Jim Snell Master Plumber has been family helping families for 60 years – Port Arthur News

When it comes to family businesses, no one is as close to the gold standard as Jim Snell Master Plumber.

Or, should we say, the orange standard.

The company’s colorful work cars and matching building décor stand out on Nederland Avenue, but not quite as good as the reputation of their hometown.

“Since my father started this business, we’ve always tried to be the best of the best,” said 62-year-old owner Perry Snell.

And almost 60 years ago, his father Jim Snell opened the doors for the first time. In the beginning, the company was in Port Arthur. At one time there was an office in Beaumont. And they even tried to work in the Houston area. But it’s the Mid-County’s hometown feel that has kept it going locally – 20 of those years in the Netherlands.

Jim Snell Master Plumber is located on Nederland Ave. 3612 in Nederland. (Monique Batson / The News)

“I live six minutes away,” said Perry. “There is no traffic.”

And of course, he said, the local customer base is wonderful.

“You have always been in Nederland,” said Kay DeCuir, Managing Director of the Nederland Economic Development Corporation. “Last year they talked about how blessed they were to be a member of the Netherlands. And it’s a blessing to have them. Each of our companies is a blessing, but in the Netherlands they are certainly an integral part. “

Perry learned the business and started working for his father from the age of 14. He took it over after his father retired.

With 12 employees, the company on Nederland Ave. 3612 offers a range of services in the fields of plumbing, plate / sewer leaks, industrial and marine pipelines, commercial and gas pipelines.

Regardless of the challenge, according to the company’s website, they have maintained the mission of “being recognized as an example of professional service and integrity with 100 percent customer satisfaction.”

“Rita ripped open our building like a sardine can,” said Perry. “We walked in, dug our computers out of the rubble, pulled out the generator and managed to serve customers during the remodel.”

Jim Snell Master Plumber Perry Snell took over the business from his father and plans one day for his son to do it for him. (Monique Batson / The News)

Harvey wreaked havoc once again, flooding the homes of most of the employees after more than 60 inches of rain fell on Nederland. In addition to running the business, Perry had to rescue his parents from their Port Arthur home.

“I’ve ridden a lot of boats, but never Jimmy Johnson,” he said.

But it was the recent ice storm that left him a message to the community.

“I’m sorry for all of the people we couldn’t reach. We have as many people as possible, ”he said.

The office was bombarded with phone calls during the February freeze with “all three phone lines lit at all times.”

Temperatures in Nederland reached a record 14 degrees on February 16, just two degrees more than the night before. The lows stayed below freezing for seven days, resulting in a multitude of broken pipes and icy roads.

But not a lot of ice stopped them from rolling out the orange trucks to help as many people as possible.

“That’s the importance of shopping locally because everything you need is right here,” said DeCuir. “Over the past year (Jim Snell Master Plumbers) have updated, painted, and beautified through COVID. That lets me know they plan on being here long. “

And that’s a statement Perry can support that says his son should be the next owner, like he did from his father.

“He’s a master plumber,” Perry said of his 43-year-old son. “He mostly ran the business. I am very proud of him. “

Those interested in contacting Jim Snell Master Plumber can do so by calling 409-727-2211.

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