Careers in Plumbing by Institute For Career Research

Author:Institute For Career Research [Institute for Career Research]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Institute For Career Research
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The Professionals Speak

I love the challenge of getting calls from my customers, old or new, and trying to solve their plumbing problems. Each job has its own ups and downs, and people are usually grateful for my help.

Getting those first few clients was probably the hardest part of being self-employed. To let people know that I was in business, I talked to family and friends, sent out brochures, left a business card with everyone I met, and contacted local contractors in my area. With the local contractors, I offered to subcontract on jobs where they need extra help.

After the first few clients, my business just seemed to grow on its own, until now I don't do much marketing at all and I have more than enough jobs to keep me busy and comfortably well off. I try to accept only referrals from current clients, because I know my regular client has already primed the new one on what to expect from me.

Every time I do a job for someone, I try very hard to keep the mess to a minimum, as well as the noise. I try to be cheerful and agreeable at all times, even when my client isn't. But since I like working around people and dealing with them, I don't consider that a burden.

Oh, I can't say I never have trouble with clients. No matter how careful I am about accepting referrals only from my good clients, occasionally you get someone who's difficult. Then I just lay it on the line, they can either take my advice or not, but I won't be bullied by someone who thinks they know my job better than I do.

The same with people who may not want to pay. I tell them up front that I need a check or cash by the end of the job, and I ask them right out if that's a problem. And I've only had one or two people who tried to take advantage of me.

Subcontracting to construction firms is another way I do business. If I have a lull between projects, I call the general manager at one of the big firms and ask if they need help on any of their jobs. Over the years, we've gotten to know each other, and they're comfortable with my work, so it's hardly ever a problem filling all of my available time.

Sure, having your own business is a lot of work, and at the beginning I worried that I wouldn't have enough money to support my family, or I wouldn't get any time with them. But over the years I've learned to schedule time with my loved ones. Once I got those first few clients, the money took care of itself."

I Am a Plumber, Employed by a Firm

"It's a great feeling to be able to be a plumber who also has the job security of belonging to an established construction firm. I get to work with pretty much the same crew on each job, and we're pretty good buddies.

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