As a home services professional, you’re on the go a lot. And you need a booking app that can keep up. Many home service providers choose Housecall Pro to run their businesses. But does the platform fulfill its promise to users?

In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about Housecall Pro and compare the platform to PocketSuite.

Is Housecall Pro a good app for your business?

Housecall Pro is a leading field service management app for home service businesses. HVAC technicians, cleaners, lawn care specialists, and more use the platform to schedule jobs, dispatch their teams, and process payments.  

But does Housecall Pro have all the essential features you need to run your business? With a 3.2 star rating on Google Play App Store, the platform definitely has room for improvement.

Here are some problems you might encounter while using Housecall Pro and how PocketSuite solves them.

#1 Limited Mobile App

Seamless appointment booking and management are the bread and butter of running a successful service business. And home service professionals need to do this while they’re in the field. 

However, reviews suggest that the Housecall Pro mobile app lacks some of the functionality found in their desktop platform. Without a reliable, mobile-first scheduling tool, you’re left with unhappy clients and lost income. 

PocketSuite was made for entrepreneurs who need to run their businesses straight from their phones. We make it easy for you to get booked solid and grow your business while you’re on the move. 

#2 Limited Forms

Just like clients, every property is different. That’s why forms are a must for home service businesses. But, Housecall Pro users may be out of luck in this department. 

Housecall Pro only allows you to create customer intake forms with its add-on Pipeline feature. If you’re willing, Pipeline can be purchased on top of the standard plan (though the extra cost is unclear). If not, you may have to turn to other platforms like Paperform or Gravity Forms with Housecall Pro integrations.

Or, you can avoid that entirely by booking with PocketSuite. We know forms are essential. So, all PocketSuite pros can create unlimited forms to send to clients. 

#3 No Inventory Management

A home service business comes with a lot of baggage, i.e., inventory. You need a platform that can keep track of the tools and products that keep your business running, like pesticides and other chemicals. 

However, Housecall Pro doesn’t currently have a feature to track inventory. Instead, users must defer to Quickbooks to keep track of their materials. This may get frustrating, especially because a Quickbooks integration is only available on Housecall Pro’s Essential Plan (for a whopping $129 per month).

PocketSuite allows you to track your inventory on any plan. You always know when it’s time to stock up on the essentials.

#4 Extra Fees

Housecall Pro users can choose between three tiers: Basic, Essentials, and MAX, depending on the size of their team. However, many of the features and integrations that lead users to choose Housecall Pro aren’t available on their Basic plan, which is already a lofty $49 per month (if you pay annually). 

For example, you will be charged an extra $20 a month for each vehicle you want to track on the Basic plan. Sure, you can upgrade. But, the Essential plan jumps to $129 per month. So, you’ll pay more than double for features that should be built into the cost. 

With Housecall Pro, you may not be getting the most bang for your buck. And there are other platforms that won’t tack on extra fees. PocketSuite users have access to our dynamic features for $24.99 per month. 

#5 No Text Marketing Campaigns 

With a 99% deliverability rate, text marketing is key to growing a service-based business. While Housecall Pro allows users to customize SMS notifications for appointment reminders and send out email marketing campaigns, the platform doesn’t seem to have a text campaign feature. 

With Smart Campaigns, PocketSuite users can send automated text campaigns to promote discounts, make announcements, connect with past clients, send prep before appointments, and much more! 

Also, Housecall Pro provides a custom SMS number but no dedicated business line to take calls. PocketSuite users get a premium business number to make running your business easier.

#6 Minimal Customer Service 

Every business owner knows that customer support is key, especially when your reputation is on the line. However, some users express frustration with the company’s customer service offerings. At a large company like a Housecall Pro, you’re not likely to get the one-to-one support you need for your small business. 

At PocketSuite, customer support is our main priority. We offer a range of support calls as per our PocketSuite Academy.  

Do you need a new booking app?

Housecall Pro is a popular option for home service professionals. But, with a limited mobile and lots of additional fees, it may not be the best solution for your small business. 

If you’re ready for an all-in-one booking app, give PocketSuite a try. You can schedule clients, accept payments, track inventory, and manage recurring services straight from your phone.

Professional painters require skill, organization, a steady hand and a patient demeanor to be able to prepare and paint all manner of different surfaces and satisfy demanding clients. Painters work in many different and challenging environments at both residential and commercial properties. Some of their duties may include: preparing surfaces to paint by removing the existing old paint, sanding, patching, cleaning, fixing walls and other surfaces, in addition to selecting the appropriate materials (putty, caulking), buying and mixing chemicals (varnish, oils), paint and primer before applying them to any number of surfaces.

An in-depth understanding of color theory is essential for this career as well as the skill to execute various techniques, such as layering, glazing and color washes. Setting up scaffolding, drop cloths and extensive taping can also be part of this job. Advanced techniques such as stippling, sponging and the ability to create a distressed or weathered look are expected. Cleaning up paint spills, dust and your general work area to the client’s satisfaction, is an essential part of this job. On larger jobs experienced painters may be expected to manage a full crew and handle scheduling, material, billing and payments, while working with the client(s) to manage expectations and make sure they are satisfied. Painters work very hard and often the job can be tedious and messy but ultimately most painters find their job satisfying as the work is often independent and they can work “job to job” and take time off as they desire.

How Much Does a Painter Make?

If a painter is ambitious, efficient and hardworking the sky’s the limit. Realistically the average income for painters as recorded by the US government is around $43,000 per year. Painters can set their own schedules and hourly wages, this is often based on their reputation and word of mouth references. A successful, busy painter can sub-contract jobs out to junior painters and effectively act as a contractor by setting up his/her own company and book multiple jobs, earning much more money.

• Painter Training and Certification
• Painter Licensing by State
• Professional Painter Associations
• Painter Groups for Networking

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Talented HVAC technicians not only install and maintain home and office ventilation systems, the same systems that control temperature and normal air circulation, they also make spaces healthy and liveable. HVAC contractors can also act as salesmen and are usually experts regarding the specific brands they represent. They regularly liaison directly with clients to discuss what product (air ducts, air conditioning, heating pumps) will be used and once an agreement is reached and a contract signed, they decide how the system will best be set up. The same HVAC technician will likely provide the regular maintenance service and design the system to best maximize efficiency and economy, while testing the performance using their specialty computers and industry-specific tools.

How Much Does an HVAC Contractor Make?

HVAC is a growth industry and a promising career. The median salary is $47,000 (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Currently, most of the jobs in this industry can be found with licensed builders or building equipment contractors, a higher bracket of payscale can also be made working for civil engineers and on large municipal or governmental infrastructure projects. This field looks especially promising moving forward.

Check out the HVAC Contractor resources:

• HVAC Contractor License Requirements by State
• HVAC Contractor Schools & Training
• HVAC Contractor Associations
• HVAC Contractor Networking Groups

The work is steady if you market your business well. Surveys repeatedly show more than half of U.S. homeowners will call a handyman before attempting a repair themselves. As for the other half, it is uncertain how many of them will also eventually call a handyman. You may be able to charge them more if they’ve made the problem worse by trying to fix it themselves.

As a self-employed professional, you can set your own schedule and prices, as well as choose what types of work to do. A motivated handyman can make six figures a year without too much trouble.

