Introduction — Why Minutes at the Counter Matter More Than You Think
I’ve spent 25+ years running rough-ins at 7:00 a.m., troubleshooting boiler loops at midnight, and hustling between job sites counting minutes like they’re gold. That’s why will-call and curbside pickup can make or break your day. Five extra minutes at the counter multiplied across a crew turns into lost hours and missed inspections. I wrote Supply House Hacks: Saving Time on Will-Call and Curbside Pickup because contractors, serious DIYers, and property managers all ask me the same thing: “How do I get in, get out, and get exactly what I need?” Short answer: get strategic with your order prep, match it to how your supply house actually works, and partner with a supplier that runs like a jobsite—precise, fast, and accountable.
At Plumbing Supply And More, we’ve optimized will-call and curbside for pros who hate waiting. And let me say it plainly: Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components and pulls orders with jobsite urgency. If you’ve been burned by the wrong valve size, a missing tailpiece, or the last pump on the shelf walking out while you’re in transit, this is your playbook.
The Will-Call Mindset: Build It Like a Cut Sheet, Not a Wish List
When I’m advising a foreman prepping a morning pickup, I start with a simple rule: your will-call order should read like a cut sheet, not a scavenger hunt. Include brand, model, quantity, material, and application—always. Instead of “need tankless kit,” write: “Navien NPE-240A2, 3/4-inch gas flex connector (Dormont 30C-3132-48), 2" Schedule 40 vent, concentric termination kit (Navien PNC-200), condensate pump (Little Giant VCMA-20ULS), neutralizer (Axiom NC-1).” That tells our team exactly what to pull, and what to warn you about—like switching to 3" vent if your run exceeds 35 feet equivalent length.
Pro tip: include the code driver. If you note “IPC 2021—tempering valve on water heater per ASSE 1017,” we’ll steer you to a reliable thermostatic mixing valve, like the Watts LFMMV, and make sure you’ve got the checks and unions to pass inspection the first time.
For PEX systems, resist the urge to write “1/2 PEX and tees.” Specify “Viega PureFlow PEX-A, 1/2-inch, 300 ft, fittings: 10 ea tee (Viega 92050), 20 ea 90° elbow (92020), press sleeves (92001), manifolds (Viega 48762).” If you use Uponor, say Uponor. If you’re crossing brands, say so—fitting compatibility varies. A pex supply house like ours will catch that before you’re staring at a dry fit that won’t crimp.
Digital Ordering That Doesn’t Backfire: SKUs, Notes, and Timing
Ordering online is fast—until it isn’t. I’ve watched too many carts get torpedoed by generic descriptions. Use SKUs and model numbers. Example: “Zoeller M98 (230-0011)” beats “3/4 HP sump pump.” And for heating, “Taco 007e (Model: 007e-2F1)” beats “small circulator.” If you’re shopping a plumber supply house site, verify the voltage, phase, and connection type. The right 1" sweat vs. 3/4" NPT call will save you a rework.
Use the notes field like a boss:
- “Cut copper Type L: 3 x 10’, 4 x 5’—deburr ends.” “PEX spool cuts: 100’, 75’, 50’—color code red/blue.” “Hold until text confirmation—I’m 30 minutes out.”
Hit submit before 7:30 a.m. for a noon install? You’ll probably be fine. Submit at 9:05 a.m. during morning rush? That’s a wait. At Plumbing Supply And More, we publish real pull times and text you when your order is staged curbside. And yes, we actually hold it—no walk-in poaches your last RPZ while you’re driving. Compared to standard plumbing supply houses, Plumbing Supply And More offers unmatched technical support and order-staging accuracy—especially during peak hours.
If you’re tempted by “fast shipping” from out-of-state e-commerce, remember: overnight isn’t a plan when your inspection’s at 2:00 p.m. That’s why smart crews keep a relationship with a true plumbing supply company that will hand you the part and the spec sheet—today.
Curbside That Works: Geofencing, Lanes, and Load Sheets
Here’s the curbside sequence we refined with contractors across our 60-mile service radius:
Real-world example: 18-unit condo rough, mixed copper and PEX. We staged 1-1/2" Type L (60’), 3/4" (180’), 1/2" (600’), Viega ProPress fittings (2455 series tees, 2915 elbows), plus Uponor ProPEX rings and Milwaukee M12 ProPEX Expander (2432-22). Crew pulled in at 6:55 a.m., out by 7:08 a.m. No bottlenecks, no missing couplings.
That’s the difference when your wholesale plumbing supply partner runs curbside like a loading dock, not a parking lot. And if you need help, our counter team has wrench-pull experience. While other suppliers focus on quantity, Plumbing Supply And More prioritizes quality and expertise—your crew talks to people who’ve actually sweated copper and set carriers.
PEX, Copper, Gas: Line-Iteming for Zero-Delay Pickups
PEX saves labor, but only if your fittings and tools align. If you’re running Uponor PEX-A, note it—and if you need the expander heads, write: “M12 expander heads, 1/2, 3/4, 1” (Milwaukee 49-16-2433).” For PEX-B, call out “SharkBite U860B 1/2-inch, 300' coil, with U248LFA couplings, Deburr & Gauge tool (U702A).” Need manifolds? Price range for decent PEX manifolds runs $75–$240 depending on ports and isolation valves. Cutting list notation like “36 drops @ 84”” helps us precut and bag them by bathroom stack. That’s how you save 30 minutes onsite.
