How to make money as a Plumber (30 Profitable Ideas)

If you are reading this because you are interested in making a good living as a plumber, you are in the right place. Economically speaking, times are tough, so people are always seeking out creative methods for earning more. Luckily for those with a skill set in plumbing, there is not a shortage of needs to fill as everyone will require assistance with some aspect of plumbing in one way or another. Keep reading to discover the best profitable ideas on how to make money as a plumber.

In this post, we will describe 9 ways by which you can learn how to make money as a plumber and how to leverage those ways to maximize your revenue. But before we get into it, while the methods are great, there is no “easy” way to learn all you need to know, nor is the work always simplistic. To be a successful plumber you need to be dedicated to the job and be willing to work hard. And if you are

How to make money as a Plumber

Now let’s look at the effective methods for making money as a plumber, the skills you need to be successful, and how to market your services correctly to maximize earnings:

1. Offer plumbing services to residential and commercial customers:

To make money as a plumber, you will need to offer plumbing services to customers who need them. This can include fixing leaks, unclogging pipes, installing new fixtures, and performing routine maintenance. You can advertise your services through word of mouth, online advertising, or by joining a local directory of service providers.

2. Specialize in a particular type of plumbing work:

Another way to make money as a plumber is to specialize in a particular area of plumbing. For example, you might focus on repairing and maintaining boilers or water heaters. This can help you stand out in a crowded market and charge higher rates for your services.

3. Start your own plumbing business:

If you have the skills and experience to manage a team of plumbers, as well as the time and resources to invest in marketing and customer acquisition, starting your own plumbing business can be a good option. This will allow you to set your own rates, choose the types of projects you work on, and build your own brand.

4. Work for a plumbing company:

Another option is to work for a plumbing company as an employee or contractor. This can be a good option if you prefer to work for someone else, rather than starting your own business.

5. Expand your services:

Another way to make money as a plumber is to expand your services to include related home repair and maintenance tasks, such as replacing faucets or fixing leaky pipes. This can help you increase your income and attract more customers.

6. Consider offering maintenance contracts to your customers:

This can provide you with a predictable source of income and help to ensure that your customers’ plumbing systems are properly maintained. By offering maintenance contracts to your customers, you can provide ongoing services to ensure that their plumbing systems are functioning properly and can potentially charge a higher rate for these services.

7. Look for opportunities to purchase and flip properties:

With the right skills and knowledge, you may be able to identify properties that have plumbing issues that can be easily and inexpensively repaired, allowing you to turn a profit when you sell the property. By identifying properties that have plumbing issues that can be easily fixed, you can potentially purchase them at a lower price and sell them for a profit after making the necessary repairs.

8. Offer training or workshops to other plumbers or DIY enthusiasts:

This can be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise, and can generate income through course fees or materials. By offering training or workshops to other plumbers or DIY enthusiasts, you can share your knowledge and expertise and potentially generate income through course fees or materials sales.

9. Consider starting a plumbing blog or YouTube channel:

By sharing your knowledge and experience with others, you can build a following and potentially monetize your content through advertising, sponsorships, or merchandise sales. By creating a plumbing blog or YouTube channel and sharing your knowledge and experience with others, you can build a following and potentially monetize your content through advertising, sponsorships, or merchandise sales.

Starting a plumbing blog or YouTube channel can be a great way to share your expertise and experience with others, and can also be a source of additional income. Here are some steps you can follow to get started:

1. Choose a platform: Decide whether you want to start a blog or a YouTube channel, or both. Both platforms have their own pros and cons, so consider which one will be the best fit for your goals and audience.
2. Choose a domain name and hosting provider: Use a service like Namecheap or Bluehost to register a domain name and set up hosting for your blog or channel.
3. Set up your website or channel: Use a platform like WordPress or YouTube to create your blog or channel, and choose a theme or design that reflects your brand and style.
4. Use tools to optimize your content: Tools like Vidiq and TubeBuddy can help you optimize your videos for search and increase your views and subscribers.
5. Use email marketing tools: Use a service like Aweber to build an email list and send newsletters to your subscribers.
6. Use freelancer websites like Fiverr to find help with design, editing, and other tasks as needed.
7. Create and share high-quality content: Focus on creating valuable, informative, and entertaining content that will appeal to your target audience.
8. Promote your blog or channel: Use social media, SEO, and other marketing tactics to promote your blog or channel and attract new viewers and readers.

