Since its founding on Silver Star Road in 1976, Tharp Plumbing Systems has proudly earned its reputation as “Purveyors of Fine Plumbing.” Initially focusing on the food and beverage industry with clients like McDonald’s and Darden Restaurants, the company quickly expanded into federal projects, grocery stores, and casual dining chains.
By the mid-1980s, Tharp had diversified into healthcare, retail, and theme parks, partnering with industry leaders like Universal Studios, Disney, and SeaWorld.
The 1990s, marked further growth with large-scale projects such as Rainforest Cafe at Disney, Pointe Orlando, and Publix stores, solidifying Tharp’s position as a trusted name in commercial plumbing.
By 1997, Tharp was Publix’s “Designated Plumbing Contractor,” and its portfolio had expanded to include schools, Super Targets, and multi-story office buildings. Today, Tharp continues to build on its legacy of craftsmanship and trust.
Tharp continues to build on its
legacy of craftsmanship and trust.
founded Tharp Plumbing Systems in 1976 with seven employees and a vision rooted in quality and integrity. A Kansas City native, Jim moved to Orlando in 1961, graduated from UCF with a B.S. in 1973, and spent three years gaining hands-on commercial plumbing experience before launching the company.
Jim’s leadership was shaped by his entrepreneurial spirit and achievements, including earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He built Tharp on principles that remain foundational to its success:
Naval Training Center – buildouts (Southland)
McDonalds – multiple (Univ. Howard, Southland, Venture, Schumacher)
Albertsons – multiple (Kelsey, D&J, Center)
Jack in the Box – multiple (Ruby Builders)
Winn Dixie Remodels (Center Construction and Huber)
Patrick Air Force Base – buildouts (Mark Construction)
Publix – multiple (Kelsey)
Steak & Ale – multiple (Sam Broady)
Perkins (Huber)
Denny's
Wag's Family Restaurant – multiple (Walgreens)
Olive Garden – multiple (General Mills-Sigmacon)
Target – multiple (Williams Company)
Casa Gallardo (Sigmacon)
Darryl's (Sigmacon)
Pizza Hut – multiple (Gary Compton)
York Steakhouse (Sigmacon)
Martin Marrieta – buildouts (Brasfield & Gorrie)
Burger King – multiple (Dav-Lin Construction)
Wonders of Life EPCOT (Jenkins McCann)
Hard Rock Cafe (Jenkins McCann)
Chili's – multiple (Jenkins McCann)
China Coast – multiple (General Mills-Sigmacon)
Mercy Drive Community Center (Ruby Builders)
Macaroni Grill (Jenkins McCann)
Planet Hollywood (Welbro)
Alaqua Clubhouse (Welbro)
Pirate's Dinner Adventure (HJ High)
Gooding's (Williams Company)
McDonald's – multiple (Southland)
Publix – multiple (J Raymond, Watkins, Kelsey, Keene, McCorkle)
House of Blues (Crane)
Pointe Orlando (Keene and PCL)
Rainforest Cafe Animal Kingdom (PCL)
The Wildhorse Saloon (Crane Construction)
Margaritaville CityWalk (RCC)
Motown Cafe (PCL)
The Groove (Crane Construction)
Tupperware HQ Expansion (Whiting Turner)
Millenia Lakes Office (Kelsey Construction)
Super Target – multiple (Williams Company)
Siemens Quad 2 (Brasfield & Gorrie)
SuperChannel Majesty…? (Beers-Skanska)
Festival Bay (Beck and Belz)
Wycliff Bible (Brasfield & Gorrie)
Sharks Underwater Grill (Williams Company)
Caribe Convention (Welbro)
Crystal Photonics (Williams Company)
SeaWorld Waterfront (Williams Company)
CNL II (Hardin)
Colonial Town Park (Brasfield & Gorrie)
Marketplace @ Seminole Towne Center (Young Contracting)
Orlo Vista Elementary (Williams Company)
Southern Bank (J Raymond)
Hunters Creek Middle (PPI)
Lutheran Haven (Brasfield & Gorrie)
The Loop Retail Center (Keene Construction)
VCC Bldg. #8 (Williams Company)
Walmart Deltona (JA Fieldman)
Celebration Medical (Hoar Construction)
Cornerlake Middle (Williams Company)
Correct Craft (Kelsey Construction)
Lockheed Martin (Brasfield & Gorrie)
Ritz Expansion (Whiting Turner)
Hughes Mega (Williams Company)
Ikea Orlando (Williams Company)