Beyond training in skills you don’t already possess, the main expense in starting a handyman business is equipping yourself with the tools needed to complete a wide range of jobs. More expensive gear, such as a power washer for cleaning the siding on a house, can usually be rented locally and you can build the cost of the rental into your price for the job. In addition, you’ll want to show customers that you are bonded and insured, so they can hire you in confidence, knowing that if there is an accident they won’t be held liable for something that happens on their property.

At the end of the day, you’ll rest easy knowing you’ve helped people protect the investment in their homes by depending on you.

Read on to learn what’s involved in becoming a handyman.

In this article you’ll learn:

• How much money you can make as a handyman
• The required training and certifications
• Professional groups to join
• Employment opportunities for handymen
• Finding clients
• Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

The average handyman rate is about $60 an hour, with some services, such as roofing repairs, costing much more on an hourly basis. You may want to charge a flat fee for certain types of work. This can give you a competitive advantage since your customers know the cost up front and may be more inclined to work with you than hire someone who might take an unknown number of hours to complete a job.

Training and Certification

When starting your career as a handyman, a license may not be required to perform work. In some states, you will need a license if the job is valued over a certain amount, say, $1,000. To be certain, check with your local government and state licensing board to verify what rules apply to you.

Most localities will require you to have a business license to operate. That usually involves nothing more than filling out a form and paying a fee.

As for training, it’s a good idea to decide what services you want to offer as a handyman, based on skills you already possess. Services involving plumbing and electrical work will be off-limits unless you have the necessary certifications and licensing for those trades.

You can learn or brush up on additional skills by taking courses at the local community college or search the Internet for a suitable online course.

Here’s an extensive directory of handyman schools and training programs you can review. Find a program nearby for in-person training or choose online learning. Online courses are generally less expensive, but you won’t get as much instructor feedback as you would in a classroom/workshop setting. Before signing up for courses covering a specialized topic, do a little research on your market. What services are in demand? Where is competition the lowest? Then consider concentrating on training courses covering those areas.

The list below covers basic handyman services that don’t require formal certification:

• Minor interior and exterior cosmetic repairs, such as patching a hole in drywall
• Interior and exterior painting
• Moving heavy items (sofas, china cabinets, large furniture and appliances)
• Installing light fixtures
• Clearing and maintenance, including lawn care
• Installing windows and doors; replacing broken window panes
• Fixing faucets and unclogging sink drains
• Minor carpentry repairs and construction
• Assistance with product assembly (bookcases, desks, tables and other furniture)

Professional Groups to Join

Association of Certified Professional Handymen offers annual ($99.99) and lifetime ($245.99) memberships. While not a licensing organization, the association does offer certification to members.

Benefits include networking with other members, a business listing in the association’s directory and the distinction of being a certified handyman, which you can use on your marketing materials to promote your business. The association also offers access to insurance for handymen.

Employment

If you’re not ready to start your own business, print out your resume and take it to area companies that offer handyman services. Think of it as on-the-job training for your own business while you’re getting paid. Be sure to include references and their contact information. If you can show an established track record of customer satisfaction combined with decent experience, you’re in.

You may also find work as an apprentice or assistant to an independent handyman. There are many jobs where two people will be needed, like moving a piano or hauling away an old refrigerator. Also, sometimes, there’s just more work than one person can comfortably handle.

Finding Clients

When you’re self-employed as a handyman, it’s up to you to find steady work. This means marketing your business. You’ve got to get your name out there.

You’ll need a website. Something basic will do fine, just a page outlining your services and contact information, and a few pages of photos showing off your work. Some “before” and “after” photos make a nice contrast to illustrate the benefits customers enjoy when hiring you for the job.

Work with a printing company to produce a large magnet sign you can attach to the side of your vehicle. The sign should include your business name, the fact that you offer handyman services, and a phone number to call. You can include your website address at the bottom. As your business grows and you become wildly successful, you can eventually have your business information professionally painted on the side of your work van – or the entire fleet. But in the beginning, a magnetized sign will be fine.

While you’re at the printing company, order some business cards: company name, phone number and website address. If there’s room for a slogan or catchy motto, add that, too.

Customer retention is also important. Keep your customers happy and you’ll enjoy repeat business for years to come. People almost always stick with companies they trust, but a reliable handyman is gold.

As an incentive, offer regular customers a discount for referring new customers, then give new customers a discount for trying out your service.

Good to know:

Getting set up for work

As a self-employed professional, you’ll need to buy your own tools and equipment to do your work. Because this can represent a substantial investment, consider a tool insurance policy to protect yourself. Here is a list of the basic tools and equipment you’ll likely need on a consistent basis (often enough to justify owning these tools):

• Toolbox
• Hammer, set of screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, a multi-tool and/or pocketknife
• Basic hardware kit (nails, screws, eye-screws, fasteners, other hardware in different sizes)
• Painting supplies, including brushes, buckets, rollers and extension handles, drop cloths
• Step ladder
• Stud finder
• Circular saw
• Jig saw
• Electric drill
• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• A dependable vehicle to transport yourself and your equipment

Specialty items like power washers, mulchers, lawn seeders and such can probably be rented from your local farm-supply or hardware store. Unless you decide to specialize in a service such as exterior house cleaning, it may not make good business sense to buy a power washer.

Get business and liability insurance

Just do it.

You’ve got tool insurance, so if someone breaks into your van and steals your power tools, you’re covered. Business insurance protects you if something goes wrong. Liability insurance offers protection if someone gets injured as a result of your work. The question should never be whether a new business can afford insurance. The question is, can you afford not to have insurance? In almost all cases, the answer to the second question is “no.”

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as a handyman. Here’s a great place to start.PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

These professionals are well trained in the different mechanical and electrical systems used to regulate the indoor temperature at buildings big and small, from the largest hospital or industrial facility, to a private home in the suburbs.

HVAC contractors are experts in heating, air conditioning and ventilation. Some contractors decide to focus their business on one main category, such as furnace/boiler heating systems or ventilating and duct cleaning services.

These professionals have the training to maintain and repair an HVAC system, or sell and install new components, depending on the customer’s situation. Selling new HVAC systems is an important part of the HVAC contractor’s job, so you’ll need good sales skills.

Further layers of specialization within this industry include water-based and solar-powered heating systems. These niche services can help you target a specific market, such as environmentally conscious consumers who want to reduce their carbon footprint by transitioning as much as possible to solar power for their HVAC needs.

You’ll be working indoors and outdoors in all kinds of conditions, while following safety standards for your work. This in-demand profession has excellent career prospects and earning opportunities, especially if you decide to start your own HVAC company. We’ll go over everything you need to know to train, get licensed and even start marketing your own profitable HVAC service business.

 In this article you’ll learn:

• How much money you can make as an HVAC contractor
• The required training and certifications
• Professional groups to join
• Employment opportunities for HVAC contractors
• Finding clients
• Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

The average wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $48,730 annually, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment of HVAC contractors is projected to grow 13 percent through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive this employment growth, and job opportunities for HVAC/R technicians are expected to remain solid.

