Post a reply to the thread: Do installers always have helpers? Thinking about switching to res. installation
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Depends on the company. We've always been 2 man crews for installs. We're actually talking about going 3 man crews, doing furnace/ac/coil/flue/drop/filter rack everyday. 2 inside, 1 outside. I know a local competitor that expects 2 AC/COILS A DAY. FOR ONE GUY Depends on the company you work for.
Originally Posted by PapaFuse Ride and work with a Bible Thumper for a week and you will beg to work alone! Been there. I was like the guy in "Airplane" drenching himself in kerosene.....
Originally Posted by toocoolforschool I think you have abondoment issues, Maybe an appointment with a doctor would help guide you in the right direction. Seriously. No offense to the OP, but I agree with toocoolforschool. The OP sounds like this might be something a professional should be discussing with him.
It varies from company to company sometimes residential installers will work solo almost always a commercial install crew will have at least 2 guys if i were you i would stay in the service dept put in your time learn the trade get your journeyman or masters license and the money will come with experience
Originally Posted by Kevin O'Neill Not around here. I am an owner and I barely make more than that. My son works in Manhattan and makes twice what I do. sounds like you need to mark your parts up more ...
Originally Posted by Kevin O'Neill Not around here. I am an owner and I barely make more than that. It depends on where you live, the cost of living, local practice, etc. My son works in Manhattan and makes twice what I do. But I live better than him. The cost of living there is insane!!! My taxes are lower, gas is a dollar a gallon less, food is cheaper, Housing is WAY cheaper. To make a statement like that is just local thinking. Travel around some. You will learn. I'm sticking by my assertion that $20/hr. is a fair average starting wage for a journeyman level tech who is employ of a contractor in any part of the country, without knowing the specifics of the position. I live and work in an area that is well-known for a low cost of living and I make nearly double that. I've traveled around enough and spoken to enough folks in various parts of the country to know what's fair and what's not. I know I personally wouldn't roll out of bed for the wages they are paying in the Carolinas. As an owner, you can pay yourself whatever you want, and I have found that many owner/operators have a tendency to undervalue their time and expertise just to make their numbers look better on paper.
Originally Posted by Tech Rob No matter where you live, if you're a journeyman level service technician and you're not making at least $20/hr., I'd say there's something wrong. What's your experience level? Not around here. I am an owner and I barely make more than that. It depends on where you live, the cost of living, local practice, etc. My son works in Manhattan and makes twice what I do. But I live better than him. The cost of living there is insane!!! My taxes are lower, gas is a dollar a gallon less, food is cheaper, Housing is WAY cheaper. To make a statement like that is just local thinking. Travel around some. You will learn.
Why are you thinking about moving in this direction? Most try to move the other way. Installation is hard, backbreaking, head busting work most of the time. I have a helper, and he doesn't say much! I don't enjoy service as I don't enjoy day to day, house to house on my own all day, it can be lonely, agreed. Install can be close to the same, just at the same house all day, or all week. doesn't mean conversation picks up. Also depends on the company and the job how things are, one or two people. Definitely get yourself a good radio or ipod for jobsite, sounds like you need the noise.
Depends on the job. I have seen 1 guy do the inside part and the other do the outside part and work together on the line set. 1 guy do the trunk lines 1 guy do he branch lines. And work together on the heavy lifting. All company's have different policies.
Around here it depends. If somebody has sold a furnace only or condenser only, and the schedule is wide open, they'll have one man do it. If it's a furnace and a/c, definitely two people. Especially if there's ductwork.
Originally Posted by comoutsid322 Im not talking about tech work, im talking about installation. After being an apprentice/helper, will i be by myself? Only your boss can answer that question.
Originally Posted by Tech Rob No matter where you live, if you're a journeyman level service technician and you're not making at least $20/hr., I'd say there's something wrong. What's your experience level? I was speaking with the accountant for my company about what I had hoped to eventually get out of being there and she said no one there has ever made more than $18 - Pee Dee region of SC
Originally Posted by PapaFuse Ride and work with a Bible Thumper for a week and you will beg to work alone! Amen!!!!
all the questions your asking are starting to get into an area that you need to discuss with your boss or supervisor. these are things that can be different from company to company. for example at my company I have to helpers under me. one got promoted to level 2 installer, we still work together all the time. now on the other hand another company could say hey since your level 2 now you and the other helper are going to do changeouts on your own and ill send the lead installer to check over everything and start it up.....it all varies.
Originally Posted by comoutsid322 Okay, I just dont want to be finished being a helper, or an "apprentice" and then be by myself after that. After i become a helper/apprentice, I will always have 1 other person doing residential installs with me? whether it be a helper or another installer I think you have abondoment issues, Maybe an appointment with a doctor would help guide you in the right direction. Seriously.
Not as easy as that. It's not like it's a law! I run my own shop and many of my installs are solo. Basements, crawlspaces, and attics- you do what needs done. Service gets you more contact with people than installs by a wide margin.
Im not talking about tech work, im talking about installation. After being an apprentice/helper, will i be by myself? I always thought it was either 1 installer, and 1 helper, OR 2 installers, for one residential replacement, or new system.
Originally Posted by comoutsid322 My boss did as well say after I learn it, it will be easy to make $20 an hour... ...So will I always be with someone even as a "journeyman" or even a "lead installer" or do residential installers typically go by themselves with occasional helpers? No matter where you live, if you're a journeyman level service technician and you're not making at least $20/hr., I'd say there's something wrong. What's your experience level?
Okay, I just dont want to be finished being a helper, or an "apprentice" and then be by myself after that. After i become a helper/apprentice, I will always have 1 other person doing residential installs with me? whether it be a helper or another installer
Originally Posted by PapaFuse Ride and work with a Bible Thumper for a week and you will beg to work alone! amen to that. it depends on who you get to work with. our company has gone through its share of talks to much, thiefs, lazy, dumba**es and anything else you can imagine. luckily one thing my boss looks at is how all of the employees get along. the 2 installers under me are really nice to work with and we have all become friends outside of work. so to answer your question yes you would usually have a helper but just remember it aint always a good thing.
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