As a plumber, you’ll eventually face a big decision: Should you expand and hire more plumbers, or continue working solo?
Going solo means you keep all the profits and stay in full control, but hiring a team can help you grow and take on bigger projects. Each path has its pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your goals, workload, and business vision.
Let’s break it down so you can decide what’s best for you.
Staying Solo: Pros and Cons
Many plumbers prefer to work alone because it gives them full control over their business.
✅ Pros of Staying Solo:
✔ Keep 100% of the profits – No need to split earnings with employees.
✔ Less stress and responsibility – No managing staff, payroll, or HR issues.
✔ Easier to maintain quality – You ensure every job meets your standards.
✔ Lower overhead costs – No need to pay wages, insurance, or extra equipment.
❌ Cons of Staying Solo:
✖ Limited income potential – You can only take on as much work as you can handle.
✖ Long hours and burnout – You’re responsible for everything, from admin to labor.
✖ Harder to grow – Bigger jobs or multiple clients at once may be out of reach.
✖ No backup – If you get sick or take a holiday, your income stops.
📌 Best for: Plumbers who prefer a hands-on approach, value flexibility, and don’t want the responsibility of managing employees.
Hiring More Plumbers: Pros and Cons
Expanding your business by hiring plumbers can open up new opportunities, but it comes with added challenges.
✅ Pros of Hiring More Plumbers:
✔ Increase income potential – More hands mean more jobs completed and higher earnings.
✔ Take on bigger projects – You can bid for commercial and large-scale jobs.
✔ Share the workload – Less stress, fewer long hours, and better work-life balance.
✔ Business keeps running without you – Even if you take a break, your team can continue working.
❌ Cons of Hiring More Plumbers:
✖ Higher costs – Wages, insurance, workers’ compensation, and equipment add up.
✖ More responsibility – Managing staff, scheduling, and dealing with employee issues.
✖ Risk of quality control issues – Employees may not work to your exact standards.
✖ Administrative burden – Payroll, taxes, HR, and compliance become part of your job.
📌 Best for: Plumbers who want to grow their business, increase revenue, and take on larger jobs.
How to Decide: Stay Solo or Expand?
Ask yourself these questions before making a decision:
How busy are you?
- If you’re constantly turning down work due to a full schedule, hiring may be the right move.
- If you still have gaps in your schedule, it might not be the time to expand yet.
Do you want to grow your business?
If you dream of running a larger operation, hiring plumbers is necessary.
If you prefer simplicity and flexibility, staying solo makes more sense.
Can you afford employees?
- Employees come with expenses beyond wages—insurance, vehicles, tools, etc.
- Ensure you have steady work lined up before committing to payroll.
Are you willing to manage people?
- Running a team means dealing with hiring, training, scheduling, and potential conflicts.
- If you enjoy managing and leading others, expanding is a good option.
- If you’d rather just focus on plumbing, staying solo may be better.
Alternative: Hiring Subcontractors Instead of Full-Time Employees
If you need extra help but don’t want full-time employees, consider hiring subcontractors or casual workers.
✅ Benefits of Subcontractors:
✔ You only pay them when you have work.
✔ No long-term commitment or payroll responsibilities.
✔ You can test the waters before hiring full-time staff.
This is a great middle-ground solution if you’re not ready for a permanent team.
Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Choice for You?
There’s no right or wrong answer—it depends on your goals and workload.
- If you enjoy working alone, want to keep all profits, and don’t want added stress—staying solo is a great choice.
- If you want to grow, take on bigger projects, and reduce your workload over time—hiring a team is worth considering.
- If you’re not sure yet, start with subcontractors to test the waters before committing to full-time employees.
Whatever you choose, make sure your pricing covers all costs so you stay profitable—whether working solo or managing a team.
Need accurate plumbing estimates to grow your business? SNZ Plumbing Estimating provides professional estimates so you can price jobs with confidence.