Plumbing Business

INTRODUCTION Plumbing (from the Latin plum bum for lead as pipes were once made from lead) is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment such as water heaters. The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy due to the need for clean water, and proper collection and transport of wastes.Plumbing also refers to a system of pipes and fixtures installed in a building for the distribution of potable water and the removal of waterborne wastes. Plumbing is usually distinguished from water and sewage systems, in that a plumbing system serves one building, while water and sewage systems serve a group of buildings or a city. The name of my small plumbing business is water tubes plumbing co. it is located at obehie, very close to veritas university, it provides homes with the best of plumbin g services, with a great range of new equipment. Executive SummaryWater Tubes Plumbing  is a Eugene-based plumbing company that has chosen residential new homes as their niche. Water Tubes will be able to handle any service request for plumbing of volume home builds or custom new homes. By concentrating on a specific segment of the market, Water Tubes will be able to rapidly gain market share  demonstrating their proficiency and professionalism in serving a specific market niche. Water Tubes will leverage their competitive edges of professionalism and trim quality by properly training all of their employees and impress customers who are used to the lackadaisical attitude of most plumbers.Water Tubes will have a total of four employees and will reach profitability by month eight. Objectives The objectives for the first three years of operation include: To  develop a  company whose primary goal is to exceed customer's expectations. To increase sales so in four to five years Do n can hire another master plumber. To create a sustainable business, surviving off its own cash flow. Mission Water Tubes Plumbing's  mission is to provide the finest new house plumbing installation. We exist to attract and maintain customers. When we adhere to this maxim, everything else will fall into place.Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers. Keys to Success The keys to success are to provide the customer with a fair price and outstanding service. Materials Water systems of ancient times relied on gravity for the supply of water, using pipes or channels usually made of clay, lead, bamboo or stone. Present-day water-supply systems use a network of high-pressure pumps, and pipes are now made of copper, brass, plastic, or other nontoxic material. Present-day drain and vent lines are made of plastic, steel, cast-iron, and lead. Lead is not used in modern water-supply piping due to its toxicity.The ‘straight' sections of plumbing systems are of pipe or t ube. A pipe is typically formed via casting or welding, where a tube is made through extrusion. Pipe normally has thicker walls and may be threaded or welded, where tubing is thinner-walled and requires special joining techniques such as ‘brazing', ‘compression fitting', ‘crimping', or for plastics, ‘solvent welding'. Fittings and valves In addition to the straight pipe or tubing, many fittings are required in plumbing systems, such as valves, elbows, tees, and unions. The piping and plumbing fittings and valves articles discuss these features further. FixturesPlumbing fixtures are designed for the end-users. Some examples of fixtures include water closets (also known as toilets), urinals, bidets, showers, bathtubs, utility and kitchen sinks, drinking fountains, ice makers, humidifiers, air washers, fountains, and eye wash stations. Equipment Plumbing equipment, not present in all systems, include, for example, water meters, pumps, expansion tanks, backflow p reventers, filters, water softeners, water heaters, heat exchangers, gauges, and control systems. Now there is equipment that is technologically advanced and helps plumbers fix problems without the usual hassles.For example, plumbers use video cameras for inspections of hidden leaks or problems, they use hydro jets, and high pressure hydraulic pumps connected to steel cables for trench-less sewer line replacement. Systems Copper piping system in a building with in tumescent fire stop being installed by an insulator, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The major categories of plumbing systems or subsystems are: Potable cold and hot water supply Traps, drains, and vents Septic systems Rainwater, surface, and subsurface water drainage Fuel gas pipingFor their environmental benefit and sizable energy savings hot water heat recycling units are growing in use throughout the residential building sectors. Further ecological concern has seen increasing interest in grey-water recovery and tr eatment systems. Self-leveling silicone fire stop installation in mechanical service penetration in 2 hour rated concrete floor. Fire stopping is required where mechanical pent rants traverse fire-resistance rated wall and floor assemblies, or membranes thereof. This work is usually done worldwide by the insulation trade and/or specialty fire stop sub-contractors.Regulation Much of the plumbing work in populated areas is regulated by government