If you could give one piece of advice to newly qualified plumbers, what would it be?

[Lou]

What advice would you give to a new starter in the business and why? What has been the one thing you've been told that has helped you out over the years?

 

[quality]

Get into renewables

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Take your time and ask if you don't know / stuck

Buy decent quality tools and gear

Don't buy cheap materials

Don't be on your phone all day

 

[kris]

Run Forrest Run


Just kidding ,, really stick in and forget about dreaming for the weekend to come just enjoy your work,

 

[kozak1968]

Be patience. Your chance will come.

 

[townfanjon]

Where do you start ....lol , personality, I would just do quality repeat quality bathrooms ( I know its crap mind numbing work ) but it pays best IMO . Your average custard will put a few grand in to a bathroom and think nothing of it , but moan like hell when the boiler needs changing .

 

[Best]

Always do work to highest standard.
Never rush work at a risk to mistakes or inferior workmanship.
Try to only work on decent jobs.
Try to work for only decent people.
Charge enough to cover your wages and all your overheads and still leaving you with a profit.
Don't overwork too often and avoid any stress.
Take holidays.
Get yourself a wife that has a decent job

 

[cr0ft]

The #1 thing I would say is don't be a busy fool!! There are people around where I live charging £40 to do a boiler service for example. There are people around here charging £85 for a boiler service. Which one would you rather be. Wish I could have gone back in time from 2011 to 2008 to tell myself this!

2011 was when I realised I wasn't charging nearly enough!

 

[turnpin]

Get in all in writing and signed.....be flexible as possible with your customers but don't let them dictate to you ....try and keep a healthy work/life balance....above all enjoy what you do....regards Turnpin

 

[CP1111]

Basics
Treat customers house better than your own
Ask to use the toilet
Thanks them for the coffee/biscuits/cake

 

[Last Plumber]

Look after your business and your business will look after you.

Remember. your customers are the reason your business exists, they are never to feel like an inconvenience.

Make hay whilst the sun shines.

When the Bank balance looks healthy, don't make the mistake of thinking i'll ease up or i'll spend it on something extravagant.

Make sure your work is the best quality and the materials you use are the same.

Be nice, get on well with your customers, you could be the most brainy Engineer in the world but if they individual you're working for doesn't like you, you're done!

Honesty and being trustworthy count with most people.

 

[Sid Viscous]

If you've just finished college, remember you know nothing! This is where your education starts, out in the field. It's a totally different world! As others have mentioned, customer care is number one. If you're setting up on your own, good luck, it's tough out there. I don't want to scare anyone, just be prepared.

 

[Darren Jackson]

Don't be afraid to ask for help & advice, If you don't know or not sure of what to do, say so. we've all been there.

 

[heliotrope]

Pay as much as you can comfortably afford into a good private
pension scheme. I did not take notice of the old boys, hence I
am still working into my 70s.

 

[gas tec]

Don't ever...ever bite your nails.

When you get in the van at the end of the day, leave the stress of the job behind you.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Do a good job for a fair price and never trust a plumber who wears wellies

 

[brum]

Wear knee pads wish they were built in to trousers when I was younger wouldn't be suffering now .... brum

 

[paulusgg]

Plumbing would be a great career if it wasn't for water and customers!!

 

[brum]

And the brown stuff...brum

 

[Bespokeboy]

I would reiterate "Heliotrops" advice on getting a private pension. When your young this may not seem a priority, but like him I'm having to work into my late sixties through not starting at an early age, then not putting enough money into it each month. Living on a state pension provides you with an income for the basics of existence and not much more. By the time YOU retire, current political talk leads me to believe their won't be a state pension to be had so your own provision is essential.
Beware though, where and who you take advice from; it's a mine field out there and you need the best advice. As a starter, look on the governments "Pensions advisory Service" website. If a pension doesn't appeal to you my flippant advice is to find a rich woman/man and keep hold of them. I'm still looking!

 

[king of pipes]

You are only a guest in your customers home treat it with respect , work clean and tidy and communicate well .

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Always wear ppe, your not hard or old skool because you use the grinder with no guard and no googles!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Always wear ppe, your not hard or old skool because you use the grinder with no guard and no googles!

esp when it takes a chunk out of your hand

 

[hENRYDAC]

What advice would you give to a new starter in the business and why? What has been the one thing you've been told that has helped you out over the years?

The customer is King

 

[justlead1]

If one has a modicum of experience, knowledge and qualifications in the plumbing heating game. Based on a lot of years at it. I would strongly recommend specialising in one aspect of the game. This is not easy if you live in the middle of the country but in towns and city's it will work. Plumbing and heating offers a massive range of subjects and there are very few who can do it all with confidence, ability and make a good living. By specialising your marketing hits the people that want it, so less time wasting. Goods become cheaper because you by more than most. If you choose right it saves phone calls at unearthly hours. Over the years i have seen lot of success by people who have:- fitted posh bathrooms (Bath Store), unblocking drains (dyno rod), servicing gas appliance, zinc roofing, copper roofing, bore holes, sprinkler systems, wood burning stoves, thrust boring, solar work, eco stuff, The list is endless. But the longevity is not so, there may well be a few changes in a plumbers life.

 

[A chant]

What advice would you give to a new starter in the business and why? What has been the one thing you've been told that has helped you out over the years?

Keep your work area tidy

 

[SimonG]

Stay off internet forums.