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Plumbing in Canada - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Matthew Buchko Matthew Buchko New York, United States Last Updated: November 2023 NAICS 23822bCA

Revenue

$19.9bn

2023

$19.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

75,057

Businesses

10,865

Wages

$X.Xbn

Plumbing in Canada industry analysis

Plumbers in Canada have exhibited solid revenue growth in recent years, despite the complications caused by the pandemic. Plumbers are essential to the residential and nonresidential building markets since they're needed to install systems for new construction and repair and maintain existing structures' systems. This protects plumbers from significant revenue fluctuations. Still, diminished demand from new construction activity amid the pandemic brought atypical volatility for plumbers. Revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 1.1% to $19.9 billion through the end of 2023, including a 2.5% jump in 2023.

Trends and Insights

  • Construction markets have fuelled revenue growth. Despite volatile economic conditions, growing domestic construction markets have brought revenue growth for plumbers. When building activity grows in Canada, demand for plumbing also rises.
  • Sprinkler and piping services have been a key area of growth. Meanwhile, general plumbing services, which comprise the largest product segment, have also grown as a share of revenue.
  • Plumbers are concentrated in Ontario. Since Ontario is the most populated province, it has the most plumbers. Plumbing is a requirement in all residential construction, so plumbers tend to locate near areas where residential construction is high.
  • Plumbers endure a lot of competition. The industry is composed of about 13,000 plumbers with none capturing a substantial share of industry revenue.
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Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2013-2028
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Industry Overview

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $19.9bn in 2023.

Trends and Insights

Growing construction markets have fuelled industry growth

  • The value of residential construction grew between 2018 and 2022, spurring the development of new projects. This has boosted revenue by lifting demand for plumbing services from the residential building market, which comprises more than half of revenue.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Strong growth in renovation activity will fuel demand for plumbing services

  • Increased renovation activity is set to increase demand for plumbing. Many renovations include work on pipes and other plumbing equipment. Many individuals and businesses can't perform this type of work themselves, fuelling growth in demand for plumbing services. The increased popularity of natural gas for heating will also improve demand for gas plumbing.

Biggest companies in the Plumbing in Canada

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($m)
2023
Profit ($m)
2023
Profit Margin (%)
2023
Black & McDonald Limited
55.6
N/A
N/A
Mr. Rooter LLC
55.6
N/A
N/A
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
55.6
N/A
N/A

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Plumbing in Canada

Products & Services

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including General plumbing services, Mechanical plumbing services and Sprinkler services, steamfitting and piping services and other. General plumbing services is the largest segment of the Plumbing in Canada.

Trends and Insights

Spending on mechanical plumbing services lowered by volatility

  • These services include mechanical heating, sanitary fixtures, cooling and ventilation. These services tend to be costly as they must be done by highly specialized labour.
  • More insights available in the full report

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Competitors

  • Home Improvement Stores in Canada

Complementors

  • Electricians in Canada
  • Roofing Contractors in Canada
  • Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in Canada

International industries

  • Plumbers in the US
  • Plumbing Services in Australia
  • Plumbing Services in New Zealand
  • Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Installation in the UK
  • Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Installation in Ireland

View all industries in Canada

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry installs and services plumbing fixtures, fittings and equipment. Industry activities include work on household pipes and drains, installation of gas cooking and heating appliances and work on bathroom and toilet fixtures and venting systems. Emergency repair work (e.g. unclogging drains or repairing burst water mains) represents a significant source of industry revenue. Contractors may also supply plumbing appliances, pipes and coupling products for projects.

What's included in this industry?

Gas plumbingGas appliance repairRepairing installed plumbingSeptic tank installationDrain construction, cleaning or repairingIndoor and outdoor sprinkler system installationSteamfitting and piping contracting Solar hot water systems installation

Companies

Black & McDonald LimitedMr. Rooter LLCRoto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

NONEMPLOYERPLUMBING FIXTURESTEAMFITTING HYDRONIC NONPOTABLE

Industry Code

NAICS 2007

NAICS 238220 - Plumbing in Canada

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Construction markets have fuelled revenue growth. Despite volatile economic conditions, growing domestic construction markets have brought revenue growth for plumbers. When b...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Sprinkler and piping services have been a key area of growth. Meanwhile, general plumbing services, which comprise the largest product segment, have also grown as a share of ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Plumbers are concentrated in Ontario. Since Ontario is the most populated province, it has the most plumbers. Plumbing is a requirement in all residential construction, so pl...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each province
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each province in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each province accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each province in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Plumbers endure a lot of competition. The industry is composed of about 13,000 plumbers with none capturing a substantial share of industry revenue.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

There is no single plumbing business that dominates the industry. However, several smaller companies have a very small market share.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
  • Overview of Black & McDonald Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Mr. Rooter LLC's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Black & McDonald Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Mr. Rooter LLC, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The number of housing starts is a key driver of demand for plumbing work. When new houses are built, they require plumbing work to be installed. This also grows the market fo...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit was negatively affected by COVID-19. While it has grown since, it remains below the level it was at prior to the pandemic. Price competition among plumbers has been ex...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Coverage Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2016-2021)
  • Operating Ratios (2016-2021)
  • Assets (2016-2021)
  • Liabilities (2016-2021)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Average Wage (2013-2028)
  • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
  • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2013-2028)
  • IVA (2013-2028)
  • Establishments (2013-2028)
  • Enterprises (2013-2028)
  • Employment (2013-2028)
  • Exports (2013-2028)
  • Imports (2013-2028)
  • Wages (2013-2028)

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Canada include:

  • Statistics Canada
  • Industry Canada
  • Canadian Business Patterns

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Plumbing industry in Canada in 2024?

The market size of the Plumbing industry in Canada is $19.9bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Plumbing in Canada industry in 2023?

There are 10,865 businesses in the Plumbing industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2018 and 2023.

Has the Plumbing industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Plumbing industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2018 and 2023.

What is the forecast growth of the Plumbing industry in Canada over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Plumbing industry in Canada is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Plumbing market in Canada?

The biggest companies operating in the Plumbing market in Canada are Black & McDonald Limited, Mr. Rooter LLC and Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

What does the Plumbing in Canada include?

Gas plumbing and Gas appliance repair are part of the Plumbing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Plumbing in Canada?

The company holding the most market share in Canada is Black & McDonald Limited.

How competitive is the Plumbing industry in Canada?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Plumbing industry in Canada.