Starting an Air Conditioning Business

It’s hot outside and just yesterday my air conditioning unit went bust. It was literally just blowing hot air. I do have a service contract with a local company and preferred treatment when in need of a fast repair job to be done. Still, it was a painful and expensive experience. Afterwards I spent some time thinking through the entire situation and trying to analyze the business side of things. Running an AC or Heating related business is very interesting.

Most often when people call they do not a choice. The AC unit or the furnace is broke and they need help fast. They do not have much choice or time to shop around. You do not argue too much about price and waiting time when it is 98 degrees outside and 92 degrees inside. You know that these guys are busy and that you will be lucky to get someone out the same day. The business knows this and accordingly the repair prices always end up to be in the hundreds of dollars.

So, does it make sense to start your AC repair and service business? If you are a talented technician with some money at hand to start your own business, it’s time to stop making money for the boss and starting putting your talents to work for yourself with your very own air conditioning service and repair business.

Don’t worry about job security. You can start doing repair jobs for friends and family and then work the referral chain and word of mouth. You can also prepare things while still employed. Learn from your existing boss. Talk to customers and “pre-sell” your services – in an ethical way. You are still employed and you need to respect that fact that your boss is doing so many things that keep you employed. You do not want to burn bridges and you also need to be careful from a legal perspective.

Consider things like hvac estimating software, a delivery truck, phone service, billing and many other things. Watch how your boss is doing this. What services does he use and so on.