Tony Gee • April 21, 2022

How To Manage Your Plumbing Company So You Can Grow & Scale

How to manage your plumbing company so you can grow & scale


Managing your plumbing business in the short term is important, but planning for long-term business growth is also necessary due to the high competition in the plumbing industry. As a plumbing business owner, it is important to know how you can manage your plumbing company so you can grow and scale. Even if you manage to sell like crazy, you need to know how you will be able to deliver to all those new customers.


If growth causes your plumbing company to stumble because of confusion, you are going to have unhappy customers. That’s why it is important to know you to grow and scale your plumbing business. Scaling is all about building capacity and capability. It means setting the stage to enable and support growth for your plumbing company. Here, we will discuss the 11 most important things to know about growing and scaling a plumbing business.


1. Get More Customers


Customers are the actual people who keep your plumbing business running. If there are no phone calls, there would be no use of your expertise. You won't make any money and run out of business. So, it is essential to maintain a constant flow of customers. In fact, the more customers you get, the more your plumbing business can grow. But how can you do that? Here are some tips for that:


Create a Marketing Plan


To make the most out of your marketing, you need a good marketing plan. Tony Gee can help you come up with a good marketing plan for your plumbing business. Schedule an appointment with him here


Build a Website


Having a well-designed plumber website, not only increases your online visibility, but also makes you more reliable. Get a website designed by a professional marketing agency. We recommend hiring a marketing agency that specializes with marketing for plumbers, such as Strictly Plumbers Inc.


Focus on SEO


Once your website is ready, get it checked by an SEO specialist who would analyze if your website has all the relevant keywords which it needs to rank in top Google search results. 

SEO is not about keywords, it entails a deep strategy that can only be handled by an expert.


Google My Business (GMB)


Make sure your plumbing company is listed on Google places so you can increase your online visibility. Apart from GMB, look for other sites where your potential customers might be looking for hiring a plumber and list your business over there too.

 

Social media


I'm sure you’ve heard about it before, but yes, social media is something you should be involved in. It does take work, but the ROI isn’t there for all types of businesses. Consider having a business page on social platforms, like Twitter, Facebook, Yelp and more.


Reviews


Aside from social media platforms, you can ask your customers to give you a review through your business website itself. If potential customers or those looking for your business’s services saw your previous clients’ good reviews on your website, it will further encourage them to choose your business.


Local Community Involvement


Another way to get more customers is by getting involved in your local community. Consider joining local charity drives, events and other sponsor local teams. If you can help your community and choose to do so, they might return the favor and support you.


2. Make Sure Have Enough Tools and Equipment


You need to ensure that your plumbers have enough tools and equipment to handle the high demand of your plumbing services. Be sure to have following tools and equipment:


Plumber Wrenches


- Pipe wrench

-Adjustable wrench

-Basin wrench

-Faucet key

-Torque wrench

-Internal pipe wrench


Drain Cleaning Tools


-Plungers

-Hand auger

-Snake machine

-Drain inspection camera

-Hydro jetting machines


Plumbing Safety Tools


-Gloves

-Goggles

 -Heat shields or pads


3. Get More Vans


Plumbing businesses rely on mobility, which makes a plumbing work van an indispensable asset when scaling your plumbing company. Make sure the plumbing van always carries the basic tools of the trade. Standard safety gear includes gloves, safety glasses, and knee pads. Carry a basic first-aid kit, complete with gauze, antiseptics, and other essential aids. Plumbers also require other assets like a pencil, sharpie, sandpaper, tape measure, and a pocket level.


 They also need solder flux, voltmeter, voltage tester, and drain machine. Drills, cordless saws, and press guns are must-have power tools for a plumber. Likewise, always carry basic hand tools such as tube cutters, torch, fitting brush, Allen Wrench Set, Cable Saw, and hammer.


