trying to decide if i should take commercial job?

[greenhornetn]

I have been given a offer for $15 hr to start with commercial company. Have been doing residential for a year as a service tech and only making $11. Top pay is $15 for res. in my area. The only concern I have is our senior tech has been doing this for 9 years and he said commercial its really easy to lose your job? He also said that you stay cleaning coils for about 3 years, that would be tough as I have my own truck now and do service work. Is comercial that violatal?

[The Doctor]

I did resi for 3 years while in ACCA school. finished school --got commercial job and love it. the question is--can you be content with what you have? I love cleaning coils..LOL it beats being on one knee next to a litterbox, surrounded by Aber/Fitch bags and extra TVs, moving people's personal stuff to work on units they couldn't find if their life depended on it, but all of the sudden it;s an emergency. :rolleyes:
Commercial is wonderful. you still will get the 345 on Friday call--we knew about this since Tuesday, but we waited until now to call, but it goes with the territory.:)

[workingman]

It all depends on the company that you are going to work for. The company I work for is hiring while other local companies are laying off in large quantities. In its 20 year history, the company has never layed anyone off and the few they have fired have been for good reason.

We are so heavy with PM contracts that we have a hard time keeping up with the hours every month and we have 18 commercial techs. (Usually bring our residential techs over to help out)

Before accepting the job, I would ask whoever:

How do they handle slow times?

Since you have service experience (even though it is residential), are they going to position you to grow into a Commercial service tech?

If they are going to grow you into a Commercial service tech what kind of time line do they expect this to happen?

While you may be cleaning coils for a good while, 3 years sounds too long. During your that time, you should be learning about the units, keeping your eyes and ears open, and making sure they see what you are learning.

[greenhornetn]

where do you work ? what city and state

[rae]

In our area they always need commercial techs. Go for it.

[greenhornetn]

What is the going rate in Penn. for commercial service techs

[tex~n~oz]

Greenhorn...

Are you going to be in the HVAC industry your whole life?
If so, are you content working on home split systems?

You need to consider your future. Do you really want to be 65 years old and still busting your knuckles on someones plugged evaporator while kicking the dog off your leg? Or would you like to see yourself as well achieved and perhaps in management or technical engineering?

Don't be afraid to step up to the challenge. This industry has one of the largest learning curves imaginable. Don't wait until your day is done before you decide you're tired of living on $15 (or the futures equivelant thereof).
There is a definate cap as to earnings in the residential market. The industrial/commercial market has fewer caps. The better you are, the more dosh you make. Once you've reached the peak, it's much easier to move towards a specialty or engineering; the money gets greener.

Don't be afraid to spend a few years working into a position, especially if you're young. If you find you can't hold a job in commercial cleaning coils while learning the curve, then maybe you're not cut out for the industry and should look elsewhere. We all have our niche talents.

Anyone who's overly offended by my outlook on residential work, please accept my appologies as I'm not looking to step on toes.
I know a few guys who love residential...

Residential is less stressful because Mrs. Jones can get pissed all day and it's no huge drama, but if you have a hospital or high-rise building down, things get political.

Some guys like the "attention" they get working residential.... The lonely housewife thing.. Now I can't attest because I've never worked residential, but some of the stories I've heard are... well you get the drift.

Anyway, look inward and realise your ambitions.

[greenhornetn]

I am 35 yrs old and yes plan on doing this the rest of my life and i dont mind the learning curve if it pays off in the end. I have a senior tech where i work that said commercial isnt stable that is why i am asking I have been giving an oppertunity to go into commercial but if it wont benifit my family then i dont want it . That is why I am asking the questions I can deal with anything as long as there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have thought of "which feild will allow me longevity as i get older"

[tex~n~oz]

My word of advice..

Take the job, study your butt off..

Get some books and learn. Physics, HVAC fundamentals, chemisty....
My work library has over 500 books. If there's something I need, I look it up.
When I have spare time, I grab one and read.

It sounds impossible, but it's not. All you have to do is dedicate time.
You're not getting any younger, but the thing you have in your favour is maturity. Too many of the young fellas can't leave the school yard mentality behind and that slows down progress.

