It takes skill to start a small scale plumbing business but it takes much more than that to make it a success. There are other factors to consider such as marketing skills, time and patience as well as basic requirements such as certification and licenses as well as the local and professional guidelines for the state the business is being operated from. 

• How to Get Started With Plumbing Services
• How Can I Make Money From Plumbing?
• What Are The Different Types of Plumbers?
• How Much Can I Earn as a Plumber?
• How Can I Grow my Plumbing Business?
• How Can I Start a Plumbing Business With no Money?
• What Does a Self-employed Plumber Earn?
• Can You Become Rich From Plumbing?
• What Kind of Plumbing Makes The Most Money?
• How Much do Plumbers Charge Per Hour?
• Can I Start my Own Plumbing Business?
• What is a Good Net Profit Margin For a Plumbing Company?
• How do I Find Plumbing Customers?
• Are Plumbers in High Demand?
• What do I Need to Become a Self employed Plumber?
• What is The Markup on Plumbing Supplies?
• How do I Get Leads For my Plumbing Business?
• Which Pays More Electrician or Plumber?
• Is Being a Plumber Worth it?

How to Get Started With Plumbing Services

If you want to earn money providing plumbing services, consider the tips below.

Local licensing and registration

This is the first step to take if you are starting a plumbing business. You must know the existing policies and regulations of your local area. Many cities have a business development office where you can go to acquire more information about the business. A license is an essential requirement that must be obtained to operate legally.

Read Also: Make Money Online Building Mobile Websites

You will be given several forms to fill and asked to pay a fee before you can get one. Registration is equally as important as licensing. It helps you to pay your tax and run the business under the laws of the state that you are in.

Determine the business size

You should be able to determine the size of the business you plan on setting up. If it is an independent service, you can decide to use your home as an office thereby saving some cost. You only need the necessary tools to work. However, if you are considering hiring other plumbers, then you will need to rent an office.

Some plumbers prefer to buy a franchise of a regional or national plumbing company rather than starting a new business of their own. This will require bigger capital for franchise payment and hiring business operators and employees. Other independent plumbers may choose to join marketing cooperatives in order to get referrals and other marketing benefits.

Marketing the business

This is another area that requires more than just your plumbing skill. You will need to market what you do in order to get customers. If you have been working elsewhere before deciding to be your own boss, you may get references from the customers you attended to while working for your previous employer.

Word of mouth is probably the best way to begin to find customers. If your services are good and your charges are moderate, you can be sure that your current customers will tell others so it is up to you to treat them well.

List your services in the telephone book and yellow pages. A lot of people still go through them whenever they have residential repair and maintenance needs. Internet advertising is another option that will be favorable to you. Generally, it is important that potential customers find you easily whenever they are searching for you.

Plumbing associations

Be part of plumbing associations in your locality. It is an opportunity for you to sharpen your plumbing skills and acquire information that will improve your business operations. It can even be a means of obtaining advertising assistance and discounts on equipments and vehicles that will aid you in providing excellent services to your customers.

How Can I Make Money From Plumbing?

The following are a few methods you can try to make money or increase your earning as a plumber:

Get more experience. The more experience you have, the more you’ll likely get paid as a plumber. Plumbers just starting out typically make around $20,000 to $40,000 less per year than those with 10 or more years of experience.

Change your industry. The industry a plumber works in can play a significant role in how much they make on an annual basis. For example, plumbers who work in the construction industry often make more money than those who work in the hospitality or manufacturing industries.

Change the company you work for. A plumber’s salary is also based on their place of employment. If you want to make more money as a plumber, do some research on available plumbing jobs and the average salary of plumbers at each company.

Consider moving to a different location. How much a plumber makes is also impacted by their geographical location. For example, plumbers working in Brooklyn, NY, make around $61,805 per year, while those working in Houston, TX, make an average of $47,093 per year.

Pursue a master plumber certification. Once you’ve gained enough experience as a plumber, you can pursue the title of master plumber. This certification requires you to possess a license as a journeyman plumber, work as a journeyman plumber for two to five years and then take the state exam for the master plumber certification. Master plumbers can work as project managers or open their own plumbing business, both of which can substantially increase their earnings.

What Are The Different Types of Plumbers?

There are a few different types of plumbers. Knowing these types and what they do can help you decide what kind of plumber you want to be. The primary types of plumbers include:

Commercial plumber

Commercial plumbers are qualified professionals who perform plumbing duties in commercial settings. Many commercial plumbers work in schools, hospitals, colleges and manufacturing plants and specialize in working around industrial equipment. This type of plumber is responsible for installing, maintaining and repairing tanks and pipes in these commercial settings.

Commercial plumbers are experts in working with large amounts of outlets and pipes as well as working on multiple floors. This differs from residential plumbers who are mainly hired to work on one or two plumbing fixtures in a single home. Commercial plumbers can also handle a wide variety of issues and must stay up-to-date on codes related to plumbing in a commercial setting.

This type of plumber often deals with a number of issues in commercial buildings, such as removing large amounts of waste and installing water systems for large businesses. Their responsibilities are typically much more extensive than that of a residential plumber. As a result, commercial plumbers are often much more advanced and knowledgeable about various plumbing issues than residential plumbers.

Service and repair plumber

Service and repair plumbers specialize in performing various maintenance and repair tasks related to plumbing systems in both residential and commercial settings. This type of plumber usually gains their experience through technical training as well as on-the-job training.

Common jobs a service and repair plumber may perform include fixing leaks, adjusting reduced pressure, eliminating clogs and cleaning plumbing systems and fixtures.

Residential plumber

Residential plumbers specialize in installing, maintaining and repairing plumbing fixtures and issues in a residential setting. Residential plumbers spend much of their time performing pipe system installations, small-scale plumbing jobs and residential plumbing system repairs. They work with plumbing systems such as pipes, water systems and toilets and can typically solve any plumbing-related issues within a home.

Residential plumbers often gain their expertise and experience by working as an apprentice under a more experienced plumber. Once they are skilled in their profession, these plumbers can work independently or for a company as an independent plumber.

