Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Plumbing Contractors in San Jose
Since 1904, WL Hickey Sons has established itself as a leader in the plumbing industry, serving the San Francisco Bay Area with unmatched expertise and dedication. Our fourth-generation family-owned business combines over 118 years of experience with cutting-edge technology, including 3D BIM modeling and prefabrication, to deliver high-quality, sustainable plumbing solutions. We specialize in new construction, design-build projects, and tenant improvements for multifamily, commercial, and specialty developments. Our institutional knowledge spans landmark projects like the first U.S. shopping mall and modern transit-oriented developments, reflecting our adaptability to evolving industry standards. With a leadership team boasting 170 years of combined experience, we maintain union affiliations and prevailing wage compliance while prioritizing collaboration with trade partners to ensure efficient project timelines.Our commitment to innovation extends to environmental stewardship, supporting LEED certification goals through precise material recycling and energy-efficient system design. From conceptual planning to final inspections, we provide end-to-end plumbing expertise tailored to Northern California's unique regulatory landscape. Our deep-rooted relationships with general contractors, developers, and suppliers underscore our reputation as a trusted partner in large-scale construction projects. This legacy of excellence, built over more than a century, positions us as an industry authority in plumbing system design, coordination, and installation.
Services
New Construction Plumbing
Design-Build Systems
Tenant Improvements
Prefabrication Services
LEED Certification Support
Hydronic Heating
Specialty Piping
Project Management
Plumbing Design
Construction Scheduling
Details
- Year established: 1904
Highlights and features
- We offer 118+ years of specialized plumbing expertise in Northern California's regulatory environment
- Our fourth-generation family ownership ensures long-term institutional knowledge retention
- We implement advanced 3D BIM modeling and prefabrication technologies for efficiency
- Our team holds decades of experience navigating local jurisdictional authority requirements
- We maintain union affiliations with proven compliance in prevailing wage projects
Services
New Construction Plumbing
We design and install comprehensive plumbing systems for ground-up developments, including multifamily housing, commercial buildings, and specialty piping applications. Our expertise in Division 22 standards ensures code compliance while optimizing system efficiency. With union-affiliated crews and advanced 3D BIM modeling, we deliver precision installations that meet project timelines and budget requirements.
Design-Build Systems
Our design-build services provide end-to-end plumbing solutions from conceptual design through final inspections. We collaborate with architects and engineers to create value-engineered systems that meet current codes while anticipating future maintenance needs. This approach reduces change orders and accelerates project delivery through our in-house detailing and project management teams.
Tenant Improvements
We modify existing plumbing systems for commercial and residential renovations, handling both design-build and plan-spec projects. Our team accommodates off-peak work schedules to minimize business disruption while implementing upgrades like kitchen hookups or full-floor bathroom renovations. We ensure seamless integration with existing infrastructure while maintaining code compliance.
Prefabrication Services
Our prefabrication process reduces on-site labor needs by manufacturing plumbing components in controlled environments. This approach improves quality control, minimizes material waste, and accelerates project timelines. We coordinate just-in-time deliveries to optimize site logistics, particularly beneficial for infill developments with limited staging areas.
LEED Certification Support
We provide documentation and implementation strategies for LEED-certified projects, focusing on water efficiency and sustainable material usage. Our recycling programs and prefabrication processes help achieve environmental targets while maintaining system performance standards. We collaborate with design teams to incorporate rainwater harvesting and reclaimed water systems where applicable.
People
Adam Hickey
President
Fourth-generation leader with 20+ years in plumbing construction, Adam oversees daily operations. He combines finance expertise from Oregon State with construction management knowledge to guide client projects from design through completion.
Jim Roper
General Manager
With 30 years of plumbing experience, Jim manages system design and coordination. His career progression from apprentice to leadership roles provides practical insights into optimizing plumbing and hydronic systems for efficiency and budget compliance.
Roy Jackson
Pre-Construction Manager
Roy brings 50 years of Bay Area plumbing expertise to budget development and code compliance. His extensive background in design, estimation, and project management ensures realistic cost projections and code-compliant solutions for complex developments.
Scott Schroeder
Lead Detailer
Scott leads 3D BIM coordination with 30 years of detailing experience. His technical expertise in clash detection and MEPF coordination ensures precise system integration while mentoring the next generation of plumbing detailers.
Mike Guida
Operations Manager
With 40+ years in plumbing, Mike oversees QA/QC programs and union compliance. His field experience from apprentice to manager informs operational strategies that maintain quality standards across all project phases.
Questions
What types of plumbing projects does W.L. Hickey Sons specialize in?
We specialize in new construction plumbing systems, design-build projects, and tenant improvements for multifamily, commercial, hospitality, and specialty piping applications across the Bay Area.
How does W.L. Hickey Sons handle complex regulatory requirements?
With decades of experience navigating local jurisdictions, our team ensures compliance with California plumbing codes, Title 24, and LEED standards through proactive design coordination.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the San Francisco Bay Area, including Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties.
Can you support LEED-certified construction projects?
Yes, our prefabrication processes and material recycling programs provide detailed documentation to help achieve LEED certification goals for sustainable plumbing systems.
What makes your company different from other plumbing contractors?
Our fourth-generation family ownership, 118+ years of Bay Area experience, and advanced 3D BIM modeling capabilities create unique value for complex developments.
How do you manage large-scale project timelines?
Our construction scheduling expertise minimizes delays through proactive coordination, prefabrication, and leveraging our 170-year combined leadership experience.
