starting out

Bob Doyle

I recently finished a 1900 sq ft home for my parents. The heating system I installed is made up of a SlantFin boiler and Buderus panel radiators. I enjoyed the planning and installation of the system so much that I would like to go into this business. Can you give me some advice as to my next step? The system works beautifully and of course is much more comfortable than the forced air system in my own home.

Thanks,

Bob Doyle,
Camas WA

Brad White_9

Not being a contractor

I have no business-side experience to offer but admire the way it struck you. I will sit back and read what greater minds have to say. This should be interesting!

Best of Luck!

Brad

tom_49

starting out

I'll say its an interesting business to be in right now,as far as all the new technology coming out and w/ energy prices where they are. Some people are actually realizing that if they were to spend some $$ on new technology, that they would $ave money, ultimately.

I've been at this for some time now and must say I enjoy it more than ever( of course my guys do all the grunt work ).

Get yourself some good training, find a contractor to work for who will give you oppurtunities to advance.

But remember, every job doesnt go as smoothly as your folks job. Alot of times we're under SEVERE stress to get things up and running, and sometimes that just doesnt happen for whatever reason. Somedays I want to throw in the towel. But at 41, I'll stick to it.

Good luck, Tom

bob young

ten year program

the desire is step one which is great. now all you have to do is take a five apprenticeship course to learn the trade. then of course the business training and bankroll and pertinent licenses and you are good to go. it is like a ten year deal. good luck. still got the desire ?? oh yeah ,then there is establishing a customer base so you get money to eat.

tom_49

Bob,

We both left out the " you can make your own hours " thing.

you know , days ,nights, weekends, holidays.

Leo

I have a friend

I have a friend in the business. He got lots of training while doing maint in a computer company. When the money stopped flowing he was downsized and started his own residential business without any experience. He has lost thousands in the learning process. My advice is get a few years experience, designing and installing one system as an advanced hobby is still a long way from doing it as a business.

Leo

Joe Grosso

hvac64

That's a classic! Very true.

soot_seeker_2

If you are really interested...

Get all the training that you can. Go to work for a really good guy with a very small business and offer to work for him part time free or very cheap. The field is full of guys who never picked up a book or mechanics who are slobs and hacks. I see their work all the time.

If you have the stomach for your own business and the insurance, licensing, workmans' comp stuff doesn't phase you look down the road toward that.

Otherwise, the larger companies, distributors, suppliers and engineers all have a need for good technicians and mechanics. And many of those employees make more money than many of us employers.

If you truly love the field, start learning everything you can.

Long Beach Ed

bob young

customers - some good and-------

not to mention working for a irritating,picky nasty customer who is just looking for an excuse not to pay you [ and we all encounter at least one of these in our lives ] is a little different than doing a job for your Mommy & Daddy. one bad job can put you out of business quick.

Nick W

I'm sure we all admire the challenge you took upon yourself for your parents welfare. All the responses I read pretty much sums up the industry as a whole. Take your desire and challenge yourself once more to undertake the needed schooling, on hands training, learning from others, learning from your own mistakes and don't be afraid to apply what you have learned. This is a service industry and it will be around for many many years coming.
Good luck in your endeavors