How To Start Your Own Business As A Plumber
December 6th, 2016 / By Eastern College
Some trades come and go over time, but it seems like the world will always need plumbers. It is a valued and specialized trade where you can enjoy success working for a company or running your own business.
If you have the necessary education and skills, and have decided that you wish to work for yourself, plumbing as an independent practitioner can be a very lucrative and rewarding trade.
Here are steps to consider when starting your own plumbing business:
Learn the Trade
Just as you wouldn’t open a bakery without learning all of the necessary skills, you need to undergo the essential training and education to become a plumber. This includes graduating from a diploma program and getting some experience under your belt.
Establishing a reputation as being superior in your trade also gets your name out there. That way, you will likely already have a series of interested and eager customers when the time comes for you to hang your own shingle.
If you wish to start a plumbing business right out of school, that is certainly possible. However, it is highly advisable to ally yourself with some experienced plumbers.
Create a Business Plan
Do you want your plumbing firm to be an organization aimed at consumers or do you wish to concentrate on the business and industrial worlds? Do you plan on offering general services or is there one particular type you wish to concentrate on?
Once you have answered these questions, you can move on to the dollars and cents.
Sample questions:
- WHAT WILL IT COST TO GET YOUR BUSINESS OFF THE GROUND AND WHAT WILL ITS ONGOING COSTS TOTAL?
- WHAT IS THE EXPECTED MONTHLY REVENUE?
- HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL WORK FOR YOU AND WHAT WILL THEIR SALARIES BE?
- WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED, HOW MUCH WILL IT COST, AND WHAT OTHER MATERIALS ARE CRUCIAL (A TRUCK, TOOLS, ETC)?
- WILL I OWN OR RENT MY COMPANY FACILITIES?
Finances
Businesses run via the cash each service generates. However, unless you are rich, you will need to secure money in order to get the company off the ground. This can include bank loans, business partners, or other kinds of investors.
Register the Business
Once you have those behind-the-scenes details settled, you can register your business with the appropriate local authorities.
In the process, you will receive a business license, which provides documented proof that you have taken the necessary steps and paid the required fees.
Location, Equipment, and Staff
Time to establish your business in the chosen location. Ideally, it should be centrally-based in the customer area you are focusing upon. You will also now acquire any equipment the firm will need in order to serve that base.
Depending on how big you hope to become, the firm will need several staff members. These include other plumbers, plus at least one person to coordinate operations and run the office.
Advertise
Choose a catchy, but easy-to-remember name and business slogan, and create some ads. As mentioned, word-of-mouth is important in this trade, but you can also advertise in newspapers. However, in this day and age, a website is crucial. If you do not have skills in this area, hire someone who can build a site and handle your web marketing.
Running 32 weeks, Eastern’s Plumbing diploma program offers both informative classroom instruction and a 160 hour work placement that provides hands-on training and experience. Graduates will be able to complete the Apprentice Level I Exam and pursue positions in Residential and Commercial Construction, Plumbing Supply Businesses, Plumbing Maintenance Companies, and Maintenance departments (commercial, manufacturing and public facilities).
Contact Eastern today to learn more about the program and when the next round of classes begins at our St. John’s campus!