A Male Perspective
He learned the plumbing trade during experiences ranging from a teenage helper to experienced employers and studying for certification as a Registered Master Plumber, eventually owning his own plumbing business.
FAMILY BACKGROUND
MB’s parents divorced when he was very young. He never had a relationship with his real father, who worked in the carpet business, selling, and installing. MB’s stepfather worked with his brother (MB’s uncle) in a plumbing business until his stepfather quit to run a coin operated washer / dryer business. MB continued as a helper in his uncle’s plumbing business, often digging ditches.
HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION IMPORTANT FOR CAREER SUCCESS
While MB passed courses within the general high school curriculum, he continued to work when not in school, as an assistant within his uncle’s business. During MB’s senior year in high school, he wanted to switch to the vo-tech (Vocational and Technical Education) program within his school district, but his application was denied since the school provided education only through age 18 and MB could not have completed all required vo-tech courses in one academic year.
MB’s general education courses involving basic math and basic reading and writing skills were essential to all his work within the plumbing trade since plumbers have take measurements, estimate costs of materials and labor, prepare customer invoices and compute both income and expenses for themselves and any employees.
EMPLOYER’S BUSINESS FAILURE NEED NOT DERAIL A CAREER
Following high school graduation, MB worked for a year with his step-uncle’s plumbing business, continuing to learn the trade, from assessing problems (e.g., leaks and inadequate water pressure) and their resolution to dealing politely with customers and their occasional revisions to the original scope of work. His uncle was a proficient plumber but not a good businessman, often failing to complete projects on time and within the original cost estimate.
When the uncle’s business folded, MB knew of other contractors needing plumbing assistance, so he quickly secured employment from a more stable businessman. By now, with three years’ plumbing experience, MB believed he could handle all aspects of the plumbing business but wisely assumed that if he took time to attend evening classes taught by experienced, licensed plumbers, he would likely add to his plumbing and business skills. Accordingly, MB enrolled in a local vo-tech school and attended two weekday, evening classes for 5 years. He added significantly to his knowledge and is glad he invested his off-duty time to improve his skills.
CAREER CHALLENGE – OVERLY DEMANDING EMPLOYER
MB worked for several master plumbers, leaving a job only when he had secured a better job opportunity involving steadier work hours and more regular pay. What would turn out to be his last employer was very demanding, especially for frequent, last-minute notice, required overtime. MB met that challenge by working every day and accepting all overtime assignments, believing his loyalty would give him some flexibility to take an occasional day off. However, it turned out that loyalty was not a “two-way street.” Deciding to accept his stepfather’s offer to celebrate MB’s 21st birthday by heading “down the shore” for a day, MB left a message with his employer’s answering machine that he would not come to work the next day. Following his day off, when BM returned to work, his employer was angry at him, so he finished out the day and then talked with a few others to consider quitting to start his own business.
TAKING A REASONABLE BUSINESS RISK
Asking himself, his wife, and a few trusted friends whether he could and should start his own plumbing business, MB considered all the relevant factors:
1. Could he afford to miss a few pay-days while continuing to financially support himself, his wife, and his new baby? (Yes, he had saved enough money to cover household expenses for two months)
2. Did he have the necessary experience to provide a full range of plumbing services if he was self-employed until he could afford to hire a helper? (Yes, his on-the-job training plus his night school courses provided sufficient plumbing and business skills)
3. Did he have a sufficient, potential customer base to secure steady work? (Yes, he had completed many side jobs, which had proved that “word of mouth” from satisfied customers was the best and most cost-effective advertising.)
4. Was he in good health and willing to work hard to succeed? (Yes, he was basically energetic and optimistic.)
5. Would his family support taking the risk by at least encouraging rather than discouraging him to start a new business? (Fortunately, yes. While a spouse’s emotional support is not required, such support does reduce stress and provides additional motivation to succeed; a spouse can be supportive in more than words, by deeds such as agreeing to postpone all discretionary spending until a firm financial basis is established.)
REQUIREMENTS TO BE A PLUMBER
(A) FORMAL – Requirements to qualify as a plumber vary from state to state and municipality to municipality and occasionally change so an interested tradesperson needs to check periodically. The following are general requirements:
* Journeyman – minimum age 18 with high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
* Attend and graduate from a plumbing trade school
* Recommended: seeking an apprenticeship
* Strive to obtain a plumbing license; to become a Master Plumber, must first work for two consistent years as a Journeyman, then pass a test involving both written and practical portions.
* To commence your own business, secure adequate liability insurance to cover any potential negligence on the job and involving your business transportation. If employing anyone, even on a part-time basis, be aware of applicable employer laws such as carrying worker compensation insurance and understanding what types of jobs are illegal to assign to certain age groups.
(B) PRACTICAL – in addition to being able to deal with complex piping issues (e.g., lead, cast iron, galvanized, copper and new variations of plastic), a plumber must be proficient in installing and repairing wallboard affected by plumbing.
Plumbing work is often very physically demanding; for example: crawling long distances with low overhead, lifting heavy, (very old) iron pipe and forcing rusted joints to unlock.
CAREER SATISFACTION
For MB, there are two aspects to his career satisfaction:
- Personal skill
Being a skilled and trusted craftsperson, able to diagnose and resolve all levels of plumbing issues, leading to customer referrals and business growth enabling – and requiring! – hiring assistants and then treating them fairly.
- Ability to take responsibility for others
Earning a living – either as an employee or self-employed – to include sufficient income to cover not only daily needs (and some reasonable “wants”) for yourself – and any others for whom you have responsibility to support – while also saving money to survive national economic / business down-turns and your personal, future retirement.
