Founder and President Duane Heaton views mentorship and fellowship equally important in his approach to managing the team.

The tagline at Creative Design Plumbing, Inc. is seen in many of its projects—”You dream it. We create it.”

No matter if it is the design of a specialty faucet or a glamorous cap for a cleanout cover, Creative Design Plumbing, Inc. (CDP) can and will get the job done. Founded in 1994 in Costa Mesa, California, the company provides plumbing installation and replacement services to clients throughout Southern California.

A free spirit and creative personality by nature, Founder and President Duane Heaton established CDP to have the freedom to design systems and products to address unique industry challenges—and invent them if they did not already exist!

CDP’s clients are primarily luxury residential new construction developers, but approximately 40% of the company’s portfolio includes commercial projects and tenant improvements. CDP staff works on a variety of project types, including shopping centers, restaurants, day spa and beauty salons, and retail stores. However, the company’s tagline—“You dream it. We create it”—holds true across all markets.

Duane’s reputation among clients is one of problem solver. Wife and Vice President Sherral says, “We’re not just a plumbing company. We are a plumbing design and engineering company. Our clients and developers have asked us to do what they have been told by other companies is impossible, and my husband consistently proves those other companies wrong.” It appears customers appreciate this commitment as evidenced in CDP’s long-term customer relationships.

Solving for Unsightly Design

Many of CDP’s projects in Southern California’s (SoCal’s) coastal area are high-end estate homes. Many municipalities require that residences have a plumbing cleanout installed to allow a convenient place to access drain pipes to clear clogs and debris. Unfortunately, the cap for these cleanouts is often a detractor for an otherwise beautiful fireplace or elegant outdoor kitchen. Sherral says, “Our team was constantly being asked if they could provide anything ‘nicer’ for a typical cleanout cover. For years the answer was always no, until Duane invented a decorative cleanout cover.”

Today, these patented magnetic connections, UV-resistant, paintable products seen on www.creativecleanoutcovers.com, are sold in major hardware stores like The Home Depot and Ace Hardware. Duane adds, “I always say there are five ways to do everything. We always find a way to satisfy our client’s needs and make it work.”

Sherral adds to Duane’s sentiment. “Many plumbing companies come and go, but CDP’s key to success is our commitment to providing creative solutions for our clients. Because Duane is a trained plumber, he is capable of engineering pretty much anything that the clients, developers and architects specify.”

Recalling one prior luxury home design, Sherral says the client wanted a specialty faucet in a stand-alone tub. Nothing off the shelf would work. Not to be deterred, Duane rolled up his sleeves and designed and built the faucet himself. “Duane loves a challenge, and when a faucet manufacturer told him it wasn’t possible, he went into action to make it possible.”

Working on Orange County’s multimillion-dollar estate homes is Duane’s favorite type of projects. “I think there’s a great reward when they are finished and we can say we’ve accomplished a masterpiece. These homes are very extraordinary.” From the underground design, to tankless water heating and complex pump systems, CDP provides high-efficiency system designs not often found in a typical home.

Sticking to the Basics

Whether it is within its new construction, service or engineering departments, CDP’s top plumbers have been with the company for more than a decade. Sherral says that the family-friendly atmosphere creates a warm environment for the team to thrive; but she gives the credit to her husband. “Duane runs the company in a down-to-earth way. We may work on high-dollar homes, but we don’t get caught up in the opulence of the work we do.”

In true down-home fashion, Duane takes the crew for a fishing trip every summer. For Christmas, the team has a not-so-traditional party at a bowling alley. There is even a taco day in the parking lot on occasion. “Duane’s a simple, straight-forward guy, and I think that’s what makes the team stay. They know what you see is what you get, and that is loyalty and support at every turn.”

Duane adds, “I try to mentor my team by sharing my knowledge gained from living and breathing this industry for decades. From new construction, to service and repair of hotels, retail space, industrial, oil fields, commercial and multifamily residential, I’ve almost seen it all.”

No Matter How Busy, the Client Comes First

“We are one of the busiest plumbing companies in Orange County, and we’ve survived two recessions,” says Sherral. She correlates this to Duane’s reputation, which definitely precedes him in SoCal. “I think consistency and loyalty to our customer base is why we’ve been so successful. We are fair with our pricing and innovative with our approach to design.”

She adds, “We have customers who call us and ask for our people specifically…it’s great.” Not just a luxury home plumbing company, CDP has completed car washes, medical and dental offices and private medical facilities—all of which require special plumbing skills to make the facilities function properly.

Sherral proudly says that Duane is so well known that customers request his personal presence on job sites. “They want to talk to him, to see him walk on the site. His knowledge of the trade, his reputation and his hands-on nature has garnered immense trust from clients. Even clients we’ve been working with from the 1990s still call and ask to speak to Duane.”

One residential client in Laguna Beach, California recently left a review for the company on Yelp where she mentioned Duane by name, praising him and his team for the thorough work.

But, according to Duane, the most notable attributes of his company are consideration, reputation, knowledge and trustworthiness. Combine these qualities with a top leader who values treating customers and employees fairly, and that is a combination for continued success.