The POLITICS Of Plumbing Are DIRTY | The Trade Talks #158

The politics in plumbing and the skilled trades can be nasty. They’re great for regulating policy, but behind closed doors where backhand deals are made between the regulators and the lobbyists, the industry is shaped by the few. For example, plumbers in Texas came within one signature of losing their license across the entire industry. What this means is that plumbers have little control over their own future. To prevent the legislation, a group of 7,000 licensed plumbers protested on the steps of the Texas state Capitol. Mike Prencavage, Jr. didn’t start out as a plumber. He was more interested in the role of an automotive mechanic. But then he eventually started plumbing 15 years ago as a sophomore in high school. In his words, “those water service lines don’t dig themselves.” He started as a technician, worked his way up to an installer and a shop foreman. He’s now the owner and operator of The Family Plumber in Orange County, California. His father started the company, a grassroots effort. And now, Mike runs the business with a new school mentality and old school values. They are professionals, and don’t half-ass anything. They do their training through the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors Association (PHCC). Never did he think it would transition from training for his guys, to a second profession as a board member at the local. According to Prencavage, a good plumber can earn a salary that would more than pay for their college tuition. As a business owner, he’s willing to invest in your training, your tools, and everything else you need to be successful. The perception of tradesmen is changing rapidly. Their value is appreciating. It’s going to be a long time before AI and robots can do everything a plumber or tradesmen does. In this episode, Roger and Mike discuss the differences between plumbers and licensing between states like Texas and California. They discuss the value of training and networking, of best practices groups, and of establishing open lines of communication to help your business grow. Our Sponsor: LeakPro | Leak Detection Equipment LeakPro® has been providing reliable slab leak and swimming pool leak detection equipment for 40 years. Our products can help you find underground water leaks quickly and easily! Go to https://leak-pro.com