Thought HVAC Techs made good money, what happened

over 30 years in the field is not easy, you have to pay your dues like every one else =, knowledge is money go to collage and be an engineer to make about 40 to 80 a hour or start your business
good luck life is not easy

I'm an employer with available air conditioning job with aca air-conditioning and heat. Truthfully the reason for the unemployment is due to the lack of knowledge of brazing and sodering. Understanding of superheat and the basic functions of the business. Just some words of adviice good luck!samj20

sam jones in Burton, Texas said: I'm an employer with available air conditioning job with aca air-conditioning and heat. Truthfully the reason for the unemployment is due to the lack of knowledge of brazing and sodering. Understanding of superheat and the basic functions of the business. Just some words of adviice good luck!samj20

are you saying that People from Trade School Do not have or know these skills? if so what are trade schools teaching? or are you hiring people without trade school background.?

Like all good trades in the post-industrial supply-side economy we're stuck with, HVAC is being driven down to the lowest bidder by everyone from cheap contractory, big business, and even the Fed. Unless you can get your own profitable business up and running or live in a union-friendly area, you're better off getting an IT degree or becoming a nurse. It's been over a year since I got my toilet-paper AAS in HVAC, along with a bunch of trade certifications at my own expense, and I am SCREWED. Haven't worked a day in my field, applied everywhere, and have been told you can't get in without 5+ years experience. My degree will be hobo-fire kindling by the time I'm 40, am 30 now BTW.

-WageslaveZ-

news is with IT you better have experience or your out as well.. and the pay is not great starting. from my experience in HVAC for 23 years if you want to do it you have to eat crap meaning you may need to start as a helper making slightly over minimum wage yes that's right, bet they didn't tell you that in school? Keep in mind the majority of HVAC owners are the most cheep, ignorant people you would ever want to deal with. another thing that is beginning to happen that i am seeing is they hire people and call them "Self-employed" so they do not need to pay taxis on them and they pay you a gross of 1000 per week then after you pay the taxis you made 500, nice ha? I do IT and it is ok steady 40K per year, and i have my own truck and to service on the side and make good money. oh BTW when the economy is good they still pay you poorly

How about holding hands as a industry and set a cross the board percentage on every job.What percentage are most of you guys working on.I know mine has gone down over the years just to compete with side job sammies.Economy hurts us a little,but i think we are so far apart on what to charge. One guy charges alot for service,but not on installs,and the other charges alot for change outs and not service.Exams on a piece of paper don't make you good in the field.I've taught alot of people over the years,and some have went on to do their own businesses,Lets face it to be good you got to be not only equipment savy but business smart.It some days is discouraging when a neighbor uses someone cause they under bid you.I'm feeling better cause i got to vent,by the way can't we all just get along[licensed contractors only]P.S. 24hr service is b.s.

First things first I do not do side work for one very good reason. I make enough money that I do not have to, perhaps if people made more where they worked they would not need to do side work to make a fair wage for their skill. But would someone tell me how 99.9% of people with their own business, got started? or how their grandfather or father got started in the business the present owner is operating? go ahead and say it ."Side Work" how else would you build a costumer base? While still having money coming in that you can live off of ?
Second about pricing, this is why I think the majority of the companies out there are going "Flat rate" or as they like to put it "Quality assured pricing" which is over inflated, and in most cases the service guy benefits from it not so much.
Next.... Advise.... stay the heck out of residential work, it is cut throat... and everyone is under or over bidding... and most of the people out there are trying to get something for nothing...why because people most of them anyway do not want good if "Cheap Price" sounds better. and the service guy is being bent over without a kiss.
Ah yes the 24/7 service, in which the customer abuses, and the business owner gets rich off of while the poor sap tech is making straight time working at midnight, and is charging overtime to the customer. Well the companies started it, and I say if the owner is making all of the gravy on nights and weekends and holidays, staying home, then let him go out and do what he/she promises Remember Americans are a spoiled creature, and all demand instant gratification, why? Because you offer the crap 2 you do not want to give it to the competition, and the customer base today is spoiled...
I do strictly commercial/industrial, and would not waist my time working for these little companies who treat you like dogs, and give you next to nothing. So you can but your but to make the owner well off...nope did that once and swore never again, and never did.
Just my tw

This business is weather based, and here it's been a mild winter. The trick is to save some of that money you're making during the long hot summer, so you can coast through the winter. Also if you want benefits look for a company that is very big (check local supply houses). The most important thing about this business and the HVAC trade is this; Like most anything else, if you enjoy what you do it will show in your work/company/life.

