is there room for a little one

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dazjon

New Member
Hi people

I'm thinking about doing plumbing and starting up in st albans. I'm good at bathrooms and kitchens, though I haven't had much experience on central heating.
My plan is to start with the basics, offering bathroom and kitchen refurbs and emergency repairs. I'm sure that I will get asked to do repairs on central heating as part of my business, but I plan to just stick to working on radiators for now and leave the boilers and stuff to others.
Is there still enough demand for new plumbing businesses? I know that now is not the best time, but people always need plumbers don't they.
Any constructive points and things to watch out for will be greatfully appreciated.
 
And what qualifications will you have to show to your customers before commencement of dodgy work by a dodgy geezer.

Give it a miss mate,theres enuff idiots out there without you adding to it,if that seems brutal talk,you aint seen nothing yet.
 
Hi thanks for the reply. I haven't got any formal qualifications at the moment but I am doing a course. I've already done some jobs in my own home and a couple for family and friends. They turned out alright with not too many problems which is what gives me the confidence to think I can make a go of it.
I know that there are plenty of idiots out there but I'm determined to go about things in the right way. I have a few bob behind me (redundancy)and a half decent pension for back up. I'm planning on getting a nice new van with good signwriting and backing it up with some good advertising.
 
don't know what happened there, I was going to ask do you think this all sounds feasible in the present climate?
Or will I be wasting my noney.
 
Any constructive points and things to watch out for will be greatfully appreciated

When I 1st saw your post, I smiled inwardly, thinking you've come to the wrong place for that!

Anyway, I don't do plumbing, and have never been to St. Albans, but I do know this is the hardest period I've had for 20 years.

Theres loads of "site" plumbers looking for domestic work - and they are QUICK.

Have you done a business plan? Have you got an idea of your hourly rate? I've seen loads of guys come and go, and the one thing in common is undercharging, and so not earning enough. When the van blows up, or your PLI needs renewal, the cash isn't there.

My one real peice of advice is to get an accountant before your first job, but make sure he's experienceed in trades
 
Thank you gasman, you make some good points. I haven't worked out an hourly rate yet. I thought it might be fairer to customers to charge by the job. i.e. if a job takes me 3 hrs but I know a faster plumber would do it in one, then I'll just charge the one hrs labour. This in itself means I'll have to get faster quick. I haven't done a business plan yet, I'm sort of researching for it at the moment. Which is why I came on here to hopefully get some pointers off the experienced guys like yourself.
 
Take onboard what Gasman said, it's good advice!

I think your customers will appreciate fixed prices where possible, it doesn't matter so much if your a bit slow at first as long as you aren't expecting your customers to pay for your lack of speed.

Concentrate on quality, the speed will come later.

Good luck.
 
Good luck.

Speeds got nothing to do with it you plonker,its not a * assembly line,wot a load of *.Good luck ***



[Edited by: admin]
 
"I'm planning on getting a nice new van with good signwriting and backing it up with some good advertising".


Oh well thats it then , yer off and going then bud ,can't fail , what more do yas need !!!
I see your fairly new on here , well you've certainly cheered me up wiv your first few posts , keep it up mate :^O :^O
 
How many more gullible souls are there out there?

Don't people realise there is the biggest building slump since time began and endless HIGHLY QUALIFIED and SKILLED plumbers chasing what little work there is!

Goo Luck!

You're gonna need it!
 
Hi dazjon I started out about 18 months ago and it has been hard and stressful when there are periods of very little work. However I have persevered and can confidently say yes, I am busy and getting busier every month.

I focus my business on emergency work and drain clearing, I have also got to know a few gas guys who I do subbing work for, and have learnt loads from them.

I will however forewarn you the courses really do not prepare you for the real world so be very careful as to what work you take on.

As mentioned earlier by Gasman you really need to organize a business plan and fully understand your costs. My business is now averaging 5-6k month turnover, which I am pleased with as my costs to run my business are small.

I am sure you will meet Mr Puller soon along with Captain Incontinence who do not approve of the likes of you or me. Don't let it worry you lol some of them here have very large ego's.
 
"Don't let it worry you lol some of them here have very large ego's"

:^O :^O - Nice one Loz , I like it , I take it your including yerself as well in that comment :^O

Especially when yer turning over 5-6k a month shovelling ***** :^O :^O
 
Indeed GKU I do include myself in the equation! But to be honest I feel my business has done well in such difficult times, there is money out there but you need to work for it.

:)
 
SpongeBlob is right, spedd has nothing to do with it.

If it takes you 3 days to do a thirty quid job you'll earn just as much as if you did 3 thirty quid jobs in 3 days.

Not only is blobby a plumber he is also a business guru ***!
 
I appreciate all of the replies, thank you.
Copper dragon, way to go mate, you are showing that it can be done. Whereabouts are you out of curiosity? Mind you I don't really fancy drain clearing much, is that where the money is though. I was hoping to get enough work out of bathrooms and kitchens, garden taps, radiator swaps you know, that sort of thing. Still if needs must I suppose I'll have to buy some gauntlets and overalls. It seems to me that you are doing ok with 5-6 thousand pounds a month, that's the kind of figure I was hoping for in the first year. With a bit more afterwards.
 
Wheres Mr Puller? 5-6k/month in 1st year and maybe an increase to 8-10 the 2nd year?
The only way you'll 'turn over' these figures is supplying bathrooms!
Loz is getting your hopes up a bit, he may be doing these figures but if he is he's not the average man at the moment
 
Is this realy the plumbing forum? Where's all the abuse & put downs:( I think I better log-off & log-on again!!!
 
Listen son you are a CC/CCC course cowboy or career change chancer.

Give it a month & you'll be bankrupt a working the graveyard shift down at ASDA. You are clueless!!

As others have said, there's 1000's of fast good site Plumbers out there breaking their neck for work. So you'll starve......LOL!!!
 
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