERY honest very good and very fair” — a Reddit commenter in r/SalemMA (2024-07-03) — https://www.reddit.com/r/SalemMA/comments/1dt7mff/plumber_and_sewer_contractor_recommendations/lbintwe/

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Annie · 2025-01-18**: McLaughlin Plumbing is the best; always responsive, friendly and professional.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Daniel Hall · 2023-12-20**: Easy as can be. Booked an appointment, they came , serviced my heating system, and i never looked back. Great Job!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Marty Amberg · 2023-03-12**: Fabulous plumbing people, using them for many years.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Joseph Normand · 2023-02-11**: Called because I had no heat (Saturday), but it was a warmish day for the region so I wasn’t super concerned. However, I called 7 other places and none got back to me except Mc Laughlin. In a very timely manner after my message, the guy who called me (RJ) was polite, respectful, and concerned that I…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Raelinda Woad · 2023-02-04**: I always say, if you’re gonna lose your heat why not do it on the record breaking, sub-zero, coldest day of the year. Early in the morning, on a weekend of course.
I called McLaughlin and left a message with their live answering service. Someone called me back in about an hour and was at my house 15…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Alan Murgida · 2022-08-14**: As a Board member of a small local condominium association,    I just want to give the gang at McLaughlin, you, Debbie, Bob, Tyler and everyone who with our recent jobs a special thanks. Unless you are overburdened with orders which will sometimes happen in your line of business, you guys really jum…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Fritz Schneider · 2022-07-29**: I left a message on their answering service 2 days ago on Wednesday and have not heard back from them. They have been recommended, but this is not what I would call a good business model; my evaluation will change if they ever get back to me with a reasonable explanation.
Update: they got back to me…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Ted Juliano · 2021-10-18**: Used them many times over the past few years, very reasonable, prompt, trustworthy and knowledgeable

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-05T15:07:32.913Z.
Cite as: RP McLaughlin Plumbing and Heating — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/rp-mclaughlin-plumbing-and-heating-salem)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/rp-mclaughlin-plumbing-and-heating-salem