Insurance for Plumbers: How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of plumbing insurance depends on various factors, including where you live, what kind of business you run, whether you have any employees, and how much your company's assets are worth. There are several policies, but the most basic one, called general liability, protects you against lawsuits filed by your customers, for example, because you inadvertently injured them or damaged their property. This usually costs between $40 and $60 per month.

Most plumbers also get professional liability insurance, which is a bit more specific and covers issues related directly to the job and to professional negligence. A comprehensive policy might cost $80-120. Once you have employees, you'll have to purchase workers' compensation insurance, which kicks in if one of your workers sues you for negligence. The price of this depends on the number of employees you have.

How to Find a Good Insurance Company 

In most areas of the US, there are many competing insurance companies. If you want to find the best quote, you should start by researching potential insurers online and comparing their offers. Before signing anything, you should always read the fine print to check what is included and excluded. Some policies are cheap they won't cover you adequately if you run into trouble.

To avoid making a costly mistake, you can speak to more experienced plumbers in your area. They might be able to recommend insurance companies and policies. Alternatively, you could speak to an insurance agent, who can help you find and compare relevant quotes.

What Other Costs Are There? 

Insurance is just one of your ongoing costs as a plumber. You'll also have other business expenses. Some of them, such as education, your car, and your tools, are one-off setup costs that won't be repeated every month. Others, like plumbing software and marketing, will have to be paid on an ongoing basis. The estimated costs of starting a plumbing business from scratch are $7,000-$25,000, but you might have to spend more if you're not yet qualified.

Education

Before you can become a fully qualified plumber, you have to go through a rigorous training process, which might involve attending plumbing school and completing an apprenticeship. While you're an apprentice, you'll already be earning money, but if you need to go to school first, you might have to spend several thousand dollars on your education. Online training programs often cost between $800-1,000, but an associate degree can cost up to $23,000.

Licensing 

After you've completed your plumbing training, you have to take an exam to become a licensed plumber. The exact cost of the test and the license varies by state, but you can expect to pay around $100-300 on your permits. If you're starting your own business, you'll also have to set up a corporation, which might cost you another $150-200.

Once you have your plumbing license, you can work in your state for several years: often two or three at a time. Then, you have to get your license renewed and pay the fee again. In some states, you might also have to continue your education with courses and advanced certifications. No matter if this is essential or optional, it's good to stay up to date with the newest developments, so you should aim to take two to three courses per year.

Plumbing Software 

When you run your own business, you don't only have to perform tasks related to plumbing. Instead, you'll also have to do the marketing, coordinate your schedule, reply to customer requests, create quotes, create invoices, and more. All these tasks can take up a lot of time and cause stress. To avoid this, you can purchase home service software that can simplify your admin process significantly.

Good software is comprehensive, which means that you only have to purchase one subscription, and it can handle a wide range of tasks. The cost of software depends on your business's size and individual needs, but it can be as low as $20 per month per user.

Cars and Tools 

Almost every plumber needs a truck because they visit customers at home. Unless you already have a suitable vehicle, you'll have to buy one. Good used trucks can be purchased for $2,000-5,000, and you might have to spend around $500-1,000 on maintenance per year.

Additionally, you'll purchase some tools you need to perform your job. Buying new tools and supplies could cost you $3,000-$5,000, but you might be able to find cheaper options if you purchase second-hand gear, for example from a plumber who is retiring.

Marketing 

Plumbers are always in demand, but even if you have a lot of potential customers, you have to make sure they know about your business. While word-of-mouth and offline advertisements can work well, you should also create a solid online presence.

Some of the best digital marketing strategies include setting up a website and posting regular updates to your social media accounts. You might only pay $100-200 for a basic website, but if you want to have it designed by a professional, you have to budget $1,000-$3,000 for the setup.

Every plumber who starts their own business has to purchase insurance to protect themselves from issues such as a lawsuit, property damage, or a loss of income due to unforeseen circumstances. Fortunately, insurance for plumbers is usually inexpensive. Call us at ServiceBox to find out more about how to set up your company successfully. We can help you reduce your setup costs by providing you with all-in-one software.

No Surprises & Priced According To Your Needs

Our customers love the affordability and flexibility of our software. ServiceBox is priced to ensure you see a return on your investment. We have pricing options that align with your needs whether you’re a one person service business or manage a large team in the field.