Start Your Own HVAC Company

In today’s US economy, where low-paying jobs are becoming infrequent and menial, becoming an entrepreneur is the golden dream. By starting and operating an HVAC small business<, the average working person could find themselves making over $100,000 a year; if they can successfully monopolize the market within their respective area. Yet, like any other business, an immense amount of dedication and determination is needed to reach the top of the financial ladder. Capital investment
The initial capital for any small business should always be enough to cover company operating costs for the first three to six months. As the new business competition will be extremely fierce, profits may dip into the loss category until a respectable reputation is established within the service area. To fund such a venture without going into the negative, consumers should look towards angel investors and small business loans. Angel investors will fill the gap if an individual cannot obtain a small business loan from the government. In contrast, a small business loan is optimal for those who meet or exceed qualifications.

Obtain all certificates & licenses
It’s nearly impossible to get anywhere in an HVAC business without the proper certificates and schooling since the job requires extensive knowledge of technology and energy-efficient machines. Obtaining a certificate from an accredited college or trade school boosts the company’s reputation and lets consumers know they are in the hands of professionals. Someone with years of experience installing/repairing energy-efficient goods, such as air conditioners, will usually be able to gain a certification after just 40 hours of class time and work experience. Meanwhile, a novice to the field should spend at least 6-24+ months in training before they graduate as they’ll need to learn the basics. Afterward, a standard license to operate and own an HVAC small business should run no more than $200-$300 dollars per year. However, depending on which state one chooses to operate in, additional costs and restrictions may be placed before an actual license is granted to the requesting party. It’s best to research state laws and regulations before applying for a license to avoid rejection and red tape.

Tools of the trade
When working in a business that deals with a high risk of electrocutions, burns, fires, and other mishaps, insurance should always be the first service bought. If a major accident occurs, within a residential or commercial space, and the HVAC company doesn’t have insurance… The business owner is basically liable for all damages. To avoid this scenario the average business should always make sure to get more than $300,000+ of insurance, as that price range has been proven to be the most ideal in paying for household disasters and botched jobs. If adding other employees becomes a reality, workers’ compensation insurance should be bought as soon as possible to ensure every worker is cared for if an injury occurs. Once all insurance is paid, buying items like safety goggles, first aid kits, shoe covers, flashlights, pressure gauges, helmets, foil duct tape; carbon monoxide detectors, emergency contact cell phones, coil fin tools, refrigerant leak protectors, van, and other goodies can make most tasks safer and somewhat easier.

The market
The HVAC business is extremely competitive in the current market since more and more people find it a worthwhile endeavor that doesn’t require much input to gain a favorable output. To stand out and be heard, business owners need to be tech-savvy, creative, and willing to push marketing campaigns toward a broader audience so they don’t fall into that under-the-radar category. The best-proven strategy deals with networking, the internet, word of mouth, print media, and visual representation on the streets. A smart business owner should be able to produce and steadily update a Facebook page that lists and describes the company’s start-up, goals, main services, contact information, and any other extra information the owner desires. Traffic won’t magically hit the Facebook page online. So, it’s best also to run tangible paper ads, short radio ads, post flyers near home improvement stores, and advertise on the company van. The key here is to be creative and push the envelope since people make decisions based on what they see the most.

Network
Unlike marketing, there is no set way to network when building a small business within a niche field. The idea behind networking is generally to interact with people, talk to them about common interests, occasionally name-drop the HVAC business of choice, and casually end the conversation on a good note. That person will eventually meet another person who might need assistance from an HVAC business, and the name is dropped once more. By being friendly and not aggressively pushing the business, future clients don’t feel like they’ve wasted time on a sales pitch. The name-dropping technique works even better when free service is rendered in exchange for positive reviews since a customer is more likely to brag about the generous gesture to a friendly face time and time again. Networking in present times stands to be the cheapest form of marketing, as well as the most beneficial since home improvement stores are always willing to partner up with a business that is well-known within the community. Usually the better the reviews and ratings, the better discounts a small business shall see from a sponsorship.

So in general, while starting and operating an HVAC small business isn’t rocket science, it requires intense thought and dedication before profit becomes a leading factor. An individual must be willing to work long hours and abide by state laws and regulations to avoid harsh penalty fees and bad business reviews. Marketing and networking should always be an ongoing routine until the company steadily shows a faithful client list.