McCandless Plumbing & Excavation grew from 50 years of family expertise in underground water systems — and in 2017, we expanded that legacy into exterior plumbing and excavation, bringing the same work ethic to city water lines, sewer systems, and underground infrastructure throughout Western New York. All work adheres to International Code Council (ICC) standards and the 2025 Plumbing Code of New York State, ensuring every project in Chautauqua County meets or exceeds the highest safety and construction requirements.
Family legacy begins 1975
Our Foundation
3rd Generation Family Business
Ownership
Chautauqua County & WNY
Service Area
Licensed & Insured
Every Job
Still family owned, locally operated, and building our reputation one job at a time.
McCandless Plumbing & Excavation brings over three generations of experience to trusted plumbing, sewer, and excavation services throughout Chautauqua County and Western New York. Our licensed team handles everything from sewer and drain repairs to water heater installation, excavation, site preparation, and complete plumbing solutions for homes and businesses. All work is performed in full compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and NYS Department of Health Appendix 75-A standards, covering proper permits, construction requirements, and septic system installations, repairs, and inspections.
“Same family you trust for your well. Now handling everything underground.”
— McCandless, since 1975
Family legacy
begins 1975
Our Foundation
3rd Generation
Family Business
Who We Are
Chautauqua County
& WNY
Where We Serve
Licensed
& Insured
Every Job, Every Time
Many companies rely on commission-based sales reps who write your estimate and hand off the job. You meet one person, a different crew shows up, and accountability gets lost somewhere in between.
Our approach is different.
When you work with McCandless, you’re dealing directly with ownership from the first conversation. Estimates are prepared by people who understand both the technical scope and the long-term implications of the work — not someone trying to hit a monthly number.
That direct involvement doesn’t just feel better. It produces better results.
At McCandless, we stand behind every job with strong warranties and a commitment to exceptional customer care. Whether you’re facing a drain backup, planning a new plumbing installation, or need professional excavation work, you can count on our experts for fast, affordable, and high-quality results.
You Talk to Ownership.
No commissioned salespeople. No handoffs. The person who assesses your project is accountable for its outcome.
We focus on what we do best.
Larger-scale exterior work — sewer lines, water services, excavation, and drainage — where precision and planning make all the difference.
We use equipment and partners you can trust.
Advanced tools and reliable brand partnerships ensure your system is built to run efficiently for years, not just long enough to clear the warranty.
When the next generation joined the family business in 2017, we didn’t just pick up where things left off — we built something better. Since then, we’ve expanded our team, refined our processes, and invested in better equipment, all while maintaining the direct communication and personal accountability that define how we operate. Every job is backed by strong warranties and a genuine commitment to getting it right.
McCandless Plumbing & Excavation has been a trusted, family-owned plumbing and excavation contractor in Western New York since 1975, serving homes, businesses, and municipalities across Chautauqua County — including Jamestown, Lakewood, Falconer, Dunkirk, Fredonia, and all surrounding communities — and extending our services into Warren, PA and Warren County for neighbors across the Pennsylvania border.
01 — You Reach Out
Call or request a quote. You'll speak with someone who can actually answer your questions.
02 — We Assess the Job
We come to you, evaluate the scope, and identify exactly what the project requires — no guesswork, no vague estimates.
03 — You Get a Clear Number
A detailed, written estimate broken down so you know what you're paying for and why.
04 — Work Gets Scheduled
Organized field operations mean you know when we're arriving, what we're doing, and how long it takes.
05 — The Job Gets Done Right
Licensed crew, advanced equipment, code-compliant execution. No shortcuts on underground infrastructure.
06 — We Back Our Work
Every job is covered by warranty. And if something comes up, you have a real team to call.
We compete fairly in our market and price our work responsibly.
Our goal isn’t to win the job with the lowest number and make it up in change orders. It’s to give you a realistic, honest estimate the first time — and stick to it.
Exterior plumbing and excavation projects can be complex. Site conditions vary. Underground work sometimes reveals surprises. We walk you through what’s likely, what’s possible, and how we handle it — so you’re never blindsided.
We price to give you confidence, not to get in the door.
You'll understand what the work involves before anything starts.
We tell you what could come up and how we'll handle it.
We give you the information you need and let you make the right call.
McCandless Plumbing & Excavation is not a franchise — no national chain, no outside investors. We are a family-owned, locally operated company serving Western New York since 1975. The people running this business live in this community, and the work we do stays here. If your project involves replacing, upgrading, or repairing underground plumbing infrastructure, we have the experience and focus to handle it properly.
As licensed contractors, we adhere to NYS DEC regulations for wastewater treatment and excavation, follow NOWRA best practices for onsite wastewater systems, and maintain membership with the national PHCC, the New York State PHCC, and the New York State Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors — keeping our work aligned with the highest industry standards, regulations, and professional practices.
"We are not a franchise. We are your neighbors."
Serving homeowners, businesses, and municipalities across Chautauqua County, Cattaraugus County, and Northwestern Pennsylvania. For water well services, visit our sister company McCandless Well Drilling — together, we provide comprehensive water system solutions throughout Western New York.
Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for project photos, plumbing tips, and service updates. You can also find us on Google to read reviews and get in touch with our team directly.