With all these tools and equipment, it is important to ensure that your plumbing vans are well organized. Not only will this allow your staff to get the job done smoothly, but also they allow them to do it faster and more efficiently.


4. Hire more workers


As your business grows, you’ll certainly realize that you need to hire more plumbers. If you keep your customers waiting too long, they will go elsewhere for their current and future plumbing needs. Recruiting the right plumbers is not easy and should be thought of as another sales channel in your growing business. It's important to have a recruitment strategy that spans multiple digital channels to reach the right job seekers and not just any job seeker.


A well-established Plumber Marketing Agency knows the ins and outs of hiring the best workers for your plumbing business. We offer a special service that will do this for you and we can help you hire a good plumber for your company, the fee for this service starts at only $349. We would love to help you hire a good plumber. Click Here to access our complete guide to hiring the right plumbers.


5. Hire Qualified Dispatchers


Dispatching is an important key to the success of your plumbing business. Dispatchers are the key line of communication between your plumbers and customers. They address problems, questions and prioritize service requests so that work is performed in an efficient and orderly manner. They are also responsible for providing logistical support to technicians and communicating with both fellow employees and customers. Click here to learn more about the best strategies that make a successful dispatcher.


6. Hire Managers and other support staff


Aside from hiring more plumbers, you will need to get more managers and support staff for your plumbing company. When hiring managers, it is important to get a person with the right skills, including plumbing skills, administration skills, business management skills and people skills. Consider hiring a leader, a person who can lead your staff.  Where possible, we recommend hiring from within because there is less training to do.  Once you hire support staff, be sure to give them daily meetings, weekly training and monthly goals. 

 

7. Get Credit


Taking up on a loan can help with expanding your plumbing business in the long run.  Most plumbers seeking financing often turn to the same sources, including banks, credit cards and loans from family and friends. Unfortunately, these options can hinder a business before it even has a chance to flourish.  The best financing option for plumbers and plumbing business owners are SBA Loans.


Unlike other types of loans, SBA loans are specifically created for small and medium-sized businesses and are perfect options for plumbers, as they can finance their working capital reserves, equipment and real estate.


Plumbing business owners commonly use SBA loans for the following purpose:


·Buying vans and equipment: 


Buying more vans and equipment can be one of the most expensive costs when growing your plumbing business. However, the SBA’s 10-year equipment loan terms can help take the pressure off your company’s fiancés while giving you the tools you need to succeed.


Cash Flow:


Unfortunately, the plumbing industry will always be affected by the fluctuating market and economy. For the last few years, we’ve seen an increase in generated revenue.  However, if there are slow and tough times, you can consider getting credit to fund your working capital. You can use the loan to pay salaries and keep up with other regular business expenses, such as marketing, vehicle maintenance and utilities.


Expanding Your Plumbing Business:


 Whether you are buying state-of-the-art equipment for larger jobs, buying more vans to handle a wider customer base or even purchasing  commercial real estate to open a new office, an SBA loan can help your plumbing business grow to new heights.


8. Invest in Training:


-
Training for paperwork:


Teach your plumbers how to fill the invoice correctly. Apart from the fact that you need an invoice to get paid, the state of your invoice could affect the after-sale experience of your customer. While your plumbing team might be very good in what they do,  presenting a poorly designed and unprofessional invoice in the face of your customers, no matter how good your work is, you’re unlikely to get called back. 

Make sure your invoice does all three things it needs to:


  1. Outline the work done and the amount owing
  2. Tells the customer how to pay you i.e. has your bank details
  3. Reflects well on you and your business


Aside from invoices, make sure that your plumbers know how to complete disclaimers, home inspection documents and other important legal documents.


