no work

[bsw52876]

Just got a job as a install helper. Out of two weeks of work I have only worked six days. The install mechanic I work with has only worked at the company two weeks longer than me, and is already moving on to another company due to the lack of work. Not sure why they hired us if there is not enough work for us and another install crew. I was just wondering if alot of companies are going through the same situation.

[Lightning_Boy]

Yes, but for slightly different reasons.

Our company was banging away from last summer right up until early March. Phones just went from ringing off the hook to ringing 1-2 times a day.

Its been painfully dead all of April and all of May. The installers in our company are on the verge of quitting, 5-6 installs a week down to maybe 1 if we're lucky. Even then the estimates are lowballed. For example difficult installs that should cost $10-12K are being given away at $7k with a bunch of extra work to win the job.

I haven't had an ac tune up thrown my way for over 2 weeks. My boss is keeping me busy by running permits, do patch up work for customers and starting tomorrow I'll be helping in the office for free doing outbound calls to drum up business.

My advice would be offer to do anything to help out, make calls to customers, hand out flyers, sweep floors. Everybody grumbles during slow times...

[EugeneTheJeep]

Be happy you got them 6 days out of 10. Things have been extra slow on the East Coast with all the rain and cool weather. The temperatures are going up, things should start kicking soon.

[coolwhip]

Here in MI, we have had 14.5 inches of rain this Spring, thats twice the amount we normally get.
When it hasn't rained, its been 50 degree weather.

This has made work for the last month very slow. This week is supposed nice and hot......bring it...yo!

[pauls heating &]

i actually enjoy the slow time....before the heat hits and we get swamped

[Vactech Ny]

Uh oh Im starting tomorrow as a helper for service and installation duct work. He says its really busy and I couldn't even finish my 2 weeks at my other job cause he says he's swamped and needed help. But now i'm nervous after reading these post. Put my mind at ease guys!!! lol j/k

[Some Dude]

Here in MI, we have had 14.5 inches of rain this Spring, thats twice the amount we normally get.
When it hasn't rained, its been 50 degree weather.

This has made work for the last month very slow. This week is supposed nice and hot......bring it...yo!

Thats what im worried about, since we couldnt do much due to the weather we are about to get slammed and im already swamped.

[coolwhip]

I know Zach....Im gettin stressed out.:gah::grin2:

[ascj]

Just got a job as a install helper. Out of two weeks of work I have only worked six days. The install mechanic I work with has only worked at the company two weeks longer than me, and is already moving on to another company due to the lack of work. Not sure why they hired us if there is not enough work for us and another install crew. I was just wondering if alot of companies are going through the same situation.

If the company has a service department, ask if you can get some hours helping with PM's. That how we keep our project guys busy, when construction gets slow. Some choose to ask and get the hours...others choose to take the time off.

Any good service company is always behind on PM's.

[John Markl]

It's "All Hands On Deck" in Texas.....we've had 22 service calls since 5 pm Friday, not counting the ones we blew off....

Both install crews are already fully booked Tuesday thru Friday this week, and I know we have a few things that will roll off the weekend service calls.

I already did tomorrow's office work today, so I can grab a truck and run service tomorrow. Even with all the holiday weekend calls, the Tuesday afterward is a zoo....:gah:

[Joe Harper]

Yea its busy here in florida..not even enough techs to fill all the job openings. Svc managers are stalking the parts house parking lot looking for deserters..

[George2]

Just got a job as a install helper. Out of two weeks of work I have only worked six days. The install mechanic I work with has only worked at the company two weeks longer than me, and is already moving on to another company due to the lack of work. Not sure why they hired us if there is not enough work for us and another install crew. I was just wondering if alot of companies are going through the same situation.

Thank Obama and the dems.

[blitz]

so..... where's this global warming extreme weather thingamajig? shop is slow here. today was hitting 78. tomoz supposed to go into high 80s low 90s. so we'll see :)

[dunkman]

Resting up today, it just hit 85 for the first time here. I'm hoping to get on the horse tomorrow.

[Vactech Ny]

Its supposed to be like 80-85 degrees this week in NY so we'll see

[g_friendly]

Hang in there. The season is starting for us right now. Here are some sugestions:

Ask if you can organize the truck/shop what ever.
Take the down time to read and watch training videos.
Take the equipment apart in the scrap pile and learn to Id all the parts, Practice removing a switching valve on an old heat pump.
Practice brazing.

There are a lot of things you can do during the down time, some he will pay for, others he will allow you to do, it will only make you better tech. It that or X box at home. One make you look really good down the road, the other make you a master at Halo. Which one will pay out in the future?
Your boss did not hire you and the mechanic as an evil joke to keep you from working. I am sure he spends much more time thinking about what he can do to get you in the field than having that super expansive truck sitting there. Remember that you are part of a crew and responsible for a percentage of the income of the company. Example if your company has 4 trucks, Your truck has to bring in 1/4 of the total overhead of the company daily. Get it. He dose not want that truck parked! :.02: Good luck

[EugeneTheJeep]

Yes Siree, things are picking up in NY, my on call tech said he got a few calls this holiday weekend, I see more today.

[pglemba]

My neighbor is a senior tech. He just went back to work today after being off for 6 months due to an injury. I pulled in the driveway from my night job(I work at Home Depot while in HVAC school) at 10pm and he was just getting home. We hit 90 here today. Sold out of window shakers and the rep from the company we contract our HVAC work to had to leave to go help on installs lol.

[Vactech Ny]

90 today its crazy to hear the voicemails of cutomers callingafter hours for apointments. They sound like they are calling the ER!!! I don't blame them...

[coolwhip]

Got home at 8:30 last night.

[Vactech Ny]

ALot of service calls from ppl comming back up from Florida from the winter.

[whoward]

In which state are you located?

[EugeneTheJeep]

We got alot of service calls, and alot of AC estimates the past 2 weeks. It looks like it is going to be a good summer to sell new systems in the north east for a change, heat waves in the spring are a good selling point.

[Moparmyway]

These last 3 days were 95+ with RH in the upper 80's and 90's

Heat complaints out the wazoo ..............
Cant stay on the roof for more than 3 hours without running out of water, or needing more sunscreen :gah: