8 Business Ideas For Plumbers [2024]
Interested in starting a business as a plumber in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as a plumber could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Plumbers?
We put together 8 of some of the best plumber business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other plumber businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a junk removal business ($69.2K/month)
As a plumber, you could easily supplement your income by starting a junk removal business. Given your existing client base, you already have a network of potential customers who might need help disposing of broken furniture, clearing out trash, or even emptying properties during foreclosures. With the high demand for these services, you could find ample opportunities for additional revenue.
Since you may already own a truck for transporting plumbing tools and materials, you have a significant starter asset for hauling junk. To get started, conduct market research in your area to understand the demand and apply for any necessary permits or licenses. Create a website to advertise your services and reach a broader audience, turning your plumbing skills and network into a thriving side business or new venture.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $230,000/month
How long does it take to build: 55 days (?)
23-year-old Sam Evans founded You Call We Haul Junk Removal which brings in around $20,000 in revenue per month with a profit of 65% per job, servicing any individuals who have unneeded junk, and aims to franchise the business in the long-term.
2. Start a cleaning business ($175K/month)
Starting a cleaning business could be an excellent side hustle or new venture as a plumber. Your expertise in maintaining and repairing plumbing systems complements the essential skills needed for a successful cleaning business, such as attention to detail and problem-solving.
Since a cleaning business is relatively easy to start and requires minimal investment, you could quickly get it off the ground without major financial hurdles. This could be a lucrative way to supplement your income by offering services during off-peak hours or days when plumbing work is light.
Additionally, as a plumber, you have the advantage of understanding the intricacies of bathroom and kitchen hygiene, making you well-suited to offer specialized services in these areas. By leveraging your existing clients and network, you could seamlessly integrate and market your cleaning services, driving business growth.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $708,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.
3. Start a woodworking business ($15.8K/month)
As a plumber, starting a woodworking business could be a lucrative side hustle or even a full-fledged business venture. Your existing skills in working with tools and materials can easily transfer to the craft of woodworking. Additionally, the flexibility of working from home and the potential for scaling your business could perfectly complement your plumbing schedule.
You could create custom wood pieces or even offer bespoke cabinetry services, which pair well with your existing bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects. Teaching others about woodworking or starting a woodworking blog could also be excellent options, allowing you to generate passive income. With endless opportunities, from flipping furniture to crafting unique wooden items, woodworking has the potential for unlimited earning potential.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $40,001/month
How long does it take to build: 204 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.
4. Start a dropshipping business ($453K/month)
As a plumber, you could supplement your income by starting a dropshipping business focused on plumbing-related products. By leveraging your industry expertise, you could identify high-demand items like specialized tools, fittings, or water-saving devices to sell without holding inventory.
You would set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce and list products from reliable suppliers found on platforms like AliExpress. Since the supplier handles shipping, your main tasks would be marketing your store and providing excellent customer service, transforming your extensive knowledge into a profitable side business.
This model allows you to manage your expenses carefully and monitor profit margins to ensure that your dropshipping venture is both sustainable and lucrative.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
5. Start a cleaning service ($128K/month)
Starting a cleaning service can be an excellent side business or even a main business for a plumber. Given your existing client base and the trust you've already built as a reliable professional, you could easily introduce this additional service. This dual service approach not only adds value to your current offerings but also allows you to capitalize on the free time you might have on weekends or weekdays.
The cleaning business requires minimal capital to start, making it a low-risk venture. With the average house cleaner earning around $17.32 per hour, this could be a lucrative addition to your income. As you gain experience, you could scale the business by targeting your neighbors first and gradually expanding your clientele. This diversified service could offer a steady demand, ensuring you have a consistent side income while helping homeowners keep their homes spotless.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 70 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week
MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.
6. Start a skills training business ($94.8K/month)
Starting a skills training business as a plumber offers a fantastic way to supplement your income and make extra money. By leveraging your expertise, you could teach aspiring plumbers or DIY enthusiasts essential plumbing skills through workshops, online courses, and tutorials. An online presence allows you to reach a wider audience without significant upfront costs, making this an accessible and scalable venture.
With the global skills training market anticipated to hit $47.2 billion by 2027, there’s a growing demand for specialized knowledge. Offering specialized training can set you apart, enabling you to charge premium rates and build a substantial secondary income. This entrepreneurial endeavor not only enriches your financial portfolio but also provides the satisfaction of helping others succeed.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Online learning community Frontend Mentor has over 200,000 members, with over 1,500 paid subscribers generating over $15,000 MRR, offering professionally designed challenges to improve front-end coding skills with a freemium business model and a focus on real-life experience.
7. Start an e-commerce order fulfillment business ($4.68M/month)
As a plumber, you could leverage your organizational skills and industry knowledge to start an e-commerce order fulfillment business. This venture would involve offering warehousing, packaging, and shipping services for online retailers, thereby creating an additional revenue stream alongside your plumbing career.
By establishing a reliable and efficient fulfillment infrastructure, you could handle merchant inventory storage, customized packaging, domestic shipping logistics, and even return processing. This would allow online businesses to focus on increasing their sales while you take care of the hassle-free and speedy delivery operations.
Integrating your services with popular e-commerce platforms would position you as a dependable partner in the retail business ecosystem. This entrepreneurial move could open up new prospects and financial stability, making use of your existing skill set in a different, lucrative way.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $25,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
ShipMonk, a technology-driven fulfillment center, went from $130K in revenue in 2014 to nearly $30M in 2018 and was named America's Fastest Growing Fulfillment Center, with projected revenue of $60M for 2019.
8. Start a cork maps business
If you're a plumber looking to diversify your income or start a side business, launching a cork maps business could be an exciting and profitable venture. Cork maps allow users to pin locations they have visited or dream of visiting, merging the practicality of tracking places with the aesthetic appeal of home decor.
You could source quality cork material and design various map templates, from world maps to specific cities. By marketing your products on platforms like Etsy or Shopify, you could tap into a community that values unique and customizable home decor. This business would not only offer financial benefits but also give you a creative outlet apart from your regular plumbing work, allowing you to engage with customers on a more personal level.
How much you can make: $4,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
GEO 101 Design founder Nick Fortosis created unique cork maps using a CNC router in his garage workshop, and grew sales to $2,000/month through his website and Etsy shop, with plans to double revenue year over year.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
