Git-R-Done: What to Know Before Starting a Plumbing Business for Long-Term Success

If you’re starting a plumbing business, the first step is always the toughest. But it could lead to a path of success financially, personally, mentally, and physically. Before you take that plunge, we want to guide you on what to prepare for as you begin this journey. By knowing all the factors upfront, you’ll be able to determine if ownership is right for you and how to become the best leader you can be. 

Why You Should Start a Plumbing Business

There are several benefits to being a plumbing business owner—though they may not be for everyone. While plumbing ownership can yield great rewards, it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. Yet, successful plumbing ventures, backed by strong leadership, provide the following benefits:

• Freedom over your own schedule. 
• High earning and profit potential. 
• The ability to shape your business’s culture as you see fit. 
• Get to choose who you work with and for.
• Full control of business operations and tools used. 
• Powerful asset-building opportunities. 
• A sense of accomplishment and autonomy. 

If you’re drawn to these benefits, then plumbing ownership might be the right path for you—especially if you enjoy other ownership responsibilities, such as leading and managing people and business expansion and management. 

5 Things to Know Before You Begin

While you may be eager to get the ball rolling, there’s a lot to consider before making the plunge. We’ll review some of the things you’ll want to know before you start. Knowing about these five things in advance can help you set your business up for success and avoid burnout. 

1. Find the Finish Line 

What’s your end goal of owning a business? It could be any of the benefits we discussed, such as better earning potential or more freedom in your schedule. Or it could be something more abstract. Perhaps, something along the lines of you want to make a change in the plumbing industry or you want to provide good services to the people of your community. 

Whatever it may be, only you can determine the main goal of your business. At Plumbing CEO, we’d call this your vision—when you retire, what do you hope to accomplish through your business? The answer to this question defines your finish line and will shape how you build and grow your business. 

2. Create Your Culture

Before you begin the process of hiring people for your team, you’ll want to have a defined culture to find the right fit for your company. Culture is vital for your business’s success—statistics show that good company culture can increase productivity, reduce turnover rates, yield higher profits, and attract applicants to open positions. 

A great way to begin defining your culture is to identify your values. What do you want to be known for? What’s the repeated word you want to see in your customer reviews? How do you want your employees to describe their workplace? Answering these questions will help you identify your values, which in turn will build a strong cultural foundation. 

3. Pour into Your Community 

As a plumbing business, you’ll be working closely with the people of your local community, and nothing speaks louder than your reputation. A good reputation can grow your business, while a poor one can halt growth in its tracks. That’s why we always recommend new business owners have a plan to give back to their community. Whether that’s shown in your service, in donations to local charities, or a mix of both, giving back to the community you serve is a great way to connect with customers and leave a positive impact through your work. 

Here are just ideas to get you started. See if there’s one or two ideas you can implement at the founding of your business: 

• Sponsor a local kid’s sports team. 
• Donate to a local charity. 
• Host or sponsor a charity event. 
• Find ways to personally connect with clients during home visits. 
• Offer pro bono work when possible. 
• Reach out to other local businesses to become partners on a charity drive. 
• Have promotions for medical workers, military personnel, teachers, firefighters, and police. 
• Provide paid volunteer days off so your employees can volunteer with something they’re passionate about. 
• Have your entire team sponsor an Angel Tree child or Toys for Tots drive during the holidays. 

4. Teamwork Is Key

Just like you’ll want to pour into your community, you should do the same for your team. Your team will make everything your business does possible, and their satisfaction is a testament to your leadership. 

The plumbing industry has a mental health issue, and many people in this industry feel the weight of stigma and isolation. Your business can be a haven for these workers—a place where they feel they belong and are glad to go to work each day. When you’re deep in the business side of plumbing, don’t forget the people aspect of leadership. 

Similarly, make sure there’s a metric to hold them accountable. People thrive when they’re given clear direction and a place where mistakes are learning lessons, not punishments. You can ensure your success by focusing on your team as people first and fostering a spirit of teamwork in everything you do. 

5. Learning Is a Lifelong Process

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” These are wise words from the former President John F. Kennedy. When you become a leader, you need to be prepared for constant, continuous learning. While this could come in the form of professional development or business certifications, it also comes from the everyday. What can you learn from your team? Is there a common thread in your reviews, for better or worse? What are leaders in the industry doing that you’re not yet? 

The best way to learn is through your peers. If you want to walk down the road of starting a plumbing business, we recommend you also join a leadership group to guide you through your journey. Learn from their mistakes or successes when they first started. By starting with an attitude of learning, you’ll set yourself up for lifelong success both personally and in your business. 

Your Success Is Our Priority 

Are you ready to become a leader but not sure where to start? We can help! Regardless of your unique situation, we can provide insight, guidance, and support through our 1:1 coaching. You’ll get to speak to Plumbing CEO’s very own Nate, a third-generation plumber and a coach for plumbing leaders. We want to see your new business succeed—start off right by talking with us about your goals.