NO TRADIE SKILLS?

Plumbing Bros has just the answer.

There’s no experience required as a Plumbing Bros franchisee because the business model is built on a multi-million dollar business owner’s own

competence and know-how.

James Riddle is new to franchising but he’s already passionate about providing business opportunities for enthusiastic entrepreneurs.

Despite his desire for the business to flourish Riddle has been highly selective about the franchises he’s granted.

“I’ve had four people I’ve said no to right at the end [of the process] because they weren’t a good fit,” he says.

After a slow start he signed his first franchisee in late March. The Victorian franchisee has since been joined by a franchisee in Brisbane and in Sydney.

What is different about the Plumbing Bros model is that franchisees don’t need to be qualified plumbers.

“Our entire purpose and why is to change the perception of plumbing,” James tells Inside Franchise Business.

James is critical of some of the high costs charged in cities like Sydney by plumbers who are often late to arrive at a job. That’s not professional, in his view.

And on the business side he’s keen to offer something different as a career path.

“There’s a common perception in trades that you do a four year apprenticeship, work for one to two years, then run your own business. That’s how it’s meant to play out for you.”

And that’s how it was for James. But he realised there was a better way to achieve success in the field.

“I’m the real life example. I left school at 16 and fell into plumbing, it was a stroke of luck. But I’ve learned by trial and error.

“After my apprenticeship I went out on my own early. It’s so easy to start a business with no skills. I went gangbusters quickly, and employed up to 12 people.

“But a tradie is not a business person. Once I lost the passion I didn’t have the marketing or finance skills.”

Five years on and James had to liquidate the business in 2014. But that was the catalyst for him to turn around his situation.

“That was the making of me. I managed a commercial construction plumbing firm for two years and I got the relevant experience.”

PUTTING PROFESSIONALISM

INTO PLUMBING

“It’s a fickle industry, very set in its ways. Plumbers provide a great service but some don’t want to upskill.”

The Riddle’s model addresses both the professionalism of plumbers as they interact with customers, and the lack of business skills they have as business owners.

And that’s why the model has been designed to suit anyone with or without a plumbing background.

There’s a broad swathe of people interested in the business model, some franchisees in other systems, some new to business, some men, some women.

What appeals, he says, is his experience. “I’ve run multi-million dollar plumbing businesses and part of them joining is buying me. They understand the one-onone time.”

James says through Covid-19 people have lost faith in their own industry. Plumbing has survived many downturns and remains an essential service.

Right now he’s gearing up for further growth with verbal agreements for five more plumbing franchisees already.

And this multi-level experience of a plumbing firm is what has guided and shaped the Plumbing Bros business model.

James and his co-founder Joe Papiccio have run the Perth-based firm for three years so they have ironed out any wrinkles in processes. James then worked with a franchise development expert to get the franchise model just right.

“The franchisee is getting their own business. We assist with marketing, they do everything from phone calls, bookings, doing the work and invoicing. We provide the systems and processes.”

James is adamant that Plumbing Bros won’t use subcontractors, only plumbers employed on the books. If the franchisee is a non-plumber, they employ a master plumber as the compliance officer.

Franchisees purchase a marketing territory and there are two levels: the lowlevel entry point with a $55,000 franchise fee; a master plumber franchise with tools for $120,000.

The business model is appealing to people from all walks of life, men and women.

He says some people have lost faith in their own industries and are looking for something more lucrative.

James says plumbing has remained steady through the GFC, the stock market crash, even Covid-19.

“We’ve had an influx of enquiries,” he adds. “Plumbing isn’t going anywhere.”

I’ve run multi-million

dollar plumbing businesses and part of them joining is buying me. They understand the one-on-one time.