# The Boston Plumber

**Trade:** Plumbing · **Address:** 41 Palmer St, Chelsea, MA 02150, USA · **Phone:** (617) 249-4831 · **Website:** https://thebostonplumber.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.5/5** (medium confidence) — from 16 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: 2 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

The Boston Plumber is a one-plumber operation — Ryan Hilke, according to his own site, working the trade since 2008 — and the reviews describe him doing everything from a five-minute faucet fix to full gut-renovation plumbing. His Massachusetts plumber license is active, and the Better Business Bureau gives the business an A (it is not BBB-accredited).

The specifics repeat a pattern: fast response — a callback within an hour, same-day arrival — and work that holds up on bigger jobs. One review describes him replacing the entire cast-iron main stack and re-piping a two-family's kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Others describe full kitchen renovations — a filler-faucet water line run entirely inside finished walls, a pot filler and farmhouse sinks, a bathroom rebuilt around a rain shower and double vanity — and a full gut renovation where he coordinated with other trades and the work passed inspection. A 2024 review describes him correctly diagnosing a tenant's hot water problem after other plumbers had misdiagnosed it as electrical.

There's no negative review in the record — all 16 on file, across six sources, are five stars, including the two posted in the last six months. That's a small sample for a business this size, so treat the consistency as a good early sign rather than a long track record.

For a renovation-scale plumbing job — a kitchen or bathroom rebuild, a full repipe, or anything that needs to pass inspection and coordinate with other contractors — the reviews describe someone who does that kind of work regularly and well. For a smaller repair, the record suggests the same responsiveness applies.

**Strengths:**
- Fast response — same-hour callbacks and same-day arrivals
- Renovation-scale work — full repipes and kitchen/bath fixture installs
- License verified — active Massachusetts plumbing registration
- BBB grade — A on file

## Claims & citations

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

- Massachusetts plumbing license verified active by the state registry. _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://occupationallicensingandpermitting.mass.gov/madol/s/license-search-page) — “MA plumber license 32941-PL-J verified active”
- Better Business Bureau grade of A (not BBB-accredited). _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/chelsea/profile/plumbing-and-heating/the-boston-plumber-0021-570704) — “Better Business Bureau grade: A”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/chelsea/profile/plumbing-and-heating/the-boston-plumber-0021-570704) — “BBB profile for The Boston Plumber (Chelsea, MA), an LLC in business since 2023 with a BBB rating of A, but the business is not BBB-accredit…”
- Handles full-scope renovation plumbing — a two-family repipe with a new main stack, full kitchen and bathroom fixture installs, and a gut renovation that passed inspection. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xoT2VDMUhXREV4UTFkV2NtcEdWVFl5WDJvd1FVRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa6f803522211e232!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlhOeC1HWDExQ1dWcmpGVTYyX2owQUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Hired Ryan to redo my plumbing for a 2 family as it was old cast iron pipes. He redid the main stack along with new pipes for new kitchen…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMxb2NqTzFBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa6f803522211e232!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC1ocjO1AE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ "I recently had the pleasure of working with The Boston Plumber for an extensive kitchen renovation and additional plumbing services in m…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/boston/affordable-plumbers.htm) — “5★ I gutted my entire unit and used Ryan for all of the plumbing (kitchen, bathroom, fireplace). He did a great job. He did everything he sa…”
- Fast response is repeatedly described, including a same-hour callback and correctly diagnosing a hot water problem other plumbers had misdiagnosed. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pSdmJHMDRXRU5UVXpRMGVrdE9UWGQyVDAxcExWRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa6f803522211e232!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjRvbG04WENTUzQ0ektOTXd2T01pLVE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Ryan was incredibly helpful with a mysterious leaky tub in my unit - to begin with, he responded to my voicemail in under an hour; arrive…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURuOHIyQjZnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa6f803522211e232!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDn8r2B6gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Our tenants were having significant issues with their hot water supply, which prompted us to reach out for professional help. We ended up…”
- The business says it is owner-operated by Ryan Hilke and has served the Boston area since 2008. _(confidence: low)_
  - [Official Website](https://thebostonplumber.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Serving Boston-area customers since 2008.”
  - [Official Website](https://thebostonplumber.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Owner-operated by Ryan Hilke, a licensed Massachusetts plumber, with a small team supporting his operation.”
- Specializes in Plumbing _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xoT2VDMUhXREV4UTFkV2NtcEdWVFl5WDJvd1FVRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa6f803522211e232!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlhOeC1HWDExQ1dWcmpGVTYyX2owQUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Hired Ryan to redo my plumbing for a 2 family as it was old cast iron pipes. He redid the main stack along with new pipes for new kitchen…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMxb2NqTzFBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa6f803522211e232!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC1ocjO1AE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ "I recently had the pleasure of working with The Boston Plumber for an extensive kitchen renovation and additional plumbing services in m…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/boston/affordable-plumbers.htm) — “5★ I gutted my entire unit and used Ryan for all of the plumbing (kitchen, bathroom, fireplace). He did a great job. He did everything he sa…”

