How to Increase Your Plumbing Business
Plumbing businesses have great job security; there will always be toilets and sinks to fix, new homes requiring plumbing and underground pipes transporting water to homes and businesses. But there's no need to rest on your laurels. Strong plumbing companies are always looking for ways to increase business. Learn how to improve a plumbing business by tapping into marketing and organizational ideas.
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Offer senior discounts. This may not sound like a new idea as plenty of businesses offer discounts for seniors. But plumbing businesses have a special reason for offering senior discounts. Some seniors live alone and face decreased physical agility. Dealing with a major plumbing problem can seem like a frightening prospect for seniors fearing rip-offs, poor quality work or welcoming strangers into their home. Offering discounts and consistent, friendly service helps assuage those worries. Seniors will become more likely to refer a trusted plumbing business to other friends and family members.
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Hire bilingual staff. This will help particularly in neighborhoods with high immigrant populations or large worksites with construction and other laborers whose first language isn't English. Not only does it make customers feel more comfortable to negotiate pricey or confusing plumbing work orders when they're able to do so in their first language, but it can increase workplace efficiency when Spanish-speaking plumbers are able to quickly communicate with other laborers on the job, for example.
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Offer seasonal specials. For example, if your plumbing business features air conditioning or heating services, offer complimentary equipment inspections for work orders exceeding $100. Or offer discounts for smaller bathroom remodels during the fall, when many homeowners prepare for holiday visitors by updating faucets, unclogging showers or fixing leaky toilets.
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Invite high school shop classes for plumbing demonstrations or sponsor a community water polo team to build community partnerships. Offering internships through community college work-study programs or plumbing safety workshops helps get the company name out into the community, increasing the chances that new customers will give you a try the next time a plumbing repair is needed.
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Incorporate technology. Too many plumbing businesses operate as an old-fashioned mom-and-pop enterprise, not realizing the potential for increasing business through the use of technology. A company website can host photos of successful bathroom or kitchen remodels, provide directions and allow customers to fill out online work orders. GPS systems permit plumbers to find home and business addresses more quickly to complete job assignments. Smartphones can allow working plumbers to submit work orders, invoicing or payments on-the-job, reducing overall paperwork and billing hours.
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References
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