A plumbing and heating business can be a lucrative one for those who know what to do and can offer a five-star service to their customers. It can also, at times, be a tough one.
Often they are small businesses and have lots of legal, professional, and safety aspects to consider. And all that’s before you consider the actual work itself.
To help those businesses – be they established names or new disruptors – we’ve put together a selection of points to consider as well as some helpful advice.
What Are the Key Advices for Plumbing and Heating Businesses?
Agree to the Terms and Conditions Beforehand
Before the water is switched off or the new radiators are fitted, make sure you and your client are all in agreement about what the job is and the work that is to be expected. Getting all that in order before day one will set expectations. It will also make sure you have a backstop should any issues arise and your business is accused of not doing something.
Elements of any job such as turnaround times, the price (including labour and parts), as well as any additional costs such as VAT should all be agreed upon and factored in.
The best and easiest way of agreeing on terms and conditions is to provide a quote. In there you can lay out what the job is and the price of the component parts. This gives your customer an opportunity to review it and agree on it.
An agreed-upon quote ensures harmony, leaving you to focus on providing a quality service.
Organise All Your Documentation
From the off, having a good process for documenting all facets of your business will make your life a lot easier. Whether it’s legal documents like contracts and quotes or financial ones such as bank statements and VAT receipts, keeping this documented will ensure you have a paper trail of everything.
Luckily, it has never been easier to do all that. There is accounting software out there that can scan physical documents and keep them stored, ready to be accessed when they are needed most. Similarly, accounting software can help you generate accurate, on-brand invoices that make you look professional and also maximise your revenue.
Offer Various Packages
Offering clients a range of pricing options – three, to be specific – empowers them to make a choice based on their situation and the problem they are facing. By putting the power of choice in the hands of the customer, you give them control. So, when they pick the solution they want, they feel good knowing they’ve decided which one to choose from.
Options could include a basic like-for-like replacement for radiators in their house, there could be more expensive packages that include a more comprehensive solution, and then a final premium package which looks at alternative heating systems.
Adhere to Safety Regulations
A final piece of advice is an essential one. Adhering to relevant safety regulations is not only going to keep people safe, but also allow you to continue trading.
As a plumbing and/or heating business, you have a legal duty to follow the Health & Safety at Work Act of 1974. Adhering to this act means carrying out risk assessments, ensuring you and your team are trained on safe working practices, and that they have the personal protective equipment to carry out a good job safely.
Failure to do this can result in fines and even imprisonment, likely ruining your business.
Avoid Landing in Hot Water With This Advice
A good heating and plumbing business can not only be profitable but also help people in your local area when they need it most.
Following these key bits of advice can go a long way to ensuring all that becomes a reality.
