We all know that plumbing is a hard, dirty job. Plumbers deal with heavy pipes, fittings, tools, dirt, dust – not to mention what’s inside some of those pipes. That’s part of the reason it costs so much to have plumbing work done. If it was an easy job everyone would do it, right?
But even with all the dust and dirt and waste that you must deal with daily as a plumber, it is important to keep yourself and your work area clean. In fact, when doing service work and dealing with the public on a regular basis, neatness is the most important thing to remember about being a successful plumber.
Anyone can learn to use tools. Heck, monkeys use tools. And anyone can go to school and get a journeyman plumber’s license. As with any job, and especially the trades, there are some workers who are smarter and more talented than others. But plumbing is not all that difficult to learn. Water flows downhill, hot goes on the left, cold on the right. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.
So how can you stand out from the other plumbers? It’s all about neatness and customer service. I can’t count how many customers over the years commented to me that we were the first plumbers they’d seen leave an area neater than when we started. And they never said this with a frown, believe me. When people are pleased with your customer service, they will call you again and refer you to others.
It’s not easy for a plumber to stay clean. It’s often a filthy job, and some dirt is to be expected. But use coveralls if necessary, and keep an extra set of clothes in the van just in case. If you show up at a customer’s house looking (or smelling) like you just crawled through a sewer, people won’t be happy. Would you want a filthy person walking through your home? First impressions do count. And when the job is finished, wipe, sweep, or vacuum your work area. It only takes a minute or two and it can be worth a lot in repeat business. Hence, it is advisable that as a plumber, you must be able to create some strategies on how you can appeal pleasant to your clients.
Remember, when people find a plumber they like, they tend to stick with that person for years. So first impressions and customer service are very important. You may be the best plumber around, but if you appear dirty and don’t pick up after yourself, chances are you won’t be getting a call back. Keep your appearance relatively clean, be friendly, courteous, and clean up when you are finished, and you will soon have all the work you can handle.
