HVAC And Plumbing

pyroracing85

What is the relationship between them? I seen a lot of HVAC companys that also offer plumbing.

Please help me with this. I just started with a plumbing school so I am just learning.

MechanicalDVR

They both make money, other than that absolutely nothing. 99% of plumbers that think they know heating don't and most HVAC guys can't sweat a joint and make it look like something to save their life.

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"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" mlk
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Celtic

A friend of the family is an HVAC/Electrical Contractor

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MechanicalDVR

A better combination, do to the fact @95% of HVAC service is electrical.

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"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" mlk
100% Union and Proud of It

Celtic

Then why does he sub me the electrical end
LOL

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mahlere

because it's cheaper to sub it to you than do it himself? he charges more? you don't charge enough? he wants sub-par electrical work?

I don't know, why?

MechanicalDVR

I D K, is he more of a tin knocker???

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"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" mlk
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Celtic

You know it!

(Jackass LMAO)

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Celtic

No, he's an EC..also has his EI credentials (but does not actively do inspections).

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mahlere

seriously, depends on how large he is (company wise)

I know that HVAC is way above and beyond us in terms of making money. They regularly get $5k + to swap out a condensor..$1500 in material and 4 hrs labor...

we do service changes for $1500....$500 material and 10 hrs labor...go figure.

he probably makes way more off his HVAC side to be bothered wasting his time doing electrical anymore.

Celtic

That's possible...but as a one man shop ~ just how much can he make? (Don't dazzle me with numbers).

IMHO, as I've said to him on numerous occasions, HIRE SOME MEN. He won't..in his words "They all suck" LOL.... Now if he spent some time to train the guys as to what he expects..or gets a greener than green apprentice that isn't a pot fiend ...I might not laugh at his reply



Don't bull**** me

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mahlere

well, as a one man shop, I can definitely see him subbing out the electric. concentrate on what makes the most money...it ain't electrical...

as for the services...I was speaking for the industry as a whole...

MechanicalDVR

I must be doing something wrong, I have never seen a $1500 condenser change out go for $5000.

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"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" mlk
100% Union and Proud of It

Celtic

You might be ....hopefully, mahlere will explain it - he's got a way with numbers

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Diesel65

They have pipe work in common, a lot of plumbing contractors get into the HVAC field because of the chilled water piping work that they have sub-contracted over the years and a plumbing company is more set up to take care of this aspect of the HVAC industry.

We have a lot of plumbing companies that sub out the PVC condenser water piping and even the copper condenser water piping for cooling towers and water cooled heat pump install's.

mahlere

you don't do residential replacements then....there is a company in Belford, NJ who installs Lennox...pay about $1500 +/- for a 3 ton resi unit...charge between $3-$5k (depending on how busy they are) to replace it.

I know this because a few years ago one of our customers called them because the cb feeding the condensor kept tripping. Their tech said it was a faulty cb. We showed them that the compressor was shot. While I was there with the HO, the HVAC company quoted $4975 to replace the condensor.

Now, maybe they never get that price (but some people swear you can't get more than $1800 for a 200A service upgrade) so I tend to believe that they have and do...

So, for 4 hrs work, $1500+/- in material, they generate $3500 in labor.

I'd sub out the electrical work too...

mahlere

also, we just looked at a job today...replacing a 15 ton RTU...

$4400 for the unit, $400 for the new disco and wire, $250 misc - total material $5000+/-

total labor 10 man hours (includes travel, setup and cleanup)

price to customer - $10,500...We should get the approval next week.

Now this is not resi, but it is good money..

BigMikeB

What about a crane? Reclaiming the Freon?

mahlere

you are correct...we own the crane...freon is already gone, hence the replacement...

there are obviously other misc costs, but my point was that HVAC charges well for their services...electric gives them away..

747

Its the other way around in my oppion. you see more plumbers who also do heating and cooling. To answer your question it just all depends on where you live. Finally it goes back to before forced air furnances came on the market. Before then everything was boilers or steam which is a plumbers speciality. Then forced air came out so there you have it.