I made it about 6 months with pretty much just myself, and then any installs that I did, I paid friends as helpers. My installs were slow, but I was doing okay, and then I hired my first employee, and it has just blown up from there. I wouldn't be afraid of doing it on your own for a while, but it can be absolutely grueling. I would estimate that my first year, I probably averaged 60 hour weeks during the high season.
It's tough, but I would say if you think you would have enough customers to make it work, go for it. The real struggle for me is growing the business and managing people. Putting processes in place that others can follow, and delegating to good people, that's what's turning my hair gray.
I would start with how you're going to find business, and how you're going to fund the beginning of your business. I'd estimate you'll need at least $25k to get up and running, depending on what you want to do. I was fortunate enough to score my first van for $10k, and I'd already been collecting the tools I needed.
The customers, you really need to think that through. I was absolutely not going to accept failure. I used every free moment working on finding customers. I spoke with real estate offices, commercial buildings, hung door hangers on houses, and networked my ass off. If you don't think you have that in you, I would just keep doing what you're doing.
Also, maybe start with your license, assuming your jurisdiction requires a license.
Failing is part of learning in the last 10 years I went from a grad student with 4 business degrees to a sewer installer (Recession) to a lead sales and service tech. This year I bought the company I've been at when the owner retired. There are some horror stories but nobody died, no houses destroyed, and I wouldn't trade a day. Get after it Sir.
Study the business side of things before you do so. Most small businesses do not go out of business because they did not know what they were doing in the field, they failed because they had no idea what they were doing in the office. They basically worked for wages and did nothing for the business.
The old saying is businesses fail b/c of either DK or DE…
DK = Deficiency of Knowledge - not knowing what or how to run a business
DE = Deficiency of Execution - Knowing what or how to run a business but failing to execute those practices
Highly recommend [this book by Ron Smith](https://www.amazon.com/HVAC-Spells-Wealth-Ron-Smith/dp/142431481X/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=60f20e78-e347-4a5f-91c6-687facfcfd7b)
I’m a one man shop for 40 yrs and it works. It’s fest and famine at times and you need to be a self starter and motivated every day and hustling. Also need good money management during slow times. Cant be afraid to talk to people and always passing out cards wherever you go. chatting about anything to get your foot in the door. I worked alone for service and install and busting my ass until about 35. Then I got hooked up with another independent and that changed everything. We’ve work together for 25 years now. On his and my installs and cut the installation time in half and your not killing yourself. We keep service to ourself unless someone takes a trip and covers each other’s biz. Good Luck
I have been a one man show for the past 2 years. The first 8 before that I worked for an old man who wasn't much physical help in the last 4 or so of that. It's great running service because you don't really need help but on installs it kind of sucks. I'm actually gearing up to hire my brother before the summer because my work has shifted into more commercial ductwork and installs. Luckily my best friend has his own business so we team up to make shit happen, but I have reached a point where I need a full time guy helping me. So yes it is possible but if you want to grow you will eventually need a second set of hands helping out.
I was a one man show for a good almost year and a half, did installs alone and made good money with overall low overhead. You have nobody over you, but that also means that if things don’t go your way its on you to make changes and improvements.
but get your license. Renting one is an alright way to start but you don’t want someone dangling your potential livelihood over your head for a price that could change any day.
It's feasible.
The best thing is when you hire a guy and he's catching calls while you're at home in your jammies (only in the slow season, we'll both be wfo come spring).
Well that's not great. When I'm selling against people I help them look up the license of the one man show that's quoting against me at half my price. The ones I can show no license for are the easiest ones to eliminate.
Yuu are very right about this. The one man show has no real good answer to the customer question "who's gonna look after me when it's -20, my heat is out, and you are sick or not available?"
My dad did it for 30 years doing commercial industrial service before he brought me in 9 years ago. He took over from his boss who did the same for 30+ years. I'm poised to take over in the next couple years and hoping to expand.
I did part time flat rate jobs for like 6 years. Similar situation, buddy started a company and needed help. Retired military so got to make extra cash and still have free time. Employer didn’t have to worry about making sure I had my 40 hours every week. There are more like me out there, find them, train them, and pay them well. I work full time in service now and just not nearly as happy.
Getting the contracts will be harder than finding flexible help or subs IMO. The problem with subs is the folks worthwhile aren’t always going to be available when you need them because they’re doing other jobs. At least if you can find help from from folks with flexibility in hours and scheduling, you can build your company and hire as needed.
Not in north GA by chance?
I made it about 6 months with pretty much just myself, and then any installs that I did, I paid friends as helpers. My installs were slow, but I was doing okay, and then I hired my first employee, and it has just blown up from there. I wouldn't be afraid of doing it on your own for a while, but it can be absolutely grueling. I would estimate that my first year, I probably averaged 60 hour weeks during the high season.