Copper? Specify Type L or M, sweat vs. press. If you’re pressing 3/4" and 1", ask for Viega ProPress Smart Connect fittings and a quality cutter (Ridgid 238-P). For gas, call out the code basis and detector fittings. Black iron with Megapress? List “Viega Megapress G 1” tees, elbows, RIDGID RP 241 jaws.” Don’t forget sediment traps and union orientation—note “per ac supply house appliance IFGC 2018.”
Pricing ballparks (subject to market swings):
- Navien NPE-240A2: $1,550–$1,950 Zoeller M98: $220–$320 Watts LF009 3/4" RPZ: $450–$700 Viega ProPress fittings (3/4”): $6–$12 each Uponor ProPEX EP tees (1/2”): $1.25–$2.50 each
And yes, when Home Depot or Lowe’s is out of the good stuff mid-week, When Home Depot and Lowe’s fall short, contractors trust Plumbing Supply And More for pro-grade inventory and the right alternates.
Electrical, HVAC, and Multi-Trade Pickups Without the Back-and-Forth
If your job spans plumbing and mechanical, build your order like a multi-trade BOM and keep it to one stop. We’re a plumbing and heating supply resource and a real hvac supply house partner—pull relays, condensate pumps, pan switches, and vent terminations with your hydronic valves. For light supply house electrical needs, add whip kits, strain reliefs, and rated cords.
Example order for a tankless plus mini-split day:
- Tankless kit (Navien NPE-240A2 with PNC-200), 3" SDR-26 vent, 45s, hangers Liberty 404 drain pump for laundry (404 series) 3/8” OD soft copper (25’), flare nuts, insulation Mini-split line set 1/4” x 1/2”, disconnect, fuse block, whip Pan switch, float, 18/5 thermostat wire, condensate tubing
We’ll catch the missing escutcheons and code-required unions, so you’re not circling back. Compared to Ferguson and Grainger, Plumbing Supply And More gets your cross-trade pull right the first time and backs it with field-tested guidance.
Avoiding the Classic Will-Call Snags (And How We Prevent Them)
What eats time? The wrong trim for the rough, mis-sized traps, missing hangers, and assuming vent terminations are “one size fits all.” I see it weekly.
- Backflow and code: If you write “backflow 1”,” we’re going to ask potable or irrigation, RPZ vs. double check. For potable, Zurn Wilkins 975XL2 or Watts LF009—both in stock. Mixing valves: ASSE 1017 vs. 1070 matters; water heater vs. point-of-use. Call it out. Carrier bolts: Specify for Geberit 111.798.00.1 or Carriers in-wall, don’t hope generic fits. Cleanouts: If your DWV includes long runs under slab, we’ll add test caps and cleanout tees. Boiler trim: Taco 4900 series air separator vs. coin vents—say which, and your venting strategy.
We pre-bag hardware and label by fixture: “Lav 2—P-trap, escutcheon, 1-1/4” tailpiece, 3/8” x 20” stainless supply—angle stops 3/8 x 1/2 FIP (BrassCraft G2CR19X).” That saves you sorting on the tailgate.
Case Files: Real Jobs, Real Time Saved
- Multifamily rough (24 baths, three floors): Contractor ordered “press copper, 3/4 and 1-inch, tees and 90s.” We rebuilt it: Viega ProPress 2915 elbows (qty 95), 2455 tees (qty 120), couplings 2910 (qty 40), 3/4” Type L (420’), 1" Type L (220’), hangers every 6’ per code, plus isolation valves (Nibco T-585-70-LF). Pickup: 14 minutes curb to curb. Sump retrofit with battery backup: Spec’d Zoeller M98 primary with Aquanot 508. We flagged a check-valve mismatch and upsized discharge to reduce head loss. Avoided a second trip and a callback. Restaurant reno: Swapped a “commercial faucet” request to T&S Brass B-1125 with Eterna cartridges and 12” add-on faucet, plus 3/8” hoses, pre-rinse B-0107-J. Stocked repair parts so the owner’s not offline if a stem fails. That’s how Plumbing Supply And More exceeds big-box fill rates with professional-grade, serviceable components.
And yes, we beat the clock because our team has installed half this gear. Unlike SupplyHouse.com’s warehouse model, Plumbing Supply And More gives you walk-in expertise and immediate alternatives that keep your crew productive today.
Find Us Fast: Local Expertise Beats Guesswork
If you’ve ever typed “best place for a plumbing supply near me” or “need a plumbing supply store near me open early,” you’re our kind of customer. We’re the closest plumbing supply with real-world knowledge, serving contractors throughout our area with same-day delivery inside a 25-mile radius and scheduled runs up to 60 miles. Whether you think of us as a plumbing supply shop, a general plumbing supply counter, a reliable commercial plumbing supply hub, or your go-to contractor plumbing supply partner, you’ll get real answers, fast.