Sanitary plumber

A sanitary plumber is a plumbing professional who specializes in various plumbing techniques related to sanitary systems. This is the most common type of plumber hired as most residential plumbing issues relate to the home’s sanitary system.

Common tasks performed by sanitary plumbers include unblocking and cleaning jams in sanitary systems, installing toilet and bathroom pipes, fitting suspended drains and overseeing plumbing installations like bathtubs and toilets. Sanitary plumbers may also fit water heating systems and boilers in showers and toilets.

Water supply plumber

Water supply plumbers specialize in working with water supply systems such as water tanks, kitchen tanks, bathroom tanks, overhead storage tanks and pipes. Common duties of water supply plumbers include installing various water supply systems in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms as well as fitting excess pipes and sanitation systems. Some water supply plumbers will also perform basic residential plumbing duties like unclogging kitchen and bathroom drains and toilets.

How Much Can I Earn as a Plumber?

Plumbers working in the United States make an average of $50,602 per year. They also make around $6,750 in overtime per year. These numbers are based on 10,800 salaries reported to Indeed as of December 26, 2020.

Several factors influence the salary a plumber makes, including how much experience the plumber has, where they work and their geographical location.

In addition to salary, some plumbers also enjoy benefits. Common benefits offered to plumbers include:

• Food provided
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible schedule
• Life insurance
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• 401(k) plans
• Disability insurance

Benefits will vary depending on a plumber’s place of employment.

How Can I Grow my Plumbing Business?

Growing a plumbing business on a small budget can seem impossible, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can see serious growth. 

Here are eight plumbing marketing strategies, including a mix of traditional and digital marketing tactics, you can grow your plumbing business while spending little or no money. Think of these ways as free plumbing advertising. 

1. Make Your Website a Resource Center

Your website can be much more than just a place where customers find your contact information. There are ways to utilize your site to plant seeds into your customers’ minds that build trust and even give them new ideas for how they can use your plumbing services!

The best way to go about this is by prioritizing education over a sales pitch.

Blog to Educate

Blogging about plumbing-related topics establishes your expertise in the field and educates potential customers. 

Writing DIY tutorials probably seems counterintuitive. Why would you teach customers how to do something you want them to pay you to do?

The thing is, people remember those who teach them. And when they run into a problem they can’t fix on their own, you’ll be the first business that comes to mind. So teach them to do the little things, and they’ll call you for the more complicated (and expensive) work.

Blog to Build Trust

Educational opportunities include more than just how-tos. Consider writing things like remodeling guides. They can help encourage your existing or potential customers to pull the trigger on big projects. And they can go a long way to show that you do, indeed, know what you’re talking about.

Blog to Be Found

When you write really relevant blog posts, it can attract a significant amount of search traffic, especially if you’re writing in-depth posts. When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), Google typically rewards longer posts with rich, relevant information.

How do you know what to write about? Start with questions that often arise on job sites. If customers are constantly asking you the same questions, chances are people are also searching for those same questions.

2. Email Consistently

Once you’ve taken the time to write those educational resources, don’t stop at posting them online! Expand your marketing channels and share them with your current and new customers.

Plumbing email marketing is an incredibly powerful tool for home services companies. In fact, marketing emails earn an average of $40 for every one dollar spent. 

Sending monthly emails keeps your company top-of-mind and can increase the earnings you make from your existing customer base and get more plumbing jobs booked.

• Those informative resources you’ve created.
• Seasonal promotions that you’re offering. 
• Company news such as new services you’re offering or employee news that helps personalize your company.

3. Go Live on Facebook

Want to get more out of your social media accounts and build your online presence? Try going live on Facebook. Live videos receive six times the amount of interactions as regular videos, giving you the opportunity to truly engage with your community.

We recommend going live for things like job walk-throughs (with the permission of the customer, of course), company news, and how-to videos. But we also encourage you to be creative. For instance, Transou’s Rooter and Plumbing, a plumbing company in North Carolina, maintains goes live weekly for their “The Plumb and Positive Show,” with each video receiving hundreds of views. The Transou’s team sets themselves apart by doing something unique and memorable.

4. Identify Older Homes

If you’re less of an internet marketing person, these next three ideas might be more up your alley. Strategy number four — direct mailing owners of older homes — is pretty straightforward. 

Most homes that are older than five years can have potential plumbing problems. So how do you identify homes older than five years? Many real-estate websites such as Zillow allow you to see specifically when a house was built. 

Granted, this isn’t the easiest technique, but it can certainly generate highly qualified leads. Once you’ve identified homes older than five years, send mailers to them that contain your contact information. You may even want to offer them a special deal on your services. 

Direct mail advertising is still a relatively effective way to generate plumbing leads. A recent Canada Post study found that more people notice and read direct mail (53%) than email messages (26%). After all, a promotional email might end up in someone’s junk folder or get deleted before they even open it. With physical mail, the recipient must collect and sort each item by hand.

If you don’t want to spend the money on mailing them, you can hand-deliver them to different homes throughout your community and other targeted communities. 

6. Partner With A Builder

Strategic partnerships can really up your revenue in a big way. Typically, when a person builds a home, they seek out a builder first who then recommends or subcontracts a plumber. 

If you can create a good relationship with a builder, there’s a good chance they’ll send many customer referrals your way. To build such a referral relationship either contact local builders or join professional groups and network with builders. You’ll probably need to provide references so have those ready.  

7. Be Active In Your Local Community

Plumbing is a local business, and being active in your local community connects you to the residents in an authentic way that can lead to more word-of-mouth referrals. The key is visibility. The more people see you around, the more they’ll think of you when they need a plumber. 

How can you increase your visibility? Some simple ways include:

• Introducing yourself to local small business owners
• Joining the Chamber of Commerce and meeting business owners
• Sponsoring a table or booth at local events
• Partnering with local charities to host events
• Sponsoring a local sports team
• Take a day a month for your whole team to work together on a volunteer project.

When sponsoring events or working on volunteer projects, consider partnering up with other local service businesses like HVAC or electrical companies. These are good opportunities to start up referral relationships. 

