While in college at USF Michael worked as a plumber’s helper and realized he loved the work. After spending several years working for large companies constructing wastewater and desalination plants, where he met his partner Eddie Corbett, he decided to start his own company. Bay Area Plumbing, Inc. is a small family owned business which started in the garage of Michael’s South Tampa home in 1996. He began with one van, which he painted with the company logo himself. Eventually, Eddie joined him with his van as job superintendent in the new construction division of the company. Michael was responsible for marketing, job estimates and the service department. As they grew, Tammy Williams joined the company as office administrator and dispatch and the company moved to a larger shop in South Tampa.

“We’re not a really big company,” says Michael. “Our goal is to keep customers happy and coming back. We do that by being prompt, reliable and doing a good job.” In the 19 years we have been in business, we have grown from a one-man truck to six service plumbers, two helpers and eight trucks. The company vans are now professionally wrapped with the same drain logo as the first van.  As the shop in South Tampa became too small, we moved to a larger one in the Ybor City area where we are able to stock inventory and large equipment. We also hired a dedicated dispatcher, service manager and in 2014 Michael’s wife Rebecca joined the company as a full-time marketing director.

“We have grown to just the right size,” says Michael. “Not too big and not too little.”  “We have also been able to contribute back to the Tampa Bay community through charitable donations and civic events.” “The company services and repairs all types of plumbing; bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, backflows, re-pipes sanitary sewer lines and water pipes, installs new construction plumbing and remodeling and small commercial jobs. We also build outdoor gas fireplaces, fire pits and pool showers, as well as, selling top brand fixtures and faucets.” “All our trucks are fully stocked when we come to your home.”