In the dynamic world of plumbing and restoration, innovation and strategic partnerships are key to sustainable growth. 1-Tom-Plumber has emerged as a game-changer by bridging the gap between plumbing services and restoration businesses. This article explores how 1-Tom-Plumber operates, why it makes sense for restoration companies to bolt on plumbing franchises, and the unique marketing strategies that set this company apart in a competitive industry.
What is 1-Tom-Plumber?
1-Tom-Plumber is an emergency service plumbing company specializing exclusively in service plumbing—not new construction or remodeling. Their core focus is on fixing broken plumbing systems with services such as drain cleaning, hydro jetting, excavation, and spot repairs. Their approach is straightforward: if it’s broken, they fix it.
However, 1-Tom-Plumber is more than just a plumbing company. It serves as a strategic bolt-on franchise opportunity for restoration business owners who want to expand their lead generation and revenue streams by integrating plumbing services into their operations.
The Synergy Between Plumbing and Restoration
A common misconception is that 1-Tom-Plumber directly performs restoration work. In reality, it does not. Instead, 1-Tom-Plumber franchises are sold to restoration business owners who want to control the flow of plumbing leads that often trigger restoration needs.
“Most water losses are a result of a plumbing issue, whether it’s a backed-up floor drain, a broken toilet supply line, or an overflow. Restoration companies are constantly trying to figure out how to grow their mitigation business, and plumbing leads are a critical part of that.”
By owning a 1-Tom-Plumber franchise, restoration companies gain direct access to plumbing leads without paying hefty referral fees to independent plumbers. This bolt-on system allows the plumbing business to generate leads that feed into the restoration sister company, creating a seamless pipeline of work and a second profitable revenue stream.
Why Restoration Companies Should Consider Plumbing Franchises
Many restoration companies face the challenge of fluctuating work volume. Water mitigation jobs, fire restoration, and mold removal can be sporadic, depending on seasonality and disaster occurrences. Plumbing, on the other hand, is a high-volume, lower-ticket service that happens every day. This balance can stabilize cash flow and keep teams busy year-round.
Adding plumbing services offers multiple benefits:
- Consistent Lead Generation: Plumbing issues occur daily and often require immediate attention, ensuring a steady stream of work.
- Control Over Lead Flow: Instead of paying referral fees, restoration companies can generate their own plumbing leads and funnel mitigation work internally.
- Additional Revenue Stream: Service plumbing is highly profitable and can quickly surpass restoration revenue in some markets.
- Stronger Customer Relationships: Offering both plumbing and restoration services makes companies a one-stop solution for customers, increasing loyalty and referrals.
1-Tom-Plumber’s model is designed to complement restoration businesses without competing with existing plumbing contractors. They focus exclusively on emergency service plumbing, referring remodel and reconstruction jobs back to their plumbing partners, thus maintaining healthy industry relationships.
Getting Started: How Restoration Companies Can Enter Plumbing
For restoration companies interested in adding plumbing services, 1-Tom-Plumber emphasizes the importance of hiring a licensed master plumber to carry the plumbing license for the franchise. This is a straightforward process but essential for compliance and credibility.
Once licensed, companies should recruit and train skilled plumbers, dispatchers, and salespeople to operate the plumbing franchise efficiently. Training includes teaching dispatchers to listen for mitigation opportunities during calls and equipping plumbers to identify restoration needs during service visits.
Sales teams play a crucial role, especially in commercial markets. 1-Tom-Plumber salespeople visit commercial properties and engage with property managers, who often have extensive plumbing needs but limited access to reliable 24/7 service providers.
“They walk in with a pink plunger and dual-branded shirts for 1-Tom-Plumber and the restoration company. Property managers are often surprised and appreciative because they need plumbers available nights, weekends, and holidays.”
Unique Marketing Strategies: The Power of the Pink Plunger
One of the most memorable aspects of 1-Tom-Plumber’s branding is its use of a bright pink plunger as a marketing tool. This unconventional approach serves multiple purposes:
- Brand Recognition: The pink plunger and vibrant branding stand out in an industry where most companies use generic colors and logos.
