Running a plumbing business is busy work. Between call-outs, quoting, and managing jobs, it’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day and forget about the bigger picture, growth. But if you want your business to bring in more leads, steady cash flow, and happy repeat customers, you need a plan.
Here’s a simple 90-day roadmap that breaks growth into three clear phases. Nothing fancy, just practical steps any plumber can follow to get results (Simpro Group, 2024; Whitley, 2023).
The first month is all about laying foundations and getting your name out there.
Set your targets – Know how much money you want to bring in and how many jobs you need each month (Profitable Tradie, 2017).
Check your services and pricing – Are you charging enough to cover costs and still make profit? Don’t undercut yourself just to get work (Simpro Group, 2024).
Boost your online presence – Update your Google Business Profile, refresh your website, and make sure your contact details are easy to find (Plumbing Webmasters, 2024).
Tap into local channels – Join community Facebook groups, connect with local real estate agents, and look at noticeboards where your customers hang out.
Start tracking your customers – Even a simple spreadsheet can help you see who’s booked, who’s paid, and who needs a follow-up (Simpro Group, 2024).
💡 Pro tip: The easier you are to find online, the faster the phone will ring.
Now that the foundations are set, it’s time to push for more leads and smooth out how you run the business.
Run local ads – A small spend on Google or Facebook ads targeting your area can bring in quick calls (Plumbing Webmasters, 2024).
Use software to save time – Tools for quoting, invoicing, and communication keep everything in one place and stop things slipping through the cracks (Whitley, 2023).
Reward your customers – Offer a small discount or gift card for referrals, or encourage reviews with a simple thank-you (Smith.ai, 2023).
Get the team on the same page – Even if it’s just you and an apprentice, weekly check-ins help keep standards high and jobs running smoothly (Simpro Group, 2024).
Keep an eye on costs – Review your expenses each week to spot where money is leaking (Whitley, 2023).
💡 Pro tip: Make it easy for customers to pay on the spot. With Nexxtap, you can take tap-to-pay card payments directly on your phone, no extra hardware, no dongles, just a flat 1.25% fee. That means faster payments, better cash flow, and fewer unpaid invoices hanging over you.
In the final stretch, it’s time to grow your presence and strengthen your reputation.
Partner up – Connect with builders, property managers, or electricians for referrals. Tradies who work together, grow together (Plumbing Webmasters, 2024).
Collect and use reviews – Ask happy customers to leave reviews on Google or Facebook. Respond to every review, it shows you care (Simpro Group, 2024).
Be part of the community – Sponsor a local event, join a tradie expo, or put your logo on a footy team’s shirts. It all builds visibility (Whitley, 2023).
Train your team to upsell – For example, while fixing a tap, mention water-saving options or maintenance checks. Small upsells add up fast (Smith.ai, 2023).
Review your results – At the end of 90 days, check your leads, jobs, revenue, and costs. See what worked, what didn’t, and adjust your plan for the next quarter (Profitable Tradie, 2017).
💡 Pro tip: Growth doesn’t stop at 90 days, this is just your launch pad. Keep repeating the cycle, refining each time.
Growing a plumbing business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By breaking it into 30-day chunks, you’ll build strong foundations, attract new customers, and set yourself up for long-term success.
And remember, little changes, like making it easier for customers to pay you on-site with Nexxtap, can make a huge difference to your cash flow and growth.
So grab your tools, set your plan, and get ready to make the next 90 days count.
Plumbing Webmasters. (2024). Expand my plumbing business. https://www.plumbingwebmasters.com/expand-my-plumbing-business/
Profitable Tradie. (2017). 90 day plan example. https://profitabletradiemembership.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/90DayPlanExample.pdf
Simpro Group. (2024). How to grow a plumbing business. https://www.simprogroup.com/blog/how-to-grow-plumbing-business
Smith.ai. (2023). How to grow a plumbing business. https://smith.ai/blog/how-to-grow-a-plumbing-business
Whitley, P. (2023). 90-day operating plan trades business owners swear by. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/90-day-operating-plan-trades-business-owners-swear-paul-whitley-2jkgc