Featured Contractor

Off and Running: Michael's Valley Plumbing

On a chilly February morning we arrived at the shop of Michael Mize, owner of Michael's Valley Plumbing, a small union plumbing firm whose office was tucked into a converted garage in back of a home in Valley Village, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles. In the driveway were three vehicles, each bearing the company logo. The owner met me in his office, phone in hand, a familiar position for a working manager. And Michael Mize does work: as he confessed, "I'm pretty much a hands-on contractor. It's important to me to monitor the work of my crews to ensure quality. I'm out in the field all day, every day, seven days a week. If we're going to grow I have to be out there." And growth seems to be what this firm is all about. Michael's Valley Plumbing came into official existence January 1, 2011-only a year before our meeting. The company appears to be off to a good start, and will soon move to larger quarters. The trucks and service vans are shiny as a new penny and ready to meet customers.

Owner Michael Mize has been a member of UA Local 78 since 1984. After over a quarter-century of working with the tools he has shifted to owning a union plumbing company. On the phone, Mize gives orders and instructions like the master plumber he is. At present the firm has half a dozen hands working, all out of Local 78.

Mize describes his work as composed of "About 10 percent tenant improvement, ten percent new construction, and the rest in residential and commercial service." He adds, "We have some work out in Orange County and are trying to build up business out there as well."

The firm's biggest local job was the Beverly Hills Surgery Center, a $78,000 subcontract with work performed under prime contractor Squire Construction. Mize explained that the work involved medical gas installation work, two complete operating rooms, four scrub sinks and various other fixtures.

Mize is nothing if not hopeful. He has managed to start a new plumbing firm in the midst of a recession and seems to have no doubt that his hard work will equal success. Given his attitude and skills it would seem to be a mistake to bet against him.