Always Take Measurements Directly Off The Furnace

I have been fabricating sheet metal for the HVAC industry for 11 years. I feel that over that time I have learned a few things about the business. Especially when it comes to residential installations. One thing I tell my customers is to always measure off the actual unit that you are installing. It has become a major pet peeve of mine over the years because it continues to happen.

What happens, you may ask. Well it's simple. An installer will typically give me measurements off the provided secifications sheet of the unit to be installed. Problem is, these sheets can be confusing and measurments are almost always given wrong. Which means that the installer will call me again and need a transition or plenum ASAP. This affects my time and the installers as well. Not to mention the added cost for the contractor and potentially the customer. This can prove very costly for jobs with tight profit margins.

Why do you care? You get double the business.

Although this is true, it isn't the way I want to make my money and you shouldn't either. Mistakes will happen over the course of any job. Will I make money on those mistakes, yes. However, I will make more money over time if my customers are getting jobs done faster and properly. They will be able to provide more word of mouth business for K & E Sheet Metal. The more jobs they are on and complete in a timely fashion, the more work that comes my way. Homeowners and customers can be very loyal. If you show them the respect they deserve, they will do the same for you.

The specefication sheet is helpful for many things when intstalling a furnace or air handler. Plenum sizes are not one of them. Do your fabricator a favor. Take your measurements directly from the unit. You'll save money and time in the long run.

Who Needs To Feed And Educate, When You Can Kill

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Phone Ringing Less And Less

Over the last few weeks, business has leveled out. After my last post, the phone has not been ringing as much and it is getting frustrating. Because the company is small, we are able to get by when things aren't going gangbusters. However, I have been hearing rumblings from others that things are slowing for them as well.

Most of the smaller contractors I fabricate for are looking for a decent summer season. The winter has been busy, but mild when compared to other winters. Upstate New York has seen low levels of snowfall this season. Philly, Washington, New York City are all getting clobbered with snow and nothing up this way, strange. The temperatures have been in the 20's and 30's, which is mild for this time of year. February is usually bitter cold.

In order to have a positive year after catching up from 2008 and 2009, we will need to have a quality air conditioning season, along with continued strength through the rest of the winter

The Floor Is Filling Up Again

When the floor is full. Things are getting better. For the past couple weeks, the floor has been full. Meaning that orders are coming in on a more consistent basis.

For the size shop that we have, this is a good start to the week. A couple full size duct orders coupled with some plenum's and transitions. Some stuff was picked up this morning. If I had taken the picture earlier, this would look even better.

Hopefully this will continue through the rest of the winter and into spring. If air conditioning season in the north east is anything like last year. We're gonna need a good winter to offset the losses. 

Fingers Crossed

Sheet Metal Apprenticeships In New York State

This Comes from the New York State Department Of Labor. Below is an example of what is available. There are other cities in the state looking for apprentices.

Berkshire buys Burlington Northern - MarketWatch

Berkshire buys Burlington Northern - MarketWatch

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Hoping For A Cold Winter

A/C season was a joke for us. Upstate New York had one of the coolest summers that I can remember. I only turned my air conditioning on, maybe two times this summer. That doesn't help anyone in the A/C business. Luckily we also have the fabrication shop to keep us productive. Things have stayed rather steady for us fabrication wise. Some of our old customers have returned and things are going well.

A cold winter is what we need to get the ball rolling again. Furnace change-outs are one of our main sources of business. Because we have the fab shop, there is a short turn around time for custom metal. The company can get 3-4 change-outs done a week. You have to remember, we are a small company. My father and myself, that's a good week for us.

It's tough to grow a company without consistent business, obviously. A cold winter, with some consistent orders and jobs would get us back on track to complete these goals. For now, we'll do what needs to be done. If the housing market has finally bottomed, there's hope for some work trickling our way spring of next year. Today, I cross my fingers for a chilly winter.