How would you like to be 45 and considered a damned good commercial tech making $35 an hour?

As for the "stability" of commercial work. I just don't understand that. Sounds like a little jealousy happenin there padre.

[greenhornetn]

thanks ......... 45 and making $35 thats a good think right LOL

[greenhornetn]

commercial may be the way for me to go

[timebuilder]

I had a conversation with my boss the other day about residential versus commercial, and commercial is the way to go. All you have to do is satisfy your national accounts company and your work will be as much as you can take on. Study, learn, and behave. You will prosper.

If you only have a year's experience, that $15 will grow soon. Don't worry. Be careful when going topside to work on rooftop units and dress warmly for winter heating calls.

Send me a PM if you want, and tell me your location.

And, say goodbye to the litterbox, LOL!!

[jayguy]

hey there. there are upsides and downsides to both residential and commercial work. i'm in my 30's and a family man too. i chose commercial and i'm glad i did (most times). in residential, you get to go home and you usually work close to home, but you do not get paid as much and i do not believe the work is as mentally challenging as commercial. in commercial, its almost exactly the opposite. your work load is larger and more imperative that it is done right...before you leave. kinda like tex says, in many cases, like hospitals, you do not leave until it works and stays working...in emergencies, money is no object these kinds of institutions. same with server rooms in financial institutions. they may pay you to stand there and run the unit in manual all night long. your wages are very inexpensive to places like that. but that is why you get to be paid more. but you may (will) be away from the family from time to time. education is usually more important in commercial than residential (mainly because of the amount that commercial can payout). spending a couple grand for a week long school somewhere, and your normal wages, is really nothing. if your boss could get 2 more weeks worth of work out of you because you can troubleshoot better and have fewer call backs...that goes right to the bottom line for as long as you work there. with a commercial background, you can go anywhere pretty easily. can the same be said of residential?

i'm not sure about the whole stability issue. the only thing i can think of is that commercial is a little more volatile, because everyone is upping the ante to hire other companies commercial guys. maybe in your area the same is true. maybe you will not work for the same company for long...but you will be working. if that is true then i doubt that you would be cleaning coils for 3 years.

good luck.

[maxster]

the big shocker in the commercial end is there will be building engineers leading you to the equipment(roof or basement)and leaning over your shoulder asking questions as your do service.this enviorment will sharpen up your breakdown habits and develope the way to talk to commerical customers.if you can get into the new installations and start-ups of large jobs the OT and hourly rates will grow with the years..don't be surprised if years from now your doing 20-40 unit start-ups as a lead service guy on large store or malls.your lead tech right now is trying to discourge you because the way you work with him he sees your energy and positive outlook and the commmercial way is your future.....just think when you get well settled in the commercial field you can do residential as side work at your leisure and needs.how does a new van every 3 years and $35 to $38 hour and you call your own overtime to get those commercial jobs signed off when crunch time comes to open up on a weekend or upcoming holiday season.forget those hot attics and welcome to the rooftop world of commercial service.spring 2007 will be here before you know it,set yourself up in a truck and don't look back the jobs awaithttp://img125.imageshack.us/img125/4027/wfmallsi8.jpg2300 tons of rooftop

[jmang]

Commercial is the way to go, most likely they would have you working on easy units like under 25 ton while you gain experience and the rtu s are just as easy as resi, not everyone working in commercial knows what they are doing, alot of guys dont do much more than maintnance

[madhat]

Spent many hours on that roof, and some neighboring roofs.

[maxster]

recently doing service or since it was built

[cw0682]

You know good help is hard to find, and harder to find in commercial. If you got the aptitude and the willingness to learn and give it a try not only will you not be cleaning coils for long but you will never have to worry about being laid off. Most large company's have a hard time finding and hiring good help, usually they have to do exactly what they would be doing with you is hire you in from a resi market and train you as they would like.
Once you have 5 years exp in the commercial market your skills will be high in demand and the job oppurtunities are endless. You will be able to move anywhere in the world and go to work.

As a sidenote, be freinds with the in house maitenece and engineers they can be helpful or they can be your worst nightmare. Always remember they are your customer, but also keep in mind they need you there too or else they wouldn't have called ya. Be humble about it.

[timebuilder]

Hey, how's that for encouragement?? Think you can make the right decision?

:D

[madhat]

Since it was built, not in the past four years. Is MCI still there? Did a lot of work for them. We had stores that had an Evap. coils in the CWAHU, to deal with the extra heat from the lighting. Don't even ask, was the worst nightmare.

[Trublshter]

I personally prefer commercial over residential. Especially if you enjoy learning and look forward to challenging work and lots of differerent new things. I have a lot of espect for those who choose to do residential but I just can't. I even have our oil company come out to service and clean our oil fired boiler every year. That sounds foolish to some but I don't own a soot vac let alone have the time to do it plus even though Im knowledgable around oil burners I don't have a oil license and won't risk the chance of fire.

[uke]

definetely commercial! I"ve been on both sides of the fence and can tell You I do not miss hot attics, nesty old ladies and extremely cheap bosses. Just make that step forward.

[refrtech]

Not even a question , TAKE THE COMMERCIAL JOB !!!!!!!

[refrtech]

You know good help is hard to find, and harder to find in commercial. If you got the aptitude and the willingness to learn and give it a try not only will you not be cleaning coils for long but you will never have to worry about being laid off. Most large company's have a hard time finding and hiring good help, usually they have to do exactly what they would be doing with you is hire you in from a resi market and train you as they would like.
Once you have 5 years exp in the commercial market your skills will be high in demand and the job oppurtunities are endless. You will be able to move anywhere in the world and go to work.

As a sidenote, be freinds with the in house maitenece and engineers they can be helpful or they can be your worst nightmare. Always remember they are your customer, but also keep in mind they need you there too or else they wouldn't have called ya. Be humble about it.
Well said !

[john dalton]

Dear Greenhornetn

I only have one statement, one question, and one direction for you young man (yes, 35 years old is a young man).

STATEMENT:

Based on getting good, having integrity, staying good with a good reputation at whatever you do, residential or commercial, there will always be work for you, wherever you are in this country, whatever the economy is at the moment, at a good and fair price….period!


QUESTION:

What would you like to do for the next 30 years of your life, residential or commercial work, this question deals directly with your own personality. Are you laid back, don’t do well with stress, normal achiever, don’t mind a lot of competition, then residential is your path. Are you active, want to get excited at work, are you an overachiever, like a lot less competition, then commercial/industrial is your path.


ONE DIRECTION

It doesn’t matter, given a good service technician with the above referenced traits, either path will be a rewarding one with plenty of work, and money.


If you haven’t figured it out by now, let me spell it out. You, my friend, make your own path in life, and what determines if your happy and well paid, is not the job, but you.

Hope this helps……………………………….

Respectfully Submitted,
John J. Dalton CM

[greenhornetn]

Point well taken, I need a challenge and I love using my brain not my fat duff. I am leaning toward commercial due to pay is better and it sounds working conditions are better. Sounds as thought it takes longer to get away from the Monkey work of maintenance but I want this to be a stable steady carear for me and my family.

[maxster]

if the company you hook up with does all aspects of commercial install and service and your good with the meter it's a great move.you'll have your coils to clean and filter and compressor changes and on the heating end if you learn the gas end of the larger units you'll be busy in the dead of winter with start-ups and breakdowns....MADHAT that mall had all its resistance heat disconnected from day one!and the lighting load is bigtime still in the dead of winter OA at 55 F and 1.5" static 4 stores on each unit.the shnow is constantly melted in and around the exhaust sections on those Tranes as they discharge 80F from the lights in the retail spaces.

[gpwasr10]

Well man I have been in the field for 3 years, started in Commercial after getting my A.O.S in HVAC. I just got a job as a Building Engineer, and although it is a lot of work, it is a very cool job. They started me at $20.00 with full Bennies and a 10% bonus every year. I am 27. So... you think it is worth it now?