‘I didn’t like sitting behind a screen all day’

Retraining as a plumber: Peter Chapman shares his story

Peter Chapman worked in accounts for 18 years before deciding he’d had enough of sitting behind a screen all day. So, he retrained to become a plumber instead.

We’re catching up with him 18 months after finishing his training. He’s running his own business. He’s busy with maintenance plumbing, leak detection and bathroom renovations. He was determined to make it work and he’s got some great advice if you’re thinking of making a similar move.

“…it's never too late to change careers, you can build something from nothing if you put the time in and work hard.”

Before retraining as a plumber, I spent 18 years working as a part-qualified accountant in the public and private sectors. I kind of just fell into accounting after I finished university and went travelling.

It was fine to begin with, but as I grew older, I started to wish I had chosen to do something more manual, something more satisfying as a career. I didn't love accounting. I didn't like sitting behind a screen all day. I loved fixing things, solving problems, being more creative and helping people. I'd always enjoyed learning to do things with my hands, and I found plumbing particularly interesting, so it seemed a perfect fit.

I'd recently watched my wife leave the corporate world and successfully move into self-employment and I found that inspiring. So, when I got the opportunity to change careers after my employer ran a voluntary leave scheme, I thought, "It's now or never", and went for it.

I did the Home Study City & Guilds Level 2 Plumbing course with Able Skills. For me, it was the home study option, and the facilities at Able Skills that appealed. As a parent, having the flexibility to study in my own time and do the practical side of the course more or less when it suited me and my family was really important. With the in-centre training being regularly available, it meant that I could do the course pretty much when I wanted.

I loved the in-centre practical training. Learning how to bend copper, solder joints, and install a bathroom. Tony and Mike were excellent teachers and always willing to help. I was surprised how quickly I picked everything up - probably down to their teaching skills! I regularly stayed behind after a long day of training to pick their brains, and they were always happy to chat. 

I left the world of accounting halfway through my plumbing training.  After two weeks of practical training, passing the exams, lots of reading up on plumbing, and watching plumbing videos on YouTube, I felt confident enough to start taking on some small jobs.

I was fortunate enough to be able to buy myself a van and some essential plumbing tools to carry out small maintenance jobs such as replacing and fixing taps, fixing faulty cistern parts and replacing leaking pipework.

I knew work wouldn't just come to me, so together with my wife (who has a marketing background) we came up with a memorable company name (Peter Piper Plumber), a logo, brand colours and a website.

I then delivered flyers, did posts on Facebook and Nextdoor, attended local networking events, handed out business cards and signed up with Checkatrade to start getting leads.

My very first job was replacing a thermostatic shower for a customer. A job that got me my first 5-star review.

Two months later, I finished my training and felt confident enough to start installing baths, radiators, basins, sinks, toilets and more. Work was slow to begin with, but the more Google and Checkatrade reviews I got and as customers began to refer me to others, the more work I got.

It was tough going at first, but I was determined to make it work.  I didn't stop learning. I've reached out to local plumbers when I've needed advice. I’ve done a tiling course, WRAS (Water Regulations), air source heat pump, and low water temperature courses.

18 months later, I'm doing a mixture of maintenance, leak detection and bathroom renovations.

Ultimately, for me, it’s been about building up a reputation of being reliable, honest, friendly, and being good at communicating that has led to regular, ongoing work.

Winning ‘Best New Plumber in the South of England 2026 Prestige Awards’ made me feel proud and justified my decision to change careers.

I feel it shows that it's never too late to change careers, you can build something from nothing and if you put the time in and work hard, you can be successful on your own.

From a business perspective, the award has been a great marketing tool and gives my customers reassurance that I'm good at what I do. 

Young me would not have dreamed of starting his own business! After spending 18 years working for other people, being inspired by my wife's move into self-employment, and wanting to do something more fulfilling and rewarding with my career, I decided that if I was going to change my career, I was going to fly solo and do something I could look back on and be proud of.