The Plaza (Brasfield & Gorrie)
Yak & Yeti (Whiting Turner)
Bella Collina Clubhouse (Weitz Construction)
Ferguson Distribution (PM2i)
Hawk's Cay Resort Remodel (Clancy & Theys)
Prime Outlets Outdoor Mall (Whiting Turner)
School K Elementary (Clancy & Theys)
Seaworld Aquatica (PCL)
Super Target SODO (Williams Company)
VCC Bldg. #10 Dental Family (Welbro)
Bonnet Creek Clubhouse (Jack Jennings & Sons)
Darden HQ (Hardin Construction)
Deltona Library (PPI)
IKEA Tampa (Williams Company)
Nordstrom Rack (Ibex Construction)
Orlando Firehouse (Wharton-Smith- 2009)
Posner Park Commons (Williams Company)
Ridge Career 20 (Turner Construction)
T-Rex Restaurant (Whiting Turner)
Windermere Business Center (Keene Construction)
Gray Middle School (Allstate)
John E. Polk Corrections (Wharton Smith-Skanska)
UCF Wellness Rec (Welbro)
Winter Garden City Hall (Clancy & Theys)
Marriott Cypress Harbor Remodels – multiple (Boyer Building Company)
AMC Downtown Disney Remodel (Whiting Turner)
Harvest Church (Williams Company)
Rosen Medical Center (Focal Point Constr)
1st United Methodist Orlando (Jack Jennings & Sons)
Adventist-Health HQ (Brasfield & Gorrie
Amcor Plastics (Brasfield & Gorrie)
Disney Arts Animation Resort (Hardin Construction)
Epcot Tutto Italia (Whiting Turner)
Golden Oaks Clubhouse (Weitz Construction)
Haines City MOB (C.D. Smith Construction)
Microsoft Store Florida Mall (J.T. Magen)
Osceola High School (Clancy & Theys)
Princeton Elementary Renovation (Doster Construction)
VCC-Bldg #1 Lake Nona (CPPI)
Eccleston Elementary (Williams Company)
Fun Spot Expansion (H.J. High Construction)
Valencia Building #4 (Clancy & Theys)
George C. Young Federal Courthouse (Skanska)
Citrus Bowl Rebuild (Turner Construction)
Verizon Finance Center (Skanska)
ICON Orlando (Keator Construction)
Publix Refrigerated Distribution (Whiting Turner)
Bay Lake Elementary (Pirtle Construction)
Mears Bus Wash (H.J. High)
O.P.D. Headquarters (H.J. High)
Ventura Elementary School (Turner Construction)
Frozen Ever After Ride (Whiting Turner)
Lexus of Orlando (RLH Construction)
Windermere High School (Wharton Smith)
Autozone Distribution Center (Edwards Construction)
Easy Foods (RLH Construction)
Golden Oaks Addition (PCL Construction)
Harmony Middle School (Moss & Associates)
Millenium Middle School (Wharton Smith)
Osceola Fire Station #62 (Wharton Smith)
The Edison@Disney Spings (Whiting Turner)
Vineland Point PH1 (Williams Company)
A3 Grapefruit Garage (Finfrock)
Deerwood Elementary School (Pirtle Construction)
Hyatt Grand Cypress Convention Exp. (Hoar Construction)
Jaleo @ Disney Springs (PCL Construction)
KPMG Social Venue (DPR Construction)
Stetson Calton Union (Williams Company)
UCF Hitt Library Expansion (Turner Construction)
Water Spring Elementary (Welbro)
Apple Store @ Altamonte Mall (Whiting Turner)
Jet Blue Training Center Expansion (Turner Construction)
Lake Nona HCA MOB (DPR Construction)
Pine Crest Elementary (Wharton Smith)
Sanford Airport Terminal Expansion (Walbridge)
SeaWorld Office HQ (Austin Commercial)
Space 220 EPCOT (Barton Malow)
UCF ROTH Athletic Center (Wharton Smith)
Bella Citta Elementary (Rodda Construction)
Caribe Royale Convention (Williams Company)
Riegl (DPR Construction)
Toy Story Rodeo Roundup PH1 (Whiting Turner)
Adventist Health E. Buildout (Brasfield & Gorrie)
Deltona Middle School (Core Construction)
LNTC Tavistock Office Phase 1C (Balfour Beatty)
Peppa Pig Theme Park (Barton Malow)
Waldorf Ballroom Expansion (Whiting Turner)
Windermere Town Facilities (H.J. High)
Winter Park Library (Brasfield & Gorrie)
City Center Office & Garage (Finfrock)
Island Village Elementary (Williams Company)
SIMCOM Aviation Training (DPR Construction)
Innovation High School (Core Construction)
Tiana's Bayou Adventure Attraction (Balfour Beatty)
Minneola Horizon Academy (Wharton Smith)
EPIC Universe (Laundry-IT-Admin-Support) (Walbridge)