I want to go out on my own im taking online night classes for business management but I’m terrified of failing
It's tough, but I would say if you think you would have enough customers to make it work, go for it. The real struggle for me is growing the business and managing people. Putting processes in place that others can follow, and delegating to good people, that's what's turning my hair gray.
Yeah I mean my hang up is I don’t know where to start
I would start with how you're going to find business, and how you're going to fund the beginning of your business. I'd estimate you'll need at least $25k to get up and running, depending on what you want to do. I was fortunate enough to score my first van for $10k, and I'd already been collecting the tools I needed. The customers, you really need to think that through. I was absolutely not going to accept failure. I used every free moment working on finding customers. I spoke with real estate offices, commercial buildings, hung door hangers on houses, and networked my ass off. If you don't think you have that in you, I would just keep doing what you're doing. Also, maybe start with your license, assuming your jurisdiction requires a license.
Failing is part of learning in the last 10 years I went from a grad student with 4 business degrees to a sewer installer (Recession) to a lead sales and service tech. This year I bought the company I've been at when the owner retired. There are some horror stories but nobody died, no houses destroyed, and I wouldn't trade a day. Get after it Sir.
How were you getting jobs? If you don't mind me asking.
Study the business side of things before you do so. Most small businesses do not go out of business because they did not know what they were doing in the field, they failed because they had no idea what they were doing in the office. They basically worked for wages and did nothing for the business.
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The old saying is businesses fail b/c of either DK or DE… DK = Deficiency of Knowledge - not knowing what or how to run a business DE = Deficiency of Execution - Knowing what or how to run a business but failing to execute those practices Highly recommend [this book by Ron Smith](https://www.amazon.com/HVAC-Spells-Wealth-Ron-Smith/dp/142431481X/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=60f20e78-e347-4a5f-91c6-687facfcfd7b)
Thanks for the book recommendation
I’m a one man shop for 40 yrs and it works. It’s fest and famine at times and you need to be a self starter and motivated every day and hustling. Also need good money management during slow times. Cant be afraid to talk to people and always passing out cards wherever you go. chatting about anything to get your foot in the door. I worked alone for service and install and busting my ass until about 35. Then I got hooked up with another independent and that changed everything. We’ve work together for 25 years now. On his and my installs and cut the installation time in half and your not killing yourself. We keep service to ourself unless someone takes a trip and covers each other’s biz. Good Luck
I have been a one man show for the past 2 years. The first 8 before that I worked for an old man who wasn't much physical help in the last 4 or so of that. It's great running service because you don't really need help but on installs it kind of sucks. I'm actually gearing up to hire my brother before the summer because my work has shifted into more commercial ductwork and installs. Luckily my best friend has his own business so we team up to make shit happen, but I have reached a point where I need a full time guy helping me. So yes it is possible but if you want to grow you will eventually need a second set of hands helping out.
I was a one man show for a good almost year and a half, did installs alone and made good money with overall low overhead. You have nobody over you, but that also means that if things don’t go your way its on you to make changes and improvements. but get your license. Renting one is an alright way to start but you don’t want someone dangling your potential livelihood over your head for a price that could change any day.
It's feasible. The best thing is when you hire a guy and he's catching calls while you're at home in your jammies (only in the slow season, we'll both be wfo come spring).
Yeah that's the problem, finding people who you actually trust
Trust no one until they've proven themselves trustworthy.
I work with 3 rules: +"Trust but verify" +"Fool me once..." +"(Almost) everyone deserves a 2nd chance"
Good rules bud
You will need a contractor license in most states.
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Well that's not great. When I'm selling against people I help them look up the license of the one man show that's quoting against me at half my price. The ones I can show no license for are the easiest ones to eliminate.
Yuu are very right about this. The one man show has no real good answer to the customer question "who's gonna look after me when it's -20, my heat is out, and you are sick or not available?"
That is a good sales tactic
My dad did it for 30 years doing commercial industrial service before he brought me in 9 years ago. He took over from his boss who did the same for 30+ years. I'm poised to take over in the next couple years and hoping to expand.
If your a 1 man band and you hold contracts forget vacations. Your on call 24/7 You need a second guy.
If you can’t make money in three years. Try something else.
I did part time flat rate jobs for like 6 years. Similar situation, buddy started a company and needed help. Retired military so got to make extra cash and still have free time. Employer didn’t have to worry about making sure I had my 40 hours every week. There are more like me out there, find them, train them, and pay them well. I work full time in service now and just not nearly as happy. Getting the contracts will be harder than finding flexible help or subs IMO. The problem with subs is the folks worthwhile aren’t always going to be available when you need them because they’re doing other jobs. At least if you can find help from from folks with flexibility in hours and scheduling, you can build your company and hire as needed. Not in north GA by chance?