By Craig Lourens: Business Coach

Ever wondered why some plumbing businesses soar while others stay stuck in survival mode? It’s a question worth reflecting on because, let’s face it, the plumbing industry doesn’t play favourites. Same market, same tools, same access to information—yet vastly different results.

Here’s the hard truth: It’s not about resources. It’s about how those resources are used.

Craig Louren, Business Coach

Craig Louren, Business Coach. © Plumbing Africa

  1. Obsession with Value

The best businesses aren’t just selling plumbing services; they’re solving problems faster, better, and with less friction than the competition. Your customer doesn’t care how many certifications you have—they care if you show up on time, do the job right, and don’t leave their bathroom looking like a war zone. Businesses that focus obsessively on delivering 10x the value of what they charge are the ones that win.

  1. Relentless Marketing and Sales

Most plumbers think marketing is just “optional.” The best plumbers know it’s oxygen for their business. If you’re not top of mind, someone else is. A consistent marketing strategy—whether that’s dominating local search results, using paid ads, or building a killer referral programme—is the difference between being busy and being invisible.

And let’s talk sales. Are you just quoting jobs, or are you educating customers and guiding them to see you as the clear choice? The businesses that thrive don’t just close sales—they create trust.

  1. Ruthless Execution on Systems

Flying by the seat of your pants works… until it doesn’t. The plumbers who build scalable systems for scheduling, invoicing, customer follow-up, and team management are the ones who stay ahead. Systems turn chaos into consistency, and consistency builds trust—and repeat business.

Freepik

  1. Owner Mindset

This one’s uncomfortable. The biggest bottleneck in most plumbing businesses? The owner. Some owners treat their business like a job—they’re in the trenches every day, fixing pipes, doing admin, chasing payments. The great ones? They treat it like a machine. They work on their business, not just in it. They hire smart, invest in training their team, and focus on growth.

  1. Relentless Learning and Adaptation

You don’t need a new idea—you need better execution of the basics. But the businesses that soar don’t stop there. They learn, adapt, and stay ahead of trends. Whether it’s adopting new tech or offering services competitors don’t, they refuse to stay stagnant.

Here’s the truth: The market doesn’t care about excuses. The businesses that win are the ones that outwork, outlearn, and out-serve everyone else.

It’s simple. Not easy. But if you want to thrive, you know what to do.