The road to becoming a Plumber. – Jim King (Managing Director)
Are you thinking about becoming a Plumber? Have you been wondering how much a Plumber earns on average?
Recently, in the mainstream Press I read an article about a plumber who claimed to have earned £210,000 a year in wages! This made me raise my eyebrows, mainly in disbelief. It was also an article from The Sun newspaper, so you can make what you want of that article?
The problem with articles like that, is that we then get an increase in people contacting to enquire if we have any job vacancies arising? The enquiries come from people who have just finished a fast-track plumbing course and have a qualification, but no experience.
Unfortunately, this is of no use to us and to the majority of plumbing and heating companies. We need, skilled, time-served plumbers. If they have a Gas-Safe or OFTEC qualification then they are in a good position.
Going back to the plumber who earned £210,000. He works for a top London plumbing company. Realistically he’s not employed but sub-contracting for them and has been working extremely long hours. I doubt very much if that figure is true. A few years back I read an article of a plumber who said he earned £80,000 and even then, I shook my head in disbelief.
Are you interested in becoming a Plumber?
If you’re thinking of entering into a plumbing career, then here’s a link of what a plumber can realistically expect to earn. https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Plumber/Hourly_Rate
These are average rates and not set in stone. London would see a small percentage increase and likewise other areas may see a decrease.
If you’re going to tackle self employment as a plumber, then expect to work extremely long and perhaps unsociable hours until you’ve established a good customer base. Even then, when you’ve finished on the tools for the day, the process of office administration, invoicing and quotes begins.
Plumbing is not a road to riches. A few that have made it like Charlie Mullins the owner of Pimlico Plumbers in London, are a drop in the ocean compared to those who have failed miserably.
If you’re a school leaver, thinking of an apprenticeship then plumbing can offer a rewarding, but hard working career. The public will always need a plumber. The problem is that there are a multitude of average to poor plumbers. Then, there’s a minority of very good, skilled plumbers.
Here at SHAPE Contractor Heating & Plumbing in Andover, we believe our guys are amongst the best in the area. We don’t boast about it but go about our business, quietly and professionally to deliver our service.
If you need to try us then all the details are on our contacts page. Why not book your boiler service using our new online booking system.
