Today we’d like to introduce you to Toney Baumbach.
Hi Toney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Plumbing has been part of my family’s story for nearly a century, with our roots in the trade going back to 1928. I grew up riding along with my father, earned my Master Plumber’s license at 21, and our family is proud to include the first female Master Plumber in the United States. In many ways, plumbing has always been part of who I am.
I stayed in the trade because I genuinely love building and fixing things that can outlast me. Every civilization depends on clean water, sanitation, and safe plumbing. It’s one of the oldest and most essential professions, yet it’s often overlooked. Knowing that my work helps protect people’s homes, health, and quality of life has always given me a real sense of purpose.
Over the years, I worked for several plumbing companies and noticed a shift in priorities. More emphasis was placed on sales than craftsmanship, and too often the goal became maximizing the invoice instead of providing the best long-term solution. I believe a company can be profitable while still putting integrity, education, and quality workmanship first.
That belief led me to start PLUMBERMAN LLC. My goal wasn’t simply to repair plumbing—it was to build a company homeowners could truly trust. We explain options, educate customers about their homes, and help them make informed decisions instead of simply selling a repair. To me, the greatest value we provide isn’t just fixing a leak or installing a water heater; it’s giving people confidence in their home’s plumbing and returning time back to them so they can focus on what matters most.
As we’ve grown, the referrals and trust we’ve earned from our customers have been the greatest confirmation that we’re on the right path. My hope is that PLUMBERMAN becomes known not only for quality workmanship, but for raising the standard of our profession and becoming the last plumber our customers ever need.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a business has been anything but a smooth road. Like many small business owners, I’ve worn nearly every hat imaginable—technician, dispatcher, estimator, customer service representative, accountant, and sometimes even janitor. Learning how to run a business while continuing to serve customers every day has been one of my greatest challenges.
The hardest lesson has been realizing that building a great company isn’t about growing as quickly as possible. It’s about finding the right people. Technical skills can be taught, but integrity, craftsmanship, and genuinely caring about customers are much harder to teach. I’d rather build a smaller team of exceptional professionals than a large company that loses sight of its values.
Our industry is also facing a shortage of skilled tradespeople. There is more work than qualified plumbers available to do it. I see that as both a challenge and an opportunity. If we can continue educating homeowners while helping train the next generation of technicians, then we can do more than grow our own company—we can help strengthen the plumbing profession itself.
Every challenge has reinforced why I started PLUMBERMAN. Success isn’t measured by how many trucks are on the road. It’s measured by the trust we’ve earned, the quality of the work we leave behind, and whether we’re making our profession better for the next generation.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about PLUMBERMAN LLC?
PLUMBERMAN LLC is a residential and light commercial plumbing company serving homeowners and businesses throughout Northern Virginia. We provide everything from plumbing repairs and water heaters to well systems, water treatment, gas piping, drain cleaning, and complete plumbing installations.
What truly sets us apart isn’t the list of services we provide—it’s how we approach them. We believe every customer deserves to understand their plumbing system and the options available to them before making a decision. We take the time to educate homeowners, explain what’s happening, and recommend solutions based on what is genuinely best for their home and family.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the culture we’re building. We aren’t interested in becoming the biggest plumbing company overnight. We’re focused on building the right team—people who value honesty, craftsmanship, professionalism, and continuous learning. Every technician who represents PLUMBERMAN should leave a customer feeling more informed and more confident than before we arrived.
At the end of the day, I hope we’re remembered for more than fixing plumbing. I hope we’re remembered for giving homeowners peace of mind, helping them understand their homes, and treating every customer with the honesty and respect they deserve.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe the plumbing industry has an incredibly bright future, but it also faces some significant challenges. Water infrastructure across the country is aging, homeowners are becoming more aware of water quality and conservation, and advances in plumbing technology continue to improve how we protect homes and businesses. The need for skilled plumbers isn’t going away—in many ways, it’s only increasing.
The biggest challenge I see is the shortage of qualified tradespeople. For years, there was a strong push toward four-year college degrees, while the skilled trades received less attention. As experienced plumbers retire, there aren’t enough trained professionals entering the field to replace them. The majority of plumbers entering your home are not licensed but working under one license for the whole company.
I also believe our industry has an opportunity to raise the standard of professionalism. Homeowners deserve more than a repair—they deserve education, honest communication, and confidence that the work is being done correctly. That’s where I think the future of plumbing is headed. The companies that invest in training, craftsmanship, and customer relationships will be the ones that continue to thrive.
Personally, I hope to be part of that change. My goal isn’t just to grow PLUMBERMAN LLC, but to help develop technicians who take pride in their work, continue learning throughout their careers, and earn the trust of the communities they serve. If we can leave the industry stronger than we found it, I’ll consider that a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://plumbermanusa.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePlumbman/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/plumberman