If you’re at a local event, be sure to have a supply of business cards on hand to give to anyone who will take one. You want to get your contact information into the hands of as many people as possible. 

8. Automate Your Review Requests

Whenever you finish a job, as long as you believe the customer is satisfied, you should be asking for a review. Most customers are willing to leave a review, but it’s easy to forget to take the time. It’s also just as easy for business owners and office staff to forget to follow up. This is where automation comes in.

Housecall Pro automatically sends review requests after you complete a job and connects to your Google My Business account to help customers leave reviews where they’ll matter most. If you’re not currently a user, you can try this feature out during a two-week free trial.

You can also set up post-job follow-up campaigns through email management systems like Mailchimp and Constant Contact to remind customers to leave reviews and any post-job information they’d find valuable.

In your correspondence, make sure you link to multiple options where you accept reviews, such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook, so that people can leave reviews where they’re most comfortable.

How Can I Start a Plumbing Business With no Money?

There are many ways to start a plumbing business with no money. A plumber’s job is to ensure sewers, water pipes, and indoor pumps are working properly. Usually, a plumber will service customers in residential areas, but they also service corporations and commercial businesses.

The plumbing business is lucrative as consumers and companies are unable to maintain waterworks entirely on their own. Anyone who can install, replace, or fix plumbing fixtures properly should become a construction business owner.

Understand The Industry

The first step to starting a plumbing business with no money is to understand the industry. First, assess the competition in your area. See if local plumbers also fix heating and air conditioning problems. Integrate heating and air conditioning expertise into your business if there is intense competition with valuable experience.

Next, research important financial information pertinent to the industry. This would include looking into market share, industry growth, and employee retention. Find out how large the plumbing companies in your area are. Often, plumbing companies have very few employees.

Additionally, pay attention to new commercial or residential construction business projects as many plumbers will be needed. Understand the industry to complete the first step to starting a plumbing business with no money.

Get Experience And Train

To start your own plumbing business with no money, get experience and train. You must get first-hand experience in the specific field of plumbing you want to practice. First, look for plumbing companies in your area. Then, inquire as to whether they are willing to take on an apprentice. This will allow you to develop and fine tune the skills required for the job.

Additionally, look for schools and businesses that are building trade associations, especially in plumbing. You are also building trust in your company by properly learning the skills needed to become a licensed plumber. Certainly, get experience and training to start your own plumbing company without any money.

Make A Business Plan

Make a business plan to start your own plumbing company without any money. You should begin to think about the hours you want to work, how much you want to charge, and which jobs you want to take on. Then, develop a step-by-step, strategic approach to get your business started. Additionally, set concrete dates for when you will begin operation.

Consider setting up job management software to effectively scale your business. Furthermore, think about hiring staff or taking on an apprentice yourself. This will also help you decide how much work you are willing to do. Keep your business plan on-hand and refer back to it regularly. Making a business plan is an integral step to starting a plumbing business with no money.

Set Up An Office

The next step to starting a plumbing business with no money is to set up an office. First, set up your office at a place that best suits your business. With no money, you can simply set up your office in your garage. If you have limited funds, consider looking at cheap rental spaces available locally. Make sure that your office is located where potential clients can easily access you.

Additionally, keep all the required plumbing equipment in your office. Often, plumbing can be messy, so maintain your office by cleaning it regularly. You can also choose to store your equipment in a warehouse. If necessary, you can have your equipment warehouse double as an office. Certainly, set up an office to start your plumbing business with no money.

Make Your Brand A Reality

The last step to starting a plumbing business with no money is to make your brand a reality. First, give your plumbing business a name. Recognize that your plumbing brand should in some way encompass your persona. Additionally, write out a mission statement and list your company’s core values. Come up with at least three to four core values to stand by.

Next, begin working on your brand’s logo and visuals. You can come up with a general idea for visuals and use free online software to generate detailed graphics. You can then optimize your brand by displaying your logo, mission statement, and other visuals on your company truck.

Finally, consider launching a website to draw customer attention. Make your brand a reality as the final step to starting a plumbing business with no money.

What Does a Self-employed Plumber Earn?

The average annual pay for a Self Employed Plumber in the United States is $79,038 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $38.00 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,520/week or $6,586/month.

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $256,500 and as low as $20,000, the majority of Self Employed Plumber’ salaries currently range between $41,000 to $81,500 with top earners making $135,500 annually across the United States.

The average pay range for a Self Employed Plumber varies greatly (by as much as $40,500), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

Can You Become Rich From Plumbing?

When Charlie Mullins was a child, he was inspired by a visit from a local plumber who was popular around town and had plenty of money to spend. At 15, Mullins dropped out of school and became a plumbing apprentice. In 1979, the British entrepreneur started his business, Pimlico Plumbers.

Today, Pimlico Plumbers is the biggest plumbing business in London with more than 400 employees, and Mullins might be the wealthiest plumber in the world. He attributes his success to hands-on management and basic fundamentals. He rode to success on the little things: showing up on time, making pricing transparent and honest, and cleaning up after himself when the job was done.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters was $25.92 per hour and $53,910 per year in 2018. In New York, the median wage for plumbers is closer to $76,410.

What Kind of Plumbing Makes The Most Money?

From unclogging a toilet to designing complex pipe plans for new construction projects, the tasks of plumbers of varying expertise keep our clean water flowing in and our wastewater flowing out. Master plumber jobs ensure our comfortable living and are some of the highest-ranking in the industry.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide specific data on master plumbers and instead groups data from plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters. However, the BLS states that apprentices typically make less than a typical journeyman plumber salary, and earn more as they learn the ropes of the trade. In 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the average wage for this trio of trades was ​$26.52​ per hour, or ​$55,160​ per year.

The top 10 percent earned about ​$97,170​ per year, while the lower 10 percent brought home an annual salary of about ​$32,690​. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average annual salary is higher than for construction trades as a whole, which has an annual average of about ​$36,000​. Zip Recruiter reports, via self-reported salaries, that the average master plumber salary is ​$62,553​ per year, which is higher than other plumbers.

