Articles - Wednesday, February 23, 2011 13:59 - 0 Comments

Wisconsin Plumbers Weigh in on 2011

Coming out of a brutal year for new home and commercial construction in Wisconsin, we wondered what owners of Wisconsin plumbing companies thought about prospects for 2011. The good news is everyone agrees that 2011 is likely to be a better year; however the housing market continues to drag. Homeowners are still having trouble selling their homes and building contractors are holding back on new construction. The silver lining for most companies is in home remodeling and product replacements, particularly when it comes to upgrades in older plumbing fixtures to the new, greener alternatives.

Jeff Kuhn at S & K Pump & Plumbing Inc. says their company’s emphasis in 2011 is on improved customer service and remodeling. “I don’t think that new construction will improve by any leaps or bounds until the government, economy and banking industry get straightened out. We need to clear off a fair amount of the 30,000+ homes on the market here in southeastern Wisconsin.”

“The majority of our business is in home remodeling,” says Brian Schultz at JB Schultz Plumbing, LLC. “People are still having difficulty selling their homes.”

Mark Schneider at MBW Plumbing Company Inc. is hopeful in 2011. “We don’t see new houses making a quick comeback, but the hottest trends right now are in home repair and remodeling. Green plumbing is important to homeowners, who are interested in lowering their water and heating bills with more efficient appliances and products. We are also seeing folks interested in upgrading their kitchens and baths, adding improvements like heated flooring.”

New construction is likely to be another year or two out, according to Brian Czerwonka at Carl’s Plumbing Services Inc. “Going green” is the hottest trend in 2011. “People are opting to update rather than sell, and they are looking for ways to lower their water consumption.

If you are planning to remodel and your home is more than 30 years old, Mike House, a plumber for more than 42 years, recommends replacing any galvanized water pipes. Over time, galvanized pipe corrodes and clogs, resulting in low water pressure. Hiring a Master Plumber or Journeyman Plumber to replace piping is recommended. A Master Plumber is able to pull the necessary permits for the job. However, even a plumber with an Apprentice license issued by the state can do the job. It is so important to ask to see the plumber’s license before making any agreement. If there is any mention of “restricted” on the license, the plumber is not allowed to replace anything but a minimal amount of water piping.

We wondered what you think. Where do you see growth in 2011?