Plumbing qualifications in the u.s.? - Page 2

redmanplumber · 08-07-2010, 10:51 PM

down here in louisiana we are required to do 5 years(or 8000 hours) of plumbing work to be able to take the journeymans test. you can do everything in the plumbing aspect. to open a business you have to get a master plumbers license. there is a loophole for journeymen to open a business in some areas, to do only just "certain" repairs. you dont need any plumbing license to open a drain cleaning business. most parishes( county to everybody else) require the master license to open your plumbing business( of which i have mine, it took a twelve hour test) because they want to get rid of " shadetree plumbers". now about the radiators, we dont have that down here. we dont have much need for heaters except for 2 maybe 3 months out of the years.

**CHRISM** · 08-12-2010, 06:13 PM

"Thanks for the additional information", I really appreciate you taking time to reply to my Post[s], CHRISM.

This SHORT reply should `satisfy` my `detractors` - who do not like my `Wall of Text` Posts !
CHRISM.

**havasu** · 08-12-2010, 07:05 PM

Chrism,

How is business these days in England? Are the economic problems here in the US similar in England?

**phishfood** · 08-13-2010, 02:57 AM

And how did havasu gain access to the Pro Forum?

**havasu** · 08-13-2010, 03:28 AM

I picked the lock?

Actually, you'd be surprised where I can go as a moderator!

**phishfood** · 08-13-2010, 03:38 AM

You've got me glancing out of my window again.

**havasu** · 08-13-2010, 03:42 AM

Don't worry, I won't pester you much longer. Austin, Otah and Chris needed help on the tagging project, and since it is done, I'll probably get demoted back to my nothing status!

**Chris** · 08-13-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havasu

Don't worry, I won't pester you much longer. Austin, Otah and Chris needed help on the tagging project, and since it is done, I'll probably get demoted back to my nothing status!

What is that little space below nothing?

**Chris** · 08-13-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by havasu

Chrism,

How is business these days in England? Are the economic problems here in the US similar in England?

I am also curious of this?

**CHRISM** · 10-10-2010, 05:01 PM

"Hello again", Sorry that I did not reply sooner - I have been `On Holiday` [ Vacation ].

In answer to your question - The Heating, Plumbing, Gas, Air Conn. and Electrical Industries in the U.K.
have been `Heavily Impacted` due to the `Economic Downturn`/ Recession.

I know of small companies that have gone out of business - GOOD Companies who were IMMEDIATELY `Hit` by the `downturn`.
I have good friends whose Companies have `gone under`JUST because the large Building Contractors that they have Sub Contracted from for YEARS - stopped having Contracts to Tender for.

As you know - Construction Projects are `notoriously` susceptible to Economic Trends - In the U.S. and U.K. -
and throughout the World.

Some of my Friends ran their Heating & Plumbing Businesses for `All of their Working Lives`- now in their 50`s
and having `Lost` a great deal of Money - where do they go from here ??
Although VERY knowledgeable - All Heating & Plumbing Companies are `Downsizing` So they cannot even get
jobs as Managers - Supervisors - Surveyors - and definitely not `On the Tools` - for reason of availability of YOUNGER operatives [`Loads of`].

I have `been lucky` my Company is `known` for `High Class` work - we specialise in designing the Optimum
Systems for any project - ensuring that Energy Efficiency - High Class Workmanship - `Top Class` Materials -
Technically Advanced [ User Friendly ] Control Systems are Installed.
I have Clients who I have been Contracting for - for 20 Years - who have `Grown` with us - throughout the Years.

Because of this - We are NOT in the `Cut Throat` sector of the Construction Industry - where the `Lowest Tender` WINS - NEVER a `good thing` !

I HAVE experienced a small `Downturn` - as the Businesses that I described above used to `give` me their
`more technical` Contracts - So that element of my Business has `suffered` - now that they have ceased trading.

Unfortunately - I am not in the position of being able to Employ any of my Friends whose Businesses `Closed`
I just don`t have suitable positions for them - Management or Supervisory - My Managers and Supervisors have
been with me for Years - I rarely have people leave their jobs with me, unless `relocating` geographically.

Of course ANYTHING can happen in this `Economic Climate` - or at anytime something can occur which has a
detrimental effect on your business.
Some Years ago I used to receive ALL of the Heating, Plumbing and Gas work from a good Friend`s Building Business - that `kept us busy` for approx. 4 Months of any one Year - Unfortunately he Died - As He was
`Owner / Proprietor` - that was the END of his Company - [No-one to `take over] - AND the END of the 4 Months per Year `GUARANTEED` Contracts !

I was `devastated` at the loss of my good Friend and for his Family`s loss - BUT - I never allowed my Business to `Rely` on ONE COMPANY`S Contracts -`so heavily` again.
THAT is easier said than done - BUT the point that I am making - which I`m sure we all know is that you can
NEVER be `Completely Safe` in OUR Industry.

I hope that yourselves are NOT experiencing too much of a `Downturn` in Trading - although I expect that your
Businesses ARE `suffering` the effects - similarly to those in the U.K. [?].

"Regards to you all", CHRISM.