Self-Employed Plumber vs. Franchise Ownership: Which is Better?

There’s no question plumbing is a lucrative industry: $125 billion a year, according to IBISWorld. In a field with that much potential, deciding whether to become a self-employed plumber or invest in a plumbing franchise is a significant career choice. Here are some pros and cons of both paths.

Pros of Being Self-Employed

Blaze a trail on your own! Here are some of the benefits to self-employment:

  • Independence: Set your own schedule. Run your business your way. You’re the boss.
  • Direct client relationships: As the owner of your own business, your reputation is your own to build. You can set the tone you want when building personal relationships with your clients, fostering customer loyalty and trust.
  • Full profit retention: Nobody gets a cut without your say-so. You keep all your profits after covering expenses, maximizing your earnings.

Cons of Self-Employment

With the good often comes the not-so-favorable. Here are a few downsides to owning an independent business:

  • Going it alone: Independence is a double-edged sword. Becoming a self-employed plumber means you have to be responsible for every aspect of your business: marketing, customer service, accounting, scheduling, taxes and more. This can be overwhelming, especially if you lack experience in these areas.
  • Startup costs: Starting your own plumbing gig can involve significant upfront costs for tools, equipment, and a vehicle. You also have to account for ongoing expenses such as marketing and finding new clients. It adds up quickly without the brand recognition or support a franchise offers.
  • Scaling: Trying to grow your plumbing business as a one-person show is challenging – there are only so many resources and so much time. Finding and training reliable licensed plumbers, managing multiple job sites, and maintaining the quality of your services can be difficult without a proven support system in place.

Advantages of Plumbing Franchise Ownership

If becoming an independent plumber doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, consider partnering with a reputable franchise.

  • Brand recognition: You’d be surprised what a little recognition can do for attracting customers. Especially when you’re backed by the reputation of a trusted brand like Accurate Leak and Line.
  • Comprehensive support: Whether you’ve got plumbing experience or you’re planning to hire out that part of the business, just know that a strong franchisor will make sure you receive extensive training as well as marketing and operational support from the franchisor.
  • Streamlined startup: Avoid the complexities of starting a business from scratch by joining an established franchise system.
  • Protected territories: One advantage of the franchising model is a protected territory, and when you own an Accurate Leak and Line plumbing franchise, you’ll enjoy larger-than-average territory sizes. Our franchise territories start at 250,000 people, which gives you a substantial customer base, cuts down on local competition and enhances your potential for growth and profitability.

Cons of Franchising

While franchising can be a great way to embrace entrepreneurship, there are some drawbacks to consider:

  • Following the rules: Successful franchise owners possess both leadership skills and the ability to follow an established structure. Franchising is successful because the proven processes and business model create the consistency that keeps customers coming back. Although you may not be a follower of processes and procedures, rest assured that the franchise model you have chosen has a business plan that has been tested and refined to be effective.
  • Financing: Because franchising is formulaic, the franchisor typically has minimum financial requirements in place to ensure franchise candidates are able to get the business up and running quickly. At Accurate Leak and Line, potential franchise owners will need a net worth of at least $200,000 and a minimum of $75,000 in liquidity.

Maximize Your Potential with Accurate Leak and Line

For us, there’s no question: Franchising will give you many advantages over being a self-employed plumber. With Accurate Leak and Line, you’ll have access to:

  • Niche services: We specialize in non-invasive pipe rehabilitation and underground plumbing diagnostics, providing innovative and cost-effective solutions to both residential and commercial customers.
  • Exclusive territories: With Accurate Leak and Line, protected territories start at 250,000 people. Operating within your designated area allows for a huge potential customer base and reduces local competition.
  • Growth opportunities: Our brand’s ongoing research and support will help enhance unit-level profitability and help you expand your business.

Explore the Accurate Leak and Line Franchise

To learn more about what you can gain from franchising with Accurate Leak and Line, submit a franchise inquiry form today.