At Massie Creek Plumbing, we believe plumbing is more than just pipes and parts, it’s about people. It’s about trust. It’s about solving problems the right way, not the quickest or most profitable way. Unfortunately, not every company sees it that way.
Across the industry, there’s a growing reliance on commission-based pay structures for plumbers. On the surface, it might seem like a smart way to incentivize hard work. But dig a little deeper, and the cracks start to show, and not just in the plumbing.
Why Commission-Based Models Fall Short
In commission-based environments, plumbers are often pressured to prioritize sales over service. Their paychecks are directly tied to how much they sell, not how well they solve problems. That creates a dangerous disconnect from what customers actually need.
Here’s what that can look like:
- Pushing unnecessary repairs or replacements.
- Skipping diagnostic steps to rush to billable work.
- Upcharging or over-explaining to inflate invoices.
- Treating every job as a “transaction” instead of a long-term relationship.
We’ve heard the stories from customers firsthand, and we’ve seen the aftermath. Jobs that should have been simple fixes balloon into costly overhauls. Trust is eroded. Homeowners feel taken advantage of. And the integrity of the entire plumbing profession takes a hit.
The Impact on Quality and Care
Plumbing is often invisible, until it goes wrong. So, when someone calls for help, they’re usually stressed, frustrated, and in need of real solutions. In those moments, customers need a professional who’s looking out for their best interest, not their own commission rate.
A plumber focused on hitting a sales goal may not:
- Take the time to explain options thoroughly.
- Recommend long-term fixes over short-term patches.
- Consider the customer’s budget, urgency, or home’s long-term health.
In the end, this model not only leads to inconsistent workmanship and shallow service, but it also erodes the trust homeowners should be able to have in their service providers.
What Makes Massie Creek Different
We don’t pay our plumbers on commission, and that’s by design. Our team is trained and empowered to prioritize solutions, not sales quotas. We hire people who are passionate about the trade and care deeply about helping others, not just closing tickets.
When we send someone to your home, you can expect:
- Honest assessments.
- Transparent communication.
- Solutions that make sense, technically and financially.
We’re not here to “sell plumbing.” We’re here to fix problems, earn trust, and build relationships that last.