The type of plumbing work you do and whether or not you own your own business can affect your earnings as a master plumber. According to the Department of Labor, among the highest paid in the industry are union members. In addition, a master plumber can also work as a foreman, a superintendent or a project manager, each earning higher than the previous.

The Department of Labor states that 8 percent of plumbers are self-employed, and owning a business can be quite lucrative – especially when providing emergency service around the clock. Finally, plumbers working in more risky conditions are likely to earn more.

The top-paying industry for plumbers and pipefitters, according to the BLS, is steel manufacturing, and the most jobs are available in building equipment contracting, nonresidential building construction and utility system construction.

How Much do Plumbers Charge Per Hour?

Depending on your state, the cost of hiring a plumber might vary. Typically, plumbers are subject to an hourly rate, which is often between $45 and $200. Common repairs attract an average rate of $120.

Some plumbers prefer a flat rate estimate as the variables involved in plumbing repair make it hard to have an hourly rate. A toilet installation in one house is different from another. A plumber is therefore likely to charge the repair after seeing the work.

The flat service fee charged by most plumbing companies ranges between $150 and $350, depending on your home location. This fee is mostly inspection and the first hour of working. After the initial flat rate, regular hourly rates will apply.

If your plumber isn’t within your neighborhood, travel charges might be part of the fee. The cost can be up to $200 depending on where they are coming from. This fee covers insurance, gas, and car maintenance.

Plumbers often don’t disclose the traveling charges. They roll the rates into the service fees or hourly rates. If you have seen telltale signs of a busted pipe in your home in Austin, getting a plumbing repair company near you is one of the best ways to cut on plumbing repair costs.

Can I Start my Own Plumbing Business?

Being a plumbing business owner gives you more freedom and the ability to shape your future versus working for someone else. But, “nobody starts a business and thinks let’s just see how it goes,” says Paige Grover, who built an award-winning plumbing business from scratch in under 3 years.

If you want to really reap the rewards of being a business owner, you need a strategy, a purpose, and a clear path to success. Follow these steps to start your own plumbing business:

1. Earn your state-required certification and plumbing license
2. Create a business and pricing plan
3. Invest in the right equipment
4. Register and insure your plumbing business
5. Set up your business administration and backend
6. Build your online and offline presence to attract customers
7. Stay up to date with plumbing education and technology

With these solid foundations, your plumbing business will be set up to thrive.

Best of all, there are so many opportunities to continue growing: hiring more technicians, expanding to new regions, specializing in new processes, and partnering with construction companies or related trades businesses.

What is a Good Net Profit Margin For a Plumbing Company?

Because much of the work required in a plumbing job is often hidden until the job is underway, time and materials (T & M) is often the preferred way of operating. This creates less uncertainty and a higher level of profitability due to the nature of the service. In terms of overall profitability, 35 percent gross profit or gross margin is a reasonable expectation for plumbing services.

Selecting the right services can impact profitability, depending on the talent, equipment and market demands. While backflow testing, PM contracts and drain cleaning are the most profitable services for one contractor, another might find that the pumper truck, jetting and camera work, and emergencies create higher profitability.

How do I Find Plumbing Customers?

Online marketing is the best place to start because it’s easy to scale: you can reach a very wide audience with little cost and effort. (Versus offline marketing, which may require you to go door-to-door, pay for physical materials, and invest a lot of time.)

Even if you’re just starting your plumbing business and have zero experience with digital marketing, you can get started without hiring an expensive agency.

The nine best plumber marketing strategies for any stage of your business are:

1. Claim your Google Business listing

Search engines such as Google are the first place emergency call-in customers will go to find help. If you want them to find you, you need to set up your Google my Business listing.

Setting up your local listing is easy—all you need is your company name, address, and contact info.

2. Build your plumbing website

Step two to being found online is to beef up your online presence. A professional-looking website will increase your visibility and credibility to help you get more leads.

The trick is to keep your plumbing website simple and clean so emergency call-in customers can find the info they need, fast. Here are the essential elements of a plumbing website that converts:

• A professional name and logo
• Your competitive difference (also known as unique selling point)
• Your phone number
• The locations you serve
• List of services provided
• An easy way to request work
• Awards and accreditations
• Photos and/or testimonials to vouch for your work

John the Plumber from Ottawa, Canada, is a great plumbing website example. As soon as a lead lands on the page, they can see what services are offered, in which cities, and why they should choose John. They can then click on the phone number to call directly, or create a work request in seconds:

If you’ve never created a website before, fear not. There are many free or inexpensive tools you can use, such as Wix or WordPress for website creation, and Looka for professional logo design.

3. Set up your plumbing business Facebook page

A professional Facebook page is another way to be found fast. Of all the social media platforms, Facebook has the most users and the most conversion-friendly features. Plus, it’s free and easy to set up.

By now, your web presence should be pretty strong, with a Google Business listing, website, and Facebook page.

4. Gather and manage online reviews

Positive online reviews are crucial to growing your plumbing business. The plumbers we spoke with said that 90-95% of their customer base comes from reviews and referrals. You’re entering your customers’ home or business, after all, and often in unpleasant or stressful situations. Before they buy from you, they need to trust you.

70% of local consumers are confident about a business after reading less than 7 online reviews, so don’t be discouraged if you’re just starting out. Here are a few tips to start generating high quality reviews:

1. Send your customers follow-up email after a job is complete. You can let them know the work is done and, while your there, ask for feedback.
2. If the feedback is positive, send a polite request for a review with a link to your Google Business or Facebook page. Most people will leave a review if you just ask!
3. Try to encourage customers to add some details rather than just a 5-star rating. Prompt them with questions like “What did you like most about the service?” and “Why would you recommend us to your friends and family?”

“We have competition that only shows above us sometimes because they paid for that ad,” says Paige from Modern Plumbing. “If you want to grow your business fast, reviews are the way to market. By the time someone’s read our reviews, they’ve made up their minds…It’s literally growth that doesn’t cost us money.”

5. Use call-only ads

Put yourself in your emergency customer’s shoes. They don’t have time to research or fill out web forms—they want to speak to a real person who can help them now. If you’re ready to start advertising, try using call-only online ad campaigns.

