Norm's Mobile Service hits the road
The idea was simple: bring the shop to the customer's door.
Home / About
Since 1971
A family business since 1971.
Norm's Mobile Service brought the shop to the customer. More than fifty years later it's still family owned, and still right here in Nanaimo.
What we stand for
- RespectFor customers, for each other.
- IntegrityDoing it right when no one is watching.
- TeamworkOne crew, one standard.
- CommunityHere for something bigger than the job. See how we give back
- OrganizedWhen the shop runs smooth, so does your job.
- Always learningBetter than yesterday.
See it on the job.
Our story
Built on trust. Fuelled by community.
Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on people working together.
What started with one man, Norm Laburge, and a truck has grown into a multi-generational family business that still believes in doing things the right way: showing up on time, fixing what's broken, and treating people right.
Our story began over 50 years ago, when our grandfather, Orville Wagar, bought Norm's Mobile Service from Norm. Orville (owner from 1971 to 2016) was a hardworking, honest man who earned his customers' trust through integrity and fairness. About 12 years later, Orville's son-in-law Dave started working at Norm's, learned the trade himself and helped grow the business into a trusted name across Vancouver Island.
Today the third generation, brothers Malcolm, Carson and Travis Rush, own and lead Norm's with the same values their grandfather built it on. We're proud to still be 100% family-owned, rooted in the community we were raised in.
The Norm's Guarantee: no hidden costs, no hassle, no nonsense. All our work is guaranteed and covered by our no-hassle warranty.
The people behind the call.
Plumbers, gasfitters, HVAC technicians, apprentices and the office team that keeps it all on schedule. Together we bring more than 375 years of combined experience. Many of us grew up right here on the Island, and we treat every home like it's our neighbour's. From our family to yours, Norm's wants to thank Nanaimo for its continued support.
Ownership
Management
Office
HVAC
Plumbing
Excavating
Warehouse and shop
Life at Norm's.
Birthdays, beach fests, regattas and a lot of days on site. The crew, as they post it. Follow @normsplumbingheatingaircon.
normsplumbingheatingaircon
45 likes
normsplumbingheatingaircon Will a day on the jobsite humble me? 😳 I got dispatched on an HVAC install with our team and quickly discovered that running a company and installing…
OCT 16normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Who knows what I actually do best? 🤷
OCT 8normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Water Heater Tips with @thatguyfromnorms Here are 3 things to watch for: 1️⃣ Your tank is 8 to 12 years old. 2️⃣ You notice rust around the top or…
SEP 28normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon 3 Tips before buying a new heat pump ⤵️ A buyers guide when upgrading to a new heat pump, because not all contractors are alike. Here are the short…
SEP 22normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon 🎉🎂 Happy Birthday, Malcolm! 🎂🎉 Today we're celebrating our wonderful owner, Malcolm, and all that he brings to Norm's Plumbing, Heating & Air…
SEP 6normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Most people don't think much about their drains... until they stop draining. This is Josh, one of our journeyman plumbers and gas fitters, using a…
AUG 25normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon It’s hard to believe a year has already gone by! We’d like to give a big shoutout to Jacob as he celebrates his first year with the Norm’s Plumbing,…
AUG 14normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to be part of a project that reminds us why we love serving this community. A few months ago, Habitat for…
AUG 12normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon A lot of homeowners assume that if their heating or cooling system stops working, it's probably something small. And sometimes it is. Recently,…
AUG 10normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Mason was recently called out to a home where the heat pump had stopped working during this stretch of hot weather. After a full inspection, he found…
AUG 5normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon We all want to do it, and some of us have, but please don't 🙏
OCT 16normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon You could say we're pretty confident in what we do 🤷 We asked a few members of our team where they thought we'd place in the Nanaimo News Bulletin…
SEP 30normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Want your HVAC system to last longer and run more efficiently? 👇 A lot of costly breakdowns can be avoided with a few simple habits. ✅ Tip #1: Change…
SEP 22normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Could you believe our last team member josh? 🤣 It seems like we need to do a better job showcasing our company origin story. How many of you know the…
SEP 17normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon One of the toughest calls we respond to is when a homeowner returns from a vacation and discovers water damage that happened while they were away.…
AUG 27normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon One of my favourite things about our team is that everything we do has a purpose, and these new shirts are a perfect example. In this video, I walk…
AUG 20normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Ever wonder what a typical day looks like for one of our plumbers? Today, we're tagging along with Josh, one of our Journeyman Plumbers, and it's a…
AUG 13normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Every August, we look for ways to give a little more back to our community. Through our Tanks for Lunch program, every hot water tank we install…
AUG 12normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Rant to the criminals who decided they needed Johns tools more than him 😫 Window smashed and tools stolen. 2nd time in 55 years we've had a truck…
AUG 9normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon 🚨 Calling all ugly hot water tanks on Mid Vancouver Island... 🚨 Our plumbers are on the hunt for the oldest, rustiest, most questionable hot water…
JUL 31normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Out with the old, in with the new! 🔥❄️ Our install team recently replaced this older single stage heat pump in Cedar with a new variable speed Bryant…
OCT 15normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon The best part is knowing there's people out there that resonate with our purpose: "To exceed home service expectations, and Improve the lives of the…
SEP 29normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon I didn’t expect it to be that hard.. Being off the tools for a few years made me think "do i still have what it takes". We have always been a busy…
SEP 22normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon No Heat? Before you call for furnace repair, check these quick fixes: -Thermostat settings -Furnace power switch -Electrical breaker -Dirty air…
SEP 16normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon One of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make is waiting until their heating or cooling system breaks down before having it checked. Every…
AUG 27normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon We often talk to homeowners about aging plumbing systems because we see the consequences of neglected leaks every day. In this case, what appeared to…
AUG 19normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon Most people know us for the work we do in homes across Vancouver Island, and that's something we're incredibly proud of. But what many people don't…
AUG 13normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon One of the biggest benefits of adding our excavation division is that we can now take on larger projects and respond faster. With the equipment and…
AUG 12normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon There’s nothing better than a little friendly competition and seeing hard work pay off. Our team recently took home a trophy for the fastest time in…
AUG 6normsplumbingheatingaircon
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normsplumbingheatingaircon There's something special about seeing our team out in the community wearing these new shirts for the first time. When we started working on the…
JUL 31Since 1971
Fifty-five years on the road.
