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Expert Advise Needed

Maynard
Maynard Member Posts: 74
in THE MAIN WALL
30 Years Experience Oil And Gas Service tech. I Am Considering Starting My Own Service Business. What Costs,Pitfalls Etc. Do I Need to Consider?

Thanks.

Comments

  • Bob L_3
    Bob L_3 Member Posts: 16
    Recommended reading

    I was lucky enough to take over a well established company so I can't give advice on starting from scratch, but I would recommend reading "HVAC spells wealth" by Ron Smith (I believe that is his name). Many wonderful tips and ideas in there. This book seems to be a model for every successful company I've seen. I don't hear enough people talk about this book, but they are all doing the things in this book whether or not they know it. I was a service tech for 20 years before purchasing my company and will say it takes a big change to make the switch. I also recommend " run your business so it doesn't run you" (you can purchase that right here from Dan). Both of these I feel are must reads before making the jump. I wish you lots of luck which ever you chose, it's a great business.
  • Alan R. Mercurio_3
    Alan R. Mercurio_3 Member Posts: 1,624
    Re:Expert Advise Needed

    In addition to Bob’s good advice I’d like to also offer the suggestion of the following books;

    [u][size=12][color=#800080]http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/113/Where-Did-the-Money-Go-br-by-Ellen-Rohr[/size][/color][/u]

    [u][size=12][color=#800080]http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/87/How-Much-Should-I-Charge-br-by-Ellen-Rohr[/size][/color][/u]

    These are also available here on HeatingHelp.com, How great is this place?

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  • heatboy
    heatboy Member Posts: 1,468
    The most important thing.......

    ...I can mention is to charge your clients more than it costs for you to run your business. It's has simple, and complicated, as that.   Being a good technical minded guy is good, but it doesn't mean much.  We are all good that way.



    Add up all of your expenses (salary for you included), figure out how many hours you can REALLISTICALLY bill for the day/week/month and charge more than that.  I think you may be surprised at what it really costs. 



    Oh yeah.......Rubbing elbows with Ellen Rohr would help.  She saved my business.

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