These ads show up only on people’s smartphones and offer direct click-to-call functionality. This is a simple way to target your ad spend straight at the emergency call-out customer at the exact moment they need your services.

Plumbing Marketing Strategies to Address the Researching Market

The above-mentioned marketing strategies will help you grow your plumbing business with all types of customers, especially those in need of emergency plumbing help.

Now, it’s time to turn to marketing strategies for non-emergency clients. These customers are likely in the market for a reliable, ‘go-to plumber’ who can help them with routine maintenance, fixture upgrades, or a bathroom installation.

They can spend weeks or even months researching websites, reviews, service page and videos to educate themselves and find the best plumber for the job.

To win this customer’s business, your #1 marketing goal is to build trustworthiness and credibility. Here are a few marketing tactics that will have the biggest impact:

6. Create expert plumbing content

“In 2018, don’t be an estimator or order taker. Be an educator.” That’s solid advice from Stanley Genadek of Dirt Monkey University in our 2018 Plumbing Industry Trends report.

Plumbing is a specialized industry, and most consumers don’t know much—if anything—about it. Help your market feel educated and empowered, and you’ll win their trust and their business.

This type of marketing strategy is known as content marketing, and the goal is to create interesting, shareable content– such as blogs, short Instagram videos, or Youtube videos — that position you as an expert and keep your services top-of-mind for prospective customers.

Start by writing what you know best. For example, “The top 5 common misconceptions about plumbing”, “Common DIY plumbing mistakes and how to fix them,” or “What makes [your business name] different.” If writing isn’t your strong suit, record a simple video with your laptop or smartphone. Videos are a great way to engage your audience, and you can use them across your website, social media, and even in paid ads.

It’s important to note that content marketing takes time. A homeowner wanting a new bathroom may spend months in the planning and research stage. To earn their business with this strategy, you have to earn their trust by providing branded knowledge that will make you front-of-mind when they finally do get around to asking for a quote or selecting a vendor.

8. Get more leads with work requests

Unlike emergency customers who want to talk to a plumber right away, the research-phase customer will probably want to send a brief description of their project and find out if you can help. In order to win their business, you need a system to respond quickly and professionally to these requests.

Emails aren’t a very good option because it’s easy for them to be lost in your busy inbox or sent to spam. Instead, give your customers the option to create a work request right from your website or social media page.

Work requests keep all of your incoming business in one centralized CRM, so you can easily review, follow-up, and close the deal.

9. Use customer service as a marketing tool

Advertising and social media are pieces of the marketing puzzle. But excellent customer service is by far the most effective, cost-efficient, and long-term growth strategy for any plumbing business. Every plumber we spoke with emphasized just how important customer service is to their business’ lasting success.

Great customer service can grow your business in two ways:

1. You’ll earn repeat business, which is cheaper and more valuable in the long run, because you’ve already done the hard work getting their attention and gaining their trust.
2. Happy customers will spread the word and send personal referrals.

To use customer service as a marketing tool, start by being a great communicator. Sending a simple “on my way” text message or reminder to leave the door unlocked can go a long way towards making your visit smooth and successful.

During the job, take detailed notes and photos that relate to the job and the client. If the client has questions at a later date or wants to request more service, they’ll be impressed with how much you remember and how easy it is to work with you. Don’t try doing this on pen and paper, though. We recommend using a CRM so you can track all that information in one place.

Finally, after the job, send a simple follow-up email to ask for feedback, referrals, or reviews. Word of mouth referrals are so powerful, Park Lane Plumbing considers them their top marketing channel.

Are Plumbers in High Demand?

Plumbers and jobs in related fields are currently in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters are projected to grow by 16% in the coming years, much faster than average.

With new building construction, there is an increased need for plumbers. Additionally, as building codes change, plumbers are needed to inspect and install new sprinkler systems so that buildings can meet new safety codes.

What do I Need to Become a Self employed Plumber?

Many of these tradespeople turned away from company jobs during the economic downturn, trusting their own skills and judgement to provide an income. It appears to have paid off with a UK self-employed person’s mean earnings now standing at £5,000 more than the average UK annual salary.

If you want to set out on your own as a self-employed tradesperson, we’ve put together a list of seven essential things you need to consider before you do.

1. Get relevant business experience and training

Not just anyone can become a self-employed tradesperson: you need the right level of experience and skill to be able to complete jobs alone while keeping your customers happy. A specialisation in the field you want to work in is essential, whether you’ve gained this through an apprenticeship or another qualification.

Think carefully about the industry you want to go into; do you want to become an electrician or is a career as a plumber more appealing to you? Which trades are more aligned to your skills?

It’s important you check that you have the relevant training and experience for your role. You can use the National Careers Service’s job profile index for instance to find out what the requirements are for your trade of choice.

Developing some basic accounting skills will also help out when it comes to dealing with your  finances and taxes.

2. Put together a business plan

Once you’ve gained all the skills and experience you need, it’s time to put together a business plan for your future career as a tradesperson. Though you might not need to share it with anyone, a realistic business plan will allow you to work out what finances you will need to set up and run your business, how you will grow your business, resources you’ll need and so on.

3. Get your legalities and licences in order

Your first step towards making your business a reality is to set up a legal structure, which determines how you will operate.

There are a few options for this, but most people starting out on their own choose to become a sole trader, which is the simplest, most cost-effective option.

You may also need a particular certification, permit, or licence to work legally in your chosen field. The information you need can usually be accessed by getting in touch or visiting the website of the relevant trade association. BritAssoc is a good resource for finding out who you will need to contact within your industry.

4. Manage your finances

Managing your finances can be the toughest part of establishing yourself as a tradesperson, especially in the beginning.

Try to keep your expenses to a minimum and don’t purchase anything that is non-essential until you really need it. Don’t allow invoices or bills to go unpaid either, as you will need to forge good working relations with suppliers to ensure they are comfortable working with you well into the future.

You will need some funds to pay for start-up costs like buying equipment, paying fees, and travelling.

There are quite a few different start-up grants that you can apply to for assistance, the majority of which are listed on the government’s business finance and support database. This tool also includes local organizations who can give you free advice on setting up your business, as well as other topics, too.

