Business Spotlight: Plumber blends training, personal service for success

Some people focus on the things that could hold them back. Peter Hill, owner of Son Plumbing Inc., isn't one of those people.

Hill faced a number of challenges when he decided to start his own plumbing business in 1999. Springfield already had dozens of plumbing contractors. Hill also realized that although he didn't view himself as disabled, some people might treat him differently because he is legally deaf.

Hill didn't focus on the potential pitfalls, however. Instead, he chose to focus on his strengths.

He had 20 years of industry experience. He was a licensed master plumber and a licensed master gas fitter. More importantly he had the love and support of his wife Yalonda, who agreed to work alongside her husband to help make Son Plumbing a success.

"I may not be able to hear where the water leak is, but I sure have the experience to find it," said Hill.

Hill, who lost his hearing as the result of a childhood illness, is so good at reading lips that most people don't realize he's deaf unless he happens to mention it in passing.

Still, being deaf has created some challenges for him as a business owner. Yalonda must field customers' phone calls, for example.

Remote communication also can be challenging. If Yalonda Hill needs to contact her husband while he's on a service call, she must send a message to a special phone that he carries, which will convert the message into a text format.

Hill believes in giving his customers hands-on personalized service. Currently, he provides a wide variety of plumbing services, including commercial, residential, remodeling and new construction work. Hill also installs radiant floor heat.

"I think the things that make me stand out are the two master's licenses that I have and the personalized service that I give every customer," he said.

Hill performs a wide variety of tasks as a master gas fitter. These tasks range from installing gas pipes to installing gas log fireplaces for Maschino's Home Expressions in Springfield and HMI Fireplace Shop in Nixa.

"A lot of people don't realize that they need to hire a master gas fitter when they install a gas log fireplace," he said. "It can affect everything from the manufacturer's warranty on the fireplace to filing an insurance claim if there's a fire."

Hill said he values his reputation, and he makes sure his customers know he's licensed, bonded and insured. He said he also values honesty a quality he believes has helped make Son Plumbing successful in a competitive market.

Hill's business philosophy is reflected in the company's motto: "Where honesty and integrity shine through." It's also reflected in the company's name, Son Plumbing Inc.

"It's Son Plumbing because Jesus is God's son," he said. "I'm a Christian. I asked the Lord to provide when I started this business and He has."

Like most small business owners, Hill said he works long hours. To help alleviate the workload, he has a plumber's apprentice who works from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Hill's work, however, doesn't end at 5 p.m. Hill usually spends several hours each evening traveling to different construction sites to submit bids on plumbing and gas work.

Hill estimated approximately 50 percent of his jobs come from service calls, while the remainder come from new construction or remodeling work. Occasionally, Hill will learn about a new job through his membership associations the Home Builders Association and the General Contractors Association.

The Hills said they would like to see their business grow and expand in the future. However, they don't want to get so big that their company loses its personal touch.

"People call us because we give such personalized service," said Peter Hill. "We don't ever want to get so big that we can't provide that."