About Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating — Boston’s Family-Owned Plumbing & Heating Experts
Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating is a family-owned, fully licensed and insured plumbing and heating company serving the greater Boston area since 1984. Founded by master plumber Matt Nelson and his wife Alice, we have spent over 40 years building a reputation for honest, high-quality service — one Boston home at a time.

Who We Are
Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating was built on a straightforward principle: provide quality plumbing and heating service with integrity, and treat every customer the way you would want to be treated yourself. We are a local business, and we are accountable to the community we have served for over four decades.
- Family-owned and operated since 1984 by Matt Nelson and his wife, Alice, with a team that takes genuine pride in the work they do.
- Over 40 years of experience serving Boston-area homeowners means we have encountered and solved virtually every residential plumbing and heating challenge.
- Fully licensed and insured in Massachusetts for both residential and commercial plumbing and heating service.
- Integrity-driven business practices mean honest assessments, transparent pricing, and no unnecessary work recommended or performed.
We are not a franchise or a large corporate contractor — we are your neighbors, and we genuinely invest in the quality of every job we take on. Visit our Services page to see the full range of work we provide.
Meet Matt Nelson, Master Plumber and Owner
Matt Nelson started Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating in 1984 with a hands-on approach to the trade that has never changed. He oversees all day-to-day operations and continues to work in the field alongside his team, bringing decades of real-world experience to every project.

- Master plumber with 40+ years in the trade — Matt has the credentials and the field experience to back them up.
- Specialist in Boston’s older homes — he has a particular skill for diagnosing problems in aging plumbing systems and finding cost-effective solutions.
- Hands-on leadership means the owner is personally involved in the quality of work performed on your home.
- Customer-first approach — Matt prioritizes finding the most reasonably priced solution for every homeowner, not the most expensive one.
When you call Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating, you are working with a team that reflects Matt’s values: hard work, honesty, and a genuine commitment to getting the job done right.
Our Experience With Boston’s Older Homes
Many of the homes we work in throughout Boston are decades or even over a century old, and they often contain antique fixtures, outdated pipe materials, and heating systems that require specialized knowledge to service properly.
- Antique fixture restoration and replacement — we work with the customer to restore existing fixtures or source compatible modern replacements.
- Experience with older pipe materials, including cast iron, galvanized steel, and lead piping found in historic Boston properties.
- Expertise with vintage heating systems, including steam boilers, gravity hot water systems, and early forced hot water configurations.
- Practical, cost-conscious solutions — we know that major renovations are not always the right answer, and we help homeowners find the most sensible path forward.


Our deep familiarity with Boston’s housing stock is one of the things that sets us apart from contractors who focus exclusively on new construction. If you have questions about a specific older system in your home, visit our Contact page to reach us directly.
Common Questions About Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating
- When was Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating established? We were founded in 1984 by Matt Nelson and have been serving the greater Boston area continuously for over 40 years.
- Do you work on both residential and commercial properties? Yes — our team is experienced with plumbing and heating installations and repairs for both residential and commercial clients.
- Can you work on homes with very old or antique plumbing? Absolutely — working with Boston’s older homes and their unique plumbing challenges is one of our core specialties.
- Is the owner involved in day-to-day work? Yes — Matt Nelson actively oversees operations and regularly works in the field alongside his team.
Get in Touch With Narrow Way Plumbing & Heating
We would love to hear from you. Whether you have a question or need to schedule service, our team is ready to help.
- Phone: (617) 436-5229
- Email: service@narroway.com
- Address: 217 Norfolk St, Boston, MA 02124