Been there done that Steve... we're about the same age, couldn't work for the Man anymore..best decision I ever made...no debt lots of knowledge..I jumped in. Today 22 years later I have an impeccable reputation and more work than I can handle, I thank my blessings, never been happier. You are correct, the first 3 years were lean but I never gave up.
Hey Steven, love your video's, love your attitude, love your humor. I always wanted to work for myself but stayed with the same company for 35 years. Now I am retired drawing a pension have a 401K and SS. I miss working though and always wanted to learn HVAC so that's what I am doing at 64 years young. I like what you said about your father he must be very proud. Keep up the great vids thank you and best wishes.
Touching the way you spoke of your father. Sounded like a great man. My Dad ran an electronics repair business for 45 years. TV Radio Vcr, car stereos, etc. made house call too. Those were great times. Thats how i grew up. Its a gift to have that exposure from your youth. Keep up the good work.
My dad wasnt a plumber he was a machinist, but like you said my dad was a mechanical genius the smartest and most hard working man I've known, he past away 2 years ago at only 62 I miss him everyday. I can appreciate your respect thg for your dad
Hey Steve, good video. I started my business with a little ford ranger, some hand tools,$200 and a family to house and feed. Banged on doors for three months until finally a builder threw me a bone. That bone turned into a feast and kept me alive while other work started to slowly increase in volume. After three years I had grown exceptionally and was on the fence about getting a kid to come work with me. Then I learned a very hard lesson. When you run your own business, turning the wrenches is the easiest part, its the actual business end that will make or break you. Do to my ignorance, Uncle Sam and the Commonwealth of Mass broke me. I would suggest to anyone out there that is thinking of going into business for themselves that taking some classes in small business is worth more than its weight in gold. Having my own business and building it up from nothing was/is something that I am proud that I did, but to lose it do to my own ignorance of just basic business practices is just crushing. The education is available and in some cases there are groups that will mentor you for free, find them and take it all.
I apprenticed under an old timer in the HVAC/R trade back in the day. He wasn't my father but he taught me alot. He built the nicest sheetmetal plenum trasitions using s-locks and drives, the old-school way. To this day, I do not like ductboard or even flex duct because of him.
I started my own HVAC company in August 2014 after working as a service technician for 15 years in the HVAC field. The reason I started my own business is because I knew I could offer more honest and better service than my employer and most HVAC businesses in my area. Steve couldn't be more right about it being hard. You may think you know it all but true knowing comes from experience. I made all kinds of mistakes and I'm sure I'll make more. Anything from pricing to calling customers back in a timely fashion. Things I never had to think about when I worked for someone else. I think anyone wanting to start their own business should really do as much research as possible to see what it takes. If the you still want to run your own business after researching to the moon and back, then go for it and don't give up! Thanks for the video Steve, we need more guys like you in the trade!
i went to a trade high school..my shop teacher retired from teaching and became part time building inspector. ill never forget running into him at an inspection..i called him mr cormier just like 20 years ago....great guy.
I've been watching your videos for a couple of months now but this one hit my Hart. I'm 42 years old. I been debating about going out on my own and this video just helped make up my mind. God bless your dad for passing on what he could to you. I put in my first water heater when I was 12 and my dad walked me through it because he was blind. I work for the rail road industry but lately I haven't had time for my family and won't for the next 7 years. I have been doing residential hvac for 20 years, rail road for 10. I do appreciate your videos and will continue to watch. Thank you!
As an ex plumber here in the UK I like your honesty and say it as it is attitude. Looking over your shoulder as you start each new job is a joy for me. But much more than that I loved your respect and honoring of your father. That speaks to your character. look forward to watching loads more of your videos. Yea I agree, your worst jobs with the worst problems are the gold of learning.
So true about what experience is! I've been in the HVAC trade for 10 years now and it seems like just when I get cocky and think I k,ow everything I get my ass kicked by a new problem.
Definitely true words. I've had this Dream as a kid...have my own company. Had 2 kids, married, house and other bills but I made the plunge. Going into year 3 now and it's been a huge success so far, but I've also been lucky too as far as being at the right place at the right time and making the right business decisions. Definitely have to have luck or good fortune one your side as well.
Steve thanks to you. I’ve be doing plumbing for about 25 years worked of my father but we never working on oil burner he would do the conversation for oil to gas but when it people call for service he would always give it to the oil burner company’s. So I never really learned how to service them and when I bought my second home it had oil.that winter the boiler stop working and Through watching some of your videos that’s how I learned at the cad cell relay no good so thanks for the help and keep doing what you do
Hey Steven, I was going to do this same video today, you beat me to it. There's always tomorrow. Being self employed, can be rewarding and demanding at the same time. Great job my friend.
