There are going to be two main options which have a big bearing on your plumbing career and hence your lifestyle. Self employed or employee… that is the question!

Employee Plumber

If you work for someone like British gas, apart from being called a ‘Technical engineer’ (a very vague title if you ask me) you will reap many benefits such as steady work, security, earning over 30k, new van bought for you, paid leave, sick pay, tools, pension, a support team (the list goes on) …Pretty sweet, right? This type of work is suited to most people but as you can imagine there is a lot of competition to work for larger companies. As a fully qualified employee most of your time will be spent in the field fixing, fitting and maintaining domestic heating systems. You will usually need more qualifications to be an employee, especially if working with gas. Working for smaller businesses may be more achievable but there are less perks the further down you go…

Self-Employed Plumbers

…And when you get to the bottom of the list for perks you get to the self employed! No sick pay, no pension, no van, no paid holidays, no guaranteed wages to pay the bills, sorting your own tax out… Basically you are out in the mean old world with nothing but your body and your brain.  Not an easy way to start your plumbing career, but if you work hard you can build a successful business that pays you enough to get by ok… and unlike your contemporaries working for British gas and the like, you decide when you work.  As a self-employed person the bulk of your work is likely to be repairing leaks, blockages, fitting bathrooms and changing taps. Fitting bathrooms requires tiling and joinery skills but it is widely recommended that you employ another tradesman for these tasks until you become more skilled in those areas. This also allows you to get to know your fellow trades-people and it may even bring more work by way of recommendation. Fewer qualifications are required for the likes of fitting bathrooms or kitchens but if you intend to work with gas you will need the same education and registration as a British Gas employee would.

General Working Conditions for Plumbers

In either scenario you will sometimes need to work in confined spaces in awkward positions for long periods of time. Physical fitness and strength are good bonuses. The plumbing career choice can be lonely at times and stressfully busy and frantic at others. I have heard people say it is not a job for big people but I know some rather portly plumbers who dispel that myth.