PLUMBING PLUMBING BUSINESS
More contractors sound off about unlicensed plumbers
BY RICHARD DI TOMA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
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
T 58
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
oo often people don’t realize the importance of plumbers to society. Protecting the health of the public was the paramount reason for licensing
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.
e Turn to DI TOMA on p 60
phc august 2011
www.phcnews.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104