More contractors sound off about unlicensed plumbers

BY RICHARD P. DiTOMA,
contributing writer

Too often people don’t realize the importance of plumbers to society. Protecting the health of the public was the paramount reason for licensing plumbers, but it seems to have diminished in the eyes of some government bureaucrats and politicians who know how to read polls, parse words and make promises they don’t have the ability to keep. They know little or nothing about the dangers of contaminated drinking water.

Government bureaucrats and politicians would be wise to heed the words of John Gardner: “An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher. The society that scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.”

In the June 2011 issue of Phc News, I addressed a situation that Paul Baumgartner of Batavia Plumbing Co. in Illinois was experiencing. Paul said that he was encountering government and media indifference regarding unlicensed plumbing work being done in his state. In that article, I presented my thoughts regarding a remedy to Paul’s dilemma. Since then, several readers have expressed their thoughts on that topic.

From Indiana

Eugene Schuler of Schuler Plumbing Inc., president of the Indiana PHCC, sent me an email (posted as a sidebar in my article in the July 2011 issue) in his support of, and offer of help to, the efforts of Paul and the plumbers of Illinois. His offer was nothing short of magnanimous.

From Wisconsin

Bob N. of Manitowoc sent Paul an email telling him that he is “exactly correct” and that Paul has “voiced the true spirit and attitude of the legitimate licensed plumbers.”

From Vermont

Rod M. sent me an email stating, “I just read the article on licensing laws and it was great. I have to say that in our State of Vermont we have the same issue, with no backing from our legislative body. What also irritates me personally is that plumbing wholesale supply houses will sell to anyone. I feel that they should all ban together and protect plumbers by making the purchaser produce a license, and if they can’t, then “No sale.” I read your article in the June issue.”

From Connecticut

Jim Piccoli from Berlin Plumbing & Piping Inc. in Berlin, Connecticut, sent the following email: “Mr. Baumgartner of Batavia Plumbing Co. should take a hint from Lee Iacocca, ‘lead, follow or get out of the way.’ I have been a plumber almost as long as he has. Yes, times are changing, the old way is dying. The most successful businessman is the man who holds onto the old just as long as it is good and grabs the new just as soon as it is better. Comcast cable TV is now in the telephone business. AT&T is now in the television and Internet business. As contractors we need to adapt, overcome and conquer. We are professionals. We have the skills and training.

“Instead of crying because some handyman installed a new sink and faucet with that new countertop, we should be the ones installing the counter and everything that goes along with it. We need to service our customers. Tell them we can do it all, and if you can’t, sub it out. Don’t lose the sale. I have one customer that has been with me for over thirty years. Every spring she calls me to install her window A/C units and every fall to remove them.

“As far as the water softener guys taking work away from him, start offering that service. After all, who knows more about water than us? Here in Connecticut a heating contractor has the same rights as a plumbing contractor when it comes to water heaters. The only difference between a boiler and a water heater — one heats the living space, the other is for bathing and cleaning. Mr. Baumgartner needs to get over it and move on or get out of the way. Rich, I will be 62 in August of this year. With my knowledge, skills and expertise I have no intentions of retiring. There are just too many baby boomers that need to be serviced.”

My Thoughts

To Eugene Schuler, Bob N., Rod M. and Jim Piccoli I say “Thank you” for your input. It is important for contractors to know that they are not alone in their trials, tribulations and ideas.

Rod makes an interesting point regarding wholesalers. However, protecting the plumber is not the responsibility of wholesalers, who have a responsibility to themselves, their families and their employees to make their businesses as financially strong as possible. By not offering additional services and products at the time they address consumer requests, plumbers lose the opportunity to increase their sales and those of their wholesalers. In turn, wholesalers become retailers in order to make their businesses financially strong.

The predicaments regarding license enforcement stated by Paul and Rod are similar to that which our forefathers faced as colonists of Britain. They were being taxed without representation. License fees collected by government without enforcement of the licensing law are taxation without representation for licensed plumbing contractors and their clientele. Furthermore, the protection of the public becomes a ruse for politicians to make laws that sound good but protect no one.

No one listened to the complaints of the colonists. According to Paul, no one is listening to the complaints of the licensed plumbers. The colonists banded together and declared their independence. Armed with truth and determination, their ragtag army of “we the people” waged their war for freedom against Britain’s purportedly invincible troops. Through bravery and righteous actions our great nation was conceived and born out of a revolution against injustice.

Jim’s premise that plumbing contractors can increase their sales by offering more services to their clientele is smart business, but Paul already does it. If Jim is suggesting that the problem could be remedied by selling additional services, it seems that Jim is not seeing the real problem. Extensive governmental rules, regulations and mandates that don’t protect the public, because they are not equitably enforced when unlicensed persons are allowed to perform plumbing tasks are the problem.
Jim is right when he suggests that Paul is crying. He’s crying like another Paul whose surname was Revere and who cried out that “The British are coming!” over two hundred years ago.

Paul Baumgartner is crying out, “Unlicensed people are coming!” and they are taking away the work of licensed plumbers, while placing the public’s health in jeopardy. I’d say that Paul has heeded Lee Iacocca’s words because he seems to be leading the way by trying to address the problem.

Consider this

Today, the grass roots Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Party has been having quite an effect on the political scene as it wages a war of change in the way our ever expanding government operates and wastes the hard-earned money of the taxpayers who employ them, while bringing us in the 21st century back to the cause of our 18th century revolution.

Licensed plumbers who are tired of being abused by regulations that are detrimental to their business stability and the health of the public must not ignore the situation about which Paul Baumgartner is crying out. Licensed plumbers must join together and fight in a legal fashion for that which is right.

Bad employees are bad business. You give them their walking papers when they don’t do their job properly. Government workers from the president on down are the employees of “we the people.” Make sure they know that they were elected as servants of “we the people” and that you expect them to do the right thing and not just that which is convenient to their employment or erroneous ideology. If they don’t listen, end their employment by supporting politicians that will do the right thing. And keep those new politicians aware that they, too, are the servants of “we the people” and, therefore, expendable.
If you have something to say about this issue, other issues, or if you want my confidential coaching assistance to improve your business, make a sound business plan, identify and control your costs, develop a proper pricing structure, address consumer questions, supply you with customized price guides, forms etc., call me at 845/639-5050 or email me at richardditoma@verizon.net I wish you good health and much wealth. l

Richard P. DiToma is a contracting business consultant and active PHC contractor with over 40 years of experience in the PHC industry. To receive more info about his Contracting Business, Coaching, Consultations, Business Books, Seminars with Solutions, Customized Price Guides, Customized Business Forms, contact Richard by phone at 845/639-5050, via email at richardditoma@verizon.net, by FAX at 845/639-6791 or mail to R&G Profit-Ability Inc., P.O. Box 282,West Nyack, NY 10994.