We recently had the chance to connect with Joe Carbajal and have shared our conversation below.
Joe, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
A common misconception is that plumbing is “dirty work anyone can do.” In truth, good plumbing technicians are closer to engineers than handymen. They need expertise in codes, hydraulics, materials science, and safety standards, plus people skills to communicate with customers. A mistake can cause flooding, gas leaks, or health hazards — so precision matters.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Joe Carbajal, owner of Texas Quality Plumbing. We’re a Houston-based company that combines skilled craftsmanship with modern plumbing solutions — from water filtration and tankless heaters to drain lines.What makes us unique is our focus on trust, preventative care, and investing in our team through training and profit-sharing. Our mission is simple: deliver quality, earn trust, and raise the standard of plumbing.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is with my family — especially those who taught me the value of hard work, integrity, and resilience. Their example showed me that success isn’t just about what you achieve, but about how you treat people along the way. That perspective is what drives me to lead Texas Quality Plumbing as more than a business — it’s a team, a family, and a way to serve our community with pride.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes — and I think that honesty makes the story stronger.
There was a period when the business hit a rough patch: slow months stacked up, invoices went unpaid, and we were juggling big expenses (building renovations and fleet upkeep) while trying to keep the team paid and motivated. I remember nights wondering if the risk was worth it — if I’d taken on too much or pushed too fast.
What kept me from walking away was responsibility — to my crew, our customers, and the vision I’d committed to. I doubled down on the things we could control: tightened expenses, improved job costing, focused on marketing and preventative-service plans to create recurring revenue, and invested in training so techs could sell higher-value solutions. We also launched the profit-sharing program to align the team around the company’s recovery and future upside.
That stretch taught me that almost-giving-up is often a signal to change strategy, not stop. It made me a more disciplined leader and helped shape the systems that let Texas Quality Plumbing scale without burning out the people who make it possible.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
God,my family, my team, and our reputation — in that order.”
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people may misunderstand about my legacy is that it’s not about plumbing itself — it’s about people. The vans, the buildings, the revenue goals, those are just tools. What I want to be remembered for is creating opportunities: building a company where employees could grow, families could be supported, and customers could trust us without hesitation.
Some might look back and only see the business success, but to me, the real legacy is the culture we built — one of hard work, loyalty, and raising the standard for what service means in our industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texasqualityplumbing.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=local+listings
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasqualityplumbing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-quality-plumbing
- Twitter: https://x.com/TexasQPlumbing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TexasQualityPlumbing/