Other types of training you should consider investing include:


·         Training for plumbers/plumbing skills

·         Sales training

·         Business coaching : This will teach your team how to carry out their administrative responsibilities  and  internal operations of the business


9. Take advantage of the low monthly payment plan


Providing homeowners with options to painlessly pay for their plumbing projects is a proven strategy to boost sales, expand ticket sizes, increase customer satisfaction, and grow your company's overall revenue. With today's average cost of plumbing repairs, customers may find themselves in a difficult position when facing a plumbing emergency. Plumbers who take payments or offer financing can maximize profit by providing customers options to afford their repairs, or pay for the most efficient upgrade or add-on product.

The best way to offer financing to your plumbing customers is by connecting your plumbing company with a Bank and having them as your in house financing department. Now, which is the best company for plumber financing? The company we recommend is called Hearth. Unlike other plumber financing options, Hearth makes it easy for plumbers out in the field to offer the option. It is easy for plumbers to perform the application and easy for customers/homeowners to get prequalified within 5 minutes.


10. Learn How To Delegate


Managerial roles have many issues that involve time span, timing, and capacity challenges. As your plumbing business grows, you will realize you cannot handle everything on your own. That’s where delegation comes. Delegation simply means transferring responsibility for specific tasks from one person to another.


From a management perspective, delegation occurs when a manager assigns specific tasks to their employees. By delegating some tasks to team members, you can free up time to focus on higher-value activities while also keeping employees engaged with greater autonomy. You need to hire a human resource manager, a Payroll person, and other essential staff to perform the day to day administrative functions as you concentrate on other core functions of the business.


If you need professional assistance on how to grow and scale your plumbing business, consider scheduling an appointment with Tony Gee. Tony is the CEO and founder of Strictly Plumbers Inc.  He has been helping plumbing owners like you grow their business and increase revenue. After 15 years as a master plumber in San Diego, working for the most reputable companies in the industry, Tony Gee decided to pursue his passion for online marketing for plumbing owners. Click Here to Schedule a Meeting with Tony.



