How Do I Grow My CIPP Repair Business? (Smart Ways to Earn, Expand, and Prepare)
Looking to expand your CIPP repair business? We can’t blame you. It’s a great time to dig into trenchless (yes, pun intended):
The market is hot. Opportunities are growing. And the technology is advancing.
If your pipe repair business is ready to tackle that growth head on, you’ll be able to capitalize on the demand for more cost-effective, time-saving, and environmentally friendly solutions instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching your competitors step in.
Inside This Article:
Funding opportunities to grow your revenue that you didn’t even know existed
New market segments for trenchless pipe repairs
Steps you can take to get your business ready for growth
This Article is For:
Pipe repair companies looking to add new market opportunities
Brand-new companies looking for a specialized market focus
Traditional businesses ready to expand into CIPP repair
How Do I Increase Revenue for My CIPP Business?
Revenue is your company’s lifeblood. And while a steady stream of new jobs can keep your teams busy, you’ll need more revenue sources to grow your business for the long haul.
Funding and Grants
Local, state, and federal grants for pipe repairs are available, often with a priority on environmentally friendly methods and cost-saving processes. Some of these programs are available on an ongoing basis.
But it’s more than just subsidizing a single project: if your trenchless repair company knows where to find grants and how to win them consistently, you’ll become a go-to choice for qualifying repair contracts.
Recurring Revenue and Contracts
Ongoing maintenance contracts can supplement one-time CIPP repairs, making it possible to scale recurring revenue. Maintenance contracts are especially beneficial for commercial customers with multiple pipes and heavier throughput use.
Community Connections and Relationships
Seeking new business takes a lot of time and energy. Shortcut the process by establishing relationships with vendors, property managers, and real estate agents who can bring repair needs directly to you on a regular basis. Home inspections can reveal sewer line issues, and multifamily properties need regular maintenance and repairs. You can capitalize on both with the right connections.
How Do I Find New Opportunities?
Residential CIPP repair is just the beginning of possibilities for trenchless repair needs. Moving into commercial, industrial, and municipal repairs could mean fast growth for your company.
Municipal Contracts
Cities, counties, and municipalities regularly seek bids for sewer, potable water, and other pipe repairs. Keep an eye out for opportunities through bid release sites, city or government pages, and contacts within city planning and budgeting departments.
High-Rise Buildings
High-rise buildings and skyscrapers need specialized pipe repair solutions. Today’s CIPP repair methods can take on these complex projects with ease. Beyond gravity and pressure issues, CIPP repairs offer a minimally invasive approach to pipe repairs that could span across multiple floors and multiple units. That means happier tenants and shorter downtimes.
Large-Scale Projects
Whether it’s a city drainage line or a massive commercial repair, large-scale CIPP repairs can add extra revenue with the right training and equipment. These types of contracts can total in the millions of dollars, making them perfect for the right trenchless business.
Commercial Customers
We’ve seen great results for our customers within the commercial market. Storefronts, shopping malls, and office buildings need solutions that keep things running smoothly while minimizing costs. CIPP does just that, with most jobs averaging 4 hours to complete. Whether it’s during business hours or when the doors close overnight, CIPP teams can get businesses and offices back to normal operations quickly.
Potable Water Supply Repairs
New advancements in resins and repair techniques have made it possible to service potable water supply lines with CIPP technology. Low- and no-VOC resins, faster curing, and more precise measurements create the perfect opportunity to break into this market with safety and expedience in mind.
Healthcare and Institutional Organizations
Medical facilities, schools, and universities make perfect candidates for ongoing maintenance contracts. With multiple buildings on a single campus, most of these facilities will require more than one major repair, and they’ll need more frequent maintenance for minor issues.
While the healthcare market poses more challenges with compliance, knowing those standards and requirements will make you stand out from the crowd—low competition, high return potential. Schools are less strict, but they have other challenges to overcome.
Industrial, Manufacturing, and Oil & Gas Repairs
Another emerging market for CIPP repairs, industrial and oil and gas line repairs pose a challenge that few trenchless pipe repair companies are ready to meet. Specialized materials and equipment, as well as specific installation techniques, can set your business up for success in this market. CIPP already has an advantage in manufacturing since it requires almost no downtime. With recent advancements in resin technology, other industries working with highly corrosive or volatile materials can take advantage of the same benefits safely.
How Do I Get My CIPP Repair Business Prepared for Growth?
You see the revenue potential. You know where to look for new work. Now it’s time to get your business ready for the opportunities. Growth is never easy, but it can be a lot less troublesome with the right approaches guiding your growth.
Start with Training for Your Team
Start your growth plan with training that prepares your teams for the jobs ahead. Specialized training for many of the market segments is recommended, although general training can provide the basic skills needed to cover many types of jobs.
Look for companies that prioritize custom-tailored training:
The training your team needs, not just default curriculum
Training on your specific equipment
Flexible locations, including the option to train at your facilities
Develop a Comprehensive Implementation Guide
New to CIPP repair? Develop a step-by-step plan to get everything (and everyone) ready for that first job. Have a plan for training, equipment, materials, maintenance, and dispatch.
Build Customer Communication Protocols
CIPP repair is unfamiliar territory for most residents and property managers. It’s up to your team to communicate effectively with them about its benefits and applications. Have answers to common questions, safety concerns, and repair times.
Coach on How to Address Customer Objections
Your teams are going to hear excuses and concerns. Make sure they know how to answer them accurately so that you won’t lose work. We’ve developed a guide to customer objections that our experts have heard over their 50-plus combined years of experience to help your teams stay ahead of the questions.
Tough Question: Should I Buy New or Used CIPP Equipment?
Saving money on CIPP repair equipment may seem like a smart choice, but it’s important to weigh all the variables before investing in used equipment. Consider:
The need for maintenance, and whether your team can do the maintenance necessary
The expected lifespan of the equipment, keeping in mind previous use
Immediate capital investment versus long-term ROI
Potential compatibility issues between components
With the right experience and the right price, used equipment could work well for your company. But in many cases, it’s far less risky to buy new equipment. You’ll see:
More advanced technology
Longer lifespan and better ROI
Guaranteed equipment compatibility
No surprise equipment failures on the job
Professional training, support, and warranty assistance
That kind of support and dependability can make a big difference as you’re entering new markets. Not only does it make life better for your crews, but it also makes customer satisfaction a breeze.
Partnering With the Right CIPP Supply Company
When you’re ready to expand into new CIPP repair markets, the right equipment and training is important. But having a trenchless pipe lining supply company to back you up when things go wrong? That’s even more important.
At T3 Lining Supply, we’re more than just a warehouse and a delivery truck. We’re a full-service supply company that offers state-of-the-art CIPP repair equipment, third-party tested materials, and fully customized training along with 24-hour live support.
Our customers don’t just get the right supplies to be successful. They get the right support to stay successful. We’re there when you need us, whether it’s for an emergency restock, an on-the-job problem, or training that fits your schedule, location, and needs perfectly.
Want to find out what makes T3 the best pipe lining company for growing your business? Reach out today to talk to our experts!
