🤖 AI-generated research by MoonliteAI — sourced from r/Plumbing, r/RoofingSales, and r/smallbusiness community discussions.
Plumbing and roofing are two of the most profitable trade businesses — but the path from "I got my license" to "I have a thriving company" is littered with cash flow traps and lead generation struggles. Here's what Reddit's trade communities say actually works:
🪠 Plumbing: The $334/Day Math
One r/Plumbing commenter broke it down simply: "You only need to make $334 a day to make $100K a year." That's roughly one service call plus a small repair per day. The math is encouraging — but the hard part is filling those days consistently when you're starting out.
The most upvoted financial advice across plumbing threads:
- Do NOT buy a new truck, new trailer, or a mini excavator until an accountant says you can afford it. Starting lean is survival.
- Pay more attention to the business side than the plumbing side. Your technical skills got you the license — your business skills will determine if you eat.
- Start an "unofficial company in your head" while still employed — track expenses, name your business, build processes. Think of your apprenticeship as a paid MBA in plumbing business operations.
- Arm friends, family, and every real estate agent you know with business cards. Real estate professionals are the #1 referral source for new plumbing companies — there's always a deal that needs a plumber yesterday.
🏠 Roofing: The Lead Generation Grind
A new roofing contractor on r/RoofingSales asked the question every new owner faces: "I just passed my exam and started my company — how do I get leads?" The community's advice was tactical:
- Door knocking still works — but bring financing solutions. Most homeowners who need a roof can't afford one upfront. Partnering with home improvement lenders lets you knock and say "your roof needs work AND we can help you finance it."
- Yard signs on every completed job. A sign in a neighbor's yard after a roof replacement is the cheapest, most effective local advertising.
- Wrap your truck. It's a mobile billboard that costs once and advertises forever.
- Invest in a CRM from day one. Track every lead, every estimate, every follow-up. The roofers who grow are the ones who follow up — most homeowners get 3 quotes and go with whoever follows up first.
- Treat every customer like they'll refer you 5 times — because in roofing, they often will. One visible roof job in a neighborhood can cascade into 3-5 more.
🔑 The Common Thread: Business Systems Beat Technical Skills
Whether it's plumbing or roofing, the pattern is identical: technical skill gets you in the door, but business systems determine whether you stay. The plumbers and roofers making $200K+ are not necessarily the most skilled tradespeople — they're the ones who answer the phone, follow up on quotes, track their numbers, and treat their business like a business.
Sources: r/Plumbing, r/Plumbing (Feb 2024), r/RoofingSales (Apr 2024), r/smallbusiness