In this episode of Potty Talk, Richard Behney, the Million Dollar Plumber, and his co-host, the lovely Laura, dive into the hidden “money leaks” that are draining your plumbing business profits. Does it feel like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back? Or like the harder you work, the less you make? You’re not alone. Richard shares three common mistakes plumbing business owners make that are costing them thousands of dollars every month. From giving away free estimates to undervaluing your time and walking away from jobs, these leaks are holding your business back. Learn how to plug these leaks, take control of your time, and start seeing real profits
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Money Leaks Killing Your Plumbing Business in 2025
As a plumbing business owner, do you often feel like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back? Does it seem like the harder you work, the less you make? If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Many plumbing business owners face these struggles, and the culprit is often hidden in plain sight: money leaks.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into three common money leaks that could be draining thousands of dollars from your plumbing business every month—and more importantly, how to fix them. Let’s stop those leaks and get your business back on track for success!
Giving Away Your Time with Free Estimates
One of the biggest mistakes plumbing business owners make is offering free estimates. While it may seem like a good way to attract customers, it’s actually costing you thousands of dollars every month.
Think about it: every time you drive across town to provide a free estimate, you’re using up valuable time, gas, and resources. Even if it only takes an hour, that’s an hour you’re not getting paid for. And let’s be real—it’s not just an hour. Between travel, preparation, and follow-up, free estimates can eat up entire days of your workweek.
Here’s the kicker: customers who aren’t willing to pay for a service call fee are likely not your ideal customers anyway. If they’re not ready to risk $49 for your time, they’re probably not going to hire you for the job. By charging even a small service call fee, you’re qualifying your customers and ensuring your time is spent on jobs that will actually pay off.
Devaluing Your Time and Expertise
Plumbers are skilled craftspeople with years of training and expertise. Yet, many business owners fall into the trap of undervaluing their time.
Have you ever thought, “It only took me an hour to install that shower valve, so I’ll just charge for one hour of work”? If so, you’re devaluing yourself and your business. It’s not just about the hour it took to complete the job—it’s about the years of experience, training, and mistakes that made you capable of doing it in an hour.
Your customers aren’t just paying for the task; they’re paying for the peace of mind that comes from hiring a professional. That’s why flat-rate pricing is so powerful. Instead of charging based on time and materials, charge based on the value of the service you’re providing. It’s time to stop treating yourself like a commodity and start charging what your expertise is worth.
Throwing Away Your Time by Walking Away from Jobs
Another major money leak is walking away from jobs without closing the sale. If you’ve ever given an estimate and heard, “We’ll think about it,” only to leave without securing the job, you’ve essentially flushed $150 (or more) down the drain.
Here’s the reality: no one wakes up in the morning wanting to call a plumber. If a customer has called you, they’re already sold on the idea of getting the job done. However, they may hesitate because you didn’t provide enough value or confidence in your pitch. If you leave without addressing their concerns or giving them a reason to say “yes” on the spot, you’re throwing away both time and money.
Instead of walking away, work on your selling skills. Show the customer the value of your services and why you’re the right choice. Remember, every job is an opportunity to not only make money but also build trust and customer loyalty.
Time is Money: Plug the Leaks Now
If there’s one major takeaway from this post, it’s this: your time is your most valuable resource. Every free estimate, undervalued job, or missed sale is costing you more than just money—it’s costing you your future.
The good news is that these leaks are easy to fix. Start charging a service call fee to qualify your customers, adopt flat-rate pricing to reflect the value of your expertise, and refine your sales process to close more jobs on the spot.
By addressing these three common money leaks, you can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line every month. And if you’re ready to dive even deeper into strategies for growing your plumbing business, check out the Million Dollar Plumber Success Academy.
Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level?
If you’re tired of struggling and ready to start thriving, we’re here to help. The Million Dollar Plumber Success Academy is designed to teach plumbing business owners how to simplify, strategize, and scale their businesses with confidence.
Book a call today to learn more about the Success Academy and get a personalized roadmap to overcome the challenges in your business. Don’t wait—your success is just a call away.
📞 Visit milliondollarplumber.com/call to schedule your free consultation.
