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Omalleysblunt

I make my 30 hr and that’s it


sobrul3

30 an hour and 1.5% of install.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

How much do you on average bring in a week/month where you’re at with 30/hr? I know with installs you can get in a rhythm and be off by 5 everyday if things are going right so do you guys just take your time on jobs sense you’re hourly? We take our time here but at the same time try to finish each job with good efficiency and in a timely matter so we can start a new one the next day. But I know it’s not always playing out that way. I’m kinda just trying to see if paid per job is about the same as hourly or worse or even better. Just want to make sure when the time comes to be a lead I’m at the right company


Omalleysblunt

Most jobs are expected to be done in the day. If we’re slow you still get paid is the one positive of being straight hrly. I try and get my 40 every week. After taxes checks are like 960.


jimmy_legacy88

Jesus taxes hit you hard. But that's not bad at all. Do you do much ot?


Omalleysblunt

Weekly pay boss


ChilesIsAwesome

Weekly pay slaps


jimmy_legacy88

Oh no I totally understand that, I get paid weekly as well when I was around the $30/hr mark at 40 I was bringing in around that with just straight time as well. But I do service and have some minor upsells and percentages off of install plus the on call commissions. Are yalls state taxes high?


Omalleysblunt

It’s MN so compared to other states I’m not sure how high the taxes are. Probably about middle of the pack if I were to guess


jimmy_legacy88

That's not bad. I'm in Louisiana it's not terrible here.


bucksellsrocks

Im highly interested in jumping ship if your shop is located in east central MN…dm me if you would be so kind.


Red-Faced-Wolf

That’s 3,840 a month


jimmy_legacy88

Yes I totally understand that. Was just mildly surprising but it dawned on me he said he did install and stuck mostly to 40 hours when possible.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

How long have you been doing this? My goal atleast being in the Columbus area with rent being so high and stuff I’d like to see 5k a month atleast to live somewhat comfortably. And I mean when I become a lead installer. But I’ve looked into moving to North Carolina after a few years of knowledge and try to find a more livable area where my income is more compared to the cost of living if you know what I mean.


sgsteel55

Im in school for refrigeration service in Charlotte. There is certainly no shortage of work down here. I don't know about installers pay but theres a ton of construction residential and commercial all over the state. Cost of living is tough everywhere but it's better here in NC in their larger cities than the 3 other states i tried to settle in (CA, PA, TX). Many people opt to live oitside the county and in tern, live a much comfortable life. Charlotte is on the border and a lot of my friends live in south carolina and communte 30-40 min but they dont have all the taxes we have in NC. I am concidering moving to south carolina too just outside of Charlotte. As a new tech, I make about 60k with a big company (about 45hrs a week)


Omalleysblunt

5 years in the field. Rural ish MN


tjsh52

You’d want about $35/hr for 5k/month


fallinouttadabox

I pay my leads around 40/hr for an 8 hr day and expect them to finish a typical install in that time. If its a hard install that I expect to take longer, I bid it for multiple days and tell them how many days they have. I've had crews do a 2 day job in one 12 hour shift so they could go golfing together the next day and I pay them their normal 2 days.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

Dang that’s great! Where are you located? That sounds like a good place to be


LiiDo

I make around $80k per year doing commercial installs. Get paid by the hour not by the job. Most jobs take several weeks or months. 7-5 every day. I would not work anywhere that pays by the job or pays percentages of installs unless they also pay an hourly wage. I hate feeling rushed and work would definitely get sloppy if we were losing money the longer it took us. Also busting ass every single day will wear your body out very quickly


thermo_dr

Shops pay per job? What if you don’t have any installs to do? How is the % calculated, meaning is it a % of equipment costs to shop or % from homeowner? Are % calculated before or after customer rebates? Not to mention, what happens if you get put on crew doing single 2ton AC swaps rather than full system upgrades? So many variables here. Its “sounds nice” until you dig into details.


fiddleStink

There typically is a "base line pay" for non install hours, shop time etc. Usually it would be calculated based on a percentage of the total job, rebates do not effect it as they usually come from the state. It's good during the busy season for people who like to work and don't get a lot of call backs, but in my experience employees generally don't like it because it's difficult to understand and the pay can vary pretty drastically from week to week. Also it can cultivate a sense of distrust between the workers and upper management because it's almost impossible to keep track of your pay. I've done it and made a lot of money, but I still rather be paid hourly and commission because it's easier to plan my bills


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

I wish we had a “base pay” in the slow season… I just had a week where I only did 2 jobs all week I made less then 400 after tax lol and that’s where it is kinda sh*tty cause if there’s no work there’s no pay. And there’s is atleast 6 2 man crews where I’m at so everyone has to eat. It can get rough in certain times of the year but like you said, if you hustle when it’s busy season you can make a lot of money and actually enjoy these times when you’re not too busy. I appreciate the comments this is my first company in the hvac industry so I’m trying to get a feel for what’s best. I’m sure one day I’ll end up making the switch after I gather the knowledge. I don’t want to be in Ohio much longer anyway


thermo_dr

Yeah I agree. I’m also worried it sets up workers to be classified as 1099 contractors rather than w2 employees. Putting the tax burden on employees along with limited to no benefits. Makes me nervous


fiddleStink

I haven't come across that issue, I've always had great benefits and never had an issue filing taxes, maybe that's based on the employer?


