New to the board and I will fill out my profile — live in DC area and work is pretty good, mostly reparing not much new
What about other areas of the country? — Tks Bob
New to the board and I will fill out my profile — live in DC area and work is pretty good, mostly reparing not much new
What about other areas of the country? — Tks Bob
The crew discusses finding rot when remodeling, challenges installing custom shower panels, and how to prevent subs and suppliers from sabotaging builds.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial NowDig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox
Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.
Start Your Free TrialGet complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.
Already a member? Log in
Replies
Bump
Welcome to BT.
I still consider myself new to the boards but they're loads of fun sometimes. And obviously informative.
Up here in the northern beltway the remodeling industry seems to be doing fine.There are a lot of older homes with people wanting to update the kitchens and baths.
Another big thing is finishing basements and adding bathrooms down there.
We were actually bidding on a job in Silver Spring that would have needed a plumber, and our regular guy said he could work anywhere in the state except Montgomery county. What's up with that?
Welcome Bob.
BTW my dad was a plumber named Bob.
Anyway, I live in Tacoma Wa & work in Bellevue & Seattle.
Lots of work up here.
I work for a rather large mechanical CONTRACTOR & since the late 90's have specialized in highrise residential buildings 20 to 50 stories.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” —Albert Einstein
Welcome aboard Bob, near Charlottesville here. While I did all my plumbing, happy not to for others.
My first BT post was asking about heat pump water heaters. Which got no experienced response. Been living with one since then anyway.
Better you than me to live in the DC area. <G>
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Hey Bob - I grew up in the DC area - northern VA. Moved here to Raleigh about 14 years ago. Here there is a fair amount of residential new construction work. The plumbers I use on my builds specialize in new construction, and as far as I know, rarely do any renovation or repair work. The new home market has been on a downswing for the last 6 months though. Who knows what the future will hold. Here plumbing is one of the few new construction trades that isn't heavily populated by Latino workers.
BTW - you get the prize for the fastest bump. Here you can get some good info but it takes up to a day or so... not really a chat board.... your prize is 3 milkbones - virtual dog biscuits that are worth exactly what were paid for them :-) except the resultant prestige. :-)
Edited 3/2/2008 8:36 am ET by Matt
Welcome to BT, I'm about an hour north of Columbus Ohio.
I do resdential plumbing and electric.
Work has been busy this winter, which is a bit unusual.
A large percentage of my work is service, pumps, water heaters, softners, toilets and faucets. Occasionaly I do Pex radiant slab jobs. I've been averaging about one new house plumbed a year. In the last two months there has been more demand for electrical than plumbing.
Good luck
Had a buddy who made about 60K a year doing plumbing service calls averaging 55 hours a week (no bennies). He now works for a sprinkling company making 65K a year on a 40 hour week (with bennies) with 3 weeks vacation.
You should do OK there. OBTW he was self employed.
Edited 3/2/2008 12:40 pm ET by larryscabnuts