Business Management - Articles | Plumbing & Mechanical

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.

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.

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

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.

Two engineers are wearing orange safety vests and hard hats and are looking at a laptop at a locomotive service station.

Amplify the trades: How technology and leadership multiply performance

Kenny Chapman

March 31, 2026

One often-overlooked factor in technology adoption is how the human brain responds to change. We’re naturally wired to seek familiarity and avoid uncertainty, especially in high-pressure environments like the trades. When new systems are introduced without context or preparation, the brain reads that change as a threat, triggering resistance or disengagement. That reaction isn’t stubbornness; it’s human nature.

ServiceTitan report finds AI adoption more than doubles among commercial contractors

Firms are turning to technology to navigate cost pressures.

March 30, 2026

Nearly 40% of contractors report measurable AI impact, up from 17% in 2025, signaling a shift toward technology-driven operations.

Guest Editorial | Mike Prencavage Jr. & Chris Lollini

Building a profitable plumbing business in an uncertain market

Why efficiency, community trust and disciplined leadership are becoming the real growth levers for contractors.

Chris Lollini

Mike Prencavage Jr.

March 20, 2026

The next era of the trades won’t be dominated solely by the most prominent brands or the loudest marketers. It will be shaped by operators who understand efficiency, protect their margins, and invest in genuine relationships.