Training and Certification

There is no room for error in HVAC repairs and new installations. That’s why a license is required throughout the country to perform these services. Safety protocols are also a critical part of training because HVAC contractors work with high-voltage electricity and pressurized refrigerant systems containing gases for cooling the air.

License requirements are similar, but not identical, in most of the 50 states. You’ll need to check the specific requirements you live to be certain the training program you choose offers everything you need to be prepared for the license examination.  

Here’s a comprehensive guide to licensure requirements for HVAC contractors in all 50 states.

What you’ll learn in training:

• How modern heating and cooling systems work
• Installing and maintaining/repairing heat pumps, furnaces, boilers, and central air conditioning systems.
• Correct and safe use of tools of the trade, including electronic instruments for reading voltages, gas pressures and taking other measurements.
• Safety on the job site, including emergency procedures and what to do to keep yourself and co-workers out of harm’s way.
• How to prepare successful bids on new projects.
• How to sell HVAC equipment to consumers.

That last point, above, merits more detail. One of the key roles of an HVAC contractor is selling new heating and cooling systems to customers whose equipment is worn out and beyond cost-effective repair. For many shops, selling HVAC equipment is vital to the profitability of the business, so sales skills will also be part of your toolkit. A new HVAC system represents a significant investment for the customer, so part of your job will be to sell the right equipment for the type and size of building.

Here’s an extensive list of HVAC schools and training programs you can review.

Professional Groups to Join

Joining a professional association shows your commitment to your career, opens opportunities for ongoing education in new equipment, repairs and installation tips, plus you can network with other pros to share information, including job openings. Here are some of the associations most relevant to HVAC contractors:

Air Movement and Control Association

The AMCA provides education, legislative protection, and standards for businesses and individuals who work in the air control industry. They are an influencer of national standards for design and installation of air conditioning units, having created documentation that covers benchmarks from duct-sizing to air conditioning sound levels. Members must sell AMCA scope products, so this is an association well-suited for HVAC/R professionals who sell full units.

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

Members of the ASHRAE include some of the most influential technicians, educators, and HVAC/R legislators in the United States. This is the largest HVAC/R organization, giving members access to education, certification, and collaboration across every part of the industry. Members can find research on topics like green energy systems and sound pollution. They also hold annual meetings that allow members from around the country to share insight and best practices for every area of HVAC/R.

Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)

Founded in 1933, RSES is considered an authority on refrigeration training in the US. That focus has resulted in a depth of knowledge for the organization, seen in the monthly RSES Journal. The organization also encourages research in addition to promoting training on methodologies. The RSES conference is one of the major industry events and draws thousands of HVAC/R professionals each year.

Indoor Environment Energy Efficiency Association (ACCA)

The ACCA is not just an organization for HVAC/R companies, independent contractors, or customers; it represents all three. As a member of the ACCA, HVAC/R techs gain access to thousands of potential customers through the “Find-A-Contractor” directory on the website. They also run conferences for service managers and office managers in addition to their national combined meeting. The ACCA also offers nationally-recognized accreditation and certification for HVAC/R professionals.

Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE)

For technicians focusing on energy-efficient systems and designs, this group is a good choice. The CEE was developed by a group of Canadian and US energy efficiency managers with the goal of creating energy-effective products, services, and buildings. Their primary goal is to change policies relating to energy efficiency, and is a great place for professionals who want to participate in sustainable HVAC/R practices.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to advancing the science of mechanical engineering to improve quality of life. Many of ASME’s leaders are influential builders and researchers on HVAC/R systems, which makes this an excellent group for getting cutting-edge information. ASME is also a leader in developing codes for safety in mechanical engineering, and provides training opportunities and awards for HVAC/R technicians who develop new procedures that enhance the science of HVAC/R systems.

Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)

The MCAA is the parent organization for the MSCA, the Plumbing Contractors of America, the Manufacturer/Supplier Council, the Mechanical Contracting Education and Research Foundation, and the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau. The goal of this organization is to provide standards for training contractors in every area of mechanical work, including HVAC/R.

Employment

As a new HVAC contractor, you may not be ready to launch your own business. The up-front costs can be significant. Specialized tools and equipment are required, as well as a vehicle to haul them around. You might need to rent office and storage space. There’s taxes to think about. Business insurance. Liability insurance. You’ll probably want to get tool insurance, too, for coverage in the event of lost or stolen tools. These expenses add up quickly.

While you’re saving to start your own HVAC contractor business, if that is your ultimate goal, you can find work with HVAC/R companies in your area as well as construction companies and the maintenance departments of large organizations. Colleges and universities, for instance, will often have a team of HVAC technicians and other maintenance professionals working in-house due to the sheer size of their facilities.

Search online sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter to find local HVAC technician jobs. Send or (better still) hand-deliver your resume, copies of your certifications and license, plus references to companies hiring HVAC pros in your area. Even if there are no immediate job openings, your information will be on file. Companies often check the resumes they already have in-house before advertising a position. If your resume is one of them, you’ve already got the edge on that job.

Most importantly, always follow up with a phone call after mailing or dropping off your materials.

Finding Clients

Congratulations. You’re launching your own HVAC contractor business. Here are some proven techniques for ramping up your marketing – fast – so you can concentrate on making money with your HVAC services.

Claim your Google Business listing
When you set up a free Google Business profile you create an online calling card that works on your behalf 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your business profile lists the name of your company, the services you offer, hours of operation, your phone number, a link to your company website and a Google map that shows the location of your business. Below that information is a space for customers to review your company. This is an opportunity to boost your word-of-mouth advertising. Always ask satisfied customers to leave a positive review on your Google Business page. The page is also automatically optimized to show up in search results. So when a customer goes online to find an HVAC contractor in your area, the companies with the best reviews rise to the top of the search results.

Create a website
List all your services and complete contact information. Don’t post prices on the website, as that’s a topic best discussed directly with the customer once you know the scope of a project or repair. From time to time, you can add an article to the website about some aspect of electrical work that consumers would find useful. You can write these articles yourself or hire a freelance writer to prepare this content. A sample article might cover the importance of inspecting a home with older wiring, which can pose a fire hazard.

When building the website, whether you do it yourself or hire someone, be sure to include a simple contact form that people can fill out. This feature is sometimes called a work request and it’s for customers who are still in the researching/shopping around phase. Perhaps they’re thinking about upgrading or replacing an old heat pump. A work request form lets customers share what they have in mind so you can provide a thoughtful response. This works better than using email, because messages can get lost or shuffled into a spam folder. Customer requests for information entered on your website are delivered directly to you. This way, no fish slip through the net.

Set up a Facebook page
You’ve got to go where the potential customers are hanging out, and that means building a social media presence. Similar to a Google Business listing, your Facebook page contains all your basic contact information. You can post helpful tips and anything else that’s relevant to your HVAC contractor business. Best of all, it’s free.

Annual maintenance packages
Set up a reminder system for your existing customers about the importance of annual maintenance check ups on their HVAC systems. This can be with a phone call or via email. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of sudden breakdowns. Even better, you can sell maintenance contracts where you are paid up-front to make a specified number of service calls to be sure the customer’s equipment is operating efficiently.

Good to know:

At some point, virtually all small business owners will consider whether to pursue paid advertising and, if so, where and how much. In the HVAC business you typically encounter two kinds of customers. One is shopping around for a professional to help with a new HVAC system. The other has a fairly urgent repair that must be done, such as a cooling condenser that has burned out in the middle of August.