A/C Girl said: As a company owner I must take offense that we are raking in millions, we are the ones taking the chances. We are the ones who sacrificed and lived on ramen noodles for years trying to make our businesses successful and we are the ones who ultimately if you screw up have our asses on the line. When a tech makes a mistake it is my husband who is out at all hours of the night fixing their mistake. Until you own a business don't comment on the bosses, it is people like you who I don't hire and trust me if you write comments like that then your attitude comes shining through during the interview process. If you aren't making what you should perhaps you should take some of your own time to brush up on the latest in the industry, take a sales class, and read a book of improving your attitude.

All I have to say is AMEN to this!! I am the business manager of my family owned company, I work 70-80 hours a week to make sure my guys are busy and have work(only getting paid for 40 by my own hand), I do payroll, I pay the bills, I give everything (or it seems like) I make to the government except my first born child, I do not have a yacht or beach place or sports car or mansion on a hill or rake in millions of dollars into an account. My technicians either are my family or like family and they mean the world to me. We are blessed.
America was founded on hard work, dedication and faith. In what school did they teach that anything should be handed to you? None of us are deserving of anything and it is ONLY by the Grace of God that we have ANYTHING!!
So I will continue to work 70-80 hours a week (only getting paid for 40), I will continue to pay my motgage on my average house, and I will continue to do what it takes to run this company and thank God for my blessings EVERYDAY.
PS.. I will also Thank Him that I do not have technicians that feel the way some of these people on here do.. news flash that is probably why you don't have a job!!

HVAC in Durham, North Carolina said: All I have to say is AMEN to this!! I am the business manager of my family owned company, I work 70-80 hours a week to make sure my guys are busy and have work(only getting paid for 40 by my own hand), I do payroll, I pay the bills, I give everything (or it seems like) I make to the government except my first born child, I do not have a yacht or beach place or sports car or mansion on a hill or rake in millions of dollars into an account. My technicians either are my family or like family and they mean the world to me. We are blessed.
America was founded on hard work, dedication and faith. In what school did they teach that anything should be handed to you? None of us are deserving of anything and it is ONLY by the Grace of God that we have ANYTHING!!
So I will continue to work 70-80 hours a week (only getting paid for 40), I will continue to pay my motgage on my average house, and I will continue to do what it takes to run this company and thank God for my blessings EVERYDAY.
PS.. I will also Thank Him that I do not have technicians that feel the way some of these people on here do.. news flash that is probably why you don't have a job!!

well if you dont want the responsibility dont work for yourself.the way the government views it is simple if you cannot net 300.000 plus per year you should be working for someone not yourself, it is the Corporatization of America.
as for education and experience... i have 23 years in service... i do DDC controls.... i am a license stationary engineer.... and i hold a BS degree in business... and the owners of the mom an pop companies still insult me by offering 16 per hour. i got in 99.9% of the cases more experience than the owner interviewing me.
if you guys want paid go union or go home.. the small mom and pop places will work you to death when they have the work and lay you off when they dont run boys

A/C Girl. I take offense to you feeling that because a person speaks their feelings...then that means that they have a bad attitude. Sounds like to me your directing your comment to some particular group of people.. I wonder who it is? From my point of personal experience when I hear the tone that your taking here.. its usually from a company that not only doesn't care how good of a Technician I am, I'm excluded because of my Race.. but also has no.appreciation for the fact that my record breaking ability to run 4 service calls before noon, without having call backs and averaging $1500.00 a day..Its just my observation and my opinion.... That I should be able to express without it being taken like I have a bad attitude. I worked hard to become a well rounded technician, I have all the necessary tools and equipment. I have
20+ years of experience in field/ install depts. I currently teach Hvacr at the most prestigeous trade colleges in the Country. This is a forum for peoples of this trade too vent, not for wealthy company owners too lash out about nothing.... You make very good money. I have sold hundreds of jobs for companies like you... The profit is incredible..and on the service end also the profit merging should be illegal.

Assurant - Claims Examiner in Addison TX in Atlanta, Georgia said: Hi Everyone,

I have a CLAIMS Examiner open position in Addison TX: We are looking for someone who has some HVAC experience or training!

Ready for a smart career change? Would you like to utilize your extensive field service technical experience in the insurance industry with a Fortune 500 company? If so, here is your chance!

Assurant, a Global Fortune 500 company is building a team of Claims Examiners. As our newest team member, you will be the voice of Assurant Solutions as you utilize your technical knowledge and work directly with consumers and service providers to determine the accuracy of service contract claims and ensure we provide cost effective, quality repair and replacements services under extended protection plans. The product lines you will support include Home Appliances, Home Electronics , Plumbing, and HVAC Systems. Repairs or replacements will be approved using terms and conditions of various programs.

