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- over 445,000 plumbing related posts
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Author:
ericsandstone (MD)
Which are the most useful types of plumbing knowledge to have as a:
Commercial Plumber?
Residential Plumber?
As in the types of knowledge which can be applied over the broadest range of jobs and as in the types of knowledge which are needed most often.
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Author:
RCRIPLMBR (RI)
were i live to do plumbing you have to go 2 school for 5 yrs and be in the trade that long to get your master plumbers lisence.on paper it covers both to the highest. however when tou say commercial or residential there is a big diference.residentul plumbing have to read and stay on top of technology.and tend to come across more challenges.but residential service and new construcction are like 2 different feilds.i believe each plumber varys with there knowlage some put more time into learning than others.
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Author:
hj
A really competent plumber is "cross trained" in residential, commercial, industrial, and service plumbing. Those that specialize in one of the areas are usually focused on one phase of that specialty. Rough plumbers know how to install DWV and water pipes, but mey not be able to install the fixtures expediently, and vice versa. In face, many do NOT want to learn anything beyond what they are used to performing.
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
most of my knowledge is new construction rough
when i went into business i had to also become a finisher...its not difficult, just fussy work
as the economy continues to drop im taking on service work..im still learning....its definately a completely different animal than new construction roughing..i still have never found it to be high paying like everyone says....people complain about my prices and i barely make anything.
remodeling isnt much different than new construction to me...just a bit more thinking...highest pay
commercial is something i dabble in....i find it to be the lowest paying. lowest price always wins and quality doesnt matter.my friend is the bidder for one of the largest commercial plumbers..2% profit is all they make and they get out bid all the time...state plan approvals and ADA code issues can be difficult...
residential remodeling is the best place to be.
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Author:
hj
quote; i still have never found it to be high paying like everyone says....people complain about my prices and i barely make anything.
Then you are doing something wrong, or are taking too long to perform the service work. There has to be a profit in taking 30 seconds to reset a disposer and charge the minimum hour fee. When I worked for a company and did service work, I could bill, and be paid for, up to 80 hours in a 40 hour week.
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Author:
joe plumber (NE)
hj I agree with you,service work is where the money is at.If one can not make any money from service something is wrong.Of course your vehicle has to set up for it.It also helps if have easy access to supply houses,you could have a semi full of repair parts and still need something. Service work is always going to be there no matter what and if you are good at doing it and threat people fair you will be in demand .JMHO
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
I find as a service plumber personality is a huge part of your job.
When you are working in homes where they are in crisis, with whatever problem they are having, talking them through it helps them cope and puts them at ease. I work in a large shop with many plumbers, but have lots of customers that want nobody but me in there home. I know most of them very well and take the time to ask them about their lives and families. I also give a 10% discount off their bill if they have a clean house, that makes them remember me even more, and my boss has never questioned it. Actually my boss takes pride in knowing I am on his staff, and he can count on me to represent his business in the right way.
I have been doing service for 20+ years and still love my job.
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Author:
strap
Waukesha, Joe makes a really good point about the truck. We do mostly new construction, res. and commercial. So that is what all the trucks are sat up for. If one of my guys has to do a service call the part is usually not on the truck, and they have to go get it. This robs time from the job he is suppose to be on. Though one of my guys is a great service plumber. I try to keep his truck stocked with service parts. Waukesha I am guessing you're in a similar position.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
hj is correct, the best training is in all areas such as commercial & residential construction and service. i find that the best plumbers i know and meet have some experience in all types of plumbing. but if you want to concentrate on one at a time i would say go with commercial construction first. i dont know about other states but it will give you the best training for your tests in texas although residential has a fast track program to get you a tradesman license so you can work on your own (under a master plumber) faster, its a 2 year license
residential construction is the worst paying then commercial then remodel and finally the best paying is service as far as owning the company goes but for pay as an employee the best is service (especially if you are on commission) then commercial/industrial. i find that residential construction/remodel pays their employees an average of $3-$4 an hour less in my area
wauks, dont forget that it is money in hand before you leave the job site (most of the time) which is a big consideration when you think about the pay plus the fact that you need a good customer base. you are not going to make much if you do not get at least 4-6 calls a day per truck
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
Wheelchair
Glass piping is an Artform. Plain End, Beaded Ends and Beaded to Plain End. And that is just the pipe. The couplings and end connectors. Planning and engineering is everything before you begin the job.
But there is nothing prettier then a finished glass job using 8 inch for the stack, and reducers down to 2 inch waste pipes.
Duralead is a similar artform material as well.
