Start-up cost
$10,000-$50,000
Plumbing start-up $10,000-$50,000 (StartCosts, 2026, two vendor estimates agree on band); Second source: $10,000-$50,000 (ZenBusiness, 2026-07-07). Source: StartCosts, industry start-up cost guides, 2026. Lab cost band: $5K to $100K.
The field in numbers
These are Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for the wider field, not for this business alone.
Industry (Census)
Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (NAICS 238220)
Solo owners in the wider field
385,453 (Building Equipment Contractors)
Average gross sales per solo owner
$69,368 a year, before costs (gross sales, not profit)
Still open after 1, 2, 5, 10 years
76.0%, 68.1%, 53.9%, 40.1% (all businesses in the sector, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Related businesses in the Lab
Does it fit you?
The Startup Lab asks a few plain questions about your money, time and what you like doing, then narrows 910 businesses to the few that fit. The $10 report on this business adds itemized costs, your county’s numbers and Groundwork Alumni access.