Your website with its work request form has you covered for the first category of customer.

The second category of customers want to get a pro on the phone as quickly as possible.

For them, you can consider marketing services that provide call-only ad campaigns. Here’s how it works: in an emergency situation, most consumers are probably going to grab their smartphones and start searching for an HVAC repair service. That’s just natural human behavior. Your call-only campaign displays your ad on the customer’s phone. One tap dials your number. Here is one example of a call-only ad service. Costs are based on pay-per-click, so unless someone clicks your ad to initiate a phone call, you pay nothing. This is as close to a sure-fire method for capturing your share of urgent-service HVAC customers that’s currently available.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as an HVAC contractor. Here’s a great place to start.

PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

Plumbers install, repair and maintain pipes, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for delivering water and disposing of waste water in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. A plumber may be self-employed, work for a plumbing company, construction company, or be part of a crew working for a large organization, such as a university’s maintenance department.

You’ll interact with different people every day, solving problems that could become nightmarish if left unchecked. The two fastest ways a building can sustain significant damage is through out-of-control water or fire moving through the structure. We have firefighters for one of those problems. As a plumber, your job is to resolve the other.

On any given day you might be working indoors or outdoors, alone or alongside other construction professionals. The job takes you into private homes and construction sites, where you’ll be installing pipes, fixtures and following the plumbing designs or blueprints for new buildings.

This work can be physically challenging. You’ll need to be able to stand or crouch for long periods of time, as well as contort your body into unusual angles to get under a sink, for example. Lifting heavy materials is also part of the job, as you’ll be called on to install kitchen sinks, toilets, bathtubs and the pipes required to connect them.

Plumbers make good money and demand for these skilled professionals is expected to remain strong indefinitely. When you decide to become a plumber, you are setting yourself up for lifelong job security.

Read on to discover what’s involved in becoming a plumber.

In this article you’ll learn:

• How much money you can make as a plumber
• The required training and certifications
• Professional groups to join
• Employment opportunities for plumbers
• Finding clients
• Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

The average wage for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is $55,160 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to $28.73 per hour. Employment of plumbers is expected to grow 14 percent through 2028, much faster than the average for all US occupations. Self-employed plumbers typically earn much more, although they are also responsible for providing their own equipment and vehicles, office and storage space, insurance and marketing.

Training and Certification

All states require plumbers to be trained, certified and licensed to perform the work. There are typically two tiers for the profession: journeyman and master plumber.

Here is a comprehensive listing of licensure requirements for plumbers in all 50 US states.

To be certified as a plumber, you usually need to complete an apprenticeship program of 3-4 years. Once you successfully complete the required on-the-job training, technical training and exams, you can apply for a journeyman’s license. As an apprentice, you’ll get to “earn while you learn” with a salary that may start at about half the local rate for a journeyman. Your wages increase as you build experience.

Some states allow a substitution of experience for classroom training. Check with your state to see what regulations apply to plumbers where you live.

To become an apprentice you’ll generally need at least a 10^th grade education, although some states require a high school diploma or GED.

Continuing education is also important to stay current with the latest plumbing materials, fixtures, faucets and other components. As plumbing fixtures change and new products come on the market, you’ll need to know any special techniques for their installation and repair.

Skills you’ll learn while training: 

• Installing, repairing and maintaining domestic, commercial and industrial plumbing systems
• Measuring and marking positions for pipe connections and fixtures in walls and floors
• Cutting openings in walls and floors to install pipes and pipe fittings
• Measuring, cutting, bending and installing pipes using plumbing tools
• Joining pipes for a watertight seal, using clamps, screws, bolts or cement
• Welding
• Testing for leaks
• Creating cost estimates for installations and repairs
• Reading and understanding blueprints

Once you’ve learned the licensure requirements in your state, you’ll be better prepared to choose the right training program. An extensive list of plumbing schools can be reviewed here.

Professional Groups to Join
Membership in a professional association can help your career in several ways. Associations often provide continuing education opportunities so you can stay on top of evolving techniques and learn how to install and repair the latest kitchen and bathroom fixtures. You’ll be able to network with other plumbers in the association, learn from more experienced professionals, share stories and exchange tips on job openings. Here are several of the most relevant professional groups for plumbers:

American Society of Plumbing Engineers

The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) was founded in 1964 as an organization dedicated to the advancement of the plumbing engineering profession, assisting the professional growth of its members, and protecting the health, welfare, and safety of the public.

National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade group that promotes the professionalism of the kitchen and bath industry. Founded in 1963 as a network of kitchen dealers, it has grown into the premier association of distributors, retailers, remodelers, manufacturers, fabricators, installers, designers, and other professionals. The NKBA’s certification program emphasizes continuing education and career development and includes designers and professionals in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, including plumbers. You can keep up with the latest remodeling products and styles through this association.

United Association

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA), represents approximately 340,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians and welders in local unions across North America. They also honor a federation agreement with both the Australian Plumbing Trades Employees Union (PTEU) and Irish Technical, Engineering Electrical Union (TEEU).

Water Quality Association

The Water Quality Association (WQA) is a not-for-profit group for the residential commercial, and industrial water treatment industry. WQA represents more than 2,700 member companies around the globe. Membership consists of equipment manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and distributors of water quality improvement products and services. WQA educates water treatment professionals, certifies water treatment products, acts as a resource for public information and is the voice of the water quality improvement industry.

Employment

When you’re just starting out as a plumber, you may not be ready to start your own business. The up-front costs can be significant. First, you’ll need specialized tools and a vehicle to transport them. Office and storage space may need to be leased. Then there’s business insurance, liability insurance. You may want to get tool insurance, too, for coverage in the event of lost or stolen tools. These items add up quickly.

While you’re building your savings to start your own plumbing business, if that is your dream, you can find work with plumbing companies in your area as well as construction companies and the maintenance departments of large organizations. Colleges and universities, for instance, will often have a team of plumbers and other maintenance professionals working in-house due to the sheer size of their facilities.

Don’t forget to search online sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter to find local jobs. Send or hand-deliver your resume, copies of your certifications and license, plus references to companies hiring plumbers in your area. Consider taking some “before” and “after” photos of installation projects to show off your craftsmanship. An expert bathroom remodel looks impressive to prospective employers. Always follow up with a phone call after mailing or dropping off your materials.

Finding Clients

Congratulations. You’re launching your own plumbing business. Here are 7 solid tips for ramping up your marketing – fast – so you can concentrate on making money with your services.

Claim your Google Business listing

When you set up a free Google Business profile you create an online calling card that works on your behalf 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your business profile lists the name of your company, the services you offer, hours of operation, your phone number, a link to your company website and a Google map that shows the location of your business. Below that information is a space for customers to review your company. This is an opportunity to boost your word-of-mouth advertising. Always ask satisfied customers to leave a positive review on your Google Business page. The page is also automatically optimized to show up in search results. So when a customer goes online to find a plumber, the companies with the best reviews tend to float to the top of the search results.

