Business Management - Articles | Plumbing & Mechanical

A graphic showing an arrow moving upward, with "PHCP-PVF Price Increases" written above it.

PHCP-PVF Price Increases May 2026

May 18, 2026

Plumbing and PVF manufacturers announced another round of price adjustments in May, with most increases falling in the low- to mid-single-digit range, while select product categories, including press fittings, grooved products, valves, PVC fittings, and specialty piping systems, saw larger increases.

A person attending a virtual class on a computer.

87% of HVAC and Plumbing Contractors Are Invisible When Homeowners Ask AI

Most independent HVAC and plumbing contractors have effectively zero AI citation share in their own metro and category.

Ronn Torossian

May 7, 2026

When a homeowner under 50 opens ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews and asks "my AC stopped working — who do I call" or "best plumber in my city," the answer is almost never one of the 230,000 small or independent contractors in the U.S.

Chief People Officer at Foundral, Milisa O'Reilly.

How Plumbing Contractors Can Grow Without Losing Their Team

Why frontline leadership, communication, and culture are critical to scaling a contracting business without increasing turnover.

Kristen R. Bayles

May 4, 2026

As contractors focus on growth, strong supervisors and clear communication are becoming essential to workforce stability.

Guest Editorial | Heather Ripley

The biggest interview mistakes plumbing contractors make with journalists

Strategic media coverage can elevate your company's reputation and position your leadership as industry experts.

Heather Ripley

April 27, 2026

As a contractor, one area you may overlook or may not fully understand is how media visibility can promote your business more effectively than traditional marketing or advertising.

Editorial Opinion | Kristen Bayles

AI can't fix a leak

Why automation may elevate plumbers, and other skilled trades, to the top of the labor market.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 23, 2026

A recent interview with the former CEO of Uber shows that jobs in the trades are on their way to being seen in a new way.

How manufacturers are reframing risk, resilience and return in 2026

In an uncertain market, predictive maintenance and domestic manufacturing are emerging as the new pillars of risk management and competitive strength.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 22, 2026

Bryan O'Toole and Paul Spradling weigh in on the state of the manufacturing market, and what it means for contractors.

Rethinking upselling: guide, don't sell

What contractors get wrong about upselling, and how to fix it.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 17, 2026

When options are framed around lifestyle improvements rather than just technical fixes, customers are far more likely to engage, understand the value and ultimately choose what’s right for them.

What's the best-paying state for a plumber?

Recent research from Construction Coverage shows which states and cities offer plumbers the highest wages.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 3, 2026

Plumbing remains a stable and essential career, but the competition for talent is increasing. Contractors who understand regional wage trends and adjust accordingly will be better positioned to attract and retain the workforce they need.

And So It Flows Podcast

Podcast: Rethinking Upselling

It’s all about service, not sales

Kristen R. Bayles

April 3, 2026

Editor Kristen Bayles spoke with Blake Turner, master trainer at Nexstar, to discuss the misconceptions surrounding "upselling," and how through a few simple steps — focusing on communication, presenting options, and helping customers make informed decisions — contractors can improve both the customer experience and their business outcomes, without ever feeling like a salesperson.

PHCP-PVF price increases April 2026

Targeted increases across plastics, metals and HVAC components continue into April.

Natalie Forster

April 2, 2026

The latest round of adjustments, effective from mid-March through mid-April, reflects that same trend, with measured increases across venting systems, brass and PVF components, HVAC parts, controls and copper fittings.