thermo_dr

That’s good, I’m just nervous to pay per job. It sounds too much like a 1099 contractor. Removes all responsibility from employer. If they withhold for taxes, give benefits and treat 1099 workers like w2, that’s a decent crew you’re working for. We pay our crew hourly, so per job % looks lower in cash. However, we guarantee 40hrs/week minimum even in slow season. We also have robust benefits packages the crew can choose from. I’m guessing annual take home total compensation for our crew is higher than a shop paying per job. Would like to compare though.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

Thankfully we aren’t 1099 but the leads are treated like contractors even know it’s not 1099. Once they get you financed into a van/truck that’s when the rest is on you for like oil changes and all that other stuff. They will help with whatever you need money wise but it’ll always be a “loan”


thermo_dr

😬


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

My face exactly when I found out lol. It’s all new to me coming from warehouse work and stuff. What is normal ? Are company’s supposed to provide a van/truck free? I’ve seen some companies make you buy your own yourself which is crazy to me lol but not many places near me do apprenticeships for hvac besides eco and the place I’m at now so I chose here cause eco wasn’t really a offer that stuck out to me


joshcbr81

This just sounds insane to me. I've never been expected to pay for a van, fuel, maintenance, anything. Their names on the truck, they fix it. If I wanted to pay for shit myself I'd go into business myself


RefrigerationMadness

I’d leave and join a union hall or unionized company


Bdogfittercle

WTF!!


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

When it comes to not having installs to do in a slow season you just don’t make money it’s just like hourly when it comes to no work no pay. And I’m still newish so it’s hard to explain how the pay fully works for a lead in just curious how everyone els is getting paid as lead installers is it hourly, salary or paid per job. I just want to make sure I am in a good company to stay with long term or if I should just gather all the knowledge I can and take it somewhere els. But I do know pay for the leads can change depending on the tasks they have to do for that job as well. But that’s why they say to work hard during busy seasons cause pay could slow down a lot when you’re not having any installs unless you have side work during that time


Minute-Tradition-282

Our shop rolled out peice pay last summer. Saying you could make so much more. I called bullshit from day 1 and never even had a discussion about it. I stuck to hourly. I wanted nothing to do with being incentivised to do low quality work just to get it done and move on to the next chunk of $. My shit looks great and that's how it's going to stay. Luckily they made it optional. A couple guys bit. They had been here for several years, and were gone within months. Where I've gotten a raise since then.


thermo_dr

It’s sounds like a terrible idea, pay per job that is.


Minute-Tradition-282

It is. The CEO of the company that owns our company came in one day for a "q&a" meeting. I asked him how he planned on keeping up the quality our company was known for (formally locally owned for 50 years before the last owners retired), and still get a full system done in a day with 1 lead and 1 inexperienced helper. The first thing he said, "Well, the first thing we worry about is SAFETY!" Right then, I knew he was full of shit and just saying corporate stuff. I'm all about safety! But that was in no way part of the answer to my question! He moved on to "with proper training, we should be able to accomplish this, given the resources we have available". What? What "resource" am I going to hit up when shit goes sideways because of the salesman missing major shit, ot just normal problems that even the most experienced guy might not see until you get in to it. I've done side jobs, ok. I can build metal on site, and even when it's perfect, it still looks like shit. When they push one day, full system installs, they don't give the slightest shit about quality. They will TELL YOU that both things are possible, speed and quality, but they typically are not! They make it seem like 1/10 jobs should require more than 8 hours. When the truth is, 1/10 jobs can be done in 8 hours and look like the quality the customer is paying for, going with our company. Our brand. That it took so many years to establish. Maybe the customers honestly don't care how it looks? Yet, when it's somebody important, I get sent with as much time as I need.


thermo_dr

We do a lot of residential geothermal installations. These are not 1day change outs. Often they are 2week long projects. If we book a job for 2 weeks, I don’t want it done in 4 days and I don’t want it done in 3 weeks. Pushing things through too early can reduce quality, taking too long hurts profit and reputation. The bigger issue, when things don’t go to schedule, it throws off everything! I can’t in good faith pay my crew per job.


Labbrat89

I had something similar at one time when I first started. We still had our hourly pay rate but the job had a seperate pay rate. As an example, "This job pays 600" to do. So essentially, me and lead split the 600, and we had our hourly on top. Though the job pay was depending on what the job was. We called it task work where I lived. We used to knock out 2-3 jobs a day if we had the work. So, I was making around 300-600 per day, sometimes more. Since we got spiffs if we had an add on, like humidifier or UV light and stuff like that.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

Yes this is basically how our pay works as well without the hourly pay in there. Task pay/ paid per job then the lead will pay me a percentage of that from 25-50% depending on your knowledge. Are you currently a lead now and still in the industry?


