Performing plumbing work at the site (e.g. plumbing installation (2) Servicing plumbing systems at the site and, (3) The combination of selling and installing plumbing. 3.2.1 Nature of the Industry Broadly speaking, industry contractors install and maintain plumbing fixtures, fittings and equipment. Industry activities include work on household pipes and drains, installation of gas cooking and heating appliances and work on bathroom and toilet fixtures and venting systems. Emergency repair work (e.g. unclogging drains or repairing burst water mains) represents a significant source of industry revenue. Contractors may also supply plumbing appliances and coupling products for construction projects. It is often the case with construction projects that bids are solicited formally through a request for proposal process (most large or commercial projects) or informally through references (most small or residential. The construction industry is generally anti‐cyclical and is considered a high risk business largely due to the competitive nature of the bidding process and equipment costs. It is
Page 47 of 141 considered difficult to enter give the initial capital investment needs and time needed to build a customer base.
