Rehab- HVAC Repair Guy
I need to keep my costs down on replacing AC/Furnaces in 3 rent houses. What technique can I use to get this done at a good price? I can write a check and have the AC guy pick up the units at the Goodman factory. I could pay them on an hourly basis. Any ideas on how I can find someone willing to do this? Thanks, DC
The only way I can think of is if you found someone who just recently got his license and opened up a business. Any established contractor is going to charge you near what the average rate is in your area. When I was an electrical contractor I billed by the hour only on jobs you can't estimate. Hourly may not be cheaper. I was getting $45 an hour 5 years ago when I was in the business.[ Edited by LoneGunman on Date 05/17/2004 ]
HVAC is an extremely seasonal business. Take advantage of that factor by replacing the furnace in the middle of the summer and replacing AC in the fall or just before spring.
It is not unusual to find somebody with furnace inventory in the summer who wants to get it off the books, or make room for AC units, the same for AC units during the off season. Additonally those units still in stock are last years model.
Buy a convertable during the summer when everybody wants one and you are going to pay top dollar, buy it during the winter in a snow storm and name your price, works with any seasonal items, snow blowers to lawn mowers.
[ Edited by The-Rehabinator on Date 05/18/2004 ]
According to a friend that used to install furnaces, you can get deals on scratch and dents from the distributor. Not major damage, often just a dent in the sheet metal housing the burner. He used to get them for free, since they couldn't sell them, but he had a relationship with them. And, who cares if they're slightly dinged up, as long as the mechanicals aren't damaged, especially in a rental.
Good luck
Peter
Thanks for the tips. With Goodman based in Houston I'm able to get a hold of the product (except I need a person with a license to pick it up). Yes- I guess I need to find someone hungry. What is req. to have a license? Registration fee or just schooling? I have a MEP engineer buddy I have not asked yet if he has any ideas.
DC