A laptop showing charts sits by tools and burning cash, with the text:
By Tony Gee March 31, 2026
Many plumbing companies struggle with inconsistent call volume, rising ad costs, and marketing that promises results but delivers very little. One week, the schedule is full; the next, it’s quiet, and no one explains why. At Strictly Plumbers Inc., we’ve worked with over 500 plumbing businesses since 2017 and seen the patterns firsthand. Studies show that over 70% of homeowners search online before hiring a plumber, yet most plumbing websites fail to convert those visitors into real calls. That’s where the gap lies. We know how to make your phone ring with customers every day. We work with over 500+ large, medium & small Plumbing companies and provide prestige marketing services for Plumbers. Schedule your free marketing consultation now and learn how we can help! In this blog, we break down what actually works based on real-world data, proven campaigns, and measurable results. You’ll learn the fundamentals of marketing services for plumbers that drive consistent leads, booked jobs, and real revenue without wasting money. Why Most Plumbing Marketing Fails Many plumbing companies invest in marketing but still struggle to generate steady calls and booked jobs. The problem is not effort, it is direction. When the strategy is built on the wrong foundation, results become unpredictable and frustrating. Here is why plumbing marketing fails for so many businesses and what is really happening behind the scenes. Inconsistent leads Many plumbers experience unpredictable lead flow, with busy weeks followed by slow periods. This happens when marketing lacks a stable system that consistently brings in high-intent customers. Without a reliable strategy, your schedule will always depend on chance instead of control. Agencies don’t understand plumbing A major reason plumbers struggle to get leads is that they work with agencies that treat plumbing as just another industry. Plumbing customers search with urgency and specific intent, which requires a different approach. When this is ignored, campaigns fail to connect with real buyers. Focus on traffic, not revenue One of the most common plumbing marketing mistakes is chasing website traffic instead of booked jobs. More visitors do not automatically mean more calls or revenue. What matters is attracting the right people who are ready to hire and turning them into paying customers. No tracking means no clarity Many plumbing businesses have no clear way to track where their leads are coming from. Without call tracking and data, it becomes impossible to know what is working and what is wasting money. This leads to poor decisions and continued frustration with marketing results. After working with 500+ plumbers, we saw the same patterns… What 500+ Plumbing Companies Taught Us (Core Insights) After working with hundreds of plumbing companies across different markets, we started to see clear patterns in what drives real results. These are not theories. These are proven plumbing marketing strategies built from real campaigns, real data, and real revenue outcomes.  Speed to lead Most plumbers focus on getting more website visitors, but the real difference comes from how fast you respond to incoming calls and leads. Studies show that over 70 percent of customers choose the first plumber who answers or calls back. In one campaign, simply reducing response time increased booked jobs by over 40 percent without increasing traffic. Google Maps drives the majority of calls A large percentage of plumbing leads come from local searches, especially “near me” queries. We consistently see that Google Business Profile listings generate more calls than websites when properly optimized. This is why strong local visibility is a core part of effective marketing for plumbers . Reviews directly impact revenue Plumbers with more high-quality reviews not only get more calls but also close at higher rates. Data shows that businesses with 50+ reviews can see up to 2 times more conversions compared to those with fewer than 10. Reviews build trust instantly and often determine who gets the job. Missed calls equal lost money Many plumbing companies lose thousands each month simply by missing calls or failing to follow up. One client discovered they were missing nearly 30 percent of inbound calls, which translated to tens of thousands in lost revenue. Adding a simple missed call text-back system recovered a significant portion of those jobs. Your website should convert, not just exist A good-looking website is not enough if it does not generate calls. High-performing sites focus on clear messaging, strong calls to action, and mobile responsiveness. Even slight improvements in conversion rates can have a major impact on overall plumbing business growth. Cheap marketing often leads to expensive problems Many plumbers try low-cost marketing solutions that promise quick results but deliver poor-quality leads. Over time, this leads to wasted budgets and frustration. Investing in the right strategy from the start produces more consistent and profitable outcomes. Consistency beats short-term tactics Successful plumbing companies do not rely on one channel or quick wins. They build systems that generate leads every day through SEO, local visibility, and paid ads. This consistent approach is what separates stable businesses from those that struggle month to month. 