So You want to be an Air Conditioning Contractor
by
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After over 45 years in the industry as a mechanical contractor, manufacturer’s representative and consulting engineer I have a pretty good idea on what is required to become an air conditioning contractor. Most of those who enter this business have previously been a journeyman, an equipment vendor or worked in some capacity with an air conditioning contractor. Often he (she) has labored under the misconception that as an employee he (she) is the one that is making the boss rich and therefore should be his (her) own boss. Wow, what a concept!
If you take the step of becoming a contractor it will probably be some time before you make as much money as you did when you were just an employee with no worries about making payroll, collections, law suits and labor disputes. This all being true, why would anyone want to become his own boss? There are this who are satisfied with a 40 hour week and a pay check on Friday. Then there are others who want to control their own destiny and are willing to put in the extra effort to obtain this goal.
I have been one of this second group. Starting as a new contractor is a lot like becoming a new parent. You start as a rank amateur and make all of the mistakes in handling your children. There are now many good manuals on how to become a good parent. Unfortunately I have never seen a book offering advise on how to become a successful air conditioning contractor. This book seeks to overcome this lack of information and is based on many years of experiencing what works and just as important, what doesn’t work.
If you choose to enter into this exciting business, I wish you the best of success.
Delbert D. Thomas ME
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About the Book
Written to assist those who are about to consider purchasing or starting a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) business. This book describes the different categories within this exciting and profitable industry. They include the service and repair of equipment as well as the installation of HVAC systems in new and existing structures. This is probably the first book addressing this matter.
How much capital is required? What equipment will be needed? How are customers located? How are overhead costs calculated? It describes how to prepare an estimate and submit a proposal as well as describing the type of work where the cash flow is better. Know how to avoid the pitfalls in bidding jobs and how payments can be assured.
The book includes engineering tables to assist in Design/Build projects and describes the many types of HVAC systems available.
About the Author
With a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering and over 45 years experience as a consulting engineer, an equipment vendor, and a mechanical contractor, Delbert D. Thomas is well qualified to advise the individual who is considering entering the HVAC business as an owner.
He
has been active in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and is past president of a local chapter and
has served as a Regional Vice Chair (Refrigeration) for the Society. Mr. Thomas has been published in many
different national industry publications and is an internationally acknowledged
authority on Thermal Energy Storage, Turbine Inlet Air Cooling, and District
Heating and Cooling Systems.
He
currently operates a mechanical consulting firm in southern California known as
Mechanical Systems. Mr. Thomas also is
active in marketing simple Do-it-yourself HVAC systems and gold mining
equipment designs on the Internet through Poor Boy.com.