If you like the idea of setting up in business as a plumber you may already know that it is a competitive field. If you want to start a business as a Sydney Plumber then you need to be prepared for hard work and some highs and lows along the way. You also need to make sure you are licensed and insured. You are going to attract far more customers if they know you are qualified at the trade and they know they can trust you to be safe and reliable.
Once you have all of these aspects covered then you are ready to make a start but not before you do some careful planning. We are going to take a look at why this planning process is so important. We are also going to examine what you can do to help your plumbing business grow once you are up and running.
Why planning is important when you start a plumbing business
One of the biggest mistakes that professional plumbers make when they start out in business on their own is underestimating overheads. You need to be precise when calculating the amount of money it will cost to run the business otherwise you could end up in a bad financial situation very quickly. You also need to be aware of the amount of time you will spend on actual business activities rather than on plumbing.
Many plumbers find that they eventually take a step back from the plumbing role as the business expands, so they can concentrate on being a business manager. You should put a business plan in place which includes realistic expectations of when you expect to break even and start making a profit. Most plumbers expect this to be within the first one to two years but there is nothing to stop you aiming for earlier than that.
How to make sure the business grows
One of the most important aspects of business planning is putting into place a business growth strategy. You need to know what actions you are going to take to help your business expand. One of the most important growth influencing factors for a small plumbing business is word of mouth. If you do a good job then the customer is likely to recommend you to others, whether face to face or across social media.
For this reason you may want to put certain customer service procedures in place, such as providing a follow-up service or discounts if a customer uses your service more than once. You should also make sure you have a current online presence whether it’s a website, a social media presence, or both. This enables you to provide useful content for customers and prospective customers. Remember it’s important to not just stick to deals and offers. If you provide advice and tips to customers they will value you as a knowledgeable professional.
It’s not easy to set up your own plumbing business but it can be done. You need to take time to plan carefully, be prepared to work hard and be realistic in your expectations.