10. Look for opportunities to bid on plumbing projects for government or commercial clients.

This can provide you with a steady stream of work and the opportunity to work on larger, more complex projects. By bidding on plumbing projects for government or commercial clients, you can potentially take on larger, more complex projects and increase your income.

11. Partner with other professionals:

such as real estate agents or home inspectors, to offer plumbing inspection services to their clients. By partnering with other professionals, you can offer

12. Consider offering subscription-based services to your customers:

This could include regular maintenance visits or discounts on emergency services. By offering subscription-based services, you can provide ongoing value to your customers and potentially generate a recurring stream of income.

13. Look for opportunities to collaborate with other local businesses or organizations:

such as by offering joint promotions or bundled services. By partnering with other businesses or organizations, you can expand your customer base and potentially increase your income.

14. Offer financing options to your customers:

such as financing for larger plumbing projects or payment plans for emergency services. By offering financing options, you can make it easier for your customers to afford your services and potentially increase your income.

15. Consider offering plumbing-related products:

such as water filters or leak detection systems, to your customers. By offering products related to plumbing, you can provide additional value to your customers and potentially increase your income.

16. Look for opportunities to speak at local events or trade shows on topics related to plumbing:

This can help to increase your visibility and credibility in the industry, and you may be able to generate income through speaking fees or sponsorships. By speaking at local events or trade shows, you can increase your visibility and credibility in the industry and potentially generate income through speaking fees or sponsorships.

17. Consider starting a plumbing apprenticeship program to train the next generation of plumbers:

This can be a rewarding way to give back to the industry and potentially generate income through tuition or other fees. By starting a plumbing apprenticeship program, you can help to train the next generation of plumbers and potentially generate income through tuition or other fees.

18. Offer consulting services to help homeowners or businesses reduce their water usage and save money on their water bills:

By offering consulting services to help homeowners or businesses reduce their water usage, you can provide value to your customers and potentially increase your income.

19. Look for opportunities to partner with home warranty companies or insurance providers to offer plumbing services to their customers:

By partnering with home warranty companies or insurance providers, you can expand your customer base and potentially increase your income.

20. Consider offering home energy audits to your customers and offering solutions to improve energy efficiency:

such as installing low-flow showerheads or fixing leaky faucets. By identifying areas where a home is losing energy, you can help homeowners save money on their energy bills and potentially offer solutions to improve energy efficiency.

21. Look for opportunities to partner with home builders or remodeling contractors:

to offer plumbing services to their customers. By partnering with home builders or remodeling contractors, you can expand your customer base and potentially increase your income.

22. Consider offering a loyalty program or rewards program to your customers to encourage repeat business:

By offering a loyalty program or rewards program, you can incentivize your customers to continue using your services and potentially increase your income.

23. Look for opportunities to upsell or cross-sell additional services or products to your customers:

By offering additional services or products to your customers, you can potentially increase your income.

24. Consider offering discount codes or promotions to attract new customers or encourage repeat business:

By offering discounts or promotions, you can attract new customers or encourage repeat business and potentially increase your income.

25. Look for opportunities to partner with local hotels or vacation rental companies to offer plumbing services to their guests:

By partnering with local hotels or vacation rental companies, you can expand your customer base and potentially increase your income.

26. Consider offering plumbing-related home inspection services to real estate agents or homebuyers:

By offering home inspection services related to plumbing, you can provide value to real estate agents and homebuyers and potentially increase your income.

27. Look for opportunities to partner with local home repair or home maintenance companies to offer plumbing services to their customers:

By partnering with local home repair or home maintenance companies, you can expand your customer base and potentially increase your income.

28. Consider offering preventive maintenance services:

such as annual inspections or drain cleaning, to your customers to help prevent plumbing issues from occurring. By offering preventive maintenance services, you can help prevent plumbing issues from occurring and potentially increase your income.

29. Look for opportunities to partner with local businesses or organizations to offer plumbing services as part of employee benefit packages:

By partnering with local businesses or organizations to offer plumbing services as part of employee benefit packages, you can expand your customer base and potentially increase your income.

