BEST OF JACKSON // HOME
Best of Jackson: Household 2020
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et’s face it. Not all of us are handy enough to be able to fix every malfunction our household may experience or bring every passion project we envision for our homes to life. Fortunately, we do not have to try, not when this year’s Best of Jackson: Household 2020 pop-up ballot lists a number of local resources that can help you maintain your home, whatever your needs.
Best Heating & AC Service; Best Plumber/ Plumbing Service: Environment Masters
Best Contractor; Best Roofers/Roofing Company: Watkins Construction and Roofing
(168 E. Porter St., 601-353-4681, environmentmasters.com)
(1072 High St., 601-202-8363, watkinsconstructioninc.com)
July 22 - August 4, 2020 • jfp.ms
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Best Plumber/Plumbing Service Finalists: Dent Air Conditioning and Plumbing (250 Highpoint Drive, Ridgeland, 601-366-5338, dentairconditioning.com) / Short’s Plumbing and Heating (5740 Highway 80 W., 601922-5335) / Weiand Plumbing (Clinton, 601-540-5972, weiandplumbingms. com) / Wright Plumbing (Madison, Ridgeland, north Jackson, 601-8983223; Rankin County, 601-591-1553; Clinton, south Jackson, 601-925-1707; wrightplumbinginc.com) Best Heating and AC Service Finalists: AirMax Heating & Cooling (3010 Lakeland Cove, Suite L, Flowood, 601-939-0015, airmax.ms) / Dent Air Conditioning and Plumbing (250 Highpoint Drive, Ridgeland, 601-366-5338, dentairconditioning.com) / Modern Air (5243 Greenway Drive Extension, 601-202-5968, mymodernair.com)
Acacia Clark
courtesy Enviornment Masters
Environment Masters strives to provide hassle-free plumbing and airconditioning, and in the view of the nearly 12,000 five-star reviewers featured on the business’ website, they certainly deliver. Advertising over a dozen individual Josh Guillot, Plumbing Manager; Raymond Nalty, plumbing services, President; Ben Nalty, HVAC Service Manager Environment Masters is a one-stop shop to help meet the plumbing needs of those in the metro area—providing everything from video pipe inspections for pinpointing the sources of pesky plumbing problems to emergency plumbing for issues too urgent to wait for an appointment. Since the company founded in 1957, Environment Masters has since expanded, employing over 100 skilled workers and operating a fleet of 65 vehicles. “We don’t really operate like a business; we operate like a family. That’s inspired growth and helped us retain employees,” Manager Ben Nalty, who is part of the company’s third generation of family ownership, said. The company’s services extend beyond household problems, providing assistance to local businesses as well. Environment Masters even offers estimates for larger jobs, working to provide commercial customers with competitive prices for amenities such as water heaters and water filtration systems. As Mississippi residents themselves, the technicians understand the importance of a functional heating and cooling system in the extreme Mississippi weather, the website says. To keep these necessary systems running efficiently, the company has sought out environmentally friendly ways of keeping indoor temperatures at optimal levels, such as “SunSource,” a solar HVAC system noted to reduce electric costs by up to 50%. Environment Masters also aids in combating air-loss by offering services to properly seal and repair the duct systems. —Taylor McKay Hathorn
When Watkins Construction and Roofing completes a job, the Fortune 500 company Owens Corning gives the work its seal of approval—which comes with a 50year warranty. The 50-year commitment begins with the company’s seven-step process, which encompasses everything from an initial free estimate to a final inspection by a project manager once the job is complete. “During the seven-step process, I make sure everyone facilitates their portion (of the process),” owner and operator Michael Dier said. “Throughout the years, I’ve done just about everything, but now that I’m in a leadership position, I monitor quality and invest in people, working with their leadership qualities.” Watkins offers roof repair and replacement services, along with cosmetic improvement options, such as skylights, gutters and siding. For customers who take advantage of Watkins’ full array of services, a live operator is available for online assistance 24/7, along with on-site supervision during construction activity. Given that many Jacksonians live in apartment-style housing and therefore do not make such home-improvement choices themselves, the company has long since learned to work closely with landlords and building managers to provide commercial roofing services and to keep existing roofs safe by repairing damage, checking vents and inspecting for molds and mildews. The company also provides an elaborate blog for its clients, which walks customers through home-renovation decisions such as shingle selections and the ideal timing of roof replacements. Watkins even offers a checklist to help customers identify a suitable contractor for their home-improvement projects. —Taylor McKay Hathorn Best Contractor Finalists: 4 Sons Construction / Christian Cowan Builder (1070 Lakeland Village Circle, Suite A, Brandon, 601-942-3224, christiancowanbuilder.com) / Complete Exteriors (4725 Highway 80 E., Pearl, 601203-4537) Best Roofers/Roofing Company Finalists: Complete Exteriors (4725 Highway 80 E., Pearl, 601-203-4537) / Renova Roofing and Construction (141 Township Ave., Suite 305, Ridgeland, 601-908-3328, msrenova.com) / Strength Roofing and Siding (601-373-7254, strengthroofingandsiding.com)
