Home is where the plumber is

--Local No. 12 contractors pursue residential and service work

They work on the Boston Convention Center, the Big Dig, the MWRA MetroWest tunnel, and virtually every other high-profile construction project throughout the region. But Local No. 12's signatory plumbing contractors also work on less-heralded jobs like unclogging the pipes at Mrs. Brown's house on Elm Street and installing the shower at the Murphy's home on Pleasant Street. And with the help of Local No. 12 and the PHCC of Greater Boston, the contractors are seeking more service and residential projects.

"There's a market out there," says John Stack, United Association Local No. 12's Organizer, "and we intend to go after it." To that end, the organizations have established a marketing campaign touting the plumbing contractors and their world-class services to homeowners. Consumers seeking residential plumbing work are directed to call a toll-free number, (800) 205-0085. Stack explains that the call center routes the jobs to a group of participating contractors on a rotating basis.

Calls in the middle of the night

One of the contractors is A. J. Lyne of Abington. According to owner Andy Lyne Jr., whose father is a plumber and says that plumbing service work is in his blood, the toll-free number program has worked out well. It's generated a lot of new business for his crew, including everything from repairing a leaky faucet to remodeling a three-bathroom house. It's also leading to repeat work as satisfied customers s call him back with additional projects.

Lyne says that about 75% of the work at his two-year-old shop is residential. He'd like to generate more commercial projects so that the mix is closer to 50% residential and 50% non-residential. But he has no intention of giving up repairing leaky faucets for homeowners. Service work can have its downside, however. "Nobody likes getting out of bed in the middle of a cold winter night to respond to a freeze-up," Lyne says. "But we're 24/7. It comes with the territory."

To encourage more residential and service work, Local No. 12 has developed a training program. In conjunction with the Small Business Administration, it is offering a one-day classroom presentation and ongoing support to help its members start their own shops. "We've got some great plumbers," explains Kevin Cotter, Local No. 12's Business Manager. "But they may not know as much about the business side. That's where our training can help."

By giving them the resources to start their own business and initial referrals from the residential service toll-free number, Cotter wants the entrepreneurs to build up their client base and maintain residential work as well as commercial projects. He explains that commercial work can ebb and flow according to the vagaries of the economy, but that residential and service work are fairly recession-proof--and offer good cash flow.

Stack says that about twenty-five students attended a residential training workshop earlier this year, and that four of them have already established their own shops. He adds that Local No. 12 will offer the program at least once annually. For more information, call John Stack at (617) 288-6200, X 148.

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