or quasi-government agencies due to the direct impact on the public's health, safety, and welfare. Plumbing installation and repair work on residences and other buildings generally must be done according to plumbing and building codes to protect the inhabitants of the buildings and to ensure safe, quality construction to future buyers. If permits are required for work, plumbing contractors typically secure them from the authorities on behalf of home or building owners.In the United Kingdom the professional body is the newly Chartered Institut e of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (educational charity status) and it is true that the trade still remains virtually ungoverned; there are no systems in place to monitor or control the activities of unqualified plumbers or those home owners who choose to undertake installation and maintenance works themselves, despite the health and safety issues which arise from such works when they are undertaken incorrectly – see Health Aspects of Plumbing (HAP) published jointly by the World Health Organization(WHO) [8] and the World Plumbing Council (WPC) [6].WPC has subsequently appointed a representative to the World Health Organization to take forward various projects related to Health Aspects of Plumbing. Starting up a plumbing business Well, if you are starting your own business involving skilled workers working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for water systems and drainage, then you should know exactly where your plumber is. If you wish to launch your own plumbing busi ness, the first thing that you should decide on is what kind of plumbing business you wish to start: service-oriented or product-oriented.If you are a business entrepreneur and you want to start a product-oriented plumbing business, you basically act as a supplier of pipes and tubing paraphernalia. You can also sell tools and other equipments to supplement your plumbing supply business. On the other hand, a service-oriented plumbing business can go two ways: a plumbing and heating business, and a fix-‘er-upper. The former is a business arrangement where you set up the necessary components of plumbing, heating and drainage in any architectural structure. The latter, on the other hand, is the most common type of small business plumbing type.The fix-‘er-upper (from the term fix her up) is when a house owner calls up a plumber to fix a broken sink or a clogged toilet, etc. This kind of business can still be categorized further as contractor and small business plumbing. For p urposes of discussion in this article, we will detail what business entrepreneurs need to do in order to start a fix-‘er-upper plumbing business. Obviously, you would need a plumber for this trade, preferably a skilled plumber who can install and repair piping systems, plumbing fixtures and water heaters.If you are a contractor, you need to know where to find reliable and trustworthy plumbers. Try to hire ones that have the most experience and are able to do quick work with minimal supervision. If you have inexperienced workers, it would be best to apprentice them with your veteran plumbers on their first few runs. As a contractor, it is your duty to buy the equipments and tools your workers need, get them to your clients when called and bill your clients accordingly. The plumbing business is a lucrative trade, if and when your plumbers can get to a job on time.Starting a plumbing business like this entails registering your business, acquiring a plumbing business license and e ven maybe acquiring plumbing business software so that you can bill your clients immediately and precisely. Transportation is important. The other type of fix-‘er-upper plumbing business involves just you, provided of course that you are a plumber. As a micro-entrepreneur, you can start this business from home; you don’t even need a complicated business set up as long as you’ve got the skills and tools to do the job.A successful business of this sort still needs to be registered and licensed, so don’t overlook that. Your business success is actually dependent on two things: how well you do your job (that your clients will seek and refer your services often) and how well you advertise your trade. As a plumbing business owner, you know that your services will not have a running start unless people know that you are a plumber, and that your services are available. Plumbing business cards are essential.If you can’t afford these as of yet, putting up fly ers and home-made posters can do most of the advertising for you. However, nothing beats word-of-mouth advertising. So tell your friends and family members that you are starting a plumbing business and ask them to help refer you to potential clients. Know the local requirements In addition to understanding the general guidelines for setting up any small business, you must explore the specific professional, legal and regulatory guidelines that are required to set up and operate a plumbing business in your locality.Licensing Professional licensing and certification requirements must be obtained to start and operate a plumbing business. Each state may have a different name for its licensing agency, but typically they have a name