Create a website

List all your services and complete contact information. Don’t put your prices on the website, as that’s a topic best discussed directly with the customer once you know the scope of a project or repair. From time to time, you can add an article to the website about some aspect of plumbing that consumers would find useful. You can write these articles yourself or hire a freelance writer to prepare this content.

When building the website, whether you do it yourself or hire someone, be sure to include a simple contact form that people can fill out. This feature is sometimes called a work request and it’s for customers who are still in the researching/shopping around phase. They’re thinking about a bathroom remodel, maybe upgrading the kitchen. A work request form lets customers share what they have in mind so you can provide a thoughtful response. This works better than using email, because messages can get lost or shuffled into a spam folder. Customer requests for information entered on your website are delivered directly to you. No fish slip through the net.

Set up a Facebook page

You’ve got to go where the potential customers are hanging out, and that means building a social media presence. Similar to a Google Business listing, your Facebook page contains all your basic contact information. You can post helpful tips, maintenance specials and anything else relevant to your plumbing business. And it’s free.

Good to know:

At some point, virtually all small business owners will consider whether to pursue paid advertising and, if so, where and how much. In the plumbing business you typically encounter two kinds of customers. One is shopping around for a professional to help with a remodeling project. The other has a clogged toilet or a burst pipe that’s spraying everywhere, in other words, an emergency.

Your website with its work request form has you covered for the first category of customer.

The second category of customers want to get a pro on the phone right now, double-quick.

For them, consider marketing services that provide call-only ad campaigns. Here’s how it works: in an emergency situation, most consumers are probably going to grab their smartphones and start searching for a plumber. Your call-only campaign displays your ad on the customer’s phone. One tap dials your number. Here is one example of a call-only ad service. Costs are based on pay-per-click, so unless someone clicks your ad to initiate a phone call, you pay nothing. This is as close to a sure-fire method for capturing your share of urgent-service customers that’s currently available.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as a plumber. Here’s a great place to start.PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

You’ll be responsible for the daily management of building and construction contracts, ensuring the work is done correctly, on time and on budget. You’re in charge of the crew and making sure the materials they need for the job are on site and ready to go. You’ll also oversee the work of subcontractors, such as plumbers and electricians, to ensure their work meets the client’s standards.

Client communication is another core responsibility of the general contractor. The “buck” stops with you, whether the project involves new construction from the foundation up, a remodeling job like a new kitchen or an addition to an existing property.

General contractors, broadly speaking, may fall into two groups – those who maintain primarily a management role and those who strap on a tool belt and work alongside their construction team.

You can work for a construction company or go into business for yourself. You’ll have the opportunity to decide if you want to work on commercial or residential projects – or both – if you choose the self-employed route.

If you learn to do your own design work, you’ll have one more service to offer customers, since all construction begins with a set of plans. Most design work today is done with a computer, so you’ll need some technology skills to go with your construction talents.

From start to finish, you’ll begin by talking with clients about their needs, expectations and budget, proceeding to designs and an estimate or bid for the job. Once the bid is accepted, construction can begin by assembling the crew, arranging for the order and delivery of construction materials, and actual work on the job site.

It’s satisfying, fast-paced work with a tangible product to show at the end of every project. If supervising the many moving parts of a construction project sounds fulfilling, read on to learn how you can get started as a general contractor.

In this article you’ll learn:

• How much money you can make as a general contractor
• The required training and certifications
• Professional groups to join
• Employment opportunities for general contractors
• Finding clients
• Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

General Contractors (including construction managers) make an average of $43.93 per hour, which works out to $91,370 per year. Experience, local economic conditions and the size of the project are also factors in how much you can charge.

Training and Certification

It’s advantageous to have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, architecture, or construction management, but not essential. A degree will set you apart from competitors, although ultimately your track record of performance will just as, if not more, important. What you do need is construction experience and strong leadership skills to succeed as a general contractor. Being able to inspire and motivate your workforce will also prove invaluable as you work hard each day to complete projects to the highest quality standards while staying on budget.

Here’s an extensive directory of general contractor schools and training you can review to determine your best education options.

After completing your training, you’ll need to acquire a license from your state’s licensing board to begin work. Here’s a state by state guide to licensing requirements for a general contractor.

Professional Groups to Join

Joining professional organizations shows you are serious about your career. You can network with other members, learn about job openings, pursue continuing education, stay current in your field and much more by affiliating with a professional association.

Associated Builders and Contractors
American Builders and Contractors is a nationwide association that currently represents over 25,000 construction firms across the United States. Through its 79 chapters, the membership body represents every aspect of the construction field and requires its members to develop professionals and uphold an ethical standard. ABC is involved in governmental regulations, legal advocacy, continuing education, and championing employee benefits.

Construction Management Association of America
Founded in 1982, CMAA offers training and educational opportunities for more than 16,000 members. Individuals, corporations, and construction firm owners from both the private and public sector make up this association, which has nearly 30 regional chapters across the country. Because of its dedication to construction management, it is considered a professional organization that sets the standard for management practices within the industry. Through certifications, conferences, and workshops, members can learn about the new advancements in management procedures.

American Institute of Constructors
AIC is a professional organization aimed at providing training and networking opportunities within the construction industry in America. The institute is dedicated to providing a standard for both individuals and construction firms. Membership is considered a mark of professionalism. Benefits include certifications, access to workshops and conferences, and networking with other professionals within the industry, creating a standard of ethical practice that all members aspire to reach.

Associated General Contractors of America
From building to utility to federal construction, AGC members work all over the country and are bolstered by a strong association that advocates on their behalf. The association offers training and networking opportunities, and supports a political action committee that strives for better standards, both in construction and for members.

Design Build Institute of America
DBIA works on the design-build model, pairing construction managers with designers with a single point of responsibility. This is becoming widespread in the commercial sector and offers both types of professionals the chance to network with each other to build lasting relationships. The institute provides certification as well as conferences and continuing education opportunities.

Employment

When you’re just starting out, you may want to work for a construction company before launching your own business. This way, you earn while you learn.

Send or hand-deliver your resume, copies of your certifications, references and printed photos of your past projects to construction companies where you live. Always follow up with a phone call.

If you don’t have relevant general contractor experience, you may have to work your way up into a supervisory role at a construction company.

Finding Clients

Construction work is expensive. Prices almost never go down, only up. As a result, competition to produce quality work under budget constraints can be fierce. You’ll need to out-think and out-market your competitors. Here are ways to achieve those goals:

Keep in touch with customers

Let your clients know how important they are and how important their opinion is of your services. During and after construction, ask clients how they like the progress as construction is coming along, then ask if they will refer your company to others.

When you finish a project, make sure it is to the client’s complete satisfaction, then ask for an endorsement or online review that you can use on your website.

Get your business listed on directories

Online directories like Angie’s List are increasingly popular ways for customers to find contractors. You can also ask happy customers to give you a glowing review on these sites.

Check the neighborhood while you’re on a job

Chances are, you’ll notice a few buildings that could benefit with some work. You can even check on next-door neighbors to alert them you’ll be doing work on the adjacent house. This sort of courtesy is rare and shows you care. It takes only a minute and it gives you an opportunity to hand out a business card. For icing on the cake, offer them a discount for any work that can be done while you’re already working in their neighborhood.

