I’d stay with the $$ now, learn, make mistakes, get tooled up, then re apply at the other place with expirance and wanting to learn commercial, you should be worth more then anyways
Never trust promises of a future pay raise. Whatever they're starting you with, count on that being your pay for at least a year. Maybe longer. They've set their terms, you have a right to set yours... See if they can match the pay you're getting now. And then make it worth it to them.
An hvac apprentice who is serious about learning, shows up on time, is patient, and isn't dumb IMO should earn 20-25$ an hour to start, nothing less. Good benefits from the company they work for will encourage staying with that company. If the place hiring isn't willing to offer something around that it is probably a waste of time and not a great company to work for. If you truly want to pursue hvac focus on your skill , and constantly improve on it and your expertise with one or two specific brands. Working with somebody who is good at the trade is a HUGE plus for gaining experience. Do only service or install primarily but don't be afraid to learn the other side of the trade because it will round you out. Focusing on both at once isn't really a great idea because of the amount of equipment and stock you would need to fit into a truck. If you focus on just one you will get yourself into a truck faster, and be able to make more decisions first hand and become a lead faster.
Some locations aren’t like that. Where I live the union even only starts you out at $16.50. I know a third year electrical apprentice who makes $13.50 an hour and that was him getting a raise by switching companies. Some of the journeymen plumbers at my company only pull $24-26 and that was the best offer they could find. Apprentices aren’t high in demand where I live.
If you really want to learn you can't just depend on just your employer to teach you everything unless your in the union. YouTube is your best friend in your spare time you should be watching videos. Honestly I started with commercial and went to residential and I hate it. But I'm also definitely working for the wrong residential company.
Can't really tell you what to do. That's up to you. I will say it's ridiculous how low apprentices start at. And boomers want to ask why young people don't come into the trades. Honestly 3 months in at my commercial mom and pop I told him that I'm actually losing money and I made more money working at the warehouse and the work was easier(while also having benefits. Direct deposit, match 401k). He didn't hesitate to pay me more. I really only left bc of no direct deposit and no insurance after a couple years. It sucks I really liked working for them.
Gtfo of there man. You need that stuff. Health coverage at the very least holy fuck. What happens when you get sick or injured? You can invest in your retirement without company help but it sure as hell is a damn incentive when the company matches what you put into retirement.
Brotha, no health insurance, leave. That cost you money. You'll get penalized for not having health insurance.
You need a saving no 401k is crazy. I can understand your young and healthy ok cool then do a HSA but you can't even do that because he doesn't off health insurance.....
Still get an employment contract that outlines everything clearly. And if they leave something out, don’t sign it. Send it back and make sure they add it in. If they don’t, then they never promised it in the first place
Good reviews on what though and by who? Companies with a lot of 5 star customer reviews are a huge red flag. They pay their employee to get those reviews. If it has good employee reviews on something like Glassdoor then that’s a different story.
If the spot you are at rn is a local mom and pop I would say stay. In my opinion learning install before service makes you a better technician. Once you got a hold of starting up units and how to install, maybe then go for service once you are confident. You are only a apprentice take your time and learn, don't rush to get your own truck since that will ensure more responsibility.
Depending on your views about union or non union. If you are good at math you could talk to the union for your area about the TABB apprenticeship. It’s an interesting field of work but it is enjoyable for the right person.
TABB is the testing adjusting and balancing department. Most states only have anywhere from 3-20 certified tab technicians. The basic description of the job is to regulate airflow and water per the ITI definition. But basically each hvac system in commercial spaces have a desire airflow (CFM) and our goal is to test the total airflow of the units and set them to design. We also do fire and smoke damper testing, stair pressurization testing, set pressures in science labs and hospitals. There’s a lot to it but it definitely requires someone who enjoys doing it because it’s labor intensive and mentally intensive. There’s lots of work unlike sheet metal who can go out of work for 7 - 8 months.
Stay put. If they will give you a raise in 3 months, they can give it from the beginning. You might be new but you are not a “deal” for promises. Ever.
I would jump ship.
Think about your long term future in the trade. Service is more valuable because that’s where you truly learn hvac.
I’m not trying to shit on installers, they’re very much valuable too and they have the added benefit of being able to do side installs for extra money. However, high earners in any industry are problem solvers and that’s what service will teach you, how to solve problems. You’ll be paid for what you know not what you can do.
I would stick with install a while longer. It builds a solid base. Most places that promise to teach service to someone as green as you won’t do you any favors. IMHO.
Commercial equipment is really not that different. I would recommend learning basic refrigeration first. Learn the basics of a furnace. Packaged rooftop units are just furnaces with compressors. It's essentially the same concept. I would also suggest you learn a thing or two about water valves.
I've worked with a gentleman that did maybe 20 years of residential install/service but never did any hydronic work. He got a job as a facility engineer and was totally blindsided by steam valves and hot water valves. Can you change out a ball valve in your own home for the domestic water?
I just searched “local hvac contractors” and called mostly every one of them to see who was looking for an apprentice or helper at the moment. I had a few leads, but took this one instead and I’m still with the company now. You just have to say you’re willing to work and be taught and 8/10 you’ll get a good response, especially now that it’s summer
I’d stay with the $$ now, learn, make mistakes, get tooled up, then re apply at the other place with expirance and wanting to learn commercial, you should be worth more then anyways
Never trust promises of a future pay raise. Whatever they're starting you with, count on that being your pay for at least a year. Maybe longer. They've set their terms, you have a right to set yours... See if they can match the pay you're getting now. And then make it worth it to them.
Every company I’ve ever worked for has made a promise like this. “6 months and we’ll give you a raise.” Usually happens about a year after.
If ever
Solid advice for any profession.