5. Take out the right business insurance

Your fledgling business will need to take out the right type of insurance to protect both you and the public should something go wrong. Public liability insurance, which covers against injury, death, or damage as a result of your work, is going to be the main focus of any policy that you decide upon.

You can then compliment this with other cover, such as insurance for professional indemnity, tools, and stock, should your operation require it. You can compare the best tradesperson insurance on comparison websites, while you can find further advice in our business insurance section.

6. Invest in quality tools and equipment

As the saying goes, “a workman is only as good as his tools” and this counts double when you’re trying to make a positive impression on new clients.

Having the right kit to carry out the job is absolutely essential, so you will need to make a significant investment early on to ensure you complete your work efficiently and to a high standard.

Shop with a trustworthy retailer like Cromwell, who you know will only sell premium equipment (they also offer free delivery over £20). But, make sure you keep your new purchases secure as tool theft has risen by 30% in 2017, according to Simply Business.

Take care to move your gear to a secure location whenever you’re storing them and try to avoid leaving them in your vehicle overnight. If you must leave them, ensure your van is securely locked and fitted with an alarm.

7. Market your business effectively

Once you have everything in place and you get your first few jobs, it’s time to look at marketing your services to a wider audience. Early publicity will come from word of mouth, so be sure to leave clients satisfied with your work so they recommend you to their friends and family.

You will also have to invest some time and resources into online and offline marketing. Begin by advertising in the windows and noticeboards of local businesses and get your business listed in regional newspapers and directories. Online listing sites like Craigslist and Gumtree are free and well worth your time, and you may wish to appear in local online directory sites too.

To increase customer trust, engagement and the prospect of more work, you should also invest in a website for your business. Nearly half of small businesses in the UK don’t have a web presence so don’t let your business be a statistic.

Social media is a great place to get reviews and share photos of your handiwork as it’s free.

What is The Markup on Plumbing Supplies?

For the most part, plumbing invoices contain two primary items: labor and materials. Labor typically makes up approximately 80 percent of the total invoice while materials and equipment used make up the other 20 percent. Markups on material or equipment are standard in this and most service businesses.

A markup is simply a percentage amount added to an item’s cost in calculating the total amount charged to a customer. It is designed to take into account overhead and profit apportioned to that item. In many ways plumbing is like a retail business in that every item of material or equipment is marked up individually based on that item’s cost.

This is opposed to a markup on the total cost of all materials, regardless of their cost or nature, an approach used typically with construction projects. This way it creates a consistency in the selling price of material no matter what the quantity is on the work order.

How do I Get Leads For my Plumbing Business?

When homeowners with a plumbing emergency search Google for “plumbers near me,” how does your company rank? When they ask friends on Facebook for a plumber referral, does your name get mentioned? Do neighbors on Nextdoor.com, or another plumbing referral service, recommend you?

Get the most out of your plumbing marketing dollars by knowing where to invest them online, from optimizing your website SEO and managing your Google reviews to automating your marketing campaigns and saving money on cost-per-lead with targeted email marketing.

Generate more plumbing leads, book more appointments, and close more sales by delivering an awesome customer experience from start to finish.

Explore each strategy below to streamline your plumbing company’s operations, boost revenue, and grow plumbing service leads.

1. Revamp and optimize your website for plumbing lead generation.

If you’re not using your website for plumbing lead generation, you’re missing out on an important pipeline for new revenue.

A mobile-friendly website with responsive design ranks higher in Google searches. Customers searching online for a local plumber often need one NOW, or soon. Make sure they find you first, and easily convert them into a plumber lead by:

• Optimizing your website. Make it appealing with a clean, user-friendly design that’s laser-focused on SEO keywords to grow your business.
• Allowing customers to easily contact you. Clearly display your phone number at the top of your website and make sure it’s answered 24/7.
• Personalizing your message. Tell your company’s story or showcase your work in a behind-the-scenes video.
• Highlighting online reviews or customer testimonials. Let happy customers spread the word about your great plumbing service.
• Writing a blog or starting a plumbing podcast. Become an online plumbing resource for consumers and other plumbers.
• Engaging customers with Calls to Action (CTA). Use special offers, discounts, and other incentives to drive traffic and increase plumbing leads. 

After ditching their paid phone book listing, Absolute Air, Heat and Water gained a competitive edge by optimizing their website with SEO keywords and pushing for online reviews. As a result, the Utah company increased revenue by 10 times in just one year, according to Absolute’s Chief Marketing Officer, Brian Hortin.

2. Adapt plumbing advertising for today’s online shopper.

Traditional marketing tactics, such as advertising through direct mail, newspapers, radio, TV, and billboards, tend to take a back seat in most plumbing marketing strategies today.

Tommy Mello, The Home Service Expert and owner of A1 Garage Door Services, advises spending at least half of your marketing dollars on SEO, Pay-Per-Click digital ads, Google My Business, Google Local Services, and getting more positive customer reviews.

Today’s consumers find 70 percent of all services online through Google searches, he says, so “just understand Google is God when it comes to home service.” 

Mastering the online marketing game increases brand awareness for your plumbing company and helps you build an online reputation. If you’re focused on being helpful and providing great service, customers will remember you the next time they need a plumber.

Just don’t ditch those personal relationship-building tactics, says John Akhoian, owner of 10 Rooter Hero Plumbing locations in California and Arizona, with more than 250 trucks and $50 million in earnings this year.

Knocking on doors, introducing yourself to homeowners, and leaving a business card for future plumbing jobs still work.

“A lot of people rely too much on digital and don’t do (relationship-building),” Akhoian says. “I think that’s wrong, and we need to continue to do it.”

For instance, Akhoian instructs his entire Rooter Hero team to leave a business card (with a coupon on the back) each time they visit a public restroom in restaurants, bars, etc. His unconventional marketing efforts not only attract new customers, he says, but also entice other service workers to consider plumbing as a viable career option.

