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When designing a long-lasting antifreeze system for a customer’s hydronic system, you must consider that propylene glycol has a lower BTU carry capacity and is more viscous, than water. Also, regular maintenance is critical for optimal performance of the antifreeze.
Tom Soukup explains the importance of carefully reviewing contracts before signing and pushing back on unfair terms; stand firm on your prices and prioritize your bottom line.
Mechanical contractors must continue to deal with the volatility of material prices and the need to keep employees by raising hourly wages. To do so, they need to raise their rates or they won’t be in business anymore.
Societal divisions don’t only happen in the virtual world. The construction trades have seen the middle ground give way to high-end plumbing/heating applications and low-bid, low-skilled jobs. Tom Soukup has some ideas as to why that happened.
Communicating effectively, highlighting potential issues and providing options demonstrates your expertise to your customers and sets you apart from the lowest bidder. And when unforeseen circumstances arise, you’ll not bear the financial burden.
Keep an open mind when approaching potential boiler replacement projects. You do your customers a disservice when you don’t offer the premium option, only the low-cost one. Not every customer is willing or able to invest in the absolute best solution, but none will if you don’t offer it.
The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to consider how to give back to an industry that has provided you and your employees with a good living. Tom Soukup believes that providing a culture where young people can flourish in careers based on helping people is the best way he can enhance the plumbing trades.
The versatility of hydronic systems is well-known by hydronic contractors, but how about building owners or homeowners? The industry must do a better job of educating the public on the comfort and efficiency that hydronic heating and cooling systems provide.
When discussing how to add quality workers to your plumbing and heating business, look outside those trades. Tom Soukup says to start with people with the right attitude and mindset, which is crucial to the home services business; the technical side can be taught.
Your dream may be to own a plumbing or hydronics contracting business. If so, have plans ready for company growth and succession. After a few years, you may throw an existing plan out entirely; don’t be afraid of change when growing.