u/06Dark0

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I asked the wrong question in my last post and framed myself more like I was looking for someone to give me a position. What I’m actually trying to figure out is what types of companies I should be targeting for plumbing design side/overflow work.

I currently work as a plumbing designer and have experience with commercial plumbing design, Revit, AutoCAD, fixture counts, code research, equipment selection, and producing complete plumbing drawings.

I’m trying to decide where I should focus my efforts:

1. Plumbing contractors — Offer to help with overflow plumbing design, shop drawings, coordination drawings, and as-builts when their in-house staff is overloaded.

2. Small MEP/plumbing engineering firms — Offer overflow plumbing design/drafting support when they have more projects than their designers can handle.

3. Some combination of the two.

For those of you who have done freelance/1099 plumbing design work, which type of company would you pursue first? Are plumbing contractors actually a good market for outsourced design help, or would small engineering firms be more likely to consistently outsource overflow plumbing design? I’m not looking for a full-time position. I’m specifically trying to build relationships with companies that occasionally need an extra plumbing designer to help get projects out the door. Any advice on what types of companies to target, where to find them, and how you would pitch the service would be appreciated.

Hey everyone, long time lurker first time poster here. I am looking for some input on my salary as Plumbing Designer at a mid-size MEP firm in Texas. Firstly, I want to say I really love my job and the company I work for. Great culture, great people and all around good flexibility.(I am a 25y/o father of two so the flexibility is important, ability to work from home instead of taking sick days, can pick my kids up from school/babysitter etc.)

A little background on my experience and Education

AAS in Engineering Design

5 years experience as a Public Works Superintendent. (Lots of field experience with water/sewer/Plumbing installations and inspections, utility company coordination and being on the AHJ side of commercial construction) -i went to school while working full time in Public Works to transition to engineering.

1 year experience as a Structural Detailer with a Design/Build Contractor(62k)

And now I've been at my current job for a year as a Plumbing Designer working primarily in Education (K-12 and some College) i started a year ago at 52k and I cant help but feel like im worth a bit more. Id like to be in 60-65k range. I initially accepted the 52k offer because I really wanted to work for this company and was willing to take a bit of a reduced salary because I work much less hours than I did as a steel detailer. But as the year has progressed my role has expanded quite well. In the last 12 month I have completed 10 projects(ranging from smaller renos and add-ons to full on multi-million dollar new construction projects)with no supervision other than QA markups dept. Head markups etc. I am handling all coordination, Design problem solving, equipment selections, sizing, etc. I feel that 52k salary is consistent of someone who is helping aid in Design work on projects not running them entirely with no need for constant direction.

I guess what I am asking is would it be absurd to ask for something in the realm of a 10k raise at my annual review? Is 62k going to be out of reach with just my AAS?

Thanks for reading and any comments or suggestions to help further my career will be greatly appreciated!