3. Master local SEO to boost branding and home service leads.

Mastering local SEO (search engine optimization) requires taking the right steps to ensure your plumbing company’s name or website appears at the top of organic search results on Google and other search engines. Customers with a plumbing emergency must find you fast, and they prefer to hire someone nearby.

To keep plumbing leads constantly flowing, include top-ranked keywords in all content displayed on your website, social media platforms, newsletters, business directories, and digital advertising. To gain traction with local customers, be sure to also include your city or neighborhood as a keyword phrase. For instance, “Clogged Toilet in Houston.”

When a customer searches “leak repair” or “plumber near me” in Google, Google’s algorithm finds the most topically and geographically relevant results. Since they’re based on relevance, location, authority, and other factors, not just ad spend, this gives smaller businesses an opportunity to be featured as prominently as larger companies in Google’s organic search results.

Google Local Services allows you to advertise your plumbing business on Google and receive plumbing leads directly from potential customers. When a homeowner searches “Plumber Miami,” your Local Services ad appears at the top of Google Search results. 

Just make sure your company operates from a physical building (headquarters, satellite office, etc.) in the particular area where you’re advertising your services, not just using a P.O. Box address. Otherwise, Google may penalize your company and remove your name from their local plumbers list.

4. Manage online reviews to gain more plumbing leads.

When customers need a plumber today, few check the phone book or ask a neighbor for recommendations. They go online to search for trusted nearby plumbers with awesome online reviews.

Positive customer feedback on crowd-sourced review platforms such as Google, Facebook, and other social networking and business review sites can tip the scales in your favor. In fact, 91 percent of consumers said positive reviews make them more likely to use a business, according to the Consumer Review Survey. 

Real customers who leave positive reviews help build trust in your business—providing a great option for finding plumbing leads for free. Prospective customers read an average of 10 reviews before trusting a business, and 89 percent of those people—between 35 and 54 years old—trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, according to the survey.

ProSkill Services in Arizona boasts more than 3,000 Google reviews with a 5-star rating, and nearly 800 Facebook recommendations. Co-owner Travis Ringe says there’s more to getting good reviews than simply asking customers for one.

“If you want to drive reviews,” Ringe says, “you have to deliver a full experience worthy of writing a review.”

You also need to make it easy for customers to leave a review, such as texting the review link directly to the customer before leaving the job site. ProSkill uses ServiceTitan’s built-in survey tool to customize a personal message and ask customers to specifically leave a Google review. 

“Google really rules the roost and I want all my reviews on Google,” Ringe says. 

5. Train your plumbing techs to get more 5-star Google reviews.

Do your plumbing techs grumble about asking customers for reviews? It’s a common problem for many industries, not just home services. 

Stop the complaining by clearly explaining how good and bad reviews directly impact your company’s bottom line—and your techs’ paychecks. Money talks, after all.

Incentivize your techs to get more 5-star Google reviews with pay-for-performance bonus checks, or foster in-house competition by offering prizes for the most 5-star reviews. You can also try to capture that next plumber lead by incentivizing the customer to leave a review in exchange for a discount, gift or cash in return.

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Ringe says his CSRs and plumbing techs go the “second mile” to deliver a review-worthy customer experience. His tips include:

• Make a good first impression, from the moment they call to book an appointment to the follow-up after completing the job.
• Offer online scheduling to make it easy to do business with your company.
• Book the appointment today and don’t make the customer wait.
• Shorten your arrival window and use technology to allow customers to track their tech.
• Determine customer satisfaction before leaving the job site to mitigate any complaints they might include in a review.

It’s also important to understand a customer’s mindset when it comes to leaving a review. They hired you to fix a plumbing leak and they paid you for the service. Many don’t want to hassle with leaving a review unless you make it super easy and convenient.

That’s what the technicians at Absolute Air, Heat and Water try to do, says company CMO Brian Hortin. His techs also use company iPads equipped with ServiceTitan software, which automatically sends an invitation to the customer to leave a review—all from the same app.

6. Automate with plumbing software and mobile app for better customer service.

Looking for ways to personalize the customer service experience, but need a more effective and efficient way to do it? Plumbers on ServiceTitan deliver better customer service by using automation to train and equip their CSRs, dispatchers, techs, and sales teams.

ServiceTitan’s mobile app for plumbers streamlines operations in the office and in the field, for a more polished and professional approach. Here’s how some popular features help generate quality plumbing leads:

• When a customer calls to book a service, know details such as call occurrence, service history, equipment used, and even special notes from techs, managers or other CSRs using call tracking software. Greet the customer by name, and turn them into a repeat plumber lead.
• Good plumbing reviews often depend on timely service. Dispatch the nearest available tech by using technology to monitor the GPS location of your field staff, and never miss another appointment.
• Online shoppers appreciate instant communication. Empower your techs with a mobile app that offers on-site quoting and estimates. You’ll give customers timely information about their specific plumbing issue and add extra value to your brand.
• Position your plumbing techs as true service experts by equipping them with a visual sales presentation tool. With high-quality product photos and detailed descriptions shown in a good-better-best format on the ServiceTitan Pricebook Pro app, it’s easier to convert plumbing leads into on-site sales of new products and upgrades.
• Increase opportunities for on-site sales by setting the stage in advance. Send customers a text when your tech dispatches to let them know who’s on the way and when they’re expected to arrive. It’s a good way to prepare for a more comfortable customer interaction.

7. Invest in targeted email marketing for effective plumbing advertising campaigns.

Targeted email marketing costs less per plumbing lead than traditional plumbing advertising channels and keeps your brand top-of-mind for customers, according to Megan Bedford of Mugyver Consulting, which works with the skilled trades. It’s considered one of the most effective marketing channels, earning $40 for every $1 spent.

Email marketing works—as long as it’s targeted, designed for your business, and delivers a message that’s relevant to your customers.

In a recent webinar, ServiceTitan shared new features released in Marketing Pro, including pre-filled email templates to get you started, along with best email marketing practices. Among the highlights:

• Don’t blast your entire contact list with information. Send messages in smaller batches with targeted, automated campaigns to specific customer groups, such as a “We miss you!” campaign to homeowners you haven’t heard from in a while.   
• Provide engaging, educational content with links to your blog, or YouTube channel videos. You can send a series of messages, but only send subsequent emails to people who haven’t opened the first email. 
• Clean up your lists regularly by removing inactive and unengaged email contacts. Marketing Pro will soon include an Automated Opt-In Feature to do this automatically.
• Keep your subject lines free of spam triggers! Using the word “free” or exclamation points in your subject lines typically garner a bad grade.