Our ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of experience in the repair service industry as a technician OR 2-3 years experience in the extended protection insurance industry as a claims representative covering similar products. 2+ years working with multiple Windows applications is also required. Successful candidates will have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Above all, you must be motivated to provide exceptional customer service . This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefit package starting your first day of employment!

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Listen, triple evacuation is a complete waste of time, I guarantee you sir, if you pull down to 500 microns, there's nothing going to be left in that system.

Seems to me employers are looking for guys that can do it all. It used to be there were service guys and installers. Now many employers want guys that do both. If you are shy on the skills of either, work is hard to find, at least here in Wisconsin.

I am in St.Louis and its very difficult here also. I have 20 years of experience along with 2 years of classroom and lab experience as an instructor, but know employment. My last job was Service Manager making a 1990 wage, even then the company wanted me to babysit its technicians, run service calls, manage accounts, do installs, plumbing, and refrigeration, even work overtime without pay. These companies are charging ridiculous prices, but refuse to pay more than $23 per hour to the technicians doing the work. Now to kill the cat they are making it impossible to even start your own company by collaborating with the city halls and the part stores to prevent you from getting quality equipment to install and make you have a pull permits to install even a dishwasher.

Hi guys it's my first time here, I'm a member of local union 638, still junior mechanic and I am unemployed for almost a year now, just asking what happened to our trade ? I thought we have stable jobs, I have been in constant contact with the Union business agent but sadly there is no jobs out there....I tried to work non-union shops it sucks !

InvernessAir in Inverness, Florida said:
In defense of the business owner, most of us aren't raking it in as you would like to believe. I charge $75 for a service call, but it costs me $68 per hour to have a service truck on the road!

Either that's the biggest crock of bull I've ever seen or you have no clue how to run a business! Operating a truck doesn't cost anywhere near "$68 an hour", not even commercial big rigs cost that much to operate. Don't try to insult everyone's intelligence by claiming you only clear about $17 an hour after expenses. That would make your tech wealthier than you, and we all know that isn't true. It's liars and con artists like you who have run the profession into the ground with your poor business practices and excuses for low balling on pay.

Times are bad everywhere.

I've had enough. I'm jumping in the game for myself. I'm only striving to support my family. I don't need a yaught or a summerhouse in Florida, I only want to be able to feed my family, contribute to Jehovah God and the preaching work, and maybe even purchase health insurance. So if I come in with lower prices and if I find and repair leaks in evaporator coils rather than sell new systems, if I change compressors, and replace heat exchangers rather than furnaces, if I give flat rates on fuel run leak repairs rather than give an hourly rate, well so be it. I refuse to loose. I have paid my dues!!!

Well said, there is a big market for repairs, if you can get hooked up with some home warranty companies, but you will work longer and harder doing repairs on equipment that you know should be replaced, there are alot of customers with 20+ yr old units and if you been in this business long enough, you know what happens, you make a repair and then something else goes out and the customers will want you to fix that on your dime, saying, "your were just out here", "it was working fine before". Be careful, all money isn't good money, but being self employed is a good way to go, it helps if you have some working capital.

911Hvac/Ref in Saint Louis, Missouri said: I've had enough. I'm jumping in the game for myself. I'm only striving to support my family. I don't need a yaught or a summerhouse in Florida, I only want to be able to feed my family, contribute to Jehovah God and the preaching work, and maybe even purchase health insurance. So if I come in with lower prices and if I find and repair leaks in evaporator coils rather than sell new systems, if I change compressors, and replace heat exchangers rather than furnaces, if I give flat rates on fuel run leak repairs rather than give an hourly rate, well so be it. I refuse to loose. I have paid my dues!!!

So fixing stuff is a winner for who?

For those who can't afford new equipment, and for me. I went on a call this morning and the customer was told that he needed all new equipment, and was quoted $4800. I charged him $125.00 to replace a dual capacitor.( case on point!).

Thanks for the advice.

Alot of the companies are pushing there techs to sell, sell, sell, therefore you have more dishonest techs out in the field because they want to keep there numbers up so they don't get laid off when business is slow. I knew a tech at a company in Atlanta that would tell all the customers, they needed a new contactor.......lol the customer knows by the amount of repairs and the age of the unit that they need to replace the equipment, but if your honest with them they will still replace it, if they feel the unit is on its last leg.