like The Department of Business ; Professional Regulation or the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Seek assistance from local business development providers You can also seek guidance and assistance from organizations in your area such as the local chapter of score or a local Small Business Development Center. Seek assistance from trade groupsBefore setting up a plumbing contracting business, find out if there is a local chapter of a national trade association like the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (see link below) who can provide you with information about the requirements of setting up a plumbing business in your area. After being established, a membership in such organizations can provide you access to business and management training, along with professional development resources. Marketing a plumbing business It takes time and effort to grow any small business.As is the case with most service industries, plumbers tend to find most of their customers through word of mouth. The key to great word of mouth referrals is to provide great service at a reasonable cost to your current customers. Traditionally, telephone Yellow Page listings are important to developing business for residential repair and maintenance bus iness. Internet advertising, especially search advertising, is becoming more and more important to any professional service provider like plumbers. You need to know how to make sure that potential customers find your company's name when they search for a plumber in your vicinity.Franchise and cooperative marketing plumbing businesses Rather than create a totally new plumbing business, some plumbers consider buying a franchise of a national or regional franchise plumbing company. (Be sure to read the SmallBusiness. com Guide to Franchising for important suggestions and background on things you should explore when considering becoming a franchisee. ) In some locations, independent contractors may enter into joint marketing cooperatives that allow them to gain referrals and other marketing services in exchange for a recurring fee or commission. Plumbing Business PlanIf you are to open A Plumbing Business you will need to do a lot of things! We have no doubt that if you are to open A Pl umbing Business you will understand everything about the Plumbing Business but we can help you with a simple checklist of the things that every business has to do. Decide whether to buy an existing business, start a new business, or buy a franchise. Decide on the form of business: partnership, limited company, corporation or sole proprietorship. Estimate how much cash you will need to start your business advertising, fixtures, decorating, inventory, fees, working capital, etc. and estimate your monthly expenses.If the business will be incorporated you must decide where. If you will form a partnership, draft the partnership agreement. Check local laws in regard to zoning, permits, and licenses your business may require. Obtain a minute book, corporate seal, and stock certificates. Conduct a market analysis to determine the viability of your enterprise. Select and reserve a corporate name (first and second choices). Select officers and directors (names, addresses, and Social Security numbers). Develop marketing, advertising, and public relations plans. Develop a capitalization / borrowing / credit / debt service plan and cash flow plan ObjectivesThe objectives for the first three years of operation include: To  develop a  company whose primary goal is to exceed customer's expectations. To increase sales so in four to five years Don can hire another master plumber. To create a sustainable business, surviving off its own cash flow. Profitably carry out quality Hydraulic projects within Australia whilst:  · Producing workmanship in excess of our clients requirements.  · Completing projects earlier than the contracted completion dates.  · Ensuring the health and safety of employees and the general public.  · Minimising disturbance to and effects on the environment. Providing secure and satisfying employment for all employees. A sample of a company’s plumbing plan Company Summary Water Tubes Plumbing, soon to be located in Eugene, OR, will offer pl umbing services for residential new houses as well as custom new houses. The business will be based out of Don Roto's house. Water Tubes will have four employees by the end of the year. Start-up Summary Water Tubes will require the following equipment and materials: Two trucks (used) fitted with a pipe rack on top. Assorted pipes (different diameters and materials). Assorted fittings.A 30 gallon bucket to store fittings. Pipe wrenches. Reciprocating saw. Circular saw. Whole hog (high torque right angle drill). Cordless screw gun. Propane torch. Cast iron pipe cutter. Extension cords. Pipe dope (Teflon tape in paste form). Computer with CD-RW, printer, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks Pro. Desk, chair, and filling cabinet, and assorted stationary. Mobile phone. Please note that the items which are considered assets to be used for more than a year will be labeled long-term assets and will be depreciated using G. A. A. P. approved straight-line depreciation method.