Another new guy - Plumbing Zone

CBP · 02-08-2010, 12:56 PM

Kinda slow for a Monday morning, so I figured I'd post my intro. I belong to a couple of other forums, but just came across this one. I like the fact that it screens to keep the participants in the trade. We can all share or learn from each others experiences. As much as we all think we are experts in our field, I strive every day to learn one thing that I didn't know the day before

I'm a 3rd generation plumber in northern Illinois. I began as a counterman in a small supply house out of high school, but the onslaught of the big boxes forced that business to shrivel up. I started my apprenticeship a few years later, and became licensed in 1999. The lack of BFP inspectors in my area prompted me to obtain my CCCDI in 2002. I currently own a service and remodeling business, with some new construction (residential and light commercial) mixed in, as well as a separate backflow prevention company.
My shop is non-union (Don't hate me 501 guys, I've looked into it, it's just not right for me.)

On a personal note, I'm married to the best woman in the world, who, for 15 years, has put up with being married to a guy who usually has to put in 60-70 hours a week, and sometimes comes home smelling like crap (literally!), not to mention the phone ringing at 2:00 am for an emergency call. I have 2 great teenage kids who are NOTHING like I was in high school (which is what makes them so great!) When I do get some free time, I enjoy riding and training horses, watching the Blackhawks or help preparing my kids to be productive members of society.

**SlickRick** · 02-08-2010, 01:04 PM

Welcome.

UnclogNH · 02-08-2010, 01:34 PM

Welcome

PLUMB TIME · 02-08-2010, 01:36 PM

Greetings fellow fib

Plumber Jim · 02-08-2010, 01:49 PM

Welcome.

Colgar · 02-08-2010, 02:49 PM

Welcome.

I am curious about your separate backflow prevention business.

Anything you can share about that- publicly or privately?

CBP · 02-08-2010, 03:12 PM

Depends on what you want to know. I keep it separate for a few reasons. First off, name recognition. If you were John Q. Public, and had to choose between a plumbing company and a backflow company to install a backflow prevention device, with all other things being equal, who would you choose?
Second, I like to track the p&l from that separately. In this economy, anything can happen. If one side of the business dies off and, god fordid, had to cease, the other can still operate seamlessly. Or if I decide to hang up my toolbags and go sell coconuts on a beach someday, I might have 2 different customers wanting to buy my businesses.
Lastly, is for liability reasons. If something catastrophic should happen while on a plumbing job, and I got sued (hasn't happened yet, knock on wood), my assets for the BFP company are protected. The same reason I have a separate corp that owns all of my vehicles and equipment and "leases" them to my other companies.

Cal · 02-08-2010, 03:15 PM

Welcome !

Plumber Jim · 02-08-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBP

Depends on what you want to know. I keep it separate for a few reasons. First off, name recognition. If you were John Q. Public, and had to choose between a plumbing company and a backflow company to install a backflow prevention device, with all other things being equal, who would you choose?
Second, I like to track the p&l from that separately. In this economy, anything can happen. If one side of the business dies off and, god fordid, had to cease, the other can still operate seamlessly. Or if I decide to hang up my toolbags and go sell coconuts on a beach someday, I might have 2 different customers wanting to buy my businesses.
Lastly, is for liability reasons. If something catastrophic should happen while on a plumbing job, and I got sued (hasn't happened yet, knock on wood), my assets for the BFP company are protected. The same reason I have a separate corp that owns all of my vehicles and equipment and "leases" them to my other companies.

wow. a corp that owns the vans then lease to your company. nice idea.

3/4 MIP · 02-08-2010, 05:24 PM

Welcome. I'm up in Grayslake. Also small non-union. Trying to scratch out a living.

3/4

02-08-2010, 12:56 PM	#1
CBP The Backflow Guy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 68 My Photos	Another new guy Kinda slow for a Monday morning, so I figured I'd post my intro. I belong to a couple of other forums, but just came across this one. I like the fact that it screens to keep the participants in the trade. We can all share or learn from each others experiences. As much as we all think we are experts in our field, I strive every day to learn one thing that I didn't know the day before I'm a 3rd generation plumber in northern Illinois. I began as a counterman in a small supply house out of high school, but the onslaught of the big boxes forced that business to shrivel up. I started my apprenticeship a few years later, and became licensed in 1999. The lack of BFP inspectors in my area prompted me to obtain my CCCDI in 2002. I currently own a service and remodeling business, with some new construction (residential and light commercial) mixed in, as well as a separate backflow prevention company. My shop is non-union (Don't hate me 501 guys, I've looked into it, it's just not right for me.) On a personal note, I'm married to the best woman in the world, who, for 15 years, has put up with being married to a guy who usually has to put in 60-70 hours a week, and sometimes comes home smelling like crap (literally!), not to mention the phone ringing at 2:00 am for an emergency call. I have 2 great teenage kids who are NOTHING like I was in high school (which is what makes them so great!) When I do get some free time, I enjoy riding and training horses, watching the Blackhawks or help preparing my kids to be productive members of society.

02-08-2010, 01:04 PM	#2
SlickRick Moderator Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gilmer, Texas Posts: 5,770 My Photos	Welcome. __________________ "I believe human-beings and fist can co-exist peacefully....." GW

02-08-2010, 01:34 PM	#3
UnclogNH Drain Cleaning Specialist Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Hampshire, In a town time forgot. Posts: 2,037 My Photos	Welcome __________________ Charging less does not mean more call volume it just means you have to work harder to reach your goals.

02-08-2010, 01:49 PM	#5
Plumber Jim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,803 My Photos	Welcome. __________________ Broomfield Plumber , Denver Plumber , Boulder Plumber , Lafayette Plumber

02-08-2010, 03:15 PM	#8
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,407 My Photos	Welcome ! __________________ "The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided; but never hit softly."

02-08-2010, 01:36 PM	#4
PLUMB TIME Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 628 My Photos	Greetings fellow fib

02-08-2010, 02:49 PM	#6
Colgar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Peo, IL Posts: 1,152 My Photos	Welcome. I am curious about your separate backflow prevention business. Anything you can share about that- publicly or privately?

02-08-2010, 03:12 PM	#7
CBP The Backflow Guy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 68 My Photos	Depends on what you want to know. I keep it separate for a few reasons. First off, name recognition. If you were John Q. Public, and had to choose between a plumbing company and a backflow company to install a backflow prevention device, with all other things being equal, who would you choose? Second, I like to track the p&l from that separately. In this economy, anything can happen. If one side of the business dies off and, god fordid, had to cease, the other can still operate seamlessly. Or if I decide to hang up my toolbags and go sell coconuts on a beach someday, I might have 2 different customers wanting to buy my businesses. Lastly, is for liability reasons. If something catastrophic should happen while on a plumbing job, and I got sued (hasn't happened yet, knock on wood), my assets for the BFP company are protected. The same reason I have a separate corp that owns all of my vehicles and equipment and "leases" them to my other companies.

02-08-2010, 05:24 PM	#10
3/4 MIP Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 132 My Photos	Welcome. I'm up in Grayslake. Also small non-union. Trying to scratch out a living. 3/4 __________________ NAVY-Never Again Volunteer Yourself CWO3 USN(ret) 2 Code Plumbing, LLC "Quality plumbing installed to code"

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