PLUMBING 31
Tell us about being a plumbing contractor
By
Rory Macnamara
This month Craig Dalby of ‘ On the Pipe Plumbing Services ’ tells us about being a plumbing contractor .
After school Craig went to the Tshwane University Technical College to study IT . For other reasons it did not work out . He then joined his uncle in Benoni who runs a panel beating business and then followed with going overseas which could be regarded as a ‘ gap year ’ for himself or just ‘ buggering around ’ to use his words !
“ I love working with my hands and after my return from overseas , a friend of mine has a plumbing business in Benoni and he had worked for Burgess & Partners , so I asked if he could arrange an introduction .”
This being done , Craig found himself working for the company , one that he clearly has a huge amount of respect for . He admires their passion , their integrity and the way they taught one how to do a proper job and be proud of the job one has done . “ Working for them was a privilege and I learnt so much . This set me up to remain in the plumbing industry for which I am grateful .”
During this time I was offered a position to work for a solar geyser company at the time the Eskom rebate system was in place . “ Briefly , one obtained a rebate , and the amount was based off the system chosen and one would be rated on what is called a ‘ Q ’ factor . I worked there for about four years and I was responsible for managing the RDP solar sites . Sadly , the owner failed to pay me , promising next month and so it went on . This was clearly unsustainable , and the CCMA did not assist , or it came to nothing .”
Craig Dalby
“ I urge all those in plumbing to draw on the resources of these organisations …”
“ This was the first knock down in my solar career , but the positive that came out was that I knew solar was for me .”
“ No job for at least five months , so I approached an uncle in the banking business and thanks to his guidance and advice , I managed to obtain a loan to start my own business . I mentioned to him that I wanted two vehicles and was really thinking big before I started – a common mistake many first time start-ups make . He very gently asked me what I would do on my first day with two vehicles ? Indeed , that was what happened , but I only had one vehicle and day one came and , what now ?”
“ Fortunately , I was able to assist another company doing solar installation and as they say the rest is history . I now have nine teams , my Mom does all the invoicing and that and I am doing what I love doing best - working with my hands , and have become a solar specialist . My membership of IOPSA and registration with PIRB helps me a great deal and I urge all those in plumbing to draw on the resources of these organisations to help one and get qualified .”
Craig has a good message for consumers , do not accept the first price that comes your way , check that the person is qualified for a start , check they have completed the solar course if it is a solar installation , check they have insurance ( accidents happen ) and add to their essential qualification ( Red seal ) whether they are members of an official body like IOPSA and let them show you their PIRB card .
A fly by night costs more overall and as the homeowner has responsibility to ensure the safety and health of those under his / her roof . PA
April 2022 Volume 28 I Number 2 www . plumbingafrica . co . za