## License

Status: **active** (#32941-PL-J, 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=The%20Boston%20Plumber&query_place_id=ChIJedTs42Fx44kRMuIRIlID-KY): 5.0★ from 16 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=The%20Boston%20Plumber&query_place_id=ChIJedTs42Fx44kRMuIRIlID-KY): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/chelsea/profile/plumbing-and-heating/the-boston-plumber-0021-570704): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://thebostonplumber.com): 18 yrs in business · Self-reported profile and service details
- [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/boston/affordable-plumbers.htm): Listed on this source
- [Exa](https://reviews.birdeye.com/the-boston-plumber-171378192397429): 3 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Nia DeYounge · 2026-05-02**: Ryan was incredibly helpful with a mysterious leaky tub in my unit - to begin with, he responded to my voicemail in under an hour; arrived the same day and exactly when he said he would; did some troubleshooting to determine the source of the problem, and then offered to seal up the HOLES and cracks…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Choi.V · 2026-04-25**: This guy is the Picasso of plumbing! Beautiful, timely work and very easy to work with. Look forward to working “the Boston plumber” again!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Deb Colameta · 2025-12-23**: Excellent service by Ryan of The Boston Plumber.  Ryan was incredibly responsive, trustworthy, and clearly very knowledgeable about plumbing. He communicated well, explained the work clearly, and completed everything efficiently. We would definitely hire him again and will enthusiastically recommend…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Popo Z · 2025-09-06**: Hired Ryan to redo my plumbing for a 2 family as it was old cast iron pipes. He redid the main stack along with new pipes for new kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Pricing was competitive and he was professional and very responsive throughout the entire project. If I have another project, I wou…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Linda Chusuei · 2025-08-06**: Ryan fixed a loose faucet, showed up on time and was pleasant to boot, fair price. A+
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · kevine · 2024-10-04**: Our tenants were having significant issues with their hot water supply, which prompted us to reach out for professional help. We ended up spending a considerable amount on various companies, including Brandano Plumbing, only to be misled into believing the problem was electrical. After exhausting th…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Kelsey Bradley · 2024-03-27**: These guys are great. They do great work, are efficient, and professional. My hot water heater broke and they came within a few hours to fix it.  Ryan was great and super easy to work with. I highly recommend!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Michelle Lewis · 2024-03-05**: I cannot speak highly enough of the exceptional service provided by Ryan. From start to finish, his professionalism, expertise, and dedication to excellence were truly outstanding.

When faced with a plumbing emergency in my home, I immediately reached out to Ryan.  Within a day he was at my house, …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Elise Austin-Washburn · 2024-02-16**: Very respectful, communicative, on-time. Overall great experience with Ryan
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Yojan Hernandez · 2024-01-10**: Best in Boston! Ryan was called and was quick to come and give me an estimate. It was the best price and his work is fantastic. He fixed an issue I had in my plumbing that 2 other plumbers could not figure out. I could not be happier with Ryan. I would recommend him for any job! Thanks again Ryan!

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-07-01T17:57:35.074Z.
Cite as: The Boston Plumber — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/the-boston-plumber-chelsea)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/the-boston-plumber-chelsea