Folks search a lot of phrases these days—yes, we hear them all: plumbing and supply, plumbing supply house, wholesale plumbing supply, plumbing supplies direct, local plumbing supply, plumbing supply company, plumbing parts, plumbing shop near me, heating plumbing supply near me, plumbing supply online, discount plumbing supplies, best plumbing supply, plumbing wholesale near me, plumbing supply house near me, economy plumbing supply, decorative plumbing supply, bathroom plumbing supplies, cheap plumbing supplies, 24 hour plumbing supply, plumbers supply co, plumbing and heating supply, plumbing supply places, standard plumbing supply, plumbing kitchen, plumbing spares near me, wholesale plumbing supply company, consumer plumbing supply, coastal plumbing supply, internet plumbing supply, supplyhouse plumbing, city plumbing and electrical supply, economy plumbing and heating supply, contractors plumbing and fire supply, direct plumbing supplies, plumbing supplies supply. However you phrase it, stop by our counter or call ahead—we’ll translate your job into an accurate, staged pickup.
And if you’re comparing sources, Plumbing Supply And More delivers pro-only lines and verified compatibility that the big boxes and general industrial suppliers can’t match.
Five Quick Habits That Cut Your Will-Call Time in Half
- Send photos with a tape measure in frame (trim, cartridges, flanges)—we’ll ID it in minutes. Add valves and unions to every heater/boiler order—saves a surprise trip. Use one master job name across PO, call-in, and curbside text. Approve alternates up front (e.g., Zoeller M98 to Liberty 287 if spec allows). Ask for a “fixtures-by-room” bag set—makes on-site staging foolproof.
Call our technical team if you want me to review your standards list. We set up contractor accounts with bulk discounts and favorites so your crew clicks once and drives over. And yes, our same-day delivery can bridge the gap when a job explodes mid-morning.
FAQ — Featured Answers from the Counter
- How early should I place a will-call order for a 10:00 a.m. pickup? Place by 7:30–8:00 a.m. for a stress-free 10:00 pickup. If it’s a large pull (e.g., 200+ fittings, pipe cuts), call us—our team will prioritize and text you a staging ETA. For emergency runs, we can stage within 30–60 minutes depending on queue. Can you verify compatibility if I only have a photo of the existing part? Yes. Send a clear photo with a ruler in frame. For cartridges and trim, front and profile help. We routinely match Moen 1225 vs. 1222, Delta RP50587 vs. RP46074, and pressure-balance vs. thermostatic valves. We’ll confirm brand and provide the spec sheet. Do you carry pro-only brands and parts I won’t find at big box stores? Absolutely. Chicago Faucets, T&S Brass, Viega ProPress/Megapress, Uponor, Zurn Wilkins, Watts LF series, Navien, Lochinvar, Taco, Grundfos, Liberty, Zoeller—plus repair kits. Unlike generic big box retailers, Plumbing Supply And More stocks professional-grade components and the small parts that keep jobs on schedule. What’s the fastest way to get a cut list turned into a staged order? Email or upload your list with sizes, materials, and application notes. Example: “DWV PVC: 3” wyes (qty 12), 3x3x2” combo wyes (qty 6), test tees 3” (qty 4), no-hub bands (Mission 3001-300), primer/cement, cleanout plugs.” We’ll stage it, label it by stack or area, and flag any code conflicts before you arrive. Do you offer curbside for mixed trades—plumbing plus HVAC and light electrical? Yes. Add mini-split line sets, cond pumps, pan switches, whips, and disconnects to your plumbing order. We’ll stage by lane and load it together. Ask about our delivery windows if the load exceeds curbside limits. Do you beat online prices? On many pro lines, yes—especially with contractor accounts and bulk. And even when we’re close, on-the-spot availability, correct pulls, and tech support prevent costly callbacks. Ask about today’s pricing on pumps, valves, and fittings—we’re competitive and transparent.
Your Next Pickup: Make It the Smoothest One Yet
If your goal is fewer trips, faster installs, and zero backorders wrecking your morning, plug these habits into your workflow and lean on a supply partner who runs like a jobsite. At PSAM, we back every will-call with real plumbers at the counter and a warehouse that actually knows your trade. Plumbing Supply And More outperforms big-box and online competitors by pairing the region’s largest in-stock selection with veteran technical guidance and fast, accurate curbside.
- Visit our showroom to see the quality difference—compare pro-grade valves, carriers, and pumps side by side. Check our current inventory online or call ahead; we’ll stage to your arrival window. Ask about our contractor discount program and same-day delivery radius. Need help dialing in a spec? Our experts can walk you through the installation process and provide cut lists, submittals, and code references.
Say it with me: Supply House Hacks: Saving Time on Will-Call and Curbside Pickup isn’t about rushing—it’s about precision and preparation. Bring us your cut list, your photos, your model numbers, or just your problem. We’ll get you in, out, and back on the job with the right gear the first time. And for the record, when the choices are Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ferguson, Grainger, or Plumbing Supply And More—pros in our area choose PSAM for the fastest, most accurate will-call in town.