Commercial Industrial where to go and how to get in.

[channelislands]

Once Im done with the journeyman's licsense and I obtain a refrigeration sector with the hvac part Im strongly considering getting out of residential. Im sick of the variable work load the two month slack points where a 30 hr work period is expected and normal. Its no longer interesting to me and honestly find it hard to wake and go to work. Is the commercial and Industrial aspect more stable? I have had a mild taste of commercial work with MAU's Exhaust systems, 30-50ton Packaged AC units, Low pressure steam 3million BTU"S with power flame burners, and single circuit medium temp refrig, some control pneumatic etc. My point I liked the work and the challenge, but have no clue who I should apply with and how to go about getting into that end of the buisness. wouldnt mind getting involved with centrifguals, and absorbtion systems either. Any advice would be appreciated. I expect to take a major pay cut because Im out of my market but am willing to do so if the end result yields a nice income. Thanks

[tinmarine]

Once Im done with the journeyman's licsense and I obtain a refrigeration sector with the hvac part Im strongly considering getting out of residential. Im sick of the variable work load the two month slack points where a 30 hr work period is expected and normal. Its no longer interesting to me and honestly find it hard to wake and go to work. Is the commercial and Industrial aspect more stable? I have had a mild taste of commercial work with MAU's Exhaust systems, 30-50ton Packaged AC units, Low pressure steam 3million BTU"S with power flame burners, and single circuit medium temp refrig, some control pneumatic etc. My point I liked the work and the challenge, but have no clue who I should apply with and how to go about getting into that end of the buisness. wouldnt mind getting involved with centrifguals, and absorbtion systems either. Any advice would be appreciated. I expect to take a major pay cut because Im out of my market but am willing to do so if the end result yields a nice income. Thanks

Buddy you are in for a wake up going from residential to heavy industrial. Personally I LOVE industrial. I currently run work for an industrial company while I get my company on it's feet. If I could compete, I would go for it. I'm on the sheetmetal side of things. All our work is in the plants (big 3, Detroit Diesel.......) It's all union, mostly nasty stuff, but man is it different. Our company builds air houses, stacks, paint systems, exhaust, mist collection, and we do work all over the states and into Canada and Mexico. If your a fitter, try looking at companies like Siemans. I have no idea what's in your area, so I can't give you any leads, but just be careful for what you wish for.....
I'll try and post pics of some of the stuff we do later.

[HVAC9900]

Think you'll like the change to commercial/industrial from resi.
If you get on with a good company,they'll keep you busy even during the traditional slow times;either with PM contracts and or install( am assuming from the post you are in service).

Don't know what you are making,but if you take a cut,wouldn't think it should be much.Looks like you are not green and have some decent experience with light commercial.

See you show channel islands area ,not sure where that is-but if you are close to metro dc,talk to the mechanical contractors there.They were always looking for people,just not enough to go around.

If you are too far away to work there, they may need someone in your area,so wouldn't hurt to check with them anyway.

[crackertech]

Get into market's never a down time here.

[otto]

I came over to commercial and will never go back to resi work. The last 2 years I have not had less than 40 hours a week unless I wanted some time off. Last month or so we have been putting in 50-60 hours a week when resi guys are sitting at home waiting for heating PM work to start.

[jpsmith1cm]

Get into market's never a down time here.

When I started in Supermarkets, 14 years ago, a Hussmann Field Service Rep told me that this was a bad field to get into. Hussmann was going to eliminate the Service Tech!!!!!

My Dad laughed in his face.

If someone told me that today, I'd do the same.

This is some of the most secure work I have ever seen. If you are good, then you will never want for work. Between the Refrig and the HVAC, there is always a service call or PM to do. Add in small remodels, case changeouts and controls work and you can have a pretty good life.

[timebuilder]

When I started in Supermarkets, 14 years ago, a Hussmann Field Service Rep told me that this was a bad field to get into. Hussmann was going to eliminate the Service Tech!!!!!

My Dad laughed in his face.

If someone told me that today, I'd do the same.

This is some of the most secure work I have ever seen. If you are good, then you will never want for work. Between the Refrig and the HVAC, there is always a service call or PM to do. Add in small remodels, case changeouts and controls work and you can have a pretty good life.

That IS pretty funny.

I think that Curtis Ward knew that they would have a lot of busy service techs out there, so they kept their mouths shut on that count. As long as they have their stuff out there, I'm safe.

[jdkasper]

You may want to look at some of the larger manufacturing companies in the area. Some use a lot of process refrigeration. There is always meat packing but I wouldn't choose that myself. When I started in industrial maintenance I had no idea I'd end up doing hvac work. The only part that gets old is being on the roof when it's 2ºF or 102ºF.

[Bubbleheadski]

I am eastern NC
Anyone know of the guys in this region for this kinda work? I too am residential but I really like the controls end of things.I have a strong (really strong) background in electronics and I am hating the 3 week rotation of on call!