The deal
Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning, part of the Southern Home Services network of residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical brands, has acquired Shipley Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. The deal took effect Aug. 24. Terms were not disclosed.
Shipley has served homeowners in Montgomery County, Md., since 1982, with plumbing, drain clearing, water heater and fixture work. Presidential already had the HVAC side covered, so the deal lets it offer both trades to the same households.
Shipley's business will operate under the Presidential name going forward, strengthening Southern Home Services' presence in the Montgomery County market.
This is the “add a trade” deal, and it's one of the most common reasons buyers come calling. An HVAC company that wants plumbing can either hire, train and market its way in over several years, or buy an established plumbing shop with a customer list on day one. If you own a single-trade company, the HVAC or plumbing shop down the road may be your most motivated buyer.
What this means if you own a plumbing or HVAC company
- Single-trade shops fill gaps. Buyers expanding into a new trade will often pay for a ready-made team and customer base.
- Your brand may not survive the deal. Shipley is being folded into Presidential. If your name matters to you, negotiate for it up front.
- Customer lists carry weight. Decades of repeat households are what make cross-selling work, so document them well.
Source: Construction Owners, Aug. 29, 2026 (company announcement via PR Newswire, Aug. 25). Summary and analysis by V2 Strategy Advisors.