Contractor Success Story: Sydnei Matthews-Hardy of P&A Plumbing
Sydnei Matthews-Hardy launched P&A Plumbing in 2021 to ensure that people living in historically disinvested communities could access affordable, trustworthy repair services to improve their homes and quality of life.
In addition to supporting Chicagoans with their everyday plumbing repair needs, P&A Plumbing partners with Elevate on two separate programs that help Cook County residents access clean water and affordable, efficient energy.
“Contributing to Elevate’s programs is a way for me to do my part,” Matthews-Hardy said. “We’re protecting the planet by doing these projects, but we’re also saving people money. To sum it all up, this work is the future. This is where we’re heading, so we can have a more efficient, cleaner, healthier city.”
A lifelong Chicagoan, Matthews-Hardy started her construction career in 2015 and launched P&A Plumbing with her husband in 2021. Matthews-Hardy is involved in nearly every aspect of her small family-owned business, working not only as the lead plumber but also on the backend as an administrator managing projects from start to finish.
“I wear a lot of hats right now, but we’re getting there,” Matthews-Hardy said. “Owning your own business gives you a lot more freedom, but also a lot more responsibility. But I feel good knowing that A&P is my company, that we’re doing honest work, and I can make sure that we’re doing things right.”
Matthews-Hardy is a first-generation plumber, but she’s not the first woman in her family to work in the trades. Her grandmother, Annie Scott, has been a proud union tradeswoman since 1987.
“I feel like my grandma handed me the baton and it’s time for me to take it to the finish line and complete what she started,” Matthews-Hardy said. “My grandma told me people trusted her because she was hard working and didn’t want anything easy. She wanted to earn her money, and she also fought for women to have more rights in the construction industry.”
Alongside Elevate, Matthews-Hardy works to remove lead from water lines in home-based childcare centers and installs energy efficient water heaters in Chicago homes.
“The most rewarding part of my work with Elevate is seeing the aftermath,” Matthews-Hardy said. “It feels good to know that we’re potentially saving homeowners money with energy-efficient water heaters. And especially with our work in childcare facilities, it means a lot to know that these babies are getting the nice, clean water they need. It’s an honor to be able to do my part in our city.”
Matthews-Hardy said she’s proud to use her plumbing expertise for these projects because she regularly sees firsthand the impact it has on people’s lives.
“We’re really doing our part to make the city more energy efficient and make sure that residents have access to clean water,” Matthews-Hardy said. “We’re protecting our youth and making sure they can get healthy, clean water.”
Every aspect of P&A Plumbing is centered on giving back, Matthews-Hardy said. She started her business because she saw the way that larger companies can take advantage of residents living in disinvested communities by cutting corners and leaving unfinished work behind. She sees her vocation as a way she can build trust so that people feel they can access the repairs and home upgrades they need no matter where they live.
“I think that some companies and trades workers thought that it was okay to treat people poorly because of the way they thought of certain neighborhoods, and I just felt that it was time for me to step up and do my part,” Matthews-Hardy said. “I’ve got this skill that can be life-changing for people, both financially and health-wise. It feels good to do right by people and work to make that relationship feel trustworthy again.”
To learn more about A&P Plumbing, visit its website. Connect with Elevate by following us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. Send us a message through Instagram or Facebook or call us at (773) 269-4037.
