They are also both under one roof, sharing a recently constructed building at the intersection of U.S. Highway 169 and Iowa Highway 7.

Baker’s story begins in his car.

“My wife Amanda tells people we started Baker Electric out of the back seat of a purple two-door Dodge Neon,” he said. “My father in-law had to bring my ladders to the job site.”

Baker worked long, hard hours before he set out on his own full-time in 2008. He worked a shift as an electrician at Pella Windows then did jobs after work.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Todd Baker, at left, stops to chat with his wife Amanda Baker in the lobby of the Baker Electric and Ball Plumbing building.

“In 2008, I quit being an electrician for the industrial world,” he said.

Ball opened his shop on April 28, 2016. He worked locally for several other plumbing companies, beginning his career locally in 2004.

“I really enjoy every aspect of what I do,” he said. “It can be art work.”

Ball earned his Journeyman’s license in 2008 and his Master’s license in 2014. He opened his shop in 2016.

Both Ball and Baker put the customer first.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Dan Ball, owner of Ball Plumbing, poses with a roll of copper pipe and a pipe wrench in the lobby of the new building he shares with Baker Electric.

“We give great customer service,” Baker said. “We give high quality work at a fair price. Our focus is on customer service. I hung my hat on that. I’m passionate about excellent customer service and doing the right thing.”

“I care about the people, the product and the end result,” he said. “Some want to just come and go; they don’t care. I do care. I want to give a great product and the great service that people deserve,”

The two companies shared quarters before moving into their new building. It worked well then, and it’s working well now.

“It’s working really well,” Baker said. “The philosophy that has grown Baker Electric, applying that to another company with the same demeanor, is working really well.”

The growth of both companies has meant a growth in local jobs.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Framed by a robot created by one of his employees from various conduit fittings, Todd Baker, owner of Baker Electric, works in his office.

“I started by myself,” Baker said. “In the last 12 years, we’ve grown to over 30 employees.”

Ball has a similar story.

He currently has six employees in the field: three journeyman and three apprentices.

While his crew’s work skills are top notch, he also makes sure their people skills with customers are great as well.

“People skills are very important,” Ball said. “I try to make sure everyone is comfortable. Trust is a big thing. I want people to trust my guys.”

The building and the business methods they use are both up to date.

Baker’s crews take their work vans home and file their time electronically.

“Logistically it makes more sense to take the vans home,” he said. “They clock in on their phones. The old fashioned time clock has gone away. It saves lots of data entry.”

Ball’s crews keep their trucks at the building.

Ball’s office is one of the places a customer is least likely to find him.

“I’m in the trucks next to the guys,” Ball said. “I’ll always be out in the field; I’ll always be out with the guys.”

Ball has learned through the experience of starting and growing his business.

“Goals can be achieved with hard work,” he said.

Both companies use the building for much of the same. They both have a place to keep vehicles out of the weather. They both store tools and equipment and keep work inventory on hand. The space includes offices, a conference room and plenty of room to work on estimates and other tasks.

Will it be big enough in the future?

“We’re about to see some substantial growth,” Baker said. “Who knows?”