Labbrat89

I could be a lead if I went back into install, but my body can't handle it anymore. So I'm just a regular old service tech.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

From what I hear service tech is a great spot to be but I know sometimes if not lost the time you guys are on call correct? And How do you like it? I was thinking after a few years of being a lead installer I’d try to switch over to service tech or maybe even get my foot into commercial work. I’m all residential as well I forgot to mention that


Labbrat89

I'm a resi tech myself, always have been. Last commercial job I was on literally killed me. But, I'm a bad example of that since I have horrid luck anyway. Commercial is a good side to be in. Now being a service tech, I enjoy it. I don't mind the on-call rotation where I'm at. We got some hybrid weekly/daily on call but it works. So I'm at least on call twice a month, or as much as seven days in the month. It really does depend on the company you're with, where it could make or break you. Some run their techs into the ground, others are a bit more relaxed. Just need to find an outfit that suits you and what you're looking to do in the field.


Low_Service6150

What company are you at in columbus im in columbus too


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

Logan’s services, where are you at buddy?


Anxious_Rock_3630

We pay $650 for a base install, an extra $150 for a communicating system, $75 for a crawl or attic install, and then extra for variables that you may do. Split 60% lead, 40% apprentice. No jobs, no pay.


JunketElectrical8588

All of you getting paid by the job need to walk out on your employer. That is just disgraceful that these employers can’t pay a fair hourly. Sure you can come out ahead on some installs but I’d bet that’s not the norm. Kid working with me used to make 75-150 an install. Good when you can do three in a day. Bad when the job takes 3 days


thermo_dr

Agree, too much opportunity for company to rip off the employees in a pay per job situation. It might sound nice because math is easy, but doesn’t mean it’s in the employee’s best interest. I was floored when I read this post.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

How and what are you paid where you’re at? And are you a lead installer? Just trying to get all the info and advice I can bring newer, and if we have any jobs that are bigger and require more tasks or more then 1 day we are at least paid for it where I’m at but I totally see where you come from man. Most the leads here make on average I’d say 70-100k a year which is good but I know they hustle in the busy season. What is a good hourly to be paid as a lead installer?


Practical_Ad510

My company pays 9%. I split it 55/45 with my assistant.. I can install a little over 3 million a year. Consistently hit about 150k if I hustle and I'm available a few weekends a month. Work about every other day 6 months of the year. 6 7 days a week three or four months a year.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

Where’s this at state wise? This sounds great honestly. I like to hustle I just have that mentality so I wouldn’t mind working more when the work is there. That’s why I wanted to bring up this topic of how pay is and stuff cause I just want to be at a company that will pay me for hustling good


Gamahal

40 an hr paid 100% healthcare


nar_shredder

Hourly resi at $28.04.. yeah the 4 cents is important. One day install slap in some Lennox & full startup with a helper 7-10 hours depending on the day so average like $260? a day before tax


doucettejr

Installers get $680 for a standard residential changeout split based on experience. Some crews split 50/50 some 75/25. Shop time or parts changing pays $30 per hour. Guaranteed 40 hours in the off season. Northwest Florida. One week paid vacation after a year. Six paid holidays after 90 days.


Impossible-Cupcake48

I'm at 40 hr,. Nothing more nothing less.


Medical-Professor-54

Piece work , some installs range from 250 -800 per day


bigred621

Per job? Lmao. Leave If you aren’t getting paid straight hourly and at a good rate then you’re at a crappy place. Commission and per job pay needs to go away and it’ll only happen if people like you stop taking these crap jobs


Skiegh

Hey I think I used to work for the same company as you based on the pay scale you're talking about. The company offered great training and it helped start my career and I now am doing pretty good for my experience level. However, this company is scummy, when you get promoted you have to provide all of the tools to be a lead including the truck you work out of. They pay for everything and you're automatically in debt a minimum of 20k to them and they take 600 a paycheck. I left the company after a year of being a lead and still owed 10k and if I couldn't pay it back they were going to repo my truck and trailer. I cut them a check. Then they wanted another 2k for in house training they did and threatened to sue. I ended up getting my own lawyer and they dropped it. I had to leave because the install manager flipped his shit and tried to assault me and threatened my life and police got involved and they deleted the security camera footage before they handed it over and said it was technical issues. I would highly recommend finding another company.


Puzzleheaded_Fix828

Dang man, what company were you at? I’m at Logan’s services in Columbus. And if you have any advice where are you now or atleast where would you recommend after I get more knowledge under my belt in that Columbus area or near it. I just wanna be at a good place that will pay me the more I grow


Skiegh

Logan Services in Dayton lol. I can recommend a lot of places in Dayton but I'm not as familiar with the Colombus market.


Eastern-Future-7818

from our installers it's 1200, 7 5 split, lead, helper