ClearFlow Plumbing & Heating
“Service plans pay the office staff. Emergencies pay for growth.”
LOLuis Ortega · ClearFlow Plumbing & Heating · Since 2015
12-mo revenue$1,153,140+13% vs last yearStripe + QuickBooks
Based on 142 real plumbing & heating businesses in the UK, including 34 that closed.
✓Your budget should cover this.
Bills run about $1,020 a month (fuel, insurance, rent, phone). Most owners make a profit after about 2 months. Keep this much aside to pay bills until then.
Gas Safe registration for any gas work (about £450 a year).
Part P for wiring boilers and showers.
Not needed.
Sole trader with HMRC (free) or a limited company at Companies House (about £50).
Free with most online banks. Keeps business money apart from yours.
Sets up your books and files your first tax return.
Before costs. Winter peak for heating.
| Slow | Typical | Strong | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5.3k | $10.5k | $20.6k |
| Year 3 | $14.1k | $25k | $44.4k |
| Year 5 | $17.7k | $32.5k | $59.6k |
Slow: 1 in 4 make less than this. Typical: half make more, half make less. Strong: 1 in 4 make more than this.
“Service plans pay the office staff. Emergencies pay for growth.”
$14.5k
about $235k
Starting costs about $221k less. Buying costs more, but you earn from the first month and skip the risky early years.