5 Core Marketing Services Every Plumber Needs to Make More Money Most plumbers do not struggle because they lack skill. They struggle because their marketing is inconsistent, unclear, or built on the wrong foundation. After working with hundreds of plumbing companies, we have seen that success is not random. It comes from using the right combination of marketing systems that consistently generate calls and booked jobs. If you want steady growth, you do not need to try everything. You need to focus on the five services that have proven to work across different markets and service areas. Below are the core marketing services every plumber needs to stay visible, competitive, and fully booked. Plumber Web Design Your website is not just an online brochure. It is your most important sales tool. When someone finds you through Google Business Profile for plumbers or clicks from local SEO for plumbers, your website is where they decide whether to call you or move on to the next company. Most plumbing websites fail because they are slow, confusing, or lack clear calls to action. A high-performing plumbing website is built to convert plumber near me searches into real phone calls. That means fast loading speed, clear service pages, strong trust signals, and click-to-call buttons placed exactly where users need them. The goal is simple. Turn every visitor into a potential job. When your website is designed correctly, it works for you around the clock, capturing leads even when you are out on a job or after hours. We offer modern plumber web design that gets potential clients searching for your services. Plumber SEO, AEO and GEO Search visibility is the backbone of consistent lead generation. When someone searches for a plumber, you need to show up at the exact moment they are ready to hire. That is where SEO for plumbing companies comes in. It helps your plumbing website rank on Google for high-intent searches that drive calls. At Strictly Plumbers, our approach goes beyond traditional SEO. We combine plumbing AI SEO services with advanced strategies like GEO for plumbers and AEO for plumber searches. This means optimizing your presence not just for search engines, but also for AI-driven results and location-based queries that dominate today’s search behavior. Our SEO also includes deep Google Business Profile optimization, which plays a major role in local rankings. We have developed a strategy specifically for plumbers that focuses on service authority, location signals, and conversion-focused content. The result is simple. You do not just rank your plumbing website. You attract the right customers who are ready to book. Google PPC and LSA If you want immediate results, paid advertising is one of the fastest ways to generate calls. Google Ads for plumbers allow you to appear at the top of search results when customers are actively looking for services. These are not casual visitors. These are people with urgent problems who are ready to hire. Plumbing PPC campaigns, when set up correctly, target high-intent keywords such as emergency plumbing leads. This ensures your budget focuses on clicks more likely to lead to real jobs. Local Services Ads also play a major role. LSA for plumbers puts your business in front of customers with the Google Guaranteed badge, which builds instant trust. This increases the likelihood of calls and booked appointments. The key is not just running ads. It is about managing them properly, tracking every call, and optimizing cost per job so you get the highest return on your investment. Yelp Advertising For Plumbers Yelp remains one of the most powerful platforms for service-based businesses, especially in competitive markets. Many homeowners use Yelp to compare options, read reviews, and choose a plumber they can trust. As a certified Yelp advertising partner, Strictly Plumbers helps plumbing companies turn Yelp into a consistent source of inbound calls. We optimize your profile, position your business effectively, and run targeted campaigns that put you in front of customers actively searching for plumbing services. The advantage of Yelp advertising is intent. These users are not browsing. They are ready to hire. When your profile is properly optimized and supported by strong reviews, it becomes a powerful driver of high-quality leads. With the right strategy, Yelp can become a reliable channel that supports your overall marketing system and keeps your phone ringing. Business Coaching and Sales Training For Plumbers Marketing does not end when the phone rings. What happens after the call determines whether you win or lose the job. That is why business coaching and sales training are essential parts of a successful plumbing marketing system. We work with plumbing companies to improve how they handle calls, price jobs, and communicate value to customers. Small improvements in these areas can lead to significant increases in conversion rates and overall revenue. Many plumbers invest in marketing but miss opportunities due to missed calls, weak communication, or inconsistent follow-up. By strengthening your sales process, you maximize the value of every lead that comes in. This is where real growth happens. When marketing and sales work together, you do not just get more calls. You turn more of those calls into paying customers and long-term business. The Plumbing Revenue System Most marketing agencies focus on traffic. More clicks, more impressions, more visitors. But traffic alone does not pay the bills. What matters is how that traffic turns into real jobs and real revenue. That is where our plumbing lead generation system stands out. At Strictly Plumbers Inc., we focus on the full pipeline. Every successful campaign follows a clear flow. Traffic turns into leads. Leads turn into calls. Calls turn into booked jobs. Booked jobs turn into revenue. If any part of this chain is broken, you lose money. Our plumber marketing system is built to strengthen every step. We bring in high-intent traffic through search, ads, and local visibility. Then we convert that traffic into leads using optimized websites and strong calls to action. From there, we help improve call handling and follow-up so more inquiries turn into booked appointments. Here is what that looks like in real numbers. A plumbing company might generate 1,000 monthly visitors. If their website converts at just 3 percent, that is 30 leads. If only half of those leads call, they end up with 15 conversations. Now, imagine improving each stage. Increase conversion to 6 percent, improve