Articles by Natalie Forster

Contractors and engineers see a marketplace that is stabilizing, even if margins remain tight. “We remain cautiously optimistic about plumbing industry market conditions in 2026,” says Jason Pritchard, president of the Plumbing-Heating-Contractors—National Association (PHCC). He notes that while uncertainty remains, moderate growth is expected for plumbing and HVAC contractors, though high prices driven by tariffs and inflation will continue to shape consumer behavior.

The technology itself isn’t new — cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) methods have been around for decades — but the conversation around it is changing fast. With infrastructure spending increasing and municipalities under pressure to minimize disruption, contractors who can confidently sell and explain trenchless rehabilitation are in a position to win more business than ever before.

Apprenticeship has long been the heartbeat of the plumbing and HVAC trades. But for today’s apprentices, training looks different than it did for their mentors and parents. With new online programs, flexible learning schedules, and updated curriculum that reflects the latest industry standards, apprentices are able to gain both the technical “booksmarts” and the on-the-job confidence needed to thrive.

When Brady Jolly steps into the office each morning, he’s carrying more than the responsibility of running a nearly 60-person business. He’s carrying forward the legacy of a company his parents founded back in 1979 — a company that has reinvented itself more than once and is today on a mission to "reimagine how the world experiences home services."

Women make up only 2-3% of the plumbing workforce and 8% of plumbing apprentices. In construction trades, they hold 3.9% of roles like plumber or pipefitter, a 32% increase since 2016, totaling over 314,000 tradeswomen, according to the Institute of Women’s Policy Research.

Baby Boomers own the most homes in the U.S., but Millennials and Gen Z are gaining. In 2024, Millennials made up 29% of homebuyers, while 33% of older Gen Z members (around 27) are homeowners, compared to about 40% of the same-age Baby Boomers.

With over 75,000 square feet of fabrication space, cutting-edge technology, and a “Care First” safety culture that prioritizes both physical and mental well-being, Arden’s success is not just measured in projects completed—but in the trust earned across generations of clients and partners.

Plumbing contractors are engaging directly with legislators to promote policies for clean water, workforce development, and resilient plumbing. Over 100 PHCC members, leaders, and industry stakeholders met in Washington from May 20–21 to support industry issues.

The 2025 survey asked a handful of simple questions, starting with, “What is your most-used plumbing tool?” Nearly 25% of respondents said Channel Locks, while the majority of other contractors shared that their most-reached-for tool is a set of pump pliers. Adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers, specifically Philips-head, are notably popular as well.

Plumbing & Mechanical sat down with Bruce Carnevale, CEO of Bradford White, just after its most recent acquisition of Bock Water Heats, to learn the strategy behind this aggressive expansion approach.