One van at a time
Plumbing and heating calls across Nanaimo, built on word of mouth.
The crew grows
More trucks, more trades, more of the Mid-Island covered from Ladysmith to Qualicum.
Business Excellence Awards winner
Named Vancouver Island's Best Big Business, on top of two Bryant Medals of Excellence.
Programs that matter
Tanks for Lunch, HVAC for Hospice, Forward Fridays and the Norm's Community Initiative.
Second place at the 40th Silly Boat Regatta
Plus presenting sponsor of the Parksville Chamber golf tournament.
1940 Boxwood Road
Still family owned and still in Nanaimo, with the third generation leading the crew.
Recognition
Recognized at home and abroad.
Voted Best Plumbing & Heating Company in Nanaimo every year since 2020, including #1 in the Nanaimo News Bulletin's Best of the City 2026. The only Canadian company to ever receive Bryant Heating's Medal of Excellence, competing with hundreds of contractors across North America. Winner of Vancouver Island's Best Big Business award in 2024 and multiple awards from the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.
2x Bryant Medal of Excellence winner. Bryant Factory Authorized and NATE dealer. Nanaimo Business Awards winner. FortisBC Trade Ally Network member. But awards mean nothing if we don't earn your trust every time you call.
14awards since 2019
2xBryant Medal of Excellence
8Best of the City wins
2026#1 Best of the CityNanaimo News Bulletin readers
2024Business Excellence AwardVancouver Island BE Awards
2023/24Bryant Medal of ExcellenceBryant Heating & Cooling
2023Nanaimo Business AwardGreater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
2023Best of the City: Plumbing & HeatingNanaimo News Bulletin readers
2023Best of the City: Customer ServiceNanaimo News Bulletin readers
2023#3 Best of the City: Community MindedNanaimo News Bulletin readers
2022Bryant Medal of ExcellenceBryant Heating & Cooling
2022Best Small/Medium BusinessGreater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
2022Best of the City: Plumbing & HeatingNanaimo News Bulletin readers
2021Bryant Circle of ChampionsBryant Heating & Cooling
2021Best of the City: Plumbing & HeatingNanaimo News Bulletin readers
2020Best of the City: Plumbing & HeatingNanaimo News Bulletin readers
2019Best of the City: Plumbing & HeatingNanaimo News Bulletin readers
Giving back is part of the job.
Since 2020 we've donated over $100,000 locally through three programs: Tanks for Lunch donates meals to students for every hot water tank installed, Forward Fridays gives a portion of revenue to Forward House, a mental health support centre in Parksville, and HVAC for Hospice installs heating and cooling equipment free of charge for local hospice homes. We also support numerous minor sports teams, M'akola Housing Society and more.
Questions
Asked every week.
Is Norm's a family business?
Yes. Norm's has been family-run since 1971, and the family still works in the business alongside a crew of plumbers, gasfitters, HVAC technicians, apprentices and office staff.
Where is Norm's located?
Our shop is at 1940 Boxwood Road, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5Y2. We cover the Mid-Island from Ladysmith to Qualicum Beach.
What awards has Norm's won?
Norm's is a 2x Bryant Medal of Excellence winner and a Nanaimo Business Awards winner. We're also a Bryant Factory Authorized and NATE dealer and a member of the FortisBC Trade Ally Network.
How does Norm's give back?
Through Tanks for Lunch, a share of every water heater we install goes to the Nanaimo Ladysmith School Foundation to feed kids in local schools ($49,237 donated to date). We also run HVAC for Hospice and Forward Fridays and sponsor local teams and events.