- Disarming and Inviting: Pink is a color that appeals to women, who make up approximately 86% of plumbing service callers. It creates a sense of comfort and safety.
- Conversation Starter: The novelty of a pink plunger helps salespeople get their foot in the door with property managers and commercial clients.
- Long-lasting Presence: Unlike consumable gifts like donuts or fruit baskets, the pink plunger remains visible in offices, keeping the brand top of mind.
This creative branding has resulted in enthusiastic responses from clients and prospects, with many offices displaying the pink plungers prominently and eagerly requesting more during visits and trade shows.
Expanding Commercial Relationships Through Plumbing Sales
Commercial property managers often oversee thousands of units and face continuous plumbing issues. 1-Tom-Plumber leverages this by having salespeople actively engage with these decision-makers, offering both plumbing and restoration services as a comprehensive solution.
By presenting themselves as a “one-stop shop,” companies can build stronger, longer-lasting relationships that lead to higher volumes of both plumbing and restoration work. The plumbing services act as a “door kicker” that opens opportunities for restoration contracts that might otherwise be difficult to secure.
Additionally, having a dedicated salesperson for business development is critical. Building trust with commercial clients requires persistence, networking, and consistent relationship-building over months or even years. It’s not a quick process, but when done right, it pays off exponentially.
The Importance of Training and Support for Franchisees
Starting a 1-Tom-Plumber franchise is not without its challenges. The company acknowledges that launching a business requires blood, sweat, and tears. However, they have invested years perfecting systems and processes to make the journey as turnkey as possible.
New franchisees receive comprehensive training for all employees—from operations managers to dispatchers and plumbers—ensuring they understand the 1-Tom-Plumber way of doing business. Ongoing support includes monthly roundtables, regional meetings, national conventions, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration and healthy competition among franchise owners.
Marketing is handled in-house, relieving franchisees from the burden of creating campaigns from scratch. This integrated approach helps franchisees focus on operations and sales while benefiting from proven marketing strategies.
Combining Online and Offline Marketing for Maximum Impact
1-Tom-Plumber strongly advocates for a balanced approach to marketing. While digital marketing is essential for capturing residential business, offline, boots-on-the-ground efforts are indispensable for penetrating the commercial market.
Having at least one salesperson dedicated to business development allows franchisees to build relationships, attend community events, and join professional organizations like BOMA (Building Owners and Management Association). This multi-channel approach amplifies lead generation and accelerates growth.
Why Persistence and Consistency Matter in Business Development
Business development in commercial plumbing and restoration is a marathon, not a sprint. Success requires consistent effort over months or years, with frequent visits, lunches, happy hours, and networking events to build trust and credibility.
Many restoration companies fail to sustain these efforts long enough to see results. 1-Tom-Plumber’s integrated plumbing and restoration model helps shorten sales cycles by providing more frequent, everyday plumbing touch points, allowing salespeople to generate business faster and maintain stronger client relationships.
How to Learn More About 1-Tom-Plumber
If you’re a restoration business owner interested in exploring the 1-Tom-Plumber franchise opportunity, the process is simple. Visit their website at https://www.1tomplumber.com/ to submit an inquiry. From there, the team will reach out to discuss how you can integrate plumbing services into your restoration business and start benefiting from this innovative approach.
Conclusion
1-Tom-Plumber is transforming the way restoration companies approach lead generation and service diversification by offering a proven, turnkey plumbing franchise that complements restoration work. By controlling plumbing leads, restoration companies can create a reliable, high-volume revenue stream and strengthen their market presence.
The success of 1-Tom-Plumber lies not only in its unique pink plunger branding or its focus on emergency service plumbing but also in the comprehensive training, ongoing support, and strategic marketing guidance provided to franchisees. For restoration companies looking to grow their business, adding plumbing services through 1-Tom-Plumber is a compelling, innovative option worth considering.
Remember, success in this industry requires persistence, relationship-building, and a multi-faceted marketing approach. With 1-Tom-Plumber’s support and systems, restoration businesses can confidently expand their footprint and maximize their potential in both plumbing and restoration markets.