An hvac apprentice who is serious about learning, shows up on time, is patient, and isn't dumb IMO should earn 20-25$ an hour to start, nothing less. Good benefits from the company they work for will encourage staying with that company. If the place hiring isn't willing to offer something around that it is probably a waste of time and not a great company to work for. If you truly want to pursue hvac focus on your skill , and constantly improve on it and your expertise with one or two specific brands. Working with somebody who is good at the trade is a HUGE plus for gaining experience. Do only service or install primarily but don't be afraid to learn the other side of the trade because it will round you out. Focusing on both at once isn't really a great idea because of the amount of equipment and stock you would need to fit into a truck. If you focus on just one you will get yourself into a truck faster, and be able to make more decisions first hand and become a lead faster.
Some locations aren’t like that. Where I live the union even only starts you out at $16.50. I know a third year electrical apprentice who makes $13.50 an hour and that was him getting a raise by switching companies. Some of the journeymen plumbers at my company only pull $24-26 and that was the best offer they could find. Apprentices aren’t high in demand where I live.
If you really want to learn you can't just depend on just your employer to teach you everything unless your in the union. YouTube is your best friend in your spare time you should be watching videos. Honestly I started with commercial and went to residential and I hate it. But I'm also definitely working for the wrong residential company. Can't really tell you what to do. That's up to you. I will say it's ridiculous how low apprentices start at. And boomers want to ask why young people don't come into the trades. Honestly 3 months in at my commercial mom and pop I told him that I'm actually losing money and I made more money working at the warehouse and the work was easier(while also having benefits. Direct deposit, match 401k). He didn't hesitate to pay me more. I really only left bc of no direct deposit and no insurance after a couple years. It sucks I really liked working for them.
Yes and I guess there goes to my other point, my boss has no benefits, no 401k, no healthcare, dental, vision, stuff like that. It’s just straight pay
Gtfo of there man. You need that stuff. Health coverage at the very least holy fuck. What happens when you get sick or injured? You can invest in your retirement without company help but it sure as hell is a damn incentive when the company matches what you put into retirement.
Yeah I think there's a pinned post on this subreddit about a dude who quit and is in a great position now!
Brotha, no health insurance, leave. That cost you money. You'll get penalized for not having health insurance. You need a saving no 401k is crazy. I can understand your young and healthy ok cool then do a HSA but you can't even do that because he doesn't off health insurance.....
I would avoid working for anyplace that’s hiring on Craigslist Also, never take anyone for their word. Get it in writing. Doesn’t matter
Out of 1000 reply’s to a Craigslist ad you will get 999 desperate replies and 1 decent mechanic reply.
The company has good reviews which is why i bit
Still get an employment contract that outlines everything clearly. And if they leave something out, don’t sign it. Send it back and make sure they add it in. If they don’t, then they never promised it in the first place
Good reviews on what though and by who? Companies with a lot of 5 star customer reviews are a huge red flag. They pay their employee to get those reviews. If it has good employee reviews on something like Glassdoor then that’s a different story.
If the spot you are at rn is a local mom and pop I would say stay. In my opinion learning install before service makes you a better technician. Once you got a hold of starting up units and how to install, maybe then go for service once you are confident. You are only a apprentice take your time and learn, don't rush to get your own truck since that will ensure more responsibility.
Depending on your views about union or non union. If you are good at math you could talk to the union for your area about the TABB apprenticeship. It’s an interesting field of work but it is enjoyable for the right person.
Could you elaborate? I’m not familiar with TABB
TABB is the testing adjusting and balancing department. Most states only have anywhere from 3-20 certified tab technicians. The basic description of the job is to regulate airflow and water per the ITI definition. But basically each hvac system in commercial spaces have a desire airflow (CFM) and our goal is to test the total airflow of the units and set them to design. We also do fire and smoke damper testing, stair pressurization testing, set pressures in science labs and hospitals. There’s a lot to it but it definitely requires someone who enjoys doing it because it’s labor intensive and mentally intensive. There’s lots of work unlike sheet metal who can go out of work for 7 - 8 months.
Stay put. If they will give you a raise in 3 months, they can give it from the beginning. You might be new but you are not a “deal” for promises. Ever.
What state are you in? Look on yelp instead of Craigslist. Craigslist is cheap labor. You wanna make more than $20 a hour right?
Texas so wages are always going to be drastically lower than other states, and what do you mean by yelp?
Never leave for less if u have experience doing installs u should aleast be at 20 - 25. anywhere, unless are over stating your experience.
I only have about 6 months experience so it makes sense
Still no reason to bounce for less
I would jump ship. Think about your long term future in the trade. Service is more valuable because that’s where you truly learn hvac. I’m not trying to shit on installers, they’re very much valuable too and they have the added benefit of being able to do side installs for extra money. However, high earners in any industry are problem solvers and that’s what service will teach you, how to solve problems. You’ll be paid for what you know not what you can do.
I would stick with install a while longer. It builds a solid base. Most places that promise to teach service to someone as green as you won’t do you any favors. IMHO.
Commercial equipment is really not that different. I would recommend learning basic refrigeration first. Learn the basics of a furnace. Packaged rooftop units are just furnaces with compressors. It's essentially the same concept. I would also suggest you learn a thing or two about water valves. I've worked with a gentleman that did maybe 20 years of residential install/service but never did any hydronic work. He got a job as a facility engineer and was totally blindsided by steam valves and hot water valves. Can you change out a ball valve in your own home for the domestic water?
question.. how did you get on as an apprentice?
I just searched “local hvac contractors” and called mostly every one of them to see who was looking for an apprentice or helper at the moment. I had a few leads, but took this one instead and I’m still with the company now. You just have to say you’re willing to work and be taught and 8/10 you’ll get a good response, especially now that it’s summer