8. Know your market audience and when to reach them with the right marketing message.

Before planning any plumbing advertising strategies, a plumbing business needs to know how to target the right audience. That means learning everything you can about your customers, beyond knowing they own a house or business with plumbing inside.

Know specifics, such as your customers’ age, gender, average household income, and credit score, then you can focus on a direct response to build your branding, says Tommy Mello.

Mello takes a unique approach to marketing by asking new garage door service recruits to email family and friends to offer a free service call or tuneup. It not only helps the new recruits become comfortable with using the company’s tools, but also helps to build positive reviews for the company’s brand.

Another email strategy to follow involves segmenting your target audience even further, such as by zip code, age of equipment, membership status, date of last service, or new homeowners. The key is knowing the right message to send to the right customer at the right time.

9. Market with a plumber referral service or on local apps for exclusive plumbing leads.

Ben Stark, a trades consultant and owner of a Texas HVAC company, enhances his company’s online presence by staying active on Nextdoor.com, a host for closed social groups in individual neighborhoods, and Alignable.com, a small business networking group that generates referrals from other nearby businesses.

Companies can also sign up with various referral services to get plumbing leads for plumbers, such as Google Local Services, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, or even Lowe’s and Home Depot. Just be careful not to spread yourself too thin and lose sight of your company’s mission to provide great plumbing service.

10. Deliver an awesome customer experience to generate more plumbing leads, book more appointments and close more sales.

The right home services management software can help you do all of the above. At ServiceTitan, we want to help plumbers and others in the home services industry cut costs and streamline operations with a wide variety of automated pro tools to make the job easier. 

For instance, you can track the number of calls, how many jobs your CSRs booked from those calls, and sales made from those jobs right in your ServiceTitan dashboard. 

Calculate true ROI on plumbing advertising campaigns by tracking how much revenue each advertising source generated and total cost per lead.

By measuring the marketing ROI for each campaign, ServiceTitan helps companies: 

• Know how much revenue each marketing campaign generates.
• Measure how well their staff converts leads into appointments and sales.
• Invest plumbing marketing dollars in all the right places and in the right proportion.
• Stop wasting money on ineffective ads and digital marketing platforms that don’t perform.

Whether you’re investing in SEO, Pay-Per-Click ads, social media, email marketing, or any other kind of advertising campaign, your plumbing company can track what’s working and what isn’t so you can make informed decisions on the best strategy for capturing more plumbing leads.

Which Pays More Electrician or Plumber?

The trades have a well-earned reputation for offering good jobs with a reliable income. Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians are no different. For all of these jobs, the median annual pay is above $45,000. That’s significantly higher than it is in the U.S. as a whole, where the average worker earned $36,200 annually.

That said, there are still some differences in annual wages between HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers. When it comes to income, electricians come out on top.

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An electrician in the U.S. earns an average of $51,880 each year. A plumber earns just a little less, with a median annual salary of $50,620. HVAC technicians earn the lowest wages of the three, with a median annual income of $45,110.

Most electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians work full time, but part-time workers also earn a high hourly rate:

• Electricians: $24.94 per hour
• Plumbers: $24.34 per hour
• HVAC technicians: $21.69 per hour

Is Being a Plumber Worth it?

Below, we have provided ten really good reasons to consider a career in plumbing!

1. Job stability. The need for plumbers is kind of like the need for doctors – everyone everywhere will always need them. Being a plumber offers you a certain level of security: a good plumber can always find employment, and the job can’t be outsourced!

2. Less student loan debt. College students these days are graduating with tens of thousands of dollars worth of student loan debt. Choosing a trade like plumbing often means you can attend vocational school or a community college for significantly less money, and then enter an apprenticeship where you’re actually paid while you learn the trade.

3. Advancement opportunities. Plumbing is a licensed and regulated trade, and you can choose to work your way all the way up to the master level if you have the ambition to do so. Master plumbers have a higher salary, more job flexibility, and more opportunities than many other professions.

4. Job variety. Being a plumber doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing house calls and fixing toilets all day (unless you want to, of course). Plumbers work in all kinds of industries. You could find a job designing plumbing systems for new buildings, deciding how to manage, repair, and expand city/municipal water systems, or developing new plumbing technologies. Where there’s water and people, there’s a need for plumbing. The opportunities are almost endless!

5. Independence. Professional plumbers can always choose to go into business for themselves. Owning your own plumbing business means you can work when you want and where you want, which is great for those who have family obligations or need flexibility in scheduling or location.

6. Personal benefits. As a plumber, you’ll be working your body and your mind all the time. Analyzing problems, developing solutions, and handling day-to-day business transactions will keep your mind sharp, and the physical requirements of the job can keep your body active and healthy.

7. Job satisfaction. Plumbers really do save lives. Without good plumbing systems to deliver clean water and get rid of wastewater, we would all be at risk of catching potentially fatal diseases. Keeping the plumbing systems in our homes and cities in good working order is a worthy task that protects the health of our nation.

8. Social interaction. As a plumber, you won’t be stuck in an office all day. You can be out and about, meeting and interacting with new people all the time. If you’re a friendly person and offer your clients good customer service, you can also generate a significant amount of income through these positive interactions.

9. Respect. There are plenty of jokes and biases, but thankfully, more and more people are realizing what plumbers do for us, and respect for the trade is growing. Indeed, the entire social landscape regarding skilled trades is shifting. After all, not everyone can be a plumber – people try to fix extensive problems themselves, make it worse, and then realize that they need you, the professional, to fix things for them.

10. No more plumbing bills. Once you’ve got the skills, you’ll never need to pay someone else for plumbing repairs! This is probably the least important reason to become a plumber, but hey, if you’re on the tipping point this just might help you make the decision!