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18
PLUMBING CONNECTION
SPRING 2015
FACING UP TO PLUMBING’S
TWO MAJOR CHALLENGES
W
hen I’m out and about in the industry, I’m often
asked what I reckon are the major challenges the
plumbing industry faces.
Yes there’s non-conforming product, OHS compliance, too
much un-enforced regulation, not enough tradesmen fully
embracing smart new communications – but let’s hold it
there for a moment.
None of those things are responsible for the far too many
jobs that don’t return a profit, or that sizeable industry
creditor trail that starts at the contracting level and has
a nasty knock-back effect up the supply chain to the
merchants/suppliers, ultimately left holding the materials
bill.
Quite clearly, the two business issues this industry lacks
focus on are Accurate Estimating & Debt Collection.
The effects of this can result in families losing homes,
contractors working ridiculous hours to pay off debts and,
needless to say, life threatening mental health issues from
the pressure of perceived personal failure.
Thus, for good reason, this issue’s cover story revolves
around those two major issues. But let me say it’s also a
start to an ongoing commitment by Plumbing Connection to
provide more comprehensive ongoing information on these
two critically important subjects.
We can’t hope to fully cover these issues in one edition but
we can commence a process that encourages contractors
to put aside time for something that will likely provide them
with the greatest upside to their business.
These subjects are not solely the domain of the plumbing
sector, the same can be said for electrical and other sub-
trades, as well as the builders who ultimately screw down
the trades, due in part to their own poor management (either
by way of incompetence or intention).
When we started to ask some questions around Australia
about what there is in the way of estimating training (at
an apprentice and continuing professional development
level) as well as debt collection, there was a fairly shallow
response.
The industry seems to acknowledge there is a problem but
too many pass it off as industry culture and the fact that it’s
always been that way. Not good enough.
Some want to say it’s a TAFE issue – a combination of
PLUMBERS ARE OFTEN FACED WITH CHALLENGES TOO GREAT FOR THEM TO OVERCOME ALONE; HOWEVER, THERE
ARE A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT BUSINESS CHALLENGES THAT CAN BE TACKLED SINGLE-HANDEDLY PROVIDED A
WILLINGNESS TO LEARN EXISTS.
JEFF PATCHELL
EXPLAINS.
COVER STORY:
BUSINESS LESSONS
text book (as opposed to real world) teaching and lecturers
who often have no practical experience. But what has the
industry really done to address these problems? Finding
anyone with experience to teach others is as rare as hen’s
teeth.
Due to ignorance, the industry continually pumps out new
contractors whose first aim is to undercut the old firm. And
few of them have any grasp of what it really costs to run a
profitable business these days.
This is the start of a journey and we want you (the
industry) to come and get involved.