Kay Plumbing Voted Best Plumber for 2019 by Lexington Life Magazine

Kay Plumbing of Lexington, South Carolina was voted “Best Plumber 2019” in the January issue of Lexington Life Magazine. This is the first year that Konrad Orzechowski, owner and CEO of Kay Plumbing, submitted an entry to the local publication. Lexington Life is direct-mailed monthly to 26,000 homes and businesses in Lexington and Gilbert.

What’s astounding is that Konrad and his wife, Justyna, have only been in the Lexington area for 15 years. Both are Polish immigrants who had met in Poland after college, who decided to move to New York City for work. Konrad started working for his father’s plumbing business as well as one of the most well-known and successful plumbing companies in NYC:  Demar Plumbing. At Demar, he became an expert in plumbing. Justyna also worked at Demar as a bookkeeper. Both learned a lot about the plumbing business before moving to the Lexington, South Carolina area to start a family.

Konrad worked for a few well-known plumbing companies in the Lexington and Columbia communities. After four years, Konrad saw a need in the community that he believed he could fulfill: providing world-class customer service at affordable pricing. In 2008, he and Justyna established Kay Plumbing.

In the early days of the business, Justyna helped Konrad with accounting, bookkeeping and maintenance. These days, an office manager fulfills those roles while Justyna homeschools and takes care of their three school-age children. However, she still provides behind-the-scenes input and support regarding important business decisions as well as the vision of the company.

A major factor for Kay’s success is that Konrad runs the business according to the principle of continuous improvement, in all its aspects: the repair and remodeling services his company provides, the products he offers, as well as customer service. His plumbers and office staff are trained to always ask customers for feedback. All his new plumbers, including those already licensed, are personally trained by him to comply with the highest quality of standards.

The plumbers also receive ongoing training and support from the product manufacturers that Kay Plumbing represents. One such company is the water heater manufacturer Bradford White, based in Middleville, Michigan. Kay’s plumbers attend Bradford White’s regular trainings held in Michigan.

In order to maintain the highest quality of standards, Konrad personally vets the product manufacturers his company represents. Konrad tests the new products he offers to his customers, to make sure they are the best solutions available. His understanding of physics and how things work give him the edge needed to make sense of, study, and test plumbing products, to make sure the ones he offers are the best on the market. A strong advocate for safe water, he makes sure the water filter products he recommends and installs actually do the job they claim they do.

Another success feature of the business is offering Plumbing Protection Memberships to homeowners and business owners. Members receive priority service, discounted pricing and free annual inspections that spot potential problems early, among other benefits. Currently, over 600 customers participate in Kay’s Protection Agreements, which is a win-win for both the customer and Kay.

Konrad strives to grow his business more and is looking for a few more plumbers to join Kay Plumbing. Currently there are five openings for apprentice plumbers, which haven’t been easy to fill.

“There’s a need for plumbers all across the nation, and you can make a good living helping people solve their plumbing problems,” said Konrad. “I’d like to get more young people on board and train them to be the best plumbers they can be. They get to avoid the high costs of a college education, earn good wages and come out ahead financially.”

Konrad wants to thank his staff and customers for their loyalty. Without them, he would not be in the position he is in today. He recognizes that his company’s success is the result of the strong relationships he has cultivated over the last 15 years and the excellent service and support that he’s provided. He really appreciates his employees and customers and loves helping people.

“I just love helping people. If I can solve my customers’ plumbing problems, that truly makes my day. And when I help my fellow community members, I get a good night’s sleep,” Konrad concluded.

Customers as well as candidates who are interested in Konrad’s apprenticeship program may contact him at the company website.

About Kay Plumbing Services

Kay Plumbing is a plumbing services company based in Lexington, SC, serving the cities of Columbia, Irmo, and Lexington. It is owned and operated by Konrad Orzechowski, a second-generation plumber from Poland, as well as a husband and father of three. Konrad attended university in Lublin, Poland, where he studied physics, but he remained fascinated with plumbing. He believes the true master of the plumbing trade is dedicated to doing the job right the first time, every time.