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If you want to set up a successful plumbing business, then you are not alone. So many people are in the same situation as you are right now, but if you do not take the right steps, then you may find that you end up falling behind. If you want to stop this from being the case, then you need to try and make sure that you follow this guide. Take a look below to find out more.

Setting Goals

First of all, you have to make sure that you ask yourself. Why do you want to start a plumbing business? Do you want to grow your income? Maybe you want to make your work way more flexible so that you can spend more time with your family. Either way, you have to be crystal clear on the reason why you want to start a business. If you can do this, then you will be able to build everything on a solid foundation. You may also find that when you have your goals and your general objectives set, and when things become clear in your mind, you can devote way more mental energy to the more practical aspects of running a company.

Create a Business Plan

Do not expect to be able to take your business off the ground if you do not have a good plan. You have to remember that it takes time, but it’s time well spent. If you go into a business without a solid plan, then you may find that you end up struggling overall and that you are simply not able to get the sales or the customers you need. A good business plan will help you to make the right decisions as you go, and it will also give you a solid structure to work from. Ideally, your plumbing business plan should give you growth opportunities as well as marketing strategies. It should also give you financial support, long-term goals to aim for, and more. If you can do this, then you will soon find that things end up working in your favor.

Training and Qualifications

People do not like to hire plumbers who are not qualified. You probably know this already and you might even have the right training, but at the same time, you have to consider your qualifications too. You need to make sure that you have the skills required to push things forward and that you meet all of the minimum requirements. If you don’t, then you may find that it becomes harder to get more established in the long run. If you can gain more qualifications, then this means that you will be able to offer more services in the future and this gives you the chance to make more money overall. If you aren’t sure what qualifications you need, then look into central heating, water recycling and oil.

Finances

The next thing that you want to do is try and get serious about the capital and the resources that you have. You have to remember that starting your own company is not cheap and you will always need to have some kind of outlay when it comes to cash. If you are an independent plumber, then some of your major costs will come from investing in a car and any other related equipment. The scope may vary depending on what service you intend to provide, but either way, it’s vital that you consider points like this. if you want to fund your venture then you have two options here. You can either fund your own venture or you can find cash from another party. If you are not lucky enough to have some cash on hand for your own company, then you will need to approach other banks and lenders about getting a business loan. Almost every major bank will have some kind of business department and they can give you the help you need, amongst a range of credit lines. The bank will want to know that you have a plan though, so be sure to keep this in mind if at all possible.

Marketing

In your business plan, you will also have to detail how you are going to market your business. You have to be able to show the banks how you are going to invest in your idea and how you are going to attract customers. You may not be able to hire a full marketing department to support your venture early on, but there are other options so be sure to look into them. If you want to find out more, then click the link.

Purchasing your Equipment

If you do not have the equipment you need right now, then you will need to make an investment. This is going to be the biggest cost that you face. The administrative side of setting up a business is usually relatively low, but you will need a car if you do not have one already.  Normally plumbers will have a van or a large vehicle where they can house all of their tools. If you are running a mobile business, then this is especially the case, and you need something big enough so you can have everything that you need on hand. Equipment costs can vary quite a lot here, but at the end of the day, a lot of it will depend on your needs and your general preferences. When it comes to your equipment, you should not try and cut costs. If you do, then you may end up paying for it later. Cheap tools are not reliable, and you may find that they end up deteriorating far more when compared to quality tools. You may be able to get finance on some good tools too, so do not be afraid to look into things like this.

So, running a plumbing business is not easy and at times you may find that it is incredibly expensive. At the same time though, you have to remember that it can be a very lucrative business and it is always possible for you to make all your cash back, plus profit.

A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID will select five winners for this year’s trip

RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is once again giving trade professionals a contest to win the trip of a lifetime. The company announced today they have begun accepting entries for the RIDGID Experience contest, being held Aug. 3-5 at RIDGID world headquarters. Five grand prize winners will be selected to receive the event’s signature VIP treatment at the annual, all-expenses-paid trip that continues to grow in popularity.

Entries will be accepted through April 29, 2022. Contest winners will be selected based on their response to questions, trade involvement, enthusiasm for RIDGID tools displayed in submitted picture or video, and originality and uniqueness of entry. To enter, and for additional rules and details, visit the RIDGID Facebook page.

“It is so important to us as a brand to recognize the hard work, commitment and dedication that trade professionals put into their jobs every day. The RIDGID Experience contest gives us the opportunity to reward a select group of individuals with a truly unique event, and it puts a spotlight on the work they do,” said Becky Brotherton, director of engagement marketing, RIDGID for Emerson. “This year marks the fifth RIDGID Experience contest and the excitement it generates is a direct result of the people who join us: their enthusiasm for what they do is evident. Our goal always is to highlight the importance of the skilled trades, and every year we’re thrilled to see that pride within our winners.”

