About Dock & Stack
We're a master plumber practice in Charleston focused on one thing: upgrading the hidden infrastructure of pre-1920 masonry buildings without destroying them.
Dock & Stack was founded in 2008 by Derek Wallace, a Charleston native with a decade of plumbing experience and a frustration with how most contractors approached historic buildings—either ignoring code requirements or tear ing out original character without a second thought.
We started small: Derek, two apprentices, and a truck. Over 16 years we've developed a reputation with architects, conservators, and the Board of Architectural Review for knowing how to retrofit cast-iron stacks, upgrade water service lines, and navigate design review approval in a way that respects both the building's history and 2026 code requirements.
Our practice
We work on single-family homes, multi-unit row houses, and small commercial buildings in Charleston's Historic District, the Old Village, and neighboring preservation-conscious neighborhoods. Most of our clients come through architects or historic conservators. Some find us through the BAR's recommendation list or through friends who've done a retrofit and want their contractor's number.
We don't do emergency dispatch plumbing or HVAC work. We focus on retrofit projects that require thought, skill, and close coordination with other trades. A typical project is 2–12 weeks, involves site surveys and drawing review before we touch the walls, and includes an honest conversation about cost, timeline, and what the Board of Architectural Review will and won't approve.
We're backed by the City of Charleston's Department of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability, we hold licenses in South Carolina and Georgia, we carry full liability and workers' comp, and we've completed over 400 retrofit projects since 2008.
Our philosophy
Preservation first
Historic buildings are not blank canvases. They're records of how people lived, built, and thought. We replace what must be replaced and preserve what we can. If there's a way to route a new line through existing chases or concealed spaces, we find it.
Code compliance
Building code exists to keep people safe. We don't cut corners on drainage, venting, or pressure relief—even in 200-year-old buildings. We know how to meet code without disfiguring the space.
Material honesty
We use materials appropriate to the job: cast iron for stacks (where replacing), copper or PEX for pressure lines, and proper venting. We don't bandaid degraded systems. We design for 40+ years of service.
Craftsman standard
Our crews are trained and licensed. We take pride in our work—sloppy installation is a cost you'll pay in leaks and callbacks. We stand behind every job with a 5-year leak warranty.
Our team
Derek Wallace, Maya Chen, and James Boone lead the practice. Below them are four licensed journeyman plumbers, two apprentices in their final year, and a part-time estimator who handles drawings and BAR submittals. We're small by design—we can't take on work unless we have the depth to do it well.