Plumbing businesses can concentrate primarily on selling tools and supplies, or on installing new plumbing work, or on servicing and repairing existing plumbing work. Some plumbing business may offer a combination of these services. You can decide which business model has the greatest chance of success in your area by knowing what your competitors offer, and what needs your community has. A business plan will be helpful when raising the funding necessary to start your plumbing business. The plan will describe your experience in the trade, how your business will be organized and run, and what kind of profits you project. There are numerous sample business plans available online that are specific to starting a plumbing business. Your business plan will need to include information such as:  Mission or objective of your business Market research and client analysis Costs of initial start-up Pricing for equipment, materials, transportation, labor, payroll, etc. Projected costs and revenues The start-up costs for running a plumbing business vary based on your experience and location. With a solid business plan, you may be able to attract investors who are willing to put up money in exchange for a financial interest in the business. You might also look into getting a business partner. Look for someone who has connections with the local business community and who has experience raising money and running businesses. Having the brand and name recognition of a major plumbing chain can make it easier to start your business, and offer a more immediate promise of steady work. However, operating a plumbing franchise will also mean less chance of flexibility.  Opening a plumbing franchise may still require you to have or raise substantial startup capital. If you have already been working as a plumber and have your own tools and equipment, your costs to start your own plumbing business may be lower than opening a franchise. Starting your own plumbing business from scratch can also be a way of avoiding franchising fees. You will need to provide the name of your business and other pertinent information. The government office you will need to register with will vary based on your area. You will also need to demonstrate that your business will abide by all safety and business regulations applicable to plumbing services. These will vary based on your area, but are similar to those governing contractors, electricians, etc. When you register your business, you can ask for the details of these regulations, if you are not already familiar with them. Aside from the tools and materials necessary for plumbing jobs, a plumbing business will will need reliable transportation to make visits to job sites. You may use supplies that you already have, buy new ones, or rent them in some cases. Typical equipment you might need to start a plumbing business includes items such as:  At least one truck or van for transportation Pipes Fittings. Pipe wrenches. A reciprocating saw. A circular saw. A propane torch Extension cords. Office furniture and supplies A work phone and/or tablet device for orders Location is one of the most important aspects of any business, including plumbing services. You will want your business located where it will be easy to get to job sites in your area. If you expect to have customers visiting your office, whether to ask about services or to buy supplies, you will also want to choose a location that is easily accessible and offers parking. Some plumbers may work entirely by themselves. However, you may also hire a team of employees. These may include plumbers, but also an office manager or assistant to handle orders, phone calls, etc., someone to handle bookkeeping and accounting, a marketing specialist, and other positions.  If you are hiring plumbers, try to find trustworthy ones with the best qualifications and experience.  If you will be hiring other workers, factor this into your business plan by accounting for their wages, insurance, and other costs.
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One-sentence summary -- Decide if you want your business to have a particular focus. Write a business plan. Secure funding. Consider opening a franchise. Register your business and acquire a license. Get the supplies you need. Find an office. Hire workers, if needed.


One the most common types of piano today is the upright piano.  These pianos are both normally 58 inches (147.3 cm) wide, and despite their differences, both the full vertical and the smaller studio upright can be moved using essentially the same method.  The smaller "studio" uprights usually weigh between 400 and 600 pounds. The monstrous "full vertical" or large upright piano can weigh as much as half a ton. A studio piano's center of gravity is also lower than a large upright's, as it is about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall as opposed to a large upright's roughly 5-foot height. Begin by clearing a path to your destination and measuring all entrances to ensure that the piano will fit through them.  Have your moving truck open with the ramp deployed, if you are moving the piano onto the truck. Try to get one person per 100 pounds of estimated weight to help you move your piano. Ensure that every member of your piano moving grew is wearing rugged leather work gloves, and if at all possible, thick weightlifting support belts to help prevent back strain. Unlike a spinet, these larger upright piano models are too top-heavy and bulky to reasonably move without tilting them onto a wide dolly. After you have locked the piano down and wrapped it in blankets and tape, move the dolly to one end of the piano and, with the help of your crew, gently lean it back onto the dolly.  As many people as possible should be at the dolly end of the piano, to support its weight as it tips back, and along the sides of the piano to keep it on an even keel. This is an especially important point to remember with large upright pianos, since they tend to be quite top-heavy. Don't let gravity  do any of your work for you; ease the piano gently using manpower from beginning to end. With your crew supporting the weight of the piano according to its center of gravity, lead it slowly by the dolly to its destination.  If the piano is too high on the dolly to move through a doorway, it will have to be lifted and scooted slowly through the door a few inches at a time. Once it is through the doorway, be sure it is settled firmly on the dolly before continuing to move it. The proper way to lift any object is to squat, maintain a straight back, and lift with your legs. Be sure everyone who is helping you move knows to lift this way. If the piano feels out of balance at any time, yell “Stop!” and instruct everyone to gently set the piano down. Make any required adjustments to the position of the dolly or your crew and try again.
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One-sentence summary --
Know your piano. Plan your route. Prepare the piano. Move the piano.