20 Oct 2026
Your $25/hour HVAC technician doesn't actually cost you $25 an hour. Not even close.
Think paying an HVAC technician $25 an hour means they cost your business $25 an hour? THINK AGAIN!
In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG, Marty, and Will pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of the HVAC industry: LABOR BURDEN, PRICING, AND PROFITABILITY.
We're breaking down the REAL numbers behind running an HVAC service business and why that $25-per-hour technician can actually cost a company more than $75,000 per year!
And we're not just talking theory. We're sharing real-world experiences, mistakes, lessons learned, and strategies from inside our businesses.
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT:
The $25 Technician Myth — Why hourly wages are only the beginning of what a technician actually costs.
Where Does the Money Go? — Health insurance, paid time off, taxes, bonuses, company trucks, fuel, training, and all the expenses customers never see.
Labor Burden & Profit Margins — Understanding your true costs, billable efficiency, overhead, and how to price services without gouging customers.
Are You Losing Money Without Knowing It? — How poor scheduling, doubling up technicians, unnecessary drive time, and nonbillable hours can destroy profitability.
Why Does a $20 HVAC Part Cost $300 to Install? — The debate over service pricing, warranties, professional expertise, and the true value customers receive.
📈 The Changing HVAC Market — Why more homeowners are choosing repairs over replacements and what that means for service companies.
Investing in Your People — Why transparent numbers, hands-on technical training, and building a strong company culture make a difference.
AND OF COURSE... THE BEER!
Will is back from two weeks in Ireland, complete with a castle wedding and plenty of stories. JG brings out a homemade chocolate stout on nitro, inspired by Guinness, as the guys settle in for another round of honest conversation.
NO CORPORATE SCRIPT. NO SUGARCOATING. JUST REAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE TRADES, BUSINESS, AND BEER.
Whether you're an HVAC technician, service manager, business owner, or homeowner wondering why professional service costs what it does, this episode is for you.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
HVAC professionals: Do you know your actual labor burden?
Homeowners: Does understanding these expenses change the way you look at HVAC service pricing?
Drop your thoughts in the comments. We want to hear from you!
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Grab a cold one, pull up a chair, and join us!
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