Post a reply to the thread: Commercial technician, thinking about switching to residential.
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When I say "Central Florida" I am talking about from Tampa to Daytona Beach, damn near any refrigeration machine you can think of in between.
When does "Central Florida" mean when you say it? I say West Florida to describe Pinellas / Pasco / Hernando as an area. But I am frequently corrected and told that "No! That is Central Florida - West Florida is The Panhandle!" Which is of course; incorrect as The Panhandle is not West but just more of North Florida - and I am certain that I am unanimous in that geographic opinion - but nonetheless I am curious about just what "Central Florida" means when you say it. PHM ------ Originally Posted by Fla.HP I have done both, but I prefer residential. The challenges, the people that you meet, not camping out at the same place for days. If you can't make great money in Central Florida fixing heat pumps, you may as well blow your brains out!
I have done both, but I prefer residential. The challenges, the people that you meet, not camping out at the same place for days. If you can't make great money in Central Florida fixing heat pumps, you may as well blow your brains out!
Originally Posted by Poodle Head Mikey No. All other HVAC/R pales as a comparison to Industrial. I'd strive for switching to that. PHM ------- True as far as to the variety factor. But im finding more and more the fun and coolness of industrial work is being ruined by over the top safety programs. Call you out in the middle of the night, it just cant wait. The smoke stack is running black, need you here an hour ago. Show up and say, “Okay Ive gotta retune this burner. I need a scaffold or scissor lift to get 40 ft up to that stack up there.” “Well its dark out, that’s dangerous. You will have to wait here till the sun comes up.” “No. I’ll come back” “No, you need to stay in case something happens” “Why? So I cant do a thing till day break?” Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Originally Posted by Artrose Old post? So what. The advice holds. Switching from Commercial to Residential? Good idea? Oh, hell no. Did your momma drop you? If that's not it, I suspect you're lazy, or burned out, and you're looking for an easy out. Buck up. Do your research, and work yourself over into a different position in the Commercial or Industrial side of the trade. Not just this thread but about 20 others!
Old post? So what. The advice holds. Switching from Commercial to Residential? Good idea? Oh, hell no. Did your momma drop you? If that's not it, I suspect you're lazy, or burned out, and you're looking for an easy out. Buck up. Do your research, and work yourself over into a different position in the Commercial or Industrial side of the trade.
No. All other HVAC/R pales as a comparison to Industrial. I'd strive for switching to that. PHM ------- Originally Posted by comoutsid322 Good idea?
I think people just do Google searches for things, and don't pay attention to dates. Especially new members just surfing the site. I guess it helps get post counts up though...
Doesn't know better 😏
Originally Posted by Wilkinsjt87 Having been doing commercial for the past year I’d rather never go back to residential commercial harder yeah but it’s more rewarding way my things u learn Why are you posting in all these old threads?
Having been doing commercial for the past year I’d rather never go back to residential commercial harder yeah but it’s more rewarding way my things u learn
Originally Posted by mikeacman I can buy the argument for going back to residential. Sometimes after humping half my truck a thousand yards ,to work on something heavy ,dirty ,a POS etc... I sometimes wonder why not go back . Then I remember why.... The negativity of it ... Customers upset because of money. Getting barked at by dogs all day long. Dirty ass houses Houses so clean and white you cannot avoid leaving some kind of dirt. dog**** in the house. Hoarders .... Industrial in the other hand ,as well as heavy commercial... People are thrilled you can actually repair it and often look past the cost. it is challenging It pays more No dogs No dog**** There are pros and cons to all of it. Let's not forget that in retail, you are insulated. They didn't approve that repair. They didn't approve a new unit. They don't want a better filter. They don't want to have the coils properly cleaned.
I can buy the argument for going back to residential. Sometimes after humping half my truck a thousand yards ,to work on something heavy ,dirty ,a POS etc... I sometimes wonder why not go back . Then I remember why.... The negativity of it ... Customers upset because of money. Getting barked at by dogs all day long. Dirty ass houses Houses so clean and white you cannot avoid leaving some kind of dirt. dog**** in the house. Hoarders .... Industrial in the other hand ,as well as heavy commercial... People are thrilled you can actually repair it and often look past the cost. it is challenging It pays more No dogs No dog**** There are pros and cons to all of it.
Originally Posted by comoutsid322 How is the work not as challenging?... it seems like it would be WAY more challenging to do commercial, just because the equipment is heavier, and your dealing with more then 1 person... My teacher said in commercial your going to have a skinny girl closer to the furnace thats too cold, and a fat girl at the end of the hall, thats too hot. It seems like you would have to do way more work too, because in residential if the unit and a bunch of parts break down you can recommend replacing the whole unit.... doesnt seem so with commercial. Wouldnt working on roof tops, and heaters in high places make it seem way more challenging You sounded like a parts replacing tech. And zero knowledge
Hvac is the most diverse trade there is. There is many different separate niches that one can specialize in. Some techs find it in residential, some commercial, some iaq, others controls while others are in chillers. Asking which is better is a relative term.
I think the only real way to make good money doing residential is to be a sales tech or open your own shop and make all the profit yourself. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Originally Posted by obieone I interviewed with a residential co. last summer: The job was COMMISION ONLY! Many are going this route anymore. I see it sometimes called 'flat rate pricing'. While I think that it is good for the company, effectively, the idea ends up making each technician a subcontractor...and then they complain about why they can't get good techs instead of wondering why their good techs aren't staying.
I interviewed with a residential co. last summer: The job was COMMISION ONLY!
There isn't a whole lot of opportunity to spread your wings in the residential side of the business... Furnace, A/C, boiler, humidifier, filter, hot water tank, maybe some appliance repair... That's about it. Commercial is unlimited opportunity. Boilers to controls the sky really is the limit.
Nice thing about commercial is that it is a full time job. Lot of residential companies don't have enough work to keep you employed full time year round. Either running like crazy or home watching tv on unemployment.
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