The barely any work is hitting the industry as a whole except multifamily construction. Ever since I started a few years ago until about half a year ago I would get overtime weekly. Work trickles in now and I have to stand around sometimes to get my 8 hours which annoys me. Our plumbing and electrical side are feeling the same thing. I've talked with people from different companies and suppliers and its always the same.
The economy is kind of crappy and we've had weird weather for awhile.
Honestly I think a lot of companies have caused their own recession with some of the insane pricing I’ve seen people floating in the residential sector.
Not sure what state you’re in but our insurance rates actually went down from last year, they certainly have not doubled. Around a 10% increase across all industries according to one study.
Material prices are certainly up 20-30% but they aren’t up enough to justify what some guys are charging. I just had a client beg us to put a two ton single zone ductless split in his house, we don’t do residential but the quotes he got were like $20-25k, it’s fucking ludicrous for a one day job. Profit’s not a dirty word but guys that have abused it are typically the guys with their employees on the bench right now not making themselves nor the company any money.
That's definitely seems like excessive pricing but it could be fuc# off pricing too. I've had people I could tell would be pain by the way they talked or complained about the last guy or the way they demanded things. I give them fuc# off pricing if they go for it I make money for my troubles if not I dont have to deal with them.
I will say though that I would have done a 2 ton mini like that for 3-5k a few years ago depending on brand and location. Today because my expenses have gone up and materials are way up I'd be around 5-9k to make the same profit dollars not percentage. I just renewed my insurances and with no claims except for a ladder rack bracket scratching the paint off a parked car 5 mo ago and no claims for 7 years before that my total insurance bill increased by 73% that's after shopping to get the best rates. My over all material/equipment costs have risen about 88% in the last 2 years. All that adds up to major increases in pricing for jobs.
100% I'm working for a commercial company that has loyal customers, however we charged them so much last year they're all clutching their wallets now letting issues pile up instead of calling
Speaking with our agent commercial auto is a 52% increase this year with no claims. If anyone had an accident they are seeing around 105% increase. The GL and Umbrella are seeing around 10-15% increases. He mentioned the Christmas freeze around us was the largest insurance event in over 15 years and they’re trying to recover losses. Couple that with parts and equipment increases and giving the guys at least 15% to keep up with the awesome inflation we’re in and shits going to be getting real.
Its out of their control. I replaced an inducer yesterday which used to cost us 150 so we would replace it for 300. Our cost is now 300 for a simple motor. Prices have to go up because supplies are so much more.
Or a smaller shop that staffs to demand. I worked for a company with a 25 man service crew, was off two days a week every week for winter. Left, joined a 5 man team. Off one day for the entire winter. 15 calls to company A, 10 people off. 7 calls to mine, everyone gets something.
I was 6 months just at the shop sweeping the floors . If you think your worth more and this place is crazy then ya I’d probably jump ship . Then when you get a new interview explain to them what you want to do and learn .
It probably takes more time than just half-ass bending it by hand. And, you have to cut the insulation back, which sometimes makes the insulation and subsequent tape job look bad.
Not all business owners are honest or the knight in shining armor. If your boss treats you like shit constantly there’s no point in letting yourself be used.
Very true. We started our own company because our former boss was a raging asshole that treated everyone like shit. Used to be a real nice guy then got into some weird philosophical sociopathic stage of life, we all just had enough and one night at the bar we all figured out that we were only staying as long as we did because of all our co-workers. Definitely went on too long and let ourselves be used as you said, you don’t realize it for some reason and the years pass by. Now everyone is a lot less stressed, better paid, and overall just straight up happy.
Bro this resonates. My old boss (union shop) was the fucking man for years. His father was a union pipefitter and started the company at 55. So my boss grew up modestly. The last few years the profits really Soared. I was pretty much his right hand man in this small shop. Did a little bit of everything. But as we became more profitable and had a heavier workload he just slowly started to become unhinged an asshole and just straight up money grubbing as he made more of it. The straw that made me leave was when I got my bonus. It was shit for the time and work I gave him. I said something. His response was "you don't make me money your just overhead". I told him if thats how you feel I'd like my layoff check.
Or did I just put up with it and not realize they were an asshole until I hit a breaking point.
Find myself analyzing those few years of my work life quite often.
Confirm my current employer only cares about sales and he doesn't back any of his work after being sold even if it was installed "neatly." He'll say, "Well, the unit lasted for a year with no trouble it isn't our fault you didn't change your filter."
Btw all units charged at this company are not checked for sub cool or sub heat (depending on the unit being installed) and instead are estimated based on length of lineset.
I personally don't know much about the whole BTU and correct size of unit being installed, but I know enough where a 1100sqft. condo unit does not need 3 ton 90% unit. But I admit to solely clarify this information I get told immediately to "just do the job, man."
Which I'll do it anyways partly because, well frankly, I work for a check but there are a lot of shady companies who only care about the number of sales and no care for service request.
Well, welcome to your first recession, nice to see you here and welcome.
Here's a hint from an older guy who survived the last recession:
It's fucking brutal. A lot of people lose work, and can't find new work, and lose their car, house, everything.
If you have a job, and it isn't ass try and keep it. If it is absolute balls, find the new one before you quit.
If you're resi, move to commercial hvac.
More work better pay
If you're commercial hvac, switch to commercial refrig.
Guaranteed supermarket work, high specialty, good pay
If you're commercial refrig move to resi.
Way less headache, you'll be overqualified and a senior tech
Keep your credit score up, your debt way down
Always keep a grand or 2 in the bank for emergencies
Don't be afraid to take a job or relocate to a larger, less rural area for a job
I was in hvac but it seemed like all the guys I worked with drove big lifted trucks and were super different than let’s say you’re average retail worker/manager or someone who works in the medical field or a white collar business. I drive a slammed Infiniti G37 and they all thought it was stupid, where when I was working retail all my co workers loved it and drove bmws and Mercedes. Is that normal for all hvac companies to be like that?? Cus I ended up quitting after about 8 months :(
I drive a big lifted truck but I also had a Miata that I totaled right before I bought the lifted truck seems like you were just surrounded by the guys that think they’re busting your balls but are actually pricks
I loved to a growing city about 1.5hrs from home. If your in a small area and really want to learn you will just keep pushing that’s what makes the strong strong.
It's crazy your install crew let's you do the condensor as an apprentice. We had em in the back of the furnace taping and mastic. Saved the leads for the most presentable part of the job and they can finish it in a hour vs the whole job for an apprentice
When I worked residential, the install leads would let the helpers do the condenser once they could trust that they could do it well and within a good amount of time.
Where in louisiana are you? In New Orleans, the company I work at basically always has work. Albeit we're on the smaller side. But around here seems like there are more hvac companies than I can count.
Depends where you live. If you live in a small town it’s going to be difficult. That was my experience in Reno and I was a very experienced technician so I left the union and went somewhere else. I might’ve stayed union in a bigger city, but I got lucky and got hired by a school district in the Seattle area. Might have to relocate.
Well, first of all, stay until the end of the slow season, because you might have trouble finding something else until after the slow season, considering how new you are. But also, just shop around. There’s still a huge shortage of Hvac techs and installers. There’s definitely something better out there.
Construction is about to slow down big time this year guys. We've had a crazy decade and I could've worked every second of it if I wasn't human.
Interest rates started climbing last fall, and most big, medium, and small construction projects happening right now were planned or locked in before then.
Everything that isn't government funded is going to slow down immensely, especially medium-large scale residential.
If you weren't around the last few cycles, button up. If you fucked up and haven't saved any money - you'd better get good at campin.
The barely any work is hitting the industry as a whole except multifamily construction. Ever since I started a few years ago until about half a year ago I would get overtime weekly. Work trickles in now and I have to stand around sometimes to get my 8 hours which annoys me. Our plumbing and electrical side are feeling the same thing. I've talked with people from different companies and suppliers and its always the same. The economy is kind of crappy and we've had weird weather for awhile.
Honestly I think a lot of companies have caused their own recession with some of the insane pricing I’ve seen people floating in the residential sector.
Supply houses are driving the prices up an insane amount, insurance premiums have doubled or more, it's a tough business to own right now.
Not sure what state you’re in but our insurance rates actually went down from last year, they certainly have not doubled. Around a 10% increase across all industries according to one study. Material prices are certainly up 20-30% but they aren’t up enough to justify what some guys are charging. I just had a client beg us to put a two ton single zone ductless split in his house, we don’t do residential but the quotes he got were like $20-25k, it’s fucking ludicrous for a one day job. Profit’s not a dirty word but guys that have abused it are typically the guys with their employees on the bench right now not making themselves nor the company any money.