Best Wishes
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Author:
dlh (TX)
actually wheelchair, it is simple as far as you have flanged and bald pipe ends, you get the proper connector which is what you were describing in your post. but it is an art form also but the art is in being able to cut it perfect the first time every time (just about impossible) the glass splinters very easily.
the testing is cool though because you either color the water or you install gold fish in the pipe and let them swim around. you have to do something to show that the CLEAR water is actually in the CLEAR pipe
very expensive piping system and only for the experienced installer
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
hj
Many, if not most by this time, unions have a two tiered rate system. One for commercial plumber and a lower pay one for residential. This was to combat the incursion of lower paid non-union tradesmen into the residential field which was "killing" the union trades since they could not compete at their original scales.
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Author:
hj
With the correct cutter and a pencil flame torch, the pipe cuts perfectly EVERY time.
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
i get phone book calls for small 'service' type tasks all the time...i give them my MIN. service call charge and they almost hang up on me...i get 1 in 10 cold calls for service....its rare i get a call which doesnt end up to be 30-45 mins....ive only had the 5 min jobs 3x in 3 years...
I try to give flat rate prices, but most of the time the customer cant explain correctly whats going on...so i say T&M....i do alright at T&M, but make alot more when i bid on larger projects and get the job done 10-20 hours early...
i agree that personality is important on service work
I count on those small 1 hour projects to fill in my days, but i spend more time on the phone with these customers price shopping than i do actually doing the work...ive been in business for 3 years and most of my work is for builders, so i dont meet the homeowners much...so my actual customer base is still small....probably a few hundred...while many service companies have a customer base of 5,000-20,000
i can see service being profitable if you stay in a certain area....im usually driving 45 minutes or more from job to job...i charge an extra $55 for a trip charge, but in reality it needs to be $125.....not many people would pay $225 for a 1 hour service call....i do know a guy who gets $250 though....he's been around for 20 years...
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Author:
hj
If you bid jobs 10 hours or more higher than they take, and still get the job, either you are charging too little per hour, or your competitors do not know what they are doing.
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
The way I look at is, the customers knows that," you get what you pay for", If you can prove to him that you ARE worth more than anyone else that he knows, to solve his problems, then you will be worth your salt.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
any company with more than 3 trucks and charging flat rate prices should be charging over $200 an hour or they are not making much at all.
based on what little overhead i have and being a 1 man shop i have figured out that i must charge an average of 1/2 that to make a decent living
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
you forgot im a SuperPlumber...10-15 hours early on a 60 hour project is pretty normal for me...if i hired someone id probably 5 hours over.
i hustle
on large houses i used to win every one and be done 20 hours early
ive lowered my new home price by $500 and still rarely win one anymore.
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Author:
hj
That may be because you are still over on your labor calculation. You cannot overprice yourself and expect to outbid those who are using "real world" numbers. If you overbid by 20 hours, that could be about $2,000.00 and NO ONE is going to pay that much extra, even for SuperPlumber. In fact, they should expect you to be cheaper, even if you charge the same per hour rate, since you SHOULD get done sooner.
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Author:
hj
At $200.00 an hour, their trucks may be gathering dust and spider webs. When I quote my rate, many decide to reconsider. It is like selling anything. You can charge whatever you want to, but you will only get what someone is willing to pay.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
true but you have to remember that those companies policy is to get into every house one time
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
hj
That too.
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
I feel all piping is an art-form... if done properly
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Author:
ericsandstone (MD)
Thanks for answers. I am going through a self building process and this will be very helpful.
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Author:
hj
As a practical matter, all you really need to know is how to do the tasks you are going to encounter. For example, it makes no sense to know how to put pipes into a high rise, if all you are going to work on is residences.
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Author:
birddoggiest (ID)
Exactly! I cut my teeth in wineries and hospitals. It doesn't do me much good in the residential and light commercial work I do on my own now.
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Author:
B&BPlumbingofwnc (NC)
Service Plumbing is the bread and butter to any successful Plumbing Company right now. I have a Residential, Commercial, Service, Well Pump and Water Filtration Department. My Service Department is what is keeping my business alive right now. Commercial is Rediculous right now with so many people bidding at prices that are historically low. Residential is stating to get there and if it were not for my loyal customers and builders that know how good we are at what we do I would be at home twiddling my thumbs. Service is such a wonderful thing to be a part of and I don't know how that one guy is not making any money at it.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
found out that one company here has their flat rate based on $300 p/hr.
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
B&BPlumbingofwnc (NC)
I can't do flat rate here. The people in my area about have heart attacks when I would tell them those prices. There are plumbers in my area right now that are plumbing jobs at 300-350 a fixture. Insane... I don't know how they can honestly be that low and make any money. I offer my guys a career... Not a job and I take a great deal of pride in that. Consumers don't see that though and it makes it tough to compete, But the Lord has taken great care of us over the years and will continue to do so and maybe one day many of the company's throughout the industry will stop cut throating everyone and try to win job at a competitive rate and let the quality of their work be the deciding factor in whether they get the job or not. How is everyone doing though business wise????
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