Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor

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Jobs like yours are dangerous. You knew when you started your career that you and your crew would be at risk of injury most days. But you were willing to take the chance anyway because you love what you do. As a contractor, you also know that without proper safety training, everyone on your team is a sitting duck waiting for a life-changing injury.

Sustainable leadership in home services focuses on long-term success by investing in people and processes. Companies with this approach see 47% higher revenue growth and 36% greater profitability, while those offering professional development enjoy 94% higher employee retention.

This has been busier than normal heating season. I suppose this winter was colder than most in the last decade. For the first time in years, we had to make numerous repairs to frozen pipes. There were many late nights and weekends that required me or my men to work extra hours. I’m sure we were not alone.

As end users become more aware of and knowledgeable about the damaging effects of PFAS, microplastics, other chemicals, and hard water, plumbing professionals must be up-to-date with the latest water treatment and filtration technologies on the market. Plumbing & Mechanical sat down with Sara Krupa, category manager, filtration at Moen, to talk all things water filtration.

In the world of service contractors — where time, labor and oftentimes materials — are in limited supply, establishing a brand and marketing strategy aren’t always top of mind. For Texas-based plumbing contractor, Plumbing Outfitters, undergoing a rebrand was about much more than portraying an image.

The availability of heat pumps allows designers and installers of hydronic heating to include cooling. A simple method involves using a single air handler with a chilled water coil for a ducted distribution system, providing single zone cooling that can complement multi-zone hydronic heating in average houses.

There is a fine line between running a profitable business and taking advantage of customers; ethics, values, transparency and consistency are the standout factors that make sure you’re riding the right side of the line.

As the morning passed, crowds thinned and by midmorning, you have unfettered access to folks working booths who are happy to see you and eager to show off their wares. This is by far the best time to establish inside contacts and create bonds with manufacturers.

Jane Withers' character, “Josephine the Plumber,” in Comet commercials was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. However, women remain underrepresented in plumbing, which faces a shortage of service plumbers. Recruiting more women could help address this shortage.

Small businesses can attract new talent by allowing employees to share in the company's success. Offering phantom stock and profit-sharing can help employees feel valued and invested, moving beyond just earning a paycheck.