Targeted Direct-Mail Marketing

Done right, this can be an extremely effective tool for getting your contracting business in front of new customers. You can pick and choose the areas to target by zip code, even by specific subdivisions and streets. Chances are, a subdivision that’s 15-20 years old probably has more than a few houses in need of a new roof, for example.

Sponsor a Lunch-And-Learn

This can be held at a local restaurant or you can have lunch catered at a local hardware or paint supply store as a partnership. No need to make a hard sales pitch. Instead, focus on remodeling trends and projects that add value to a property. This gets you in front of people who are interested in enhancing their property value. While the enticement of a free lunch may seem like a big investment, it will probably be less expensive than generalized advertising to a broad audience. Also, studies repeatedly show that when people receive something of value, like a free lunch, they feel an obligation to return the favor, which translates into more business for you.

Set up payment plans

Once you’re established and generating decent cash flow, you can afford to do construction projects that allow customers to pay over time. This accomplishes two things. First, it expands your potential customer base to individuals who may not be able to afford a project if forced to pay in full at once. Second, you can charge interest on the dollar value, which is essentially a loan.

Good to know:

One of the most important skills a general contractor can possess is being able to bid successfully on projects. If you cannot get your bids accepted, you will not get work.

Software applications are available to plug in the numbers for all aspects of a project, then produce a bid report. Many of these applications come with a free trial. Here’s one example.

While these tools can greatly simplify the task of preparing a written bid, they are only as valuable as the data being entered into them. There’s no substitute for a thorough understanding of construction techniques, knowledge of current pricing on materials, the cost of labor and the estimated time involved to complete any project. The more you can immerse yourself in these details and achieve mastery over them, the more successful you are likely to be in preparing winning bids.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as a general contractor. Here’s a great place to start.PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

So, you’re looking for an app to manage your on-the-go business where you’re servicing clients at their homes. In this article, we will be discussing the ups and downs of using Housecall Pro, how Housecall Pro compares to PocketSuite, and what app would be best for your business based on your needs. Housecall Pro is famous for being especially suited to businesses that perform services onsite at a client’s home.

Since running a service business has a unique set of challenges, it’s important to choose an app or software that allows you to tackle these challenges head-on.

For example, some common characteristics of apps or software that allows you to manage your on-the-go service business are:

1. Mobile-first design
2. Scheduling
3. Online Booking
4. Estimates
5. Invoices
6. Marketing
7. Etc…

It’s very easy to assume that just about any software that does scheduling and booking can help you. However, let’s take a look at the breakdown of two giants in this industry – Housecall Pro and PocketSuite.

Both apps are designed for pros that service clients at their location, so it’s worth your time to find out which one of these takes the cake in terms of value and pricing.

It’s important to choose wisely, as the software or app that you use will influence your clients perception of your business. You want that impression to be good, so this decision should not be taken lightly!

Let’s take a look at what Housecall Pro is capable of and how it compares to PocketSuite.

Housecall Pro

Features:

• Scheduling
• Estimates
• Online booking
• Dispatch
• On-my-way texts
• Live Map GPS
• Custom text and email
• Invoicing
• Follow-up marketing
• Payment processing
• Recurring service
• Instapay

PocketSuite

Features:

• Marketing – Google-driven results (Partnership with PocketSuite <> Google AdWords).
• Online Booking – Your customers can book you from their phone or computer.
• POS – Charge customer’s credit cards with our built in card scanner.
• Scheduling – One tap easy booking for you and your clients.
• Invoicing – Collect payment upfront and/or when the job is done.
• Discounts – Give specials discounts to brand new or existing clients.
• Sales Tax / Surcharges – Uncle Sam’s payments are taken care of auto-magically.
• Gratuity – Let your clients make it rain by giving you tips!
• Custom Fields – Whatever customization you need on your appointments, PocketSuite has the power to make it happen.
• E-Contracts – Send clients contracts over text or email and get them signed within 24 hours.
• Forms – Complete private notes on the job and save them for future reference.
• Recurring Appointments – Keep them coming back for more and lock in repeat clients.
• Appointment Reminders – Your clients will never miss an appointment.
• Multi-Services – Offer different priced services to your customers easily.
• Reservations – Let clients book you for multi-day jobs.
• Estimates – Send estimates with deposit requirements. Convert estimates into invoices and/or appointments with one tap.
• Packages – Custom packages have never been easier – get paid upfront.
• Subscriptions – Auto-pay is the easiest way to collect recurring revenue.
• Team – Easy to assign jobs, pay, manage your team from one app.
• Job Check In & Check Out – Keep tabs on your team and auto-update your clients on arrival times with location tracking.
• Group Messaging – Business at the speed of thought. Clients just see it as text, but it shows up in your app as a client message!

As is abundantly clear at this point, PocketSuite’s massive set of features is more than enough for any new or established business owner.

It is also important to take a look at the financial commitment that is associated with each of these software tools. After all, it’s important to make sure you’re not throwing money down the drain!

With Housecall Pro, the interesting thing is that you get limited functionality for more money as opposed to PocketSuite’s fully stocked premium offerings that are less expensive and more powerful.

Housecall Pro Pricing

PocketSuite Pricing

PocketSuite’s “Premium” Plan is for one person businesses. The “Team” plan is $34.99 for up to 2 team members, including SuperAdmin, and then $9.99 for every additional team member over 2.

Additionally, the features that PocketSuite provides eclipse Housecall Pro’s by a longshot.

Let’s take a looksie at some of these extra features that you would NOT receive with Housecall Pro:

PocketSuite Premium Version

• Unique Business # – Get a business phone number that you can put on your business cards and marketing.
• Group Messaging – No more fumbling to send dozens of the same message to your clients.
• Saved Message Templates – Easily send off messages based on custom templates.
• Class Scheduling, Auto Check Ins & Attendance Tracking – Easily track job check ins and check outs.
• Multi-day Jobs – Allow clients to reserve your time for multiple days. Viola!
• Tasks / To-Do’s – Always know what you need to get done and don’t miss a single task!
• Data Importing – Come on over. We’ll take care of getting your clients into the system.
• Questionnaires / Forms – Collect data from your customers with ease. Painlessly organize and sort it.
• Contract E-Signing – Need to send a contract out? Never fear, PocketSuite is here.
• Estimates – I’m estimating that you will love this feature, especially how you can convert estimates to invoices directly!
• Smart Campaigns – Follow up with your clients automatically – schedule follow-ups via SMS that bring folks back for more!
• Add-On Products – Now you can sell products alongside your services.

I’d also like to mention one thing that normally gets lost in the shuffle when it comes to choosing a piece of software or an app to help you manage your business.

As you know, the learning curve for new technology can be very high. For this reason, should you run into some roadblocks or headaches when it comes to switching providers, it is important to know that the new software or app you’re using has your back.

As an example, I am very impressed with the support I received from PocketSuite when I tried them out.

In fact, I would go so far as to say that their support team is best-in-class, and you shouldn’t hesitate at all to reach out to them if you have questions.

If you run into problems, just shoot them a text (415-841-2300). They respond quickly and are extremely helpful. They went beyond the call of duty to ensure that my experience with their app was a 6 star rating in every way. And as a business owner, that makes me feel taken care of and happy to be a part of the PocketSuite community of Pros.

