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Home » Authors » Tom Soukup
Tom Soukup

Tom Soukup

Tom Soukup is the principal of Patriot Water Works Co. with more than 20 years as a hydronic designer and installer. He specializes in high-efficiency and green technology and brings his expertise to custom commercial work, pool heating, and agricultural projects. Reach him at: [email protected]

Articles

ARTICLES

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Contractor Stories

Pricing for Profit: Avoid the Race to the Bottom, Part 2

Professional branding, turning away price-focused clients and training teams to articulate the company’s value support a sustainable business.
December 1, 2025
Tom Soukup

Boost your profits and attract high-value clients with smart pricing, confident communication, and marketing that positions your contracting business as the trusted, quality-first choice in your market.


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Contractor Stories

Pricing for Profit: Avoid the Race to the Bottom, Part 1

Understanding true business costs, valuing craftsmanship and prioritizing profit helps sustain a strong reputation and attract customers who appreciate quality.
November 3, 2025
Tom Soukup

In today’s competitive trades market, pricing your work for profit — not survival — is the key to avoiding burnout, attracting quality clients and building a strong, sustainable business that values craftsmanship and stability.


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Contractor Stories

Combustion Analysis: Why Skipping It Costs You Customers

Performing this service is essential for ensuring safety, maximizing efficiency and extending the lifespan of heating systems, while building trust and professionalism.
October 1, 2025
Tom Soukup

If your heating pro doesn’t own a combustion analyzer, they’re not just cutting corners — they’re risking your comfort, safety, and money.


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Contractor Stories

Dr. Phil Discusses the Skilled Trade Crisis

The TV show highlighted the growing need for skilled tradespeople while addressing misconceptions and biases against blue-collar careers.
September 1, 2025
Tom Soukup

Dr. Phil’s episode on the skilled labor crisis explores generational attitudes, AI’s impact, and the real opportunities in trades careers through expert and guest discussions.


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CONTRACTOR STORIES

The Case for Sealed Combustion

With features such as high turndown ratios, quieter operation and space-saving designs, condensing boilers are a smarter choice for modern heating systems.
August 4, 2025
Tom Soukup

A catastrophic boiler failure during a brutal cold snap serves as a chilling reminder of why sealed combustion and modern condensing boilers are vastly superior to outdated atmospheric systems.


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CONTRACTOR STORIES

This Tariff BS

The biggest challenge for our industry is combating the number of unknowns while quoting projects.
July 1, 2025
Tom Soukup

As a 90-day U.S.–China tariff truce takes effect, a hydronic pro unpacks the real-world chaos it creates for pricing, planning, and staying afloat in a volatile market.


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Contractor Stories

Tracking Trends of Success

These six traits are proven strategies that can benefit contractors aiming to thrive in a competitive market.
June 2, 2025
Tom Soukup

What separates thriving mechanical contractors from those barely getting by? Tom Soukup breaks down six key traits that define long-term success in the HVAC industry—from innovation and training to passion and people.


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Contractor Stories

Maximizing the Labor Hour

The more solutions your company successfully employs, the more sustainable the business will become.
May 1, 2025
Tom Soukup

To address the continuing skilled labor shortage, companies must focus on maximizing productivity per labor hour without overburdening workers.


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Contractor Stories

A Leaky Ceiling, Huh?

Initially bypassed for a cheaper bid, Patriot Water Works was later called back by the homeowner to fix the resulting issues caused by improper installation.
April 3, 2025
Tom Soukup
In his column, Tom Soukup of Patriot Water Works Co. recounts a challenging boiler installation at a century-old farmhouse. 


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Contractor Stories

New Year, New Shop

You can plan, start the work early and do everything in your power leading up to a move, but there will still be headwinds and aggravation.
March 3, 2025
Tom Soukup

When the ball dropped to usher in 2025, we had just moved into our new location. “Auld Lang Syne” still rang in my ears as we shoved the last piece of pipe into the shelves at our new shop


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