We will always need skilled, experienced plumbers to install, repair, and maintain the plumbing systems we use on a daily basis as long as humanity depends on them. Plumbing technicians can specialize in any of these areas. You may work for an organization or start your own firm. However, becoming a plumber entails certain difficulties. Do the benefits of being a plumber outweigh the drawbacks? Consider what the key advantages and disadvantages are before you make up your mind:
Pro: Demand for plumbers is steady in Ontario
If you’ve decided to become a plumber, job prospects will be a key factor in your decision-making process. Fortunately, the Canadian Job Bank predicts a steady demand for plumbers in Ontario for the foreseeable future.
The latest survey shows several positive trends that create jobs for plumbers across the province. These include:
A healthy level of construction activity (infrastructure and transit projects, commercial and residential development)
Demand for repair, maintenance and renovation work (particularly upgrading older plumbing fixtures to more energy-efficient systems).
You can find stable plumbing jobs in Ontario with the right training and hard work.
Con: Plumbers usually work in shifts and on-call
The job market for plumbers may be easily predictable, but your routine is not. Officially, plumbers at Plumber Etobicoke Pro work a standard 8-hour shift, but there are always emergencies and last-minute requests to deal with.
Working as a plumber means being on call and dealing with burst pipes and overflowing sinks in the middle of the night and on holidays. That’s the nature of this business.
When plumbing systems fail, immediate intervention is often needed to prevent serious damage and health risks. You will need the flexibility to operate in this area.
Pro: Opportunity to become your boss
Do you see yourself one day owning your own plumbing business? Many graduates of plumbing programs are starting their own contracting companies.
18% of Ontario plumbers are self-employed compared to 10% of all other professions. Being self-employed requires extra effort, but it also removes restrictions on your earning potential.
Any profit you make stays with you.
Con: Plumbing work can be physically demanding
If you work as a plumber, you have to spend a lot of time crawling around in tight quarters, carrying heavy supplies (like tubs) and bending over to install or repair pipes, drains and fixtures.
Plumbers work in all kinds of weather, sometimes enduring extreme heat or cold. Undoubtedly, like all construction occupations, plumbing requires much physical effort.
Pros: There’s always something new, no boring routines
Part of a plumber‘s job will be predictable, but most of your time will be spent solving problems. Whether it’s roughing up a new home, finding the source of a leak, or responding to an emergency, a plumber‘s job is a healthy dose of daily challenges.
There’s always something new to learn. If you want to avoid a boring chore, the plumbing profession is ideal.
Cons: Plumbers often work under pressure
The lack of predictability that makes work interesting can also cause stress for plumbers. To be successful in this field, you need to be poised and solve problems under pressure.
You’ll need to work quickly and efficiently, meeting tight deadlines, so you don’t fall behind schedule. Whether you work for a company like Plumber Etobicoke Pro or by yourself, your days are likely filled with lots of clients. And those clients need quick results.
And when it comes to emergencies, keeping your composure when disaster strikes are essential for a plumber. It would help if you remained calm and professional even when everyone else was in a state of panic.