call handling, and suddenly those same 1,000 visitors can produce 40 to 50 real job opportunities. That is not luck. That is a well-structured plumbing sales funnel designed to capture, convert, and close. We do not just bring traffic. We build a system that turns attention into consistent, predictable revenue. Why is Strictly Plumbers Different? Most agencies talk about clicks, impressions, and rankings. But plumbing companies do not run on metrics. They run on calls, booked jobs, and revenue. That is where Strictly Plumbers Inc. stands apart. Strictly Plumbers was built by Tony Gee, a plumber with 15 years of real field experience. That foundation changes everything. Instead of guessing what works, we understand how customers think, how they search, and what makes them pick up the phone. Over the years, we have worked with more than 500 plumbing companies, helping them fix broken marketing systems and turn them into predictable revenue streams. Our approach to marketing for plumbers is simple. Focus on what actually drives business growth. That means more calls, better-quality leads, and higher-ticket jobs. We are not just plumbing marketing experts. We are partners in your growth. Our strategies are built around real data, real campaigns, and real case studies that show what is possible when marketing is done right. Ready to Fix What’s Holding Your Plumbing Business Back? If your marketing feels inconsistent, unpredictable, or simply not delivering the results you expected, you are not alone. Many plumbing companies invest in plumbing marketing services but never see the return they should. That is the gap we help close. There is a better way to generate more plumbing leads without wasting time or money on ineffective strategies. When your marketing is built correctly, it creates steady plumbing growth and gives you control over your schedule and revenue. Book a free marketing consultation with Strictly Plumbers Inc. today. We will walk you through what is working, what is missing, and exactly how to turn your marketing into a system that consistently brings in calls and booked jobs.
AI SEO For Plumbers
By Tony Gee March 10, 2026
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and show you why immediate implementation is critical for your company's survival and growth.
A man is pointing at a sign that says plumbline
By Tony Gee March 6, 2024
In the competitive world of plumbing services, standing out and offering unparalleled customer service can make all the difference. That's where PlumbLine comes in, a game-changing answering service designed specifically for plumbing companies. What sets PlumbLine apart is its innovative pricing model: charging exclusively per booked call. This approach not only ensures cost-effectiveness but also aligns directly with the success of your plumbing business. Tailored for Your Success Understanding the unique challenges plumbing companies face, PlumbLine offers a bespoke solution that caters specifically to the needs of this industry. Our service ensures that every call is answered with professionalism and expertise, acting as an extension of your own business. The per booked call model means you only pay for results, making it a risk-free investment in your company's growth and customer satisfaction. One of the standout features of our service is the ability to book appointments directly into your company's scheduling software. This seamless integration ensures that the booking process is as efficient and error-free as possible, further enhancing the customer experience and streamlining your operations. How PlumbLine Works PlumbLine employs a team of highly trained professionals 24/7/265, who understand the nuances of the plumbing industry. When a potential client calls, our representatives handle the call with the same care and knowledge as if they were your own employees. They are trained to not only answer general inquiries but also to effectively book appointments, ensuring that potential leads turn into actual business. This efficiency boosts your conversion rate and, ultimately, your bottom line. Cost-Effective and Efficient By charging only for booked calls, PlumbLine ensures that your marketing dollars are spent wisely. This pricing strategy eliminates the concern of paying for services that don't directly contribute to your revenue. It's a straightforward, transparent approach that benefits your business by directly linking our success to yours. This model encourages us to work harder for your business, as our growth is directly tied to your success. Benefits Beyond Savings Aside from the obvious financial benefits, partnering with PlumbLine brings numerous advantages to your plumbing business: **24/7 Availability:** Missed calls are missed opportunities. PlumbLine ensures you're always available to your customers, capturing leads even outside of regular business hours. **Professional Representation:** First impressions matter. Our team handles each call with the professionalism and courtesy your customers expect. **Direct Booking into Your Scheduling Software:** Streamline your appointment setting process with our direct booking feature, ensuring efficient scheduling and customer satisfaction. **Increased Conversion Rates:** With expert handling of inquiries and appointment bookings, you'll see a significant increase in conversion rates, driving more business your way. Join the PlumbLine Family  PlumbLine is more than just an answering service; it's a partner in your business's growth. Our unique pay-per-booked-call model, combined with our industry-specific expertise and direct booking capabilities, makes us the ideal choice for plumbing companies looking to enhance their customer service and increase their revenue. With PlumbLine, you're not just hiring an answering service; you're investing in a tailored solution that grows with your business. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help elevate your plumbing business to new heights.