30. Consider offering financing options to your customers to help them afford larger plumbing projects or emergency services:

By offering financing options, you can make it easier for your customers to afford your services and potentially increase your income.

Specializing In Commercial Plumbing

Think about how much work a simple residential abode requires sometimes in terms of plumbing upkeep. Now imagine this on a commercial scale. It is certainly no small feat. That also means a lot of demand from everything from apartment complexes and high-rises to public spaces and businesses.

This is the territory operated by commercial plumbers who make great money in a career that affords opportunities for both professional and personal growth. As one of the most in-demand professions, commercial plumbers get a lot of work in making sure that the water supply services and waste water drainage needs of commercial properties are provided and maintained.

Set Up A Google My Business Account For Business From Regional Customers

Since every plumber is looking for more business opportunities, a great way to secure them is to start an online presence. These days, customers are overwhelmingly likely to find a business online and get reviews before reaching out. This can be effectively accomplished by securing a spot in Google My Business, a free service for local businesses that lists hours of operation, directions to offices, and contact info.

The first step is to set up a Google My Business Account. Then, list your services, your business’s address, your contact information, hours of operation, and even pictures of prior jobs. You will want to make sure a phone number where you can be reached is included. If the areas you serve are within a certain mile range, make sure to include how far your travel parameters are for picking up jobs.

Charge Reasonable Prices For Your Work

Price gouging never works out for small businesses because when the competition offers fair pricing, their products and services always get passed up. While plumbing is the type of business where a customer desperate to have a problem replace is willing to pay, it does not mean they should be exploited in their hour of need. To know what the “fair” prices are, do some research about the market pricing for your offered services. Of course, you will need to assure that your equipment is always in working order so that all of your services remain available.

Other factors to consider when pricing your services as a plumber include the transportation time to the job (and the gas it takes to get there and back), the cost of materials needed to perform the job effectively, the market rate for a particular type of work, and the time it will take, as well as the extent of the skill required to perform the job. With a confluence of these factors, you should be able to settle on a reasonable price.

Join The Local Community

Becoming a plumber who services a neighborhood or community is a great way to make money in the profession as well. That way, if anyone in the community needs a plumber, they will call you if you live close by and service the area. To let people know about you, you can advertise your services by walking around the neighborhood with business cards and talking to neighbors about your services.

If you are licensed and capable, you can offer services, like a gas line for grill issues, water filtration systems, ventilation, general plumbing repairs, etc. Make sure that as a neighborhood plumber you offer your community a discount for your services.

Leverage Discounts And Promotional Offers

By offering new customers a discount on their next installation or service, you can elevate the chances that they return to you for their next plumbing jobs. A repeat client secures future business, which means assurances of paying jobs in the future. If the clients know that you will give them a deal or a promotion, as long as you do good work, they are likely to call you for future projects.

If they have a small project, you can tell the client the market price, then offer to do it for less than that. You can also run a promotion in which you offer new customers a 10% for life discount for any new customers for a period of time. Any incentives that will make customers eager to give you a chance will be a solid way to retain a loyal set of clients and stay profitable as a plumber.

Utilize The Power Of Networking And Referral To Find New Clients

Plumbers often get more jobs from hearing about other jobs from their existing clients. A plumbing business is all about securing the right connections, allowing you to find clients through referrals from existing customers, which naturally afford you agency and a level of trust since the recommendation comes from people prospective clients already trust. 

To get the edge on other plumbers getting into the business and trying the same methods, start with recommendations from family, friends, and acquaintances. You should also contact other local businesses, offices, home builders, and churches to see if they require your services.

Set Up A Web And Social Media Presence

Any modern business is at a disadvantage if they do not have a website and social media accounts set up. By putting yourself into a web and social media presence, you vastly expand the reach of your business and expand business opportunities. This is not a long process either.

You can secure a domain name from Namecheap, get hosting from Hostgator, and start a blog in just a few minutes with a professional theme from Eleganthtmes and great plugins that will help you to rank fast on search engines, you can use Thrivethemes for that. You will also need a way to gather email addresses for your mailing list that will help promote your services. You can acquire one with AWeber. Online you will need to list the skills you have, the services you offer, and information about how clients can get in contact with you.

For social media you will be in need for Tailwind the best scheduling tool for Instagram and Pinterest, and Canva to create great fee designs.