Past contest winner, Bobby Scirica, a plumbing service technician from Arizona described the trip this way, “I’ve been using these tools for years and being here and seeing the machines and people who make the tools, it’s emotional.” And another past winner, Rob Broccolo, owner of Professional Drain Services of Southern New England, said, “RIDGID is a big name in the industry and it felt incredible to be selected for a once in a lifetime opportunity. By far the highlight of my career and time in the trades.”

RIDGID Experience contest winners will receive:

• An all-expenses-paid trip to RIDGID world headquarters
• A VIP RIDGID headquarters tour
• A custom RIDGID pipe wrench
• Hero photoshoot, celebrating winners’ dedication to the skilled trades
• Suite seats to see the Cleveland Guardians
• A trip to Topgolf, a sports entertainment complex that features an inclusive, high-tech golf game
• And more

Winners will also have the opportunity to shape the future of professional tool development by providing their expert insights with RIDGID leadership including the engineering, marketing, research and product developments. How to enter and full 2022 RIDGID Experience official contest rules can be found here.

Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.

Jones Stephens introduces PEXALGAS™, an innovative, multilayer PEX-AL-PEX solution that accelerates and simplifies gas piping installations. PEXALGAS™ is certified to International Fuel & Gas Code, International Residential Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, and meets ASTM and AS standards. As a result of the proprietary and unique design, PEXALGAS™ flow rates can exceed and outperform that of traditional gas piping methods, allowing for up to 60% reduction in material. Installation is approximately 50% faster than traditional gas piping methods, and it’s up to 50% lighter in weight.

The PEXALGAS™ multilayer system combines the positive features that are typical of crosslinked polyethylene PEX-b and those of aluminum, introducing excellent flexibility and malleability – fundamental features for accelerating and simplifying installation operations.

Its total resistance to corrosion, construction materials, and the principal chemical compounds allows it to be used in the most applications. The range of PEXALGAS™ fittings, accessories, and tools is particularly wide and allows all requirements to be satisfied.

Use of the PEXALGAS™ system is subject to state and local approvals. Confirm approval for use with the governing authorities for your project location before installing this product.

For more information:  Jones Stephens | WE GOT IT.

It’s no secret that being a plumber can sometimes be a hazardous occupation. When you conduct any plumbing work, you could potentially injure yourself or other people around you, such as your customers, if things don’t go according to plan.

Thankfully, there are some ways you can boost your safety while you’re at a customer’s. Plus, here are a few ideas you can follow to protect your plumbing business from litigation.

Take a look at these examples to see what you can consider for your business:

Check Your Tools Before Each Job

As a plumber, you will undoubtedly use an array of hand and power tools to complete your work satisfactorily. You may also use things like gas torches and even welding equipment, depending on the nature of your work.

It’s crucial that you ensure each tool you use is safe before you commence any work at a customer’s premises. For instance, torches shouldn’t leak gas and potentially cause an explosion.

Get the Right Insurance

You will undoubtedly have some insurance coverage for your plumbing business to protect you against the most common legal threats. For example, one type of cover that all plumbers will have is public liability insurance.

Make sure that your insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for the type of plumbing work you do. Find out more about what to consider with public liability insurance, especially if you work at industrial premises.

Don’t Take On More Work Than You Can Handle

One of the biggest mistakes that some plumbers make is taking on too much work. For example, some plumbing contractors might attempt to repair unfamiliar equipment or pipework because they don’t want to turn the job down.

The truth is, such decisions are incredibly risky. If you don’t fully know what you’re doing, you could possibly cause a dangerous situation – both for yourself and other people in the vicinity.

You should either turn down the job or sub-contract the unfamiliar elements to suitably experienced plumbers in such situations.

Stock the Parts You Will Likely Need

There’s nothing worse than getting to a job and discovering you don’t have the right parts to complete the work. Such scenarios typically mean plumbers will need to go and purchase those parts and make a return journey to their customer’s premises.

Sadly, some plumbers try to get creative by adapting the parts they have available to them. It might be a concept that can work in certain situations; however, it’s not a recommended option for every case.

Wear the Right PPE

Lastly, you should always make sure that you’re wearing the right PPE (personal protective equipment). Doing so means you have some degree of protection in your work, and you are less likely to cause an injury to yourself or other people.

Safety glasses and gloves are the two most essential PPE items you should always have at your disposal. You may need other things, depending on the types of jobs you usually complete.