Some businesses are built on big capital and bold ambitions, but Ciriello Plumbing was built in 1952 on $200, a friend's confidence, and a commitment to doing the job right. More than seven decades later, that foundation has proven stronger than anyone might have imagined.
The History of Ciriello Plumbing
Behind every long-standing family business is a story of risk, hard work, and the people willing to bet on themselves. Ciriello Plumbing’s story begins in post-war Indianapolis with one Navy veteran, a newly learned trade, and a determination to build something lasting for his family and community.
Creating a Business & Reputation
Before joining the plumbing world, William J. Ciriello served his country in the Navy during World War II. After his service, he spent three years working as a plumber apprentice, learning the trade from the ground up and developing hands-on expertise.
When he finally had the opportunity to start his own business, Bill didn’t have much. But he did have people who believed in him. A friend loaned him $200 to get started, sharing how confident he was in Bill’s ability to make a business work. He was able to pay him back in less than a month.
These early years formed an important chapter in the history of Ciriello Plumbing. As the post-war housing boom swept across America, Bill made a deliberate choice to focus on the service side of plumbing rather than chase construction contracts. It turned out to be the right call. Homeowners and businesses throughout the area quickly came to know Ciriello as the name they could trust when something went wrong and they needed it fixed properly—with no tricks or upsells.
In 1956, Ciriello Plumbing opened its first storefront in Beech Grove, Indiana right on Main Street. That location served the community for nearly four decades, until 1992—a testament to just how deeply rooted the business had become in the fabric of the neighborhood.
Building a Multi-Generational Family Business
From there, Ciriello has been carried forward by family, generation after generation.
As usually happens with family businesses, William J. Ciriello Jr. grew up around trade, doing odd jobs as a kid and absorbing his father’s approach. In 1980, he purchased the business from his father and brought his own sharp, numbers-driven mindset and deep desire for Ciriello to be recognized as the true experts in the community. Then came the third generation.
Laura Ciriello-Benedict got her start the same way her father did, answering phones and learning the ropes at a young age. After high school, she headed to Indiana University, where she graduated in 1996 with a degree in business management and human resources. At the time, she had her sights set on a career in accounting. But one afternoon, her father took her to lunch and asked if she’d consider joining the family business.
She said yes, and that decision made Ciriello a three-generational family business.
Growing Modern Plumbing with Old-School Values
Laura quickly fell in love with working at Ciriello Plumbing. What began as a lunch conversation turned into a full-blown career. And that’s not where it stopped. In 2010, she became the owner and president of Ciriello Plumbing after buying out her father. And she has spent her time in this position pushing the business to new heights, specifically when it comes to the scope of services offered and the caliber of the people delivering them.
Laura believes that character can’t be taught. Honesty, integrity, and the drive to do right by people are qualities someone either brings to the job or doesn’t. What can be taught is plumbing, and Ciriello invests heavily in doing just that.
Every new plumber hired at Ciriello enters the Mechanical Technical Skills program, the largest plumbing apprenticeship school in the country, which was cofounded by Laura’s father. Over four years, students spend about 576 hours in the classroom and another 7,600 hours in on-the-job training. On top of that, Ciriello provides additional training and curriculum, giving their technicians roughly double the preparation of others in the field.
That investment in people has made it possible to grow in other ways too. Under Laura’s leadership, Ciriello has continued to expand the range of services available in both residential and commercial spaces. Whether it’s a home in need of repair or a large-scale commercial project, Ciriello has the skills and experience to handle it. That versatility is what continues to set them apart as a leading Indianapolis plumbing company today.
Why Indianapolis Homeowners Still Choose Ciriello After 70+ Years
There’s no single secret to Ciriello’s success and longevity. It’s the accumulation of decades of choices, each one consistent with the values the business was founded on.
From Bill Sr. to Bill Jr. to Laura, every Ciriello owner has been different in their own way. But they’ve all shared the same core commitment—pride in their work, pride in the people they employ, and an unwavering belief that customers deserve honest, skilled service from someone who treats every job as if their own name is on the line.
From the beginning, Ciriello’s focus has been on service and repair. That continues today through a team of skilled Indianapolis plumbers known for tackling complex plumbing challenges and delivering long-lasting results—so much so that they’ve become known as the plumber’s plumber.
As experienced residential plumbers and commercial plumbers, Ciriello has built its reputation on doing the job correctly the first time and standing behind that work.
This commitment to knowledge, experience, and quality hasn't gone unnoticed. Over the years, both Laura Ciriello-Benedict and Ciriello Plumbing have earned significant recognition in the industry, including:
- Greater Indianapolis PHCC Contractor of the Year (2007)
- Indiana PHCC Contractor of the Year (2009 & 2020)
- Delta Faucet Contractor of the Year (2019)
These honors reflect not just technical excellence, but the kind of integrity and community investment that defines what it means to be an Indianapolis plumbing repair service that people can count on—not just when things go wrong, but for the long haul.
What began as William J. Ciriello’s vision in 1952—one truck, a dedication to service, and a debt repaid in a month—has grown into one of the most trusted names serving homes and businesses across central Indiana.
At Ciriello Plumbing, we promise expertise, honesty, and efficiency to the homes and businesses we service in Greater Indianapolis, including Carmel, Fishers, & Greenwood. From residential plumbing repairs to commercial installations, our expert team is dedicated to providing exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service. For reliable plumbing services you can trust, contact Ciriello Plumbing Solutions today.
