Math For Plumbers and Pipefitters Doesn’t Have to Be Hard 

 

We recently came across a book titled “Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters” by Lee Smith. The title seemed interesting, so we bought it and read it. The book mentions the essential math skills required for a plumbing business; you should read it, too, if you are looking to start a plumbing business.   

However, the book delves into common math instead of financial math. For most plumbing business owners, financial calculations can seem like a chore. We get it; sometimes it feels like you didn’t sign up for this.   

So, we decided to write about how financial math for plumbers and pipefitters doesn’t have to be too difficult. This guide can be helpful if you own a plumbing business or are looking to own one.   

Math For Plumbers and Pipefitters is Already There  

For some of us, math can feel like a foreign language; however, Lee Smith describes on-the-job math applications for plumbers in the book. He discusses measuring pipe lengths, sheet metal work, volume, and pressure calculations.   

One Redditt user said, “The most maths I usually do are for 45° offsets, using 1.414 as my conversion measurement. Then doing fitting allowances which is subtraction and addition. Another one I use is head pressures. Again it’s a unit that you memorize and use basic multiplication to achieve.”  

You can check out the full response here.   

Even though it’s important to learn the basic math for plumbing, you don’t have to be  Pythagoras to run a business. The key to simplifying math for plumbers and pipefitters is having the right tools.  

And by tools, we mean choosing accounting services or accounting software. The on-the-job math differs from business math, and you already have enough on your plate. The last thing you need at the end of the long day is to fit numbers on the spreadsheet.   

Let’s break down further and see how accounting services or software can simplify your business.  

Let the Accounting Software Do the Math  

Running a small business means you have to wear many hats. You have to schedule jobs, manage clients, handle the crew, and do business promotions. If you are going to stay cluttered, you will get bogged down.   

Here’s how accounting software can help:   

Automate Everything   

Remember the last time you scrambled to find tax receipts? Maybe you are manually creating invoices and chasing clients’ payments.   

Accounting software handles everything, such as automatically generating invoices, tracking expenses, tax management, booking and scheduling, and much more. You just have to enter numbers, and voila!   

Check Business Financial Health   

If you are wondering how your business is performing, accounting software can give you a bird’s-eye view. You can check cash flow, income, profits, and expenses. Instead of taking a guess where your money is coming from and where it is going, you get to know where your business is standing financially.   

Prevent Human Errors  

We all have been there—one wrong number, the whole calculation messes up. However, you don’t have to worry about such mistakes with accounting software. The software does the math for you and balances the books like it should.   

If you are wondering which software to choose, we have two strong contenders: QuickBooks and Jobber.   

QuickBooks  

QuickBooks Online is one of the most popular accounting software options for therapists and small businesses. Its user-friendly design and cloud-based functionality allow you to manage your business accounting like a pro. It integrates fully with over 702 apps, giving you complete control of your finances.  

You can check our full QuickBooks review here.   

Many users find that QuickBooks can be expensive due to its advanced features. We understand that it can be difficult for a small business owner to pay for such advanced software.   

But don’t let the price get in the way of growing your business.   You would be happy to know that Tangent Consulting partnered with QuickBooks to offer 80% off the first 6 months of an annual subscription. This offer also includes a 30-day free trial. So, grab a deal now before it’s too late.     

Jobber  

If there’s one software made for the plumbing business, it’s Jobber. It’s a field service management platform that makes it easy to manage employees’ and clients’ information and track employees’ work.   

Jobber isn’t just regular accounting software; it’s an all-in-one solution for services businesses. Our detailed guide outlines Jobber’s additional features.    

If you think Jobber is cool, we have something cooler. We have partnered with Jobber to offer some cool perks for small businesses. You can get a free trial and 20% off on an annual plan for six months.  

Let Pros Handle the Numbers  

If the thought of using accounting software overwhelms you, or you don’t have time to deal with it, outsourcing your financial numbers can be your best move.   

According to a survey by the Small Business Administration, 60% of small business owners lack basic accounting and finance knowledge. So, outsourcing makes sense.  Plus, it’s not all about numbers.   

Financial Planning   

When you outsource your accounting to a fractional bookkeeper or fractional CFO, they can help you do financial planning besides balancing your sheets. They can help you develop a solid plan highlighting realistic goals, budgeting, and overall growth.   

Smooth Tax Season   

Taxes are like pipe splurges; dealing with them can be a mess. You don’t want to be on the naughty list of IRS or CRA.   

An accounting service complies with the IRS or CRA regulations and ensures your taxes are up to the mark. Also, they can help in getting tax deductions.   

Scalability   

As we said, it’s not just about the numbers; pros can help you plan for the future. By analyzing the current numbers, they can provide insights into where you are losing money, where you can cut costs, and how you can grow your business.   

If you want to dig deeper into how pros can help your business, you can check our service p page, where we highlight the services that can help your plumbing business.  

Final Thoughts  

So, you see, math for plumbers and pipefitters isn’t too hard when you know what you are doing. You already have basic math skills in plumbing, but you can use accounting software or outsource for business and financial math.   

Speaking of outsourcing, we provide all the accounting services you need to succeed in the plumbing business. With a vast portfolio of plumbing clients from the US and Canada, we make sure to get the math right.   

And hey, let’s be honest. Wouldn’t you rather spend time growing your business or entering numbers into a spreadsheet?   

FAQs  

What kind of math is used for plumbing?  

Plumbing uses trigonometric and geometric math.   

What is the formula for plumbers?  

From the accounting perspective, the plumbers’ total bill is calculated using the formula: A=RT+M. Here, R is the hourly rate, T is the labor time in hours, and M is the material cost.   

How is math used in pipe fitting?  

In pipe fitting, trigonometric formulas such as the Pythagorean theorem are used to calculate angles.