Crest Plumbing Is Hiring
Lead Service Plumber in Cookeville, TN
This is the senior field role: the plumber who runs service calls independently, diagnoses accurately, communicates honestly with homeowners, and does the work right.
Starting pay is $30 per hour with a 10% commission structure that kicks in after a weekly service baseline. Residential only. Local routes. Company truck provided. Tennessee Limited Licensed Plumber license required.
Compensation
What This Position Pays
No "competitive DOE." Here's the structure in plain numbers, plus realistic weekly ranges based on typical Cookeville residential service volume.
Guaranteed regardless of service volume. You're paid for your time on the standard 40-hour schedule — the commission is upside on top.
- Standard 40 hrs/week schedule
- Base pay is guaranteed regardless of service volume
Once you pass a weekly service baseline, you earn 10% of every service dollar above it. The more efficiently and honestly you work, the more you take home.
- No cap on commission — your upside is uncapped
- Rewards legitimate service volume, not pushing unnecessary work
Baseline met, with moderate service volume above baseline.
Baseline met comfortably, with higher service volume.
Full schedule, efficient execution, higher-ticket jobs.
These figures represent realistic ranges based on typical Cookeville residential service volume. The specific weekly baseline dollar amount and exact commission mechanics are discussed during the interview.
The Role
What the Lead Service Plumber Does at Crest
This position carries senior field responsibility at Crest. The Lead Service Plumber runs residential service calls independently: diagnosing the problem, communicating the finding and flat-rate price to the homeowner, performing the repair correctly, and closing the job in Housecall Pro.
Jeff trusts the right person in this role to represent Crest the way he would himself.
Field Work
What You'll Handle in the Field
Residential diagnostic variety, day to day. Here's the real scope of work for this role.
Licensing
Tennessee LLP License Required
The Tennessee Limited Licensed Plumber license authorizes residential plumbing service and repair: the full scope of what Crest performs.
LLP is a state-issued license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, requiring documented field experience and a written examination.
- Residential plumbing service and repair
- Water heater installation and replacement
- Fixture installation and replacement
- Drain and sewer line service and repair
- Gas line work within residential scope
Questions about whether your current license or experience qualifies? Call Jeff directly at (931) 239-4345.
Requirements
Requirements and What Actually Matters
Tennessee LLP
Required- Required and non-negotiable for this role
- Working toward licensure or holding out-of-state credentials? Call Jeff before assuming you don't qualify
Clean Driving Record
Required- Required for the company vehicle
- Disclose major recent issues early
Residential Service Experience
- At least 3 years preferred
- Comfortable diagnosing and completing residential calls without step-by-step direction
Customer Communication
- The job is half technical and half interpersonal
- Must explain diagnosis and flat-rate pricing clearly
Alignment With Crest's Style
- Honest diagnosis and flat-rate pricing
- No high-pressure upsell culture
A Typical Day
A Day as Lead Service Plumber at Crest
Route review
Jobs are loaded in Housecall Pro the night before with customer notes, address, and reported issue. Truck stocked, route planned, first job confirmed.
Water heater diagnosis in east Cookeville
Diagnose a Rinnai tankless error code, present the flat-rate repair price, complete the repair, test outputs, and close the job in Housecall Pro.
Multiple slow drains in Algood
Assess main line involvement, snake the line, clear roots, run the camera, review findings with the homeowner, and discuss follow-up options.
Toilet replacement in Baxter
Install a customer-supplied toilet; check rough-in, flange, wax ring, supply line, and shutoff condition.
Water bill spike investigation
Run meter isolation, confirm underground loss, locate the leak, present the flat-rate repair price, complete the repair, pressure test, and document thoroughly.
End of day
Close jobs in Housecall Pro, restock the truck, note follow-ups, and end your route in the local service area.
The Upside
What This Role Actually Offers
Pay That Rewards Performance
$30/hr base with commission above baseline. No hidden targets, no clawbacks.
Residential Diagnostic Variety
Water heaters, slab leaks, sewer cameras, filtration installs, gas line assessments, and more.
Autonomy in the Field
Crest trusts you to diagnose, price, and complete work to standard. Jeff is available by phone but not hovering.
Company Van and Tools
Fully equipped service van, professional uniforms, and the tools required for residential service. You bring your personal hand tools and expertise.
No Upsell Pressure
Commission rewards legitimate service volume, not pushing unnecessary work.
Early-Stage Opportunity
Crest is building toward a multi-technician residential operation in Cookeville. The right lead plumber can grow with the company.
Role FAQ
Questions Plumbers Ask About This Role
Crest requires a current, active Tennessee Limited Licensed Plumber (LLP) license for the Lead Service Plumber position. The LLP license authorizes residential plumbing service and repair: the full scope of what Crest performs. Candidates with experience toward licensure or holding equivalent out-of-state credentials should call Jeff directly at (931) 239-4345 to discuss their specific situation before assuming they don't qualify.
You earn your $30/hr base regardless of volume. On top of that, once your service revenue passes a weekly baseline, you earn 10% of every service dollar above it, with no cap. The specific baseline figure and exact mechanics are walked through during the interview so there are no surprises.
Yes — Crest prices work flat-rate and the homeowner approves the price before any work begins. Commission is calculated on legitimate service revenue, so the incentive is to diagnose honestly and complete real work well, not to inflate invoices.
With the $30/hr base plus commission above baseline, typical weeks land in the ranges shown above, and stronger weeks push higher. Actual earnings depend on service volume and efficiency. Jeff will talk through realistic first-year expectations candidly during the interview.
Yes. A core part of this role is explaining your diagnosis and presenting the flat-rate price clearly and honestly to the homeowner. The job is half technical and half interpersonal — comfort with that conversation matters.
There is a limited on-call rotation rather than heavy after-hours demand. The specifics — frequency, coverage, and how it's compensated — are covered during the interview so you know exactly what to expect.
Keep Exploring
More on Working at Crest
Local Routes
Where You'll Be Working
Routes stay close to Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland. You'll build real familiarity with the homes and customers across the local service area.
