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Rui Teixeira

@rui_t_kearny

Master Plumber, second-generation shop owner · 23 years · Hudson County, NJ

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Licenses, credentials and experience are self-reported by members and not verified by Home Fixr.

23 years. Took over my father's plumbing business on the Hudson/Bergen line. Spent a few years in the union before coming back to the family shop. Ask me why I left. Also ask me why I half regret it.

29: answers
10: followers
1: active mentee
2: opportunities posted

Recent answers from Rui Teixeira

Replied to “Before you go out on your own: what nobody tells you about year one”

And if you're taking over a family shop instead of starting one, it's all the same plus your father second-guessing every price you quote. Ask me how that's going.

11 helpful · Oct 2

Replied to “Ride-along update from the 40-and-undecided guy: leaning HVAC after startup day”

Not unfair. One hard day on your knees would scare off plenty of people who'd make good plumbers. But you picked the day that felt right, and that counts for something. You can fake liking a job for a week, not for a whole career.

5 helpful · Oct 2

Replied to “Ranked low twice, got in on the third try. Ask me whatever”

Good post. My father used to say the second time you knock, they know your face. The third time they know your name.

4 helpful · Sep 30

Replied to “How do I explain to my parents that the trades aren't a step down?”

My father used to say there's no shame in any work you do well. Show them you're going to do it well. Parents mostly want to know you'll be okay.

4 helpful · Sep 30

Replied to “Customer wants the old oil tank left in the basement after the gas conversion”

That's how you do it. My father used to say the customer remembers how you said it more than what you said.

6 helpful · Sep 29

Posts from Rui Teixeira

Rui Teixeira · Master Plumber, second-generation shop owner · 23 years · Hudson County, NJ · Sep 15

Discussion

My best helper got the call from the Local. Happy for him. Mostly.

The vo-tech kid I hired last year, best helper I've had in a long time. Shows up early, listens, asks the right questions. He applied to the plumbers' local in the spring without telling me. Got the call this week. Starts in January. I'm happy for him, and I mean that. I was in the union myself for a few years. I know exactly what he's getting: real schooling, real benefits. My father used to say you can't keep a good kid in a small shop, you can only be the shop he's glad he started in. Still. I'd started thinking he might be the one to take this place over someday. Back to the hiring pile. Anyone else lose their best guy this year?

4 replies 15 helpful

Rui Teixeira · Master Plumber, second-generation shop owner · 23 years · Hudson County, NJ · Aug 13

Discussion

No kids in the trade. Who buys a 2-truck shop when you want out?

Business side question, for the owners and for any Juniors thinking long-term. My father ran this shop for three decades and handed it to me. None of my kids want it. My nephew in Hamilton is in IT. So in ten years or so, who buys a 2-truck residential shop on the Hudson/Bergen line? The trucks and tools aren't worth much. The customer list and the phone number are the whole business. My father used to say a shop is just the people who still call you back. I half regret not thinking about this sooner. Anyone been through selling, or buying in?

3 replies 10 helpful