2020 and into the Future!
Baker Plumbing continues its growth and development as a family owned plumbing service contractor. With the addition of Isaiah and Peter to the ranks, the 4th generation of plumbing in Calgary is well under way. Isaiah is months away from completing his journeyman’s ticket, only delayed by the COVID_19 shutdown. Pete’s freshly back from an LDS service mission the Philippines (and yes, he’s fully fluent in Tagalog) so test him if you’d like! We’re very pleased and excited that our scope of work and our ability to diversify is expanding!
With the ability to service both large and small commercial businesses and with a strong and vibrant residential client list. Baker serves not only Calgary and area but Lethbridge, Airdrie, High River, Okotoks, Bragg Creek, Springbank, Priddis and many others. From drain cleaning, emergency plumbing services, HVAC and furnace repairs to boiler maintenance, back flow or cross connection testing. If you need a 24 hour plumber in Calgary, we can tackle any project.
See what over 65 years of knowledge, experience and skills can bring to your project,
Contact us for a free estimate today!!
From 2000 to 2019
Bob apprenticed with his father, Gerry, from the time he could hold a wrench and eventually received his journeyman and Master’s license from same SAIT previous generations attended. Gerry remained focused on his residential clients while Bob worked closely with a large base of commercial customers.
In 2000, Bob started his own company naming it R. Baker Plumbing & Heating Ltd with the intent of eventually joining both his and his dad’s company together when Gerry was ready to retire. The work load provided by their clients, meant Gerry and Bob could only collaborate on the bigger commercial jobs and both went about building the business.
With the news of Gerry’s unexpected illness in early 2006, the two companies had to be rapidly joined together and the extra workload and booming economy tested the capacity of the company and its employees. The illness forced Bob to move into the city, open an office and radically change the way both companies had operated. Many lessons were and continued to be learned.
Today, Baker Plumbing continues to provide quality service to many satisfied customers around Calgary and area. While many significant obstacles have been overcome, some still remain and are the daily focus of a growing company. Bob is very focused on the many challenges business provides and is aware and proud of the history handed to him by his grandfather and dad. With that focus he is determined to carry on the excellence and longevity that is associated with the Baker name. Today Bob and his wife Julie are the proud parents of 5 children.
The 1970’s to 2000
Gerry Baker began the trade working with his father and brothers and eventually took over the family built business in Calgary.
His early years were spent specializing in new custom homes, remodeling and service, he also continued to operated “Bathrooms by Baker”, their retail outlet found on 32nd Ave SW from 1974 – 1982. He pioneered the spa industry in Calgary and was the first franchise owner of Delway Pools.
The economical downturn of the eighties resulted in a re-focusing of priorities, which led to the closing of the retail store and building of the remodeling and renovation business.
Gerry was a dedicated business man and despite the hard times for many he was able to provide very well for his wife and 6 children. During this time Gerry also expanded the company to include septic field, water distribution and treatment systems.
As his reputation grew, Gerry formed relationships with many restaurant and hotel chains and spent many years renovating and serving that industry. During the past 30 years Gerry was never too busy for family or friends, every one of four his sons spent many hours with him learning the trade and its opportunities but most importantly he instilled a work ethic and desire to provide not easily forgotten.
After working tirelessly and living a very active life style, Gerry lost a battle with brain cancer and passed away November 2006. He will forever be missed by those that knew him best!
Where it all began in 1956
Ralph Baker started his career as a airplane mechanic for the RCAF working on the Hawker Hurricanes and other planes during WWII. At the conclusion of the war he married Pearl Lebaron and shortly thereafter moved from Ottawa, Ontario to Barnwell, Alberta. In June of 1946, Ralph graduated from the Rehab Training Institute in Lethbridge as a journeyman plumber (pictured above).
He spent several years serving the communities surrounding Lethbridge before deciding to move to Calgary, where the work and opportunities were plentiful. Ralph worked for a few outfits before starting R. Baker Plumbing in 1952, formally incorporated in 1956. Ralph spent the decade focused on residential and commercial installations and repairs, along with raising 5 children.
In 1969, Ralph and Pearl decided to branch out to the bathroom specialty market and in 1970 opened up a retail store in the Southridge Mall (now Chinook Center). During this time Doug and Gerry operated the installation and renovation side of the plumbing business and both received their journeymen tickets from SAIT( Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) in 1970.
In 1973, Ralph retired from the plumbing business and turned over the majority of the operations to his sons, Doug and Gerry. Doug moved back to southern Alberta serving the communities of Cardston, Raymond, Magrath, Lethbridge and others. While Gerry stayed in Calgary and continued to build his business and brand here.