Its 7 days a week....my dad never closed..u can make money..if your good..im your age..worked for my dad..same type of work.but times were changing..long term customers were dieing off..now day everyone wants the low baller..to do the work..i hear you..i sold my dads co.hvac..in 1989..or somthing..i went to the public schools with my skills mon through fri..now im 55 a n d. Retierd living in fl...your the guy steve keep up your good honist work....your like my dad..hard working..
Thanks to pops, i am at the age were its to late to start my own. been in the trade 20 years and know i dont belong as a technician working for some one else. i hate it but its that comfortable rut that kept me going. your 100 percent right in your advice. i wish any one that wants to take that plunge good luck.
My father was a master plumber in the union also. I learned a ton of stuff from him. I went into HVAC and use a lot of the skills that he taught me. Keep up the great videos.
my pops owns a commercial hvacr business out of salem nh mostly work in ma cambridge area but iv always looked up to him he does things sooo fast an does it very good quality, i liked ur point on respecting ur father
Im 27 been in the trade for 10 years, i do a ton of sidework and i LOVE doing my own thing. I have a good job but sometimes am miserable i feel like i am gun shy starting my own business but when i hear alot of you say you love it and you qoukdnt have it any other way thats what i am like. I love helping my customers!
what you said is very true steven , my dad knew someone that was an engineer and i got my foot in the hvac world, been in this field for 13 years and have seen a lot and i ain't seen nothing yet this trade is constantly growing
Great video Steve, I went into business for myself going on two years now and learned everything from my dad to. And my dad has also did both plumbing and HVAC when he had his business. Learned a lot from him, and still work with from time to time. But hey great video Steve and can't wait for the next one.
Great video Steven, starting up a business and keeping it going is a tough road. Most people only see the money coming in, they don't see the long hours, all the different taxes, the sleepless nights worrying, the endless bills, the bitching customers, no vacations, and last but not least, everyone thinks you're a MILLIONAIRE. But if you work it the right way you can enjoy it. Keep up the good work. Ray
Steve, you crack me up. Hot shit, man. The shit show. Any A-hole can change parts. And many of them do. And that's all they can do. And then go into buisness.. The way you diagnose the problem and make the repair is using common sense and technical knowledge. You are a "Pro", no question about it. You've done well for yourself so yea, you can pat yourself on the back. (Love to see more of the two Ford coupes in the garage). I learn from and enjoy your video's. I'm 71 and retired and enjoy the hell out of your videos. Great job man, you are what the 🇺🇸 American dream is all about. It's out there man, you just got to have the balls and ambition to get "it". Keep M coming, say hello to Molly. Love the dog! From warm Florida, ah decitated viewer.
Thanks for the great video Steven. It is always interesting to hear how people get into our trade and their stories. It is true though like you said, you almost need to know someone. Like you, my father taught me everything I know since 8 yrs old. Even though it was work, they were the best times I ever had with him. Keep up the good work.
Guys, I am 54. Licensed plumber and overall home repair guy. Been in the remodeling business for 20 years now. I have remodeled over 1500 bathrooms. Trust me, this guy knows what he is talking about. If you are a young guy in this trade you should watch every video he makes. Knowledge and experience are worth a ton. This man has them. And his videos are also entertaining. Yes I know he is a yankee and sounds funny. But he is a SMART dude. Learn from him.
14 months now out on my own. We have a very similar background. Experience can be very humbling, yet so rewarding when I finally figure something out that had me so perplexed.
I am so grateful to all you guys who take the time to make videos. I learn so much from them. Its made me a better mechanic for sure. Like Zack says learning on the job every day
Steve, new viewer here love your videos I'm eating em up! Considering your background & way of entrance into the trades, its obvious how a/c goes hand in hand w plumbing/heating and how commercial refrigeration does not. Just wondering if you've ever dun any smaller commercial refrigeration work?
Love the vids Steve. I'm from Mass too so its cool to see some of the equipment around. Im trying to get into the HVACr trade before I graduate from a trade high school. Its wicked hard to find a company to hire.
i came from other countrie but none of my family believe in me when i get here to usa i was living on Colorado but people where I live with they treat me bad so i move over here to Texas but again happen the same thing so i don't have any family and i don't have any friends but God is good all the time with me i just have 2 pair of shoes and 4 pants and 4 t shirt that all i have now i got my on business it's hard like you said Steve but live me with God everything it's possible
+Carlos Raxon every thing is possabley to him who believes one foot in front of the other ,one day at a time and you will get there ,have a never quite attatude you will do fine
Same here learned from my dad. Been installing boilers with him since I was 12. We used to push over an old asbestos covered boiler everyday and not go home until it was finished. The asbestos got him many years ago. Im sure its coming for me too.
