What set you on the journey to ending up being a plumbing?
I’ve been piping given that I was knee high to an insect. It was during my 5th year at school that I realised I desired hands on task, as well as one that might push me mentally, so I decided to leave school and deal with my dad (Derek Scott) working I had grown really fond of throughout school holidays, rather than go to university. The teachers at school implicated me of taking the easy method out, but I understood plumbing was an incredible market that I could take a trip far in. My father said no one needs to ever stop you from following your dreams. That was 9 years back and I’ve never ever looked back.
How did you train?
I learnt my trade within out by working alongside my daddy and at college with Tullos Training in Aberdeen, where I did an NVQ Level 3 certification over 3 years. I won numerous awards, including apprentice of the year three years in a row, and ended up fourth at Skill Plumb in Scotland. I understood a bit prior to I started so I had a wee head start.
What’s the day task like?
Every day is so various. One day we can be in the middle of the countryside approximately our necks in mud repairing a burst water pipe or the next in the centre of Aberdeen setting up a bathroom! Our work differs from new houses and extensions to repairing anything from tap washers to 250kw heater, keeping and installing water filtering, storage and booster pumps and whatever in-between.
What makes you and your dad’s firm stand out?
My daddy and I have actually worked long hours in all weathers to establish our reputation. We never ever market and all our work originates from word of mouth. In the little neighborhood we operate in word navigates fast about who is excellent and who is bad. I always provide tasks of the highest standard and will not settle till I’ve accomplished this. I enjoy my work and do not hesitate about going the extra mile.
Do you believe apprenticeships are necessary?
As my function in the company grew, so did my obligations and I’ve tried a variety of apprentices for many years. My current apprentice has just been named SNIPEF Apprentice of the Year at his college. I believe it’s really essential to bring good training to the market and deal youths chances for work and abilities learning.
What’s the most fundamental part of your job?
In the commercial plumber business it’s so crucial to have excellent customer relations. I bring a hooker in my van to clean up after the work is completed and it’s the little things like this that consumers appreciate. I constantly try and help individuals out the very best I can. On events when the job is little I will not charge, as this develops a loyalty for future work and the suggestion is worth more than my time to resolve the issue.
I’m constantly on the phone offering suggestions to customers searching for guidance on their task, even if it’s not plumbing associated! Recently on a Saturday afternoon I Installed an elderly consumer’s house phone after she had actually offered up. It took me 30 minutes and the delight on her face was adequate payment. There hasn’t been a job I have not done where I am not invited back. I constantly attempt to keep my clients pleased. Often we price tasks and we are not the most inexpensive but they know they will get a first class job.
The task you’re most happy with?
Although I’ve brought out many jobs I take pride in, from a 100KW biomass system in 2-inch steel pipeline, linking a boiler, wood burning ranges and solar panels together through a thermal store, to my day-to-day duties of pipes repair work while having a laugh with the older generation.
My current favourite would be a restroom I just recently completed. What made it stand out was the truth the bath stood in the middle of the bathroom and was suited that extremely spot in 1925. The bath’s enamel had actually gone and the 90-year-old trap was dripping. The household had been informed it was impossible to bring back and wasn’t worth the inconvenience however, having actually done similar work for the National Trust formerly, I was able to safely eliminate the bath for it to be re-enamelled and put in brand-new pipework. The very best bit was the appearance on the owner’s face and his other half, as they checked out the brand-new restroom. It made all the challenging and difficult problems rewarding and reminded me of why I love the job a lot.
What about the role of accreditation bodies like WaterSafe?
It’s massively important to be correctly certified and for consumers to be able to see that. It’s the people who aren’t qualified who provide tradesmen a bad name and after that individual’s mistrust the market. It’s easy for someone who is not certified to trigger a great deal of damage if they bodge a task– they can flood a house and cause thousands of pounds worth of damage. It makes such sense to have a plan like Watersafe where individuals can go to find a suggested plumber.
And when you’re not plumbing?
In my extra time, I’m an active member of my local Young Farmer’s Club, which raises a lot of cash for local charities; I play football and take pleasure in pull of war. I also have a passion for restoration, including vintage tractors, and my spouse’s dad’s 40-year-old butcher’s bike!
What does the future hold?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I believe technology will play a substantial part and plumbings and plumbing will require adapting to take advantage of it. We’re already seeing technology user interfaces to the house from tablets and cellphones and this will become mainstream.
This new level of technology may need a greater level of training for plumbers, possibly consisting of university education and a degree. This advance knowing would supplement the apprenticeships that support the essential useful skills development that have formed our market to date.
“Even though it needs long hours as well as brain and brawn power I truthfully couldn’t see myself doing anything else!”