Cash Is Dead: What Modern Plumbing Businesses Need To Stay Competitive

There was a time when plumbers would jot quotes down on a scrap of paper, collect a handful of notes, and move on to the next job. But times have changed.

Today, customers expect more. In particular, they want fast, professional service, digital receipts and the option to pay using modern methods. As a result, if your plumbing business still relies on cash or manual payment systems, you may already be losing work.

The good news, though, is that it doesn’t take too long or require much effort to get with the times. Indeed, with the right tools and a few simple changes, you can improve how you work, get paid faster, and keep customers happy.

This post will highlight what they are and why they can help your business stay competitive.

Why cash doesn’t cut it anymore

According to the RBA, 72% of Australians are “low cash users”, and that number is increasing rapidly.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, thanks to the rise of EFTPOS machines, such as those offered by Smartpay, which enable people to tap their card or phone. However, if you only accept cash, you’re not making your customer experience as seamless as they might want it to be.

In addition, relying on cash payments as a plumbing business means more admin work for you. Typically, this involves dealing with change, manual receipts, and potential loss or theft. It also requires you to deposit the money into your bank on a regular basis.

The rise of digital payment solutions

Providing an alternative form of remuneration to physical cash or cheques, digital payment solutions are electronic methods of transferring funds between parties. They include:

• Mobile Wallets
• Online Banking
• Contactless Payments
• Digital Currencies such as cryptocurrency
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
• QR Code Payments
• Payment Platforms like PayPal

Across Australia, small businesses are moving towards accepting these digital payment solutions in their thousands. One of the main reasons why is that through them, everything is streamlined. For a start, you receive the money in your bank account within 24 hours, which is much better for your cash flow. They are also more trustworthy, accurate, and far easier to manage at tax time.

In addition, digital payment solutions can integrate with other systems, like job management and accounting software, to make the whole process even smoother. In fact, many systems let you send invoices, track payments, and even set up payment reminders.

At the end of the day, using these tools means fewer late payments, cleaner records, and happier clients. Essentially, you’ll spend less time chasing money and more time doing the work that matters.

What customers expect in 2025

While you might not be, it is worth recognising that customers are more tech-savvy than ever. They want convenience, communication, and they expect to be able to pay with ease.

Having on-site payments available is a great start. But modern customers are looking for more. They want SMS reminders, easy access to receipts, and flexible ways to pay.

If you’re not offering these things, you may be losing work to competitors who do. While the quality of the plumbing work that is done is very important, customer experience matters just as much.

How going cashless helps you grow

Many Aussies don’t like change. But with change comes opportunity, and if you are running a plumbing business, the opportunity is to help it grow.

With small business automation, you’ll spend less time on paperwork and more time on the tools. Such systems allow you to take more bookings, manage your schedule better, and get paid faster.

There’s also less stress involved because you no longer need to have awkward conversations about payment. Or chase invoices weeks after the job.

The more you embrace change, the more you will open the door to better systems, more satisfied customers, and a healthier bottom line.

Is it hard to make the switch?

You may well be wondering how easy it is to make the switch to digital systems. Well, thankfully, most tools are designed to be simple and easy to use. So, you don’t need to be tech-savvy or hire an IT expert to implement them.

It is good to start with something basic, such as introducing a mobile EFTPOS machine. Or adding a quoting app to your website. Indeed, many platforms offer free trials or setup help to get you started.

It is also worth talking to other plumbers in your industry to see what’s working for them and how easy the change was to manage.

Tools that modern plumbers are using

When running a plumbing business, you need to be organised, responsive, and ready to adapt. That’s why plumbing job management software is growing in popularity. These apps can be an excellent resource to help you manage bookings, send quotes, invoice clients, and track your team.

The great thing about them is that they also allow you to accept cashless transactions. So, once the job’s done, payment can be processed on the spot.

Popular platforms like Fergus, Tradify, ServiceM8, and simPRO are built specifically for tradies. They’re easy to learn and come with features that save time and reduce admin stress.