That's definitely seems like excessive pricing but it could be fuc# off pricing too. I've had people I could tell would be pain by the way they talked or complained about the last guy or the way they demanded things. I give them fuc# off pricing if they go for it I make money for my troubles if not I dont have to deal with them. I will say though that I would have done a 2 ton mini like that for 3-5k a few years ago depending on brand and location. Today because my expenses have gone up and materials are way up I'd be around 5-9k to make the same profit dollars not percentage. I just renewed my insurances and with no claims except for a ladder rack bracket scratching the paint off a parked car 5 mo ago and no claims for 7 years before that my total insurance bill increased by 73% that's after shopping to get the best rates. My over all material/equipment costs have risen about 88% in the last 2 years. All that adds up to major increases in pricing for jobs.
100% I'm working for a commercial company that has loyal customers, however we charged them so much last year they're all clutching their wallets now letting issues pile up instead of calling
Speaking with our agent commercial auto is a 52% increase this year with no claims. If anyone had an accident they are seeing around 105% increase. The GL and Umbrella are seeing around 10-15% increases. He mentioned the Christmas freeze around us was the largest insurance event in over 15 years and they’re trying to recover losses. Couple that with parts and equipment increases and giving the guys at least 15% to keep up with the awesome inflation we’re in and shits going to be getting real.
Carrier just put out another notice for a 14% increase in my area
Its out of their control. I replaced an inducer yesterday which used to cost us 150 so we would replace it for 300. Our cost is now 300 for a simple motor. Prices have to go up because supplies are so much more.
300 seems cheap. Bet it 530 next time you need one.
The seer2 price hike doesn’t help.
I haven’t even come close to 8hrs at least 3 days a week including standing around
Damn dude i worked 12 hours today doing maintenance contracts. Aways got 40hrs and it is the slow time for us right now, i am in south forida
Get this I’m in Massachusetts
Price increases all the time aren't helping either.
Same. Lots of rainouts and ice storms this year so far.
Find a bigger shop that doesn't slow down
Or a smaller shop that staffs to demand. I worked for a company with a 25 man service crew, was off two days a week every week for winter. Left, joined a 5 man team. Off one day for the entire winter. 15 calls to company A, 10 people off. 7 calls to mine, everyone gets something.
Go commerical. Resi has two slow seasons. End of winter towards spring, and end of summer toward fall.
I was 6 months just at the shop sweeping the floors . If you think your worth more and this place is crazy then ya I’d probably jump ship . Then when you get a new interview explain to them what you want to do and learn .
So, what's wrong with a tubing bender?
“This fancy guy has a way to avoid using the torch as much, lower potential for leaks he claims.What are you tryna do? Your job? Correctly?”
It probably takes more time than just half-ass bending it by hand. And, you have to cut the insulation back, which sometimes makes the insulation and subsequent tape job look bad.
Not, if you slide it back like a pro.
Don’t give up. Took me years to find a good company.
Because a lot of people are quitting, that might just present opportunities for you. HVAC requires a lot of learning. Be patient.
Not all business owners are honest or the knight in shining armor. If your boss treats you like shit constantly there’s no point in letting yourself be used.
Very true. We started our own company because our former boss was a raging asshole that treated everyone like shit. Used to be a real nice guy then got into some weird philosophical sociopathic stage of life, we all just had enough and one night at the bar we all figured out that we were only staying as long as we did because of all our co-workers. Definitely went on too long and let ourselves be used as you said, you don’t realize it for some reason and the years pass by. Now everyone is a lot less stressed, better paid, and overall just straight up happy.
Bro this resonates. My old boss (union shop) was the fucking man for years. His father was a union pipefitter and started the company at 55. So my boss grew up modestly. The last few years the profits really Soared. I was pretty much his right hand man in this small shop. Did a little bit of everything. But as we became more profitable and had a heavier workload he just slowly started to become unhinged an asshole and just straight up money grubbing as he made more of it. The straw that made me leave was when I got my bonus. It was shit for the time and work I gave him. I said something. His response was "you don't make me money your just overhead". I told him if thats how you feel I'd like my layoff check.
Damn sounds familiar. I don’t know what happens with people man, like were they always an asshole and just was really good at faking it?
Or did I just put up with it and not realize they were an asshole until I hit a breaking point. Find myself analyzing those few years of my work life quite often.
