How to Start a Plumbing Business

Plumbing is a rewarding and in-demand career. With 29.3 million households predicted to be in the UK by 2022, demand for plumbing services will only continue to rise. There has never been a better time to set up your own plumbing business to get your share of the potential profits. Owning your own plumbing business means that instead of working for someone, you have the ability and the freedom to manage your future. 

Wondering how to start a plumbing business? Find out what skills you need, important considerations to keep in mind and how to legally establish your business. 

What Does a Plumber Do?

Plumbing offers a vast array of unusual and high paying potential career paths. Plumbers have plenty of hands-on plumbing work to carry out in our homes and businesses. They will also often help draft blueprints and optimise installation processes. 

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Plumber?

For those plumbers looking to become their own boss, it's important to develop the right skills, experience and qualifications.

It’s vital to earn an industry-related diploma in domestic plumbing and heating. There are also other options, such as working as an apprentice, which means you can make money while gaining valuable experience. 

According to the National Careers Service, to become a plumber, you need:

• mathematical ability

• to understand technical drawings and plans

• knowledge of safe working practices and a practical ability

• customer care.

Customer care is of particular importance for those plumbers working for themselves, as your client network will need to be managed and grown.

Domestic vs Commercial Plumbers

There are similarities between commercial and domestic work. The main differences are the number of people using the plumbing systems and the building’s size. Contracts are also likely to be much larger for commercial work.

With commercial plumbing, the plumbing framework could be used by thousands, meaning the system is complex and subject to huge demand. This is especially the case in buildings with a  high number of floors, where the issues of gravity and water pressure come into play. 

Commercial work also necessitates using very different equipment. Imagine the comparison between massive industrial boilers and pipes and the much smaller plumbing paraphernalia we are accustomed to at home.

What Equipment Do You Need to Start a Plumbing Business?

Starting up any new business isn’t cheap and almost always requires an initial outlay of capital. 

As an independent plumber, your major costs will be investing in a vehicle and equipment. The scope of these will vary depending on what sort of market you intend to service. 

There is no need to jump straight in with a massive spending spree on the latest new equipment. Instead, begin with the essentials. Second-hand tools will do the trick and only get the things you need for the jobs your customers are requesting and that you are comfortable doing. Speciality jobs may be infrequent and may require special skills, costly specialist tools and possibly even a licence. 

How to Start a Plumbing Business

If you want to create a plumbing business, you’ll need a solid business plan. Research your competition, see what is already out there and find what is lacking in the industry. Which plumbing service is most in-demand in your local area? If you can fill a need, you will be more successful. 

Here are several other aspects to consider when writing your plumbing business plan: 

• What is your business name? — If you are short of ideas, remember that most clients are happy to look up your surname as long as it’s fairly memorable. Alternatively, you could choose a descriptive name that stands out  — for example, Modern Plumbing & Heating or Valor Plumbing (which is Spanish for value).

• What area will you serve? — Check out your competitors in the area and work out what type of plumbers are needed. 

• Who are your customers? — Quickly assess your area's demographics (age, lifestyle, average income, building type). You’ll likely uncover some useful business insights.

• What is your unique selling point (USP)? — What services will you offer, what will your speciality be? You want to make sure your plumbing business is chosen above all the competitors, so your marketing must give plenty of reasons why you should be your clients first choice. 

• What will you charge? — An important question for plumbers is whether they will charge a flat rate or for time and materials.

• What are your business goals? — If you want your plumbing business to last, you need some goals. Do you plan to grow your operations by hiring a team and working in new regions, or would you like to specialise in a higher-grossing niche, such as re-lining or new construction projects? Do you wish to have more time for holidays by working independently? Plan what you hope to achieve — even write down your aims — and don't lose sight of them. 

Ready to Form Your Plumbing Company?

If you are ready to start a plumbing business, it’s time to form your company. You can form a limited company or go the sole-trader route . Deciding and completing your company formation can be the most challenging part of starting a business, but it’s crucial to your success. 

Are you ready to start a plumbing business? At Mint Formations , we help you form your limited company or self-employed business and take away the heavy stress load. We’ll secure your brand name and get your company registered fast so that you can start doing what you love.

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