Gestan Plumbing was founded in 1990 under the sole proprietorship of Mr. Stanley Papiah. In its formative years, the company struggled for survival and had to be content with meager plumbing contracts at barely profitable rates. The plumbing contracting market of the day was dominated by large established companies who enjoyed being on the favoured side of the socio-economic system championed by the government of the time. This forced the company to diversify by expanding into the repairs, renovations and restorations business for survival. The market was anything but a free one, with the barriers to entry being almost impenetrable for a small one-man.

The most crippling barrier was the fact that none of the established building contractors would give a second glance to any renderer who was an unknown sole proprietor of Black origin. Credit facilities were refused and all purchases where made on a C.O.D basis. When suppliers eventually did afford the company the credit facility.

It was impossible to get an overdraft facility from any bank. It took many years before the bank even considered this facility. Today, the company enjoys the respect and endorsement of major banks, financial institutions, national contractors, developers, consultants and other professionals within the construction industry, both in the government and private sectors.