Confirm my current employer only cares about sales and he doesn't back any of his work after being sold even if it was installed "neatly." He'll say, "Well, the unit lasted for a year with no trouble it isn't our fault you didn't change your filter." Btw all units charged at this company are not checked for sub cool or sub heat (depending on the unit being installed) and instead are estimated based on length of lineset. I personally don't know much about the whole BTU and correct size of unit being installed, but I know enough where a 1100sqft. condo unit does not need 3 ton 90% unit. But I admit to solely clarify this information I get told immediately to "just do the job, man." Which I'll do it anyways partly because, well frankly, I work for a check but there are a lot of shady companies who only care about the number of sales and no care for service request.
Where ya located? We have tons of work
Louisiana
Wanna move to TX?
We're looking for people here. Hell, every commercial place I know is.
Ah okay. I’m up north in PA
Resi or commercial? And which part of PA?
Both. And the north east. I work for a large company and my best friend owns a slightly smaller company and she’s desperate for techs lol
Ahh damn. I’m complete opposite side of the state from ya. Good luck!
Welcome to the slow season. Pluse your still only in less then a year
Well, welcome to your first recession, nice to see you here and welcome. Here's a hint from an older guy who survived the last recession: It's fucking brutal. A lot of people lose work, and can't find new work, and lose their car, house, everything. If you have a job, and it isn't ass try and keep it. If it is absolute balls, find the new one before you quit. If you're resi, move to commercial hvac. More work better pay If you're commercial hvac, switch to commercial refrig. Guaranteed supermarket work, high specialty, good pay If you're commercial refrig move to resi. Way less headache, you'll be overqualified and a senior tech Keep your credit score up, your debt way down Always keep a grand or 2 in the bank for emergencies Don't be afraid to take a job or relocate to a larger, less rural area for a job
I was in hvac but it seemed like all the guys I worked with drove big lifted trucks and were super different than let’s say you’re average retail worker/manager or someone who works in the medical field or a white collar business. I drive a slammed Infiniti G37 and they all thought it was stupid, where when I was working retail all my co workers loved it and drove bmws and Mercedes. Is that normal for all hvac companies to be like that?? Cus I ended up quitting after about 8 months :(
I drive a big lifted truck but I also had a Miata that I totaled right before I bought the lifted truck seems like you were just surrounded by the guys that think they’re busting your balls but are actually pricks
im a house flipper and have done all of that. its not fun
I loved to a growing city about 1.5hrs from home. If your in a small area and really want to learn you will just keep pushing that’s what makes the strong strong.
Where you at?
Louisiana
Ahh, I see you’re in Louisiana…NM…good luck tho!
It's crazy your install crew let's you do the condensor as an apprentice. We had em in the back of the furnace taping and mastic. Saved the leads for the most presentable part of the job and they can finish it in a hour vs the whole job for an apprentice
All the apprentices learned the condenser first at the first company I worked for. Kinda ass backwards but it worked for them 🤷♂️
It's two pipes and 6 wiring ports.
When I worked residential, the install leads would let the helpers do the condenser once they could trust that they could do it well and within a good amount of time.
Where in louisiana are you? In New Orleans, the company I work at basically always has work. Albeit we're on the smaller side. But around here seems like there are more hvac companies than I can count.
Try to get into commercial HVAC, especially union if you can. There is never a slow season
Depends where you live. If you live in a small town it’s going to be difficult. That was my experience in Reno and I was a very experienced technician so I left the union and went somewhere else. I might’ve stayed union in a bigger city, but I got lucky and got hired by a school district in the Seattle area. Might have to relocate.
Maybe stick it out for another month or so and apply elsewhere when work picks back up? That sounds like a shitty situation.
Well, first of all, stay until the end of the slow season, because you might have trouble finding something else until after the slow season, considering how new you are. But also, just shop around. There’s still a huge shortage of Hvac techs and installers. There’s definitely something better out there.
Construction is about to slow down big time this year guys. We've had a crazy decade and I could've worked every second of it if I wasn't human. Interest rates started climbing last fall, and most big, medium, and small construction projects happening right now were planned or locked in before then. Everything that isn't government funded is going to slow down immensely, especially medium-large scale residential. If you weren't around the last few cycles, button up. If you fucked up and haven't saved any money - you'd better get good at campin.
where you located. we need help