OMG I started in the plumbers union worked hospital ad comm lead & okum silver brazing 4-6 screw pipe and. Worked w crazy ass jobbers also u n I have the same background hard working guys Keep the vids ping Steve Thanks
That was touching and funny. Iv been at my job 23 years that my dad was at 36 years. I'm at a New company now but I get it. My only side company has been family and its the worst. Love your videos and Molly my parents always had the same dogs
Thanks,and you are a special kinda good teacher.Hope a big fat one with lots of dough finds you and baby dog and loves ya to know end.Love that little proudly certified sidekick of yours.Merry Christmas from Lake station indiana.
Love the accent Steve! You could have made it big in the acting biz too. Hehehehe! I just bought a home in California so I've got some projects planned and it is good to see someone doing real jobs in the field. My only request is that you treat us like newbees who don't know squat. Explain everything that's happening, why it is happening, how to fix it, how NOT to fix it, problems to look out for, and more about the tools you are using. Oh and why do you wear gloves?! Hahahaha
Steve, first I would like to thank you for taking time to share your knowledge and experience. Great job Thanks. Second can you do a video on the camera you use for your videos and editing? Thanks
Some of the best phrases I've ever heard are "The luxury of owning your own business is you get to work half days and you even get to choose the first 12 or the second" "You can't teach experience" and my new personal favorite "Well I got rid of that crazy bitch and started my own business!" I know I'm not ready to go out on my own yet but someday. Congratulations on the success. Great video, keep 'em coming.
A tradesman the don't know it all..lol. most the guys i work with think they know it all.. Good video steve. I have been in the hvac field for years and I learned alot by my screw ups. If you don't make mistakes now and then your not doing anything. I always enjoy your vidoes
+John Carlson i believe we will learn till the day we die .if your teachable that is . some of these young guys are know it all,,, but really don't know shit
I needed that laugh. I love your channel. I wish I could pivot from IT to plumbing. You don't have to worry about automation or India taking your job as a plumber. No matter how advanced a civilization becomes, we'll always need a good plumber.
In Levittown we have people that are willing to suck every last penny of a mans hard earned money from him. We had a contract for burner maintance and repairs. Not bad at 149$ a year. But you have to agree to sell your soul to the company for that year. Lol. Lol. First they charge you 75¢ to 1$ more per gallon, plus they come and keep filling/topping off your tank and you have to commit to getting over 900 gallons in the year of the contract. So this year we tried wingging it and I had all kinds of trouble. It figures, right. Thanks for letting me sound off!
It's not easy starting your own business,I have a close friend who was a tin knocker and the first 5 years were good but unfortunately the union got the goons to screw it up, make up lies and just generally wanted him to use the union guys and pay them more than the going rate plus pay for the benefits and other things,he eventually decided to go into the family business (pizza and sandwiches) and despite the hours he made good money and had a good reputation for everything and he also went for his EPA licence to do his own ac/refrigeration work in the pizza shop because of the commercial refrigeration guys were ripping him off because they were the only game in town,I helped him out getting parts a couple of times but wish someone like you could have fixed it right the first time
I'm looking at HVAC as a possible career choice. Either that or engineering, but I already know a lot about heating, plumbing, electrical, etc. so we'll see what happens.
Some guys in my class are planning to take there contractors exam upon graduation in Alabama as am I, what are your thougts of starting after two years of school. I plan to work for a company but you cant purchase parts here without the license, so no side work without it. P.S. love your videos im on break now there keeping my mind working KEEP EM COMN....
Nice vid. Hey, I am 34 years old, just got my EPA license about 3 months ago and I am applying to HVAC companies. I know alot of the stuff is hands on training. But what are some "must knows" I have to know how to do before starting with an HVAC service technician?
Hi im in the bussines for 15 years repairing heating appliances, but allways struggeling for customers i pay google adwords but its getting costly, i wonder how you get your customers do you have any tips on that? i would appreciate.
Most start their businesses for all of the wrong reasons and only are looking for a paycheck that they think they can control. They think I can make more money, call my own shots, be my own boss, and reduce stress. Many run it like its their job and their not a business. Many do not recognize the need to develop skill sets beyond what made them good technicians. More money is made with a pen then with a screwdriver. You must be able to read your financial statements like you read a schematic diagram or a set of refrigerant gauges. If a service tech doesn't understand the basics of pressure and temperature, voltage and amperage, dry bulb and wet bulb. How can they proper diagnose and troubleshoot problems? Trying to run a business without understanding the numbers is dangerous and most fail within the first year.
one man show well me and like 3 people which are family members in new york state im at my 8 year mark now and im starting to get nervous cause from what i hear this is usually where people fall off i got steady work and i do a good amount of rooftops here and there but i only do installs i rather that way. keeps the time management better plus in new york theres loads of people lookin for installs all the time so its a little easier out here most the time they just call you which is nice. people out here have the if its broke just replace it attitude lol. any tips you got to keep the ball going i mean if i have to ill do service but i rather not things are going smooth moneys good cant complain sorry for the long message thanks
