Sump pump services: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering sump pump services

Sump work is about keeping water out of the house, and many callbacks come from a float that sticks or a discharge line that drains back into the pit. Test the whole system with the pit filled before you leave.

What customers ask

  • Why is my pump running all the time?
  • Do I need a battery backup?
  • Why is water still in the basement after the pump runs?
  • Can you put the discharge line somewhere else?
  • How long should the pump last?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask the pump age, the pit depth and size, whether the basement has flooded before, and whether the power has gone out with water coming in.
  • Bring a check valve, a float switch, a discharge kit, a pit cover, a battery backup and a test bucket to the first visit.
  • Fill the pit with water and run the pump, and show the customer the float, the check valve and the discharge working.
  • Quote the pump, the check valve, the float, the discharge and any battery backup as separate lines.
  • Route the discharge away from the foundation, and show the route to the customer before the work is done.
  • Test the battery backup and the alarm, and show the customer how to test it themselves.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of a sump pit with the pump, float and check valve visible
  • List the pump brands and types you install, including battery backup
  • Note the discharge line work you do and the routes you use
  • Show a before and after of a pit that was cleaned and a pump replaced

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a yearly pump and float test, and a battery check on the same visit
  • Recommend a discharge line check after freezing weather, when the line may be blocked
  • Suggest a backup alarm, so the customer knows when the pit is rising

Licenses and permits

Sump pump installation is commonly licensed plumbing work for the discharge and the drain, and the electrical connection may need a licensed electrician. Confirm the requirements with your state or local licensing agency before taking the work.

Questions

What do I say when the customer wants the discharge tied into the sewer?

Check the local rule before saying yes or no. Show the route you would use, and explain why a discharge away from the foundation is the safer option.

How do I handle a pump that works but the float is stuck?

Free the float and check its path. A stuck float can fail at any time, and it should be replaced if it does not move freely.

What should I tell a customer who has no battery backup and a history of flooding?

Explain the backup's role during a power outage, and offer it as an option with its own line in the quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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