This industry is filled with hardworking, talented individuals who are proud of our industry, and we enjoy sharing their work with you.
Every month contractors share their best advice, industry insights, and the challenges they face on the job. We hope you enjoy reading these stories, to learn from others in the industry and glean tips and tricks to implement in your own business.
Here's a look back at some of what contractors shared in the pages of Plumber magazine in 2025:
“Even if I can’t do a job, we call people back and refer them to good plumbers that will take care of them. In 2020, I even hired an employee that only answers calls and schedules service calls after we got a bad online review because I missed a service appointment. That was critical for us to grow. I was handling just about everything — phone calls, scheduling jobs, doing estimates, doing jobs. We were growing too much and too fast. We had as many as six technicians, but were making less money. I figured if I had six guys I’d make six times as much money, but it didn’t work out that way. It was a good learning experience.”
- Tom Pecoraro, Velocity Plumbing & Heating, Quincy, Massachusetts
“(By using estimating software), I can quickly do take-offs for large projects, like a school remodeling project or a new large home or commercial building. It’s helped me tremendously to get more work and be more profitable. I’d estimate it cut the time I spent doing estimates by 80 to 90%. That’s critical because I’m still the mouth of the bottle — everything goes through me. So I can’t be sitting around too long screwing around with estimates. I need to focus more on day-to-day operations — get out in the field, making sure things are getting done.”
- NaDonte Jones, NJ Jones Plumbing LLC, Syracuse, New York
“Just getting someone to respond these days is a big thing for customers. Getting into their phone is key. Once I’m in their contacts list, it’s almost a 100% guarantee they’re going to call me if they ever need something. Half the time they don’t even know my name — they just put me in as ‘plumber.’”
- Tim Rausch, Tim Rausch Plumbing & Remodeling, Appleton, Wisconsin
“We have had a little of everything (through our charitable programs). People down on their luck. Someone with health issues, or who lost a job. It is cool to see our guys doing the work and the gratitude the customer shows. It is good for the community. I suppose there is some business that is gained by it, but for me it is about our relationship with customers. It gives us an opportunity to go out and help those in need.”
- Chad Peterman, Peterman Brothers, Indianapolis, Indiana
“When we started, we took everything that came our way. Half the money would go to fueling the truck and the other half would pay the light bill. We’ve learned that the quality of our service enables us to charge more. If a company is not prepared, it might take them two hours to complete a job. If you show up for the dance well prepared with knowledge and equipment, it might only take 15 minutes. That doesn’t mean you should charge less.”
- Douglas Hurrelbrink, Austin’s Pumping Service, Strafford, Missouri
“My outlook is really having a great local family business because today everything is being consumed and bought up by private equity companies. That culture is not there. I truly care about the customers and the people who work for me.”
- Anthony Tosco, Avanti Plumbing & Drains, Royersford, Pennsylvania
“Others might just use the cheapest parts they can get by with to save money, but we don’t. And that’s what makes the difference — what makes us stand out. I value quality and our customers, not the money. If you value the quality of work and your customers, the money will come. Some customers don’t care about quality — they care about a different value. People who don’t do their homework aren’t my kind of customers and I’m okay with that. I just try to educate customers about the value of what we do. That’s where my job becomes more than just a service.”
- Constantin Geambasu, Water Rehab LLC, Gilbert, Arizona