Value-Added Services

Building owners are aware that plumbing problems will eventually arise, and for many of them, the only option is to have the services of a professional plumber. While the option to hire a full-time plumber exists, it isn’t overly practical since the plumber will have too much downtime since his/her services will not be required daily. However, a plumber can perform other services that occur during or after the plumbing-related services are complete (aka value-added services) can be more of interest to someone looking to retain a plumber’s services.

Such services can include ductwork, general cleanings, inspections, etc. A plumber can reach out to clients they have serviced before and inquire about those other areas where potential problems could need addressing. This can help residential and commercial customers not have to take the work on themselves. If you provide additional services, the customers will be more likely to remember you when they need plumbing work done.

Marketing Campaigns

It is important to have the right marketing plan to have a profitable plumbing business. As most plumbers know, their job entails a lot of hard work, but if that work cannot be applied because there is a lack of clients, the efforts are essentially for nothing. Therefore, expanding exposure and clientele reach through a website or various marketing methods is essential to have clients be aware of your business and know how to reach out for your services.

This marketing and promotion can be done in the form of multi-faceted marketing campaigns. Some things to consider include:

• Social media ads for regional clients
• Displaying service details and contact information on vehicles used for your business
• Renting advertising space to promote your business where the general public will see it
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Starting As A Plumber

To ensure a successful career as a plumber, multiple things need to be done. Here are a few helpful ways to get started:

• Trade Apprenticeship
  • It will help to learn how to use the power and hand tools, and which are the correct ones to use for particular plumbing jobs
  • It will show you how to start and run a plumbing business once the trade training has been completed.
  • Some apprentices can even get their employers to pay them for their time spent in training
  • There is a frequent requirement that apprentices attend various training courses that assist in passing various state and local licensing exams
• Get Certified
  • Take the trade education and attainment of necessary certifications seriously
  • There are different certification types relevant to the plumbing industry
  • Seek out those that are most in demand for your local business area and look for ways to attain them.
• Get A Business Licence
  • In order to work as a plumber in most towns, a plumber must have a business license and be required to offer a multitude of plumbing services.
  • Check with the town, and more importantly, with other plumbing agencies in the area to find out what credentials and accreditation one needs to operate as a plumber in the area.
• Joining Relevant Associations
  • Join a plumbing association
  • Attend regular meetings and seminars about a variety of topics that the associations’ members present.
  • This will not only be educational, but serve as a great networking endeavor to make connections with other plumbers, it will allow you to share experiences, and improve current skill sets
• Learn How To Give A Good Impression
  • Plumbing skills alone are not going to be enough to be a successful plumber, people have to like and trust you as a person
  • If people request your service, they should perceive you as grounded, fair, and personable
    • Look professional
    • Be polite
    • Show respect
    • Listen to their concerns, and problems, and think before proposing solutions.
  • Laying the groundwork for a good reputation as a person and a professional means that more people will come to you for help
  • People tend to judge quickly, so making a good first impression is imperative
• Always Further Your Education In The Industry
  • Plumbing techniques, qualifications, and methodologies do tend to change over time, so it’s important to invest in your education about the plumbing industry
  • As new information comes out about state-of-the-art plumbing technologies and equipment, make sure you are always on top of continuing your education
  • By staying on top of the latest in the industry, you will put yourself at an advantage over the competition that does not do so

Conclusion:

One of the appeals of starting a plumbing business is that it requires minimal investment to get off the ground, and anyone knowledgeable and passionate about a potentially complex industry can do it. If you have always been interested in working with piping and plumbing mechanisms, the above steps can help you get a plumbing business off the ground and be successful at it.

Before you do anything else, you need to choose your area of service as it will entail many differences: residential or commercial. You will need to not only train for the basic skills and understanding of plumbing, but you will also need to continue your education while running your business.

Another tip is to offer plumbing services to help contractors who are remodeling or constructing new homes. They are often looking for partners to help with their projects. To get started, you will need the necessary tools, insurance, properad licensing credentials, a reliable mode of transportation, as well as a website to be found by other prospective clients.

Since you have finished reading this amazing article of How to make money as a Plumber (Top 9 Profitable Ideas), we suggest to you to check this one: How to Make Money as a Comedian.

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