When it comes to choosing a business management app or software, I need something that is easy to use when I’m on the go (like when I’m doing appointments at a client’s home) and has full-fledged functionality (so I don’t have to look for 10 other apps to get basic business tasks done).

Housecall Pro has limited functionality and is primarily desktop-based. PocketSuite, on the other hand, is mobile-first in design and has all of the necessary tools that I need to run my entire business from my phone, using one app. How neat is that?

Like this article? You’ll love our guide on how to generate leads for service businesses in 2022, and of course our Frustrations with Square article!

There are two main types of electrical work. The first involves wiring for new construction and the second covers repairs, maintenance and upgrades. We can further break down the different roles of electricians into these categories:

Residential Wiremen, who install the electrical wiring, outlets, switches, circuit breakers and other systems that go into consumers’ houses

Inside Wiremen, who tend to work on commercial projects, including office buildings, factories, arenas, airports, municipal buildings, schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and more.

Telecommunication Electricians, who install the cable and components necessary for phone, computer, and local area network communications.​

Outside Linemen, who string up or bury the thick cables that extend from power plants to buildings and homes.

All of these positions require extensive training and adherence to the strictest safety protocols.

Because of the vital role electricity plays in our lives, keeping electrical systems running smoothly is also a time-sensitive job. Most of us have experienced a power outage, whether in the midst of a raging thunderstorm, tree branches falling on power lines, yanking them from their mooring, or some act of nature. If this happens in the summer, you’ll notice how quickly the inside of a house heats up when the air conditioning isn’t running. Or you’ll experience the frustration of walking into several different rooms during the outage and flipping light switches, only to be reminded the power is still out. Productivity grinds to a halt.

When something goes wrong, it can be very challenging to isolate the source of the problem, then determine what must be done to fix it. Electricians who can keep their corner of the world chugging along with power can look forward to a long and lucrative career.

Read on to discover what you need to do to become an electrician.

In this article you’ll learn:

• How much money you can make as an electrician
• The required training and certifications
• Professional groups to join
• Employment opportunities for electricians
• Finding clients
• Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

The average wage for electricians is $56,180 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to $29.26 per hour. The labor bureau reports that employment of electricians is projected to grow 10 percent through 2028, which is faster than the average for all US occupations.

Training and Certification

Electricians are required to be licensed in all 50 states. The very nature of the job, working with potentially lethal energy, demands highly trained professionals who understand and can follow safety protocols. While regulations vary by state, generally you’ll need to complete an approved training program with four years of hands-on experience working under a licensed electrician. This apprenticeship work is paid, with wages increasing as you gain experience. 

A comprehensive directory of electrician licensing requirements for all 50 states is available here.

Generally, there are two broad categories of jobs requiring an electrician: installation and maintenance. Installation involves wiring the electrical systems in new construction, connecting circuit breakers, mounting power outlets and switches in walls, and hooking up the system to the external power source, which is the utility company’s line. Additional connections can involve solar panels and back-up generators, which are essential components at many organizations, especially hospitals.

Your training will cover both of these broad categories of electrical work so you’ll be prepared for any project.

Here’s an extensive list of electrician schools and training programs you can review.

What you’ll learn while training as an electrician:

• Using the correct tools, including knives, hacksaws, pliers, wire-strippers, and other hand tools.
• How to read blueprints and wiring schematics.
• How to wire and connect electrical systems for safety and reliability.
• Shaping pipes or tubing into specific angles with the use of a conduit bender. Pipes and tubing provide protection for the wiring running through them.
• Working with measuring devices, including ammeters (which measure electric currents in a circuit), ohmmeters (which measure electrical resistance), voltmeters (measures the amount of voltage that is passing between two points in a circuit), and oscilloscopes (an instrument that displays a graph showing how voltage rises and falls over a set amount of time).
• Safety protocols. Critical procedures for working with electricity so you avoid injury or worse.

Professional Groups to Join

National Electrical Contractors Association
NECA is one of the largest associations dedicated specifically to the electrical contracting industry. It weighs in heavily on standards, provides education, advocacy and business training to its members and provides events across the country for contractors to get together.

Independent Electrical Contractors
The IEC focuses on independent contractors and promotes the merit shop system. Its mission is to deliver the highest level of quality to its members to ensure the industry is served by professionals with the best possible quality and expertise.

Federated Electrical Contractors
The FEC is the first international association on our list, covering not only North America from coast to coast, but also a number of other countries. It works to create better quality in the industry through the international community.

American Lighting Association
Focusing on the lighting sector specifically, the ALA provides specialized support for its members, giving them information on new technologies, access to industry leaders and a wide range of services vital to their success in the sector.

American Society for Industrial Security
ASIS also serves a specialized sector of the electrical industry, specifically security. Its focus is delivering leadership and excellence in the security industry.

Employment

As a new electrician, you may not be ready to launch your own business. The up-front costs can be significant. Specialized tools and equipment will be needed, as well as a van or truck to transport them. You might need to rent office and storage space. There’s taxes to think about. Business insurance. Liability insurance. You may want to get tool insurance, too, for coverage in the event of lost or stolen tools. These expenses add up quickly.

While you’re saving to start your own electrician business, if that is your dream, you can find work with electrical companies in your area as well as construction companies and the maintenance departments of large organizations. Colleges and universities, for instance, will often have a team of electricians and other maintenance professionals working in-house due to the sheer size of their facilities.

Search online sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter to find local jobs. Send or (even better) hand-deliver your resume, copies of your certifications and license, plus references to companies hiring electricians in your area. Even if there are no immediate job openings, your information will be on file. Companies routinely check out resumes they already have before advertising a position.

Most importantly, always follow up with a phone call after mailing or dropping off your materials.

Finding Clients

Congratulations. You’re launching your own electrician business. Here are 7 proven tips for ramping up your marketing – fast – so you can concentrate on making money with your services.

Claim your Google Business listing

When you set up a free Google Business profile you create an online calling card that works on your behalf 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your business profile lists the name of your company, the services you offer, hours of operation, your phone number, a link to your company website and a Google map that shows the location of your business. Below that information is a space for customers to review your company. This is an opportunity to boost your word-of-mouth advertising. Always ask satisfied customers to leave a positive review on your Google Business page. The page is also automatically optimized to show up in search results. So when a customer goes online to find an electrician, the companies with the best reviews rise to the top of the search results.

Create a website

List all your services and complete contact information. Don’t put your prices on the website, as that’s a topic best discussed directly with the customer once you know the scope of an electrical project or repair. From time to time, you can add an article to the website about some aspect of electrical work that consumers would find useful. You can write these articles yourself or hire a freelance writer to prepare this content. A sample article might cover the importance of inspecting a home with older wiring, which can pose a fire hazard.

When building the website, whether you do it yourself or hire someone, be sure to include a simple contact form that people can fill out. This feature is sometimes called a work request and it’s for customers who are still in the researching/shopping around phase. Perhaps they’re thinking about building an addition on their home, which will require electrical wiring and circuit breakers.  A work request form lets customers share what they have in mind so you can provide a thoughtful response. This works better than using email, because messages can get lost or shuffled into a spam folder. Customer requests for information entered on your website are delivered directly to you. This way, no fish slip through the net.

