In this episode of the Contractor Growth Show, Mark sits down with Tim Keeley of Keeley’s Plumbing in Lombard, Illinois. Tim shares his journey from starting out as a solo plumber to building a thriving residential service business, the challenges of hiring and retaining quality talent, and the strategies that keep his company growing in a competitive market.

Episode Highlights:

- Tim Keeley’s 25-year plumbing career and the founding of Keeley’s Plumbing after the 2008 recession

- How Tim transitioned from new construction to service plumbing and why it was the right move

- The evolution from solo operation to an 8-person team, including office staff, journeymen, apprentices, and helpers

- Real-world challenges of recruiting and retaining skilled plumbers in today’s market

- Creative (and sometimes unconventional) methods for finding new team members

- Why Keeley’s Plumbing shifted focus from new construction/remodeling to exclusively residential service work

- The impact of referrals and word-of-mouth on business growth

- Community involvement: sponsoring local car shows, parades, and kids’ sports teams

- The role of digital marketing, SEO, and Yelp ads in attracting new customers

- Honest insights on growth limitations and the realities of scaling a service-based business

- How to contact Keeley’s Plumbing for residential service in the Chicago area

Tune in for an honest look at what it takes to run and grow a successful local plumbing business-and the lessons learned along the way!