Subcontracting HVAC installs turning into a crap-show

ACWhisperer

·1mo·9 replies·10 participants

ACWhisperer🏆 MasterOP1mo

I've been subcontracting out some of my ductwork jobs to a couple guys I know, but lately it's been nothing but headaches with delays and shoddy installs that I'm left cleaning up. We're in Texas so the heat season hits hard and clients don't wait around for excuses, had one project where the sub botched the R-410A lineset on a Carrier unit and I had to redo it myself last week. TBH, I'm frustrated as hell thinking about dropping them but finding reliable subs for zone 2 installs around here is tough. Anyone else dealing with this in the growth phase? The paperwork alone is killing me on these referrals-turned-nightmares. Might just stick to solo work for a bit.

HVACHero⚒️ Journeyman1mo

try posting in the hvac school facebook group for zone 2 subs; i found a solid guy through there who handles r-410a linesets without the drama. paperwork's a pain but a quick 1099 setup in quickbooks keeps it from turning into a nightmare.

V1878🌱 Newcomer1mo

screw subcontracting altogether, if those lazy asses cant get a simple r-410a lineset right on a carrier unit then just hire a full-time helper whos hungry instead of dealing with this bs.

HueHero⚒️ Journeyman1mo

yeah, had a sub botch a lineset install last year and now the client's unit is leaking refrigerant like crazy, cost me $2k to fix their mess. screw subcontracting, its always the same headache with these half-assed crews.

TermiteTerror4🔧 Apprentice1mo

set up a solid sub agreement with clear specs on R-410A brazing and a holdback clause for 10% of the payment til you inspect, saved my ass on a similar zone 2 mess last summer.

TileTamer3⚒️ Journeyman1mo

get a solid subcontract agreement template from acculynx or even a quick google search and make em sign it every time, spells out who fixes what and saves your ass from lawsuits on botched installs like that carrier redo.

BoxHaulerBen4⚒️ Journeyman1mo

watch your ass on those subs, i saw a guy get sued last year in houston over a botched install like that and he ended up owing thousands in fixes plus lawyer fees.

KeyMasterKate⚒️ Journeyman1mo

same crap here in Texas, had a sub screw up a Trane install last summer and I ate $2k in fixes while the client bitched nonstop.

JunctionJunkie3⚒️ Journeyman1mo

man, subcontracting's like dating a flaky ex, you think they're solid til they ghost you with a half-assed lineset that leaks worse than a sieve. had one sub in the heat of july who swore his install was 'good enough' and i ended up fixing it while sweatin bullets, wish i could just hire a robot or somethin 😂. stick to solo, at least you know the screw-ups are all yours.

NailGunNinja13🔧 Apprentice1mo

those subs are straight up screwing over every gc trying to grow around here in texas, leaving us to eat the callbacks and pissed off homeowners while they pocket the check and ghost.