Tired of being a contractor or employee? Ready to step out on your own?
Then you’re probably wondering exactly how to start a plumbing business. Maybe you have a vague idea of the steps you need to take, but aren’t clear on the details? Don’t worry – we’re here to help.
Below is a simple, straightforward guide to successfully starting your own plumbing business.
1. Make Sure Your Skills Are Up-To-Date
Your skills are the backbone of your new business. So, they need to be up-to-date.
Is there an area you’re not confident in? A new piece of equipment you don’t know how to use? What about a type of job you dread?
If so, now’s the time to address it.
Look into continuing education in your area or ask a plumber friend for help. Additionally, you can spend time gaining extra work experience to improve your skills.
2. Decide on a Specific Focus
Are you planning to attend to every plumbing issue imaginable?
Probably not.
Having your own business gives you the freedom to pick and choose the jobs you want to take. So, choose an area which plays to your strengths.
Maybe you love installing new bathrooms, and hate clearing blocked drains? You’ll want to specialize in home installations, and not in commercial drain unblocking!
Be sure to choose an area that’s both profitable and realistic.
3. Write a Comprehensive Business Plan
Now that you’ve got an idea of the type of business you want to run, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty.
Here’s what your business plan should include:
- Your basic concept
- The products and services you’ll offer
- Your industry and target market
- Your unique selling point
- Your financial plan
- Your marketing plan
This list isn’t set in stone, so take a look at some business plan templates to get further inspiration.
4. Look into Funding Options
Your business plan should have included a financial section. The costs associated with starting a plumbing business can be high.
You’ll need a solid plan around funding. The following options are all worth considering:
- Local grants for small businesses
- A start-up loan
- A small business loan
- Self-funding
It’s always worth researching funding opportunities near you. You might be surprised at how much is available.
5. Market Your New Business
So, you now know exactly how to start a plumbing business.
You’ve got funding, you’ve planned down to every last detail, and you’re ready to work. Now, it’s time to tell the world about your business.
Market your new plumbing business by:
- Getting listed in directories
- Placing ads locally
- Advertising online
- Using social media
- Creating a website and optimizing for local search
Be sure to ask for referrals after each job, as word of mouth marketing is often very effective.
You’ll soon be well on the way to making a good living as an independent plumber.
How to Start a Plumbing Business Without Encountering Problems
Even if you’re an expert at plumbing, you might be worried about your ability to start a new business successfully.
After all, there’s so much to think about! It’s essential that you follow the steps laid out above without skipping any – even if they don’t seem necessary right now.
Cutting corners is the fastest way to failure, so be sure to make a solid plan and stick to it.