DX system - Page 2 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

pyroracing85 · 06-10-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

What kind of business do you want to start?

Design/Engineer(need 5 years internship with an engineering firm in my state to get your state engineers number).
Consulting.
Installation and service.

Well I don't know to much about consulting but isn't that restricted to NEW construction only?

pyroracing85 · 06-10-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashheatingand

If your primary goal is to start your own gig, it would behoove you to take courses in areas such as book-keeping, microsoft word & excell, sales, time management, web page deveolopment, marketing...etc. Today, you want to get into a hvac field, and it is a fine field. In two years, you may decide there is a lucrative possibilitiy in minature doll houses. Who knows, but the skills that were previously mentioned will be critical no matter what field you choose.

Trade school is great, but it's not the end all for everybody. Quick easy advise: get ojt with an old school hvac guy. You will beconsidered his b--ch, but if (s)he is a square guy, it will pay dividends. Don't get taken advantage of some guys are plain ol cocksuckers.. If you are still into hvac in a year or so, then sign up for school.

Taxes also.

Definitely marketing would where I would need to improve on.

I notice what you say about trade school. It isn't the end all. I understand that. I need to just focus on my engineering degree and get my PE. Also, I need to be working on an internship for free at least.

beenthere · 06-10-2009, 11:05 AM

Consultants do both new construction, renovation, and other existing construction consults.

beenthere · 06-10-2009, 11:10 AM

While Trade school is the end all.
It will get you some of the basics that you don't have.
And may not get working for a company.

80% of installers and service techs can't do a manual J, S, D, or T.
Let alone if you get in to commercial, Where Manual N comes in handy.

There are a fair number of companies out that don't work on more then say oil or gas furnaces.
So they can't offer much in the way of A/C and HP training.

Lots of companies just through in a fresh air damper for a customer. And then recomend later that they stop using it. Because they don't know how to size or set up the fresh air intake.

Takes 5 years to become a Jouneryman.
You can get credit for one year for trade school time(in many areas).

cold1 · 06-10-2009, 11:16 AM

I agree that ojt is definitely the way to go. After 6 months you will know if this is the right field for you and if it is then school will be that much more beneficial.Also the business end definitely requires putting the time in to learn as much as possible.

pyroracing85 · 06-10-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

Consultants do both new construction, renovation, and other existing construction consults.

Who do the engineers work for? The general contractor? Do they do just commerical?

Is engineering necessary on residental property?

beenthere · 06-10-2009, 02:06 PM

Some work for engineering firms.
Some for HVAC/Mechanical companies.

Some of the larger residential homes(5000+ sq ft) will use engineers for the mechanicals.

pyroracing85 · 06-11-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

Some work for engineering firms.
Some for HVAC/Mechanical companies.

Some of the larger residential homes(5000+ sq ft) will use engineers for the mechanicals.

so usually only large size areas need to be engineered?

What is wrong with houses when you build a new construction home why doesn't it need to be engineered just curious.

beenthere · 06-11-2009, 02:52 PM

Most areas. The HVAC contractor runs his own load calc.
And suppoesedly Manul D.

The builer doesn't want to pay for an engineer to do what he can get an HVAC contractor to do for free.

pyroracing85 · 06-11-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beenthere

Most areas. The HVAC contractor runs his own load calc.
And suppoesedly Manul D.

The builer doesn't want to pay for an engineer to do what he can get an HVAC contractor to do for free.

I got ya. but an engineer could become a contractor correct?