Shipways Plumbing Penrith
Dave fields calls on Christmas morning — and his team has cleared root blockages other plumbers couldn't shift.
That direct owner involvement seems to flow through to the whole team: Connor and Rob are praised by name in multiple reviews, not just lumped in as 'the guys.' Across 260 Google reviews the pricing feedback is particularly useful — several customers compare Shipways quotes directly against other tradies and describe saving hundreds of dollars, which suggests it's worth getting their number before committing to anyone else's quote. One review in the sample raised a concern about price on a T-junction and tap job, but it stood alone against overwhelmingly positive pricing feedback and reads as an isolated experience rather than a pattern. When contacting them, it's worth asking upfront whether the callout fee applies to your specific job type, as at least one customer noted it was waived after initial discussion.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (260 total)
“David and Rob are clearly experienced and responsible”
“Dave interrupted his own Christmas breakfast to come out”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Shipways Plumbing Penrith
David (Dave) runs this Penrith-based plumbing partnership day-to-day, with technicians Connor and Rob regularly handling jobs on the ground — and each has a distinct track record in the reviews. Dave fields after-hours calls, manages urgent rental situations directly with landlords and real estate agents, and has shown up on Christmas morning and New Year's Eve when other plumbers wouldn't. Connor is repeatedly praised for thorough diagnosis work — explaining root causes, walking customers through repair plans, and leaving sites tidy — making him a strong choice for shower pressure issues and hot water system assessments. Rob is noted for fast arrival times and precise execution, particularly on burst pipe emergencies and hot water replacements where speed matters. The business does a lot of hot water system work — both emergency same-day replacements and planned installations — and has also cleared tree root blockages from main sewer lines that competing services couldn't resolve, suggesting they carry equipment or apply methods beyond standard unblocking. Rental property managers and landlords get a notably specialised service: Dave coordinates directly with agents and landlords on approval and access, removing that back-and-forth burden from tenants. Homeowners who've had bad experiences with pricing elsewhere consistently note that Shipways comes in well below what they were quoted — sometimes described as a fraction of competitors' prices — which makes them worth calling first rather than as a last resort.
Best for: emergency hot water system replacement on the same day, blocked sewer lines that other plumbers have failed to clear, after-hours and public holiday plumbing emergencies, and rental properties where the plumber needs to liaise directly with agents and landlords.
Location
Often needed together
Is this your business?
Claim your free profile to take control, start receiving booking requests via SMS, and stand out from competitors.
Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Shipways Plumbing Penrith
Does Shipways Plumbing Penrith handle after-hours and emergency callouts?+
Yes — and this is one of the things customers mention most often. Multiple reviews describe Dave answering calls late at night, on New Year's Eve, and on Christmas morning. In several cases he returned to a job after already finishing his day because a customer had been without water for an extended period. It's worth calling or texting directly rather than assuming they're unavailable outside business hours.
Who will actually turn up to my job — the owner or a subcontractor?+
Shipways operates as a partnership and the reviews show a consistent small team rather than rotating contractors. David (Dave) handles quotes, coordination, and many jobs directly; Connor and Rob are the two technicians most frequently named in reviews. Connor is particularly praised for thorough diagnosis and clear explanations, while Rob is noted for fast response on urgent jobs. It's worth asking which team member will attend if that matters to you.
What do customers say about Shipways' pricing compared to other plumbers?+
Pricing feedback is consistently positive across the 50 reviews we looked at, with several customers explicitly comparing Shipways quotes to competitors and describing significant savings — one noted the cost was a fraction of what they'd paid another plumber who hadn't even fixed the problem. One customer in our sample felt $600 for a T-junction and tap was steep, so it's worth asking for a breakdown before work starts. Asking upfront whether a callout fee applies to your job type is also sensible, as at least one review noted it was waived after discussion.
Can Shipways handle plumbing issues in rental properties?+
Yes, and they appear to have a specific approach for rentals. Several reviews — both from tenants and property managers — describe Dave contacting landlords and real estate agents directly to organise access and approval, which takes that burden off the tenant. One detailed review describes Dave following up repeatedly over 20+ hours while waiting for landlord approval, then still attending after his regular day finished once approval came through. Rental managers in the Penrith area are likely to find this coordination approach genuinely useful.
Does Shipways Plumbing work on blocked sewer lines, including root infiltration?+
Yes — sewer blockages and tree root removal from main lines appear regularly across the reviews. Notably, at least two customers mention Shipways clearing tree root blockages that other plumbing services had already attempted and failed to resolve. Connor and Dave are both named in this context. If you've already had another plumber attempt a clearance without success, it's worth contacting them directly to describe what was tried.