Set up a Facebook page

You’ve got to go where the potential customers are hanging out, and that means building a social media presence. Similar to a Google Business listing, your Facebook page contains all your basic contact information. You can post helpful tips and anything else that’s relevant to your electrician business. Best of all, it’s free.

Good to know:

At some point, virtually all small business owners will consider whether to pursue paid advertising and, if so, where and how much. In the electrician business you typically encounter two kinds of customers. One is shopping around for a professional to help with a remodeling project. The other has a fairly urgent repair that must be done, such as a wall outlet that has burned out.

Your website with its work request form has you covered for the first category of customer.

The second category of customers want to get a pro on the phone as quickly as possible.

For them, you can consider marketing services that provide call-only ad campaigns. Here’s how it works: in an emergency situation, most consumers are probably going to grab their smartphones and start searching for an electrician. Your call-only campaign displays your ad on the customer’s phone. One tap dials your number. Here is one example of a call-only ad service. Costs are based on pay-per-click, so unless someone clicks your ad to initiate a phone call, you pay nothing. This is as close to a sure-fire method for capturing your share of urgent-service customers that’s currently available.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as an electrician. Here’s a great place to start.PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

Artistry is involved in shaping and joining pieces of wood. You’ll develop skill with a variety of hand tools and power equipment that can be used to sculpt wood into functional structures and beautiful objects. Good math skills are also required to produce that artistry. Precision is an essential component of carpentry. If your math is off by even a fraction of an inch, that’s still a gap too far.

One of the pleasures of carpentry is you get to decide what type of work you want to do. Will you be a generalist or will you specialize in a single, highly-skilled aspect of the craft? If you work for a construction company, that choice might be made for you. You might be put in charge of scaffolding construction on a big job site. After a while, if scaffolding is all you do, it might be time to think about broadening your career prospects.

Some carpenters go into business for themselves and are then able to decide precisely which projects they want to tackle.

The process of becoming a carpenter is not long, but can be time consuming. An apprenticeship might last 4 years, but the skills you’ll acquire will last a lifetime.

If you’re ready to use your creativity and artistic skills in pursuit of a career that lets you work with your hands, read on to learn what it takes to become a carpenter.

In this article you’ll learn:

• How much money you can make as a carpenter
• The required training and certifications
• Professional groups to join
• Employment opportunities for carpenters
• Finding clients
• Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

The average carpenter salary in the United States is $56,299 as of 2020, according to Salary.com. That works out to $29.32 per hour. Salary ranges vary depending on experience, education, certifications, and additional skills. Self-employed carpenters typically earn much more, with an annual income in the six-figure range not uncommon.

Training and Certification

Some carpenters start training for the craft in high school. Beyond general shop class, courses in math, mechanical drawing and blueprint reading will help prepare students for a carpentry career.

Following high school, some beginning carpenters may find work as an assistant or secure an apprenticeship with an experienced professional who provides training and pays a salary to the apprentice. New carpenters might pursue this path in tandem with a trade or post-secondary vocational school, or coursework at a community college.

Apprenticeship rules vary by state. In most cases, the apprentice must be at least 18 and complete 3-4 years of on-the-job training.

Whether you work as an apprentice or pursue traditional classroom training, you’ll learn basic structural design and common carpentry projects. These include rough framing, and outside and inside finishing, including custom carpentry such as cabinetry. You’ll also learn the proper and safe use of carpentry tools and equipment, how to read blueprints and use math to produce accurate work, as well as job safety and first aid.

Skills that you will develop mainly with practice include good eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, balance and physical fitness.

Good training programs will deliver plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice as well as classroom instruction. Be sure to choose a training program approved by the state where you plan to become licensed. Different states have different requirements for training, certification and licensure.

Here is an extensive list of carpentry schools and training programs you can review to find the best fit for your needs.

This state by state guide to licensing requirements for a carpenter will help you know what you need to do to qualify for licensure in your area.

Professional Groups to Join

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America leads the way in training, educating, and representing the next generation of skilled construction professionals. We equip our professional craftsmen with skills that are demanded in today’s construction industry. Join by contacting the nearest UBC Council.

Additionally, there are many regional associations devoted to the carpentry profession. Depending on where you live, joining one or more of these could open doors to many networking opportunities. An extensive listing of carpentry associations can be reviewed here.

Employment

When you’re just starting out as a carpenter, you may not be ready to start your own business. Insurance, renting office space, buying tools, equipment and a truck to haul it all around – these things add up quickly. As an alternative, you can hone your skills working for a construction or carpentry company.

Search online sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter to find local jobs. Send or hand-deliver your resume, copies of your certifications, references and printed photos of your past projects to carpentry and construction companies in your area. Always follow up with a phone call.

Finding Clients
When you decide to pursue the dream of self-employment as a carpenter, finding steady work is your responsibility. This means doing your own marketing, getting your name out there.

You’ll need a website. Nothing fancy, just a page outlining your services and contact information, and a few pages of photos showing off your carpentry. Some “before” and “after” photos make a nice contrast to illustrate the benefits customers enjoy when hiring you for the job.

Next, order business cards printed with your company name, phone number and website address. If there’s room for a slogan or catchy motto, add that, too.

Small, independent hardware stores may be willing for you to post a flyer for your business in the store window.

As your cash flow improves and becomes consistent you can consider buying advertising. Until then, take advantage of the many online sites that allow you to search for and bid on carpentry jobs.

Customer retention is also important. Keep your customers happy and you’ll enjoy repeat business for years to come. People almost always stick with companies they trust, but a reliable carpenter is gold.

As an incentive, offer your regular customers a discount for referring new customers, then give new customers a discount.

Good to know

• Basic tool kit for new carpenters: hand saw, jig saw, circular saw, claw hammer, screwdrivers (see below) tape measure, chisel, jack plane, power drill and set of drill bits, nail set, spirit level, block plane, layout square, utility knife, router, sander and sanding sheets, safety goggles for eye protection and a lockable toolbox large enough to hold all hand tools.
• As with virtually all construction jobs, carpentry is hard, physical work. You’ll want to be in good shape and stay that way to perform at peak efficiency. Expect to be standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling all day. The job itself may keep you physically fit, but a regular regimen of flexibility exercises can help.
• Working with power tools or even just a claw hammer and sack of nails will pose a risk of injury, so safety is always going to be an important part of a successful project. Don’t put yourself in any situation where the job site or the tools available to do the job are not up to safety standards.
• Don’t rely exclusively on your tape measure. Use a pencil to mark wood precisely.
• A smooth-head, flat-claw hammer will be more versatile than any other hammer you can buy.
• Before investing in a set of 100+ screwdrivers, see how long you can get by with a couple of flat-blade screwdrivers and a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver. The #2 Phillips will fit 90 percent of the screws you’ll typically need to twist into place.
• Ordering slightly more material than you estimate you’ll need for a job, even if you end up with leftovers, will almost always be less expensive than not ordering enough, which means you have to stop work and go back to the supply store for more.
• Buy a tool belt that will outlast you. Cheap belts get replaced year after year. You’ll just be losing money. Leather offers a good blend of durability and strength to hold your valuable tools securely.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as a carpenter. Here’s a great place to start.PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.