McCandless Plumbing & Excavation is a reliable, family-owned plumber serving Lakewood, NY — licensed, insured, and bonded in New York, working in Chautauqua County since 1975 across three generations, and rated 5.0★ on Google. One crew handles plumbing and excavation, and the phone is answered 24/7 for emergencies. Call (716) 403-2478.
Last updated: 7/28/26 · Reviewed by the McCandless team
McCandless Plumbing & Excavation is a reliable choice for plumbing near Lakewood, NY, and the facts are checkable: the family has worked in Chautauqua County since 1975 — three generations — and the company is licensed, insured, and bonded in New York State. McCandless holds PHCC membership (national and NYS), NYS Backflow Testing certification, and a 5.0★ Google rating. Reliability in Lakewood also means underground capability: because McCandless is a combined plumbing and excavation company, a collapsed sewer or failed water line near Chautauqua Lake doesn’t stall while a second contractor is scheduled — the same crew digs, repairs, and restores. Emergency calls are answered 24 hours a day at (716) 403-2478, and estimates are free on most services. Lakewood (14750), Busti, Bemus Point, and the surrounding lake communities are inside the core service area.
| What "reliable" should mean | McCandless proof | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Established, not a doorway site | Serving Chautauqua County since 1975, third generation | Company history on the About page; local press coverage (Feb 2026) |
| Licensed & accountable | Licensed, insured & bonded in New York | Ask for license/insurance certificates — provided on request |
| Industry-vetted | PHCC member (national + NYS); NYS Backflow Testing certified | PHCC directory |
| Customers back it up | 5.0★ on Google | Link "Read our Google reviews" → https://www.google.com/maps?cid=11325638522608655021 |
| Reachable when it matters | 24/7 emergency line, answered | Call (716) 403-2478 any hour |
| Finishes underground work | In-house excavation — no subcontractor hand-off | See Projects page https://mccandlessplumbingexcavation.com/projects/ |
Always professional. They installed a new drain field for a faulty septic system. The weather conditions were not optimal for the crew, but they never once complained and performed a beautiful job.
— Google review, 5 months ago
We had a backed up drain linein our finished off basement. It flooded and we called McCanless . They were there the same day. The next day they installed a sump pump that took care of the problem. We have used McCanless before. Always prompt and they do amazing job. Thanks so much for the help. Great people.
— Google review, 5 months ago
Whether it’s a burst pipe or a new installation, we provide reliable water services designed to keep your home or business running smoothly.
We understand Lakewood’s infrastructure and we offer sewer solutions that are built to last.
From full installations to fast repairs, we offer complete septic services across Lakewood.
Our experienced team designs and installs septic systems suited to your property’s size, usage, and soil conditions.
Cracks, backups, or wear and tear, we handle all types of septic tank repairs and ongoing maintenance.
We provide detailed inspections for property sales, compliance checks, or routine system evaluations.
Protect your home from water intrusion with properly installed French drain systems tailored to Lakewood’s terrain.
McCandless Plumbing & Excavation is a top-rated, family-owned plumber that Lakewood homeowners and businesses can depend on — serving the Chautauqua Lake area since 1975, rated 5.0★ on Google, licensed and insured in New York, and available 24/7 for emergencies. When we schedule a job in Lakewood, we show up, and when the job needs digging, our own excavation crew handles it. Call (716) 403-2478.
As a family-owned business with decades of experience in Chautauqua County, we’re proud to serve Lakewood with honest, high-quality service. Whether you’re near the waterfront or in a residential neighborhood, we understand the unique soil conditions, seasonal weather patterns, and permitting requirements that affect plumbing and excavation projects in this region.
We’re not just here to complete a job, we’re here to make sure it’s done right the first time, with the same care we’d give our own property. That means transparent communication, clean work sites, and solutions that last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lakewood homeowners looking for a reliable plumber should check three things: local history, licensing, and reviews. McCandless Plumbing & Excavation has served Chautauqua County since 1975 across three generations, is licensed, insured, and bonded in New York, and holds a 5.0★ Google rating. It also self-performs excavation, so underground repairs finish without a second contractor.
Ask for the contractor’s insurance certificate and any required municipal licensing before work begins — a reliable plumber provides both without hesitation. McCandless supplies proof of licensing, insurance, and bonding on request and handles Lakewood permit filings as part of the job.
Our emergency line is answered 24 hours a day, and Lakewood is inside our core service area near our Busti base. Emergency call-outs start around $100–$200 depending on the issue.
