As your plumbing business grows, you’ll need skilled, reliable plumbers to handle more jobs and keep clients happy. But hiring the right people isn’t easy—a bad hire can cost you time, money, and even your reputation.
So, how do you find plumbers who show up on time, do quality work, and represent your business well? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you hire the right team. 👇
1️⃣ Know When It’s Time to Hire ⏳
Before you start looking, make sure hiring is the right move.
✔ Are you turning down jobs because you don’t have enough time?
✔ Are you missing deadlines or struggling to keep up with demand?
✔ Do you want to expand into bigger projects that require extra hands?
📌 Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, start with a casual plumber or subcontractor before committing to a full-time hire.
2️⃣ Decide What Type of Plumber You Need 🏗️
Not all plumbers have the same skills. Clearly define the role you need to fill.
✔ Apprentice Plumber – Good for basic tasks, but needs supervision.
✔ Licensed Plumber – Can work independently and handle most jobs.
✔ Specialist Plumber – If you do commercial work, civil stormwater, or gas plumbing, you may need someone with specialized skills.
💡 Example: If you’re mainly doing residential work but want to expand into commercial projects, hiring a plumber with experience in commercial plumbing can help you get there faster.
3️⃣ Offer Competitive Pay & Benefits 💰
Good plumbers are in high demand, so you need to make your offer attractive.
✔ Check industry rates in your area so you’re not underpaying.
✔ Offer incentives like bonuses for on-time work or positive customer reviews.
✔ Provide a clear career path (e.g., from an apprentice to a lead plumber).
📌 Example: “We pay $X per hour + performance bonuses for jobs completed on time. Plus, we offer paid training to help you grow in your career.”
4️⃣ Advertise the Job in the Right Places 📢
Post your job listing where skilled plumbers are actually looking.
✔ Job boards (Seek, Indeed, Gumtree, and Facebook Jobs).
✔ Plumbing trade schools (Contact local TAFEs or training centers).
✔ Word-of-mouth (Ask other tradies if they know someone looking for work).
✔ Social media & Facebook groups (Try “Plumbers in Sydney” groups).
💡 Pro Tip: Many plumbers aren’t actively job-hunting but might switch for a better opportunity. Networking and referrals are often the best way to find good hires.
5️⃣ Screen & Interview Candidates Properly 📝
Hiring the wrong person can be costly. Screen candidates carefully to avoid headaches later.
✔ Check qualifications & licenses (ask for their plumbing license number).
✔ Look at past experience (ask about projects they’ve worked on).
✔ Call previous employers (a quick reference check can save you a lot of trouble).
✔ Test their skills (e.g., give them a trial day on-site to see their work).
✔ Check their attitude & reliability (a skilled plumber with a bad attitude can ruin your business).
📌 Good Interview Questions:
1️⃣ “Tell me about a tough plumbing job you handled—how did you solve it?”
2️⃣ “What do you do if a customer complains about the work?”
3️⃣ “How do you handle working under tight deadlines?”
💡 Red Flags to Watch For:
❌ Can’t provide references.
❌ Has a history of job-hopping (constantly switching companies).
❌ Blames others for past issues.
6️⃣ Offer a Trial Period Before Hiring Full-Time ⏳
A plumber might look great on paper, but you won’t know for sure until they’re on the job.
✔ Start with a 2-4 week trial period to see their skills and work ethic.
✔ Pay them fairly during the trial, but let them know it’s not guaranteed full-time work yet.
✔ If they prove themselves, offer them a permanent position.
📌 Example: “We’d love to bring you on for a 4-week trial. If it’s a good fit for both of us, we’ll offer a full-time position with long-term benefits.”
7️⃣ Keep Your Best Plumbers Happy 😊
Once you find great plumbers, don’t lose them to another company!
✔ Pay them fairly and give bonuses for top performance.
✔ Create a good work culture (no one likes working in a stressful environment).
✔ Offer training & growth opportunities (help them upskill).
✔ Show appreciation (a simple “great job today” can go a long way).
💡 Pro Tip: Good plumbers often leave because they feel undervalued. Treat them well, and they’ll stay loyal.
Final Thoughts 🏁
Finding and hiring reliable plumbers takes time, but getting the right team in place will help your business grow.
✔ Know when to hire – Don’t bring on staff too soon or too late.
✔ Hire the right type of plumber for your needs.
✔ Offer competitive pay to attract top talent.
✔ Screen candidates properly to avoid bad hires.
✔ Start with a trial period before committing long-term.
✔ Keep your best plumbers happy so they don’t leave.
👉 Need accurate plumbing estimates to price jobs correctly? SNZ Plumbing Estimating can help—get in touch today.