HVAC Community Hub | Caleb | Activity

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:02:38 +1200

About 18 months. Once they depend on you the conversation changes. But you have to actually deliver first.

In reply to - Francesco posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I have a chance to get into some decent work. Constant-ish. To get into it I have to lower my prices a good amount. Beat out two companies […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:44:45 +1200

What’s to think about. You’re solo right now and your overhead is low. At one point I had a client at $100/hr and they were dumping 7 calls a day on me across 45 locations. There are ways to make the math work if the volume is real. 25 years in SoCal 5 employees now. It can be done.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 05:57:01 +1200

Depends what you enjoy more solving problems or building systems.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs You guys enjoy installs or you’d rather be out doing service calls feels like two completely different jobs sometimes.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 30 May 2026 20:39:54 +1200

Different strokes. Works for me.

In reply to - Michael posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Anyone else feel like equipment prices are just never going back down. Quoted a 3 ton Carrier install today. My cost on the equipment alone […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 30 May 2026 20:33:26 +1200

Once in probably 40 times. Guy tried to negotiate my markup directly which was annoying but I held firm and he still booked. The other 39 times it built instant trust.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 30 May 2026 01:14:18 +1200

Facebook groups is your best bet for beginners. Genuine tip, not every area has the same groups that work. DM me your state and service area and I can send you a list of the groups worth being active in. Got AI to compile it, happy to share.

In reply to - Oliver posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Curious on what people did for marketing starting out. I have been posting in Facebook groups and boosting Facebook posts. Started in March. April […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 30 May 2026 00:03:27 +1200

Show them the invoice. Literally show them your cost and your markup and let them do the math. I started doing this with skeptical customers last year and it completely changes the conversation. Nobody argues with paper.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 29 May 2026 03:12:35 +1200

And when it fails in 95 degree heat in August she’s sweating in her house waiting for an emergency call. Sometimes the harder conversation today is the kinder thing.

In reply to - Matteo posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Had a moment yesterday that’s been sitting with me.Called out to a longtime customer. Widow in her late 70s, been using us for 11 years. […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 29 May 2026 01:49:44 +1200

Except doctors don’t get accused of being shady salesmen when they recommend surgery.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 21 May 2026 23:21:27 +1200

Shop every 2 years minimum. Loyalty doesn’t get you anything with insurance carriers.

In reply to - Hugo posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I want to know who else is getting absolutely crushed by insurance this year. General liability went up 22% at renewal. Commercial auto up […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Mon, 18 May 2026 20:51:56 +1200

We had one customer approved for 72 months at almost 19%. He still took it because his system was dead.

In reply to - Connor posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Been looking at changing financing companies after one of our dealer fees jumped from 1.9% to almost 4%. Not a huge deal on smaller tickets […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 03:07:14 +1200

Sublimation lasts way longer than vinyl in my experience.

In reply to - Emiliano posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Need to order new company shirts, hoodies, equipment stickers and yard signs before things get busy again. Last batch looked great for about a […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sun, 03 May 2026 20:44:20 +1200

I explain it like this the system runs at one speed, the thermostat just tells it when to stop. Lower number doesn’t make it cool faster, just longer.

In reply to - William posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices walked into a house today and thermostat was set to 60 place already freezing. customer goes it’s not cooling right stood there for a second […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sun, 03 May 2026 03:22:43 +1200

I always go back assuming I missed something then prove to myself I didn’t. That’s the only way to stay consistent.

In reply to - Owen posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs how many callbacks do you guys actually consider normal before you start second guessing the original job? i’m not talking about random stuff breaking […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:35:09 +1200

Reliability matters, but price still wins most of the time.

In reply to - Hunter posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Trying to get in with a few builders right now and still figuring out my pricing. Feels like I’m coming in too high because I’m not getting […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:46:40 +1300

If the client ever finds out what you paid the sub and what you charged them things get awkward fast. just saying.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs When you guys bring in a sub on a job, do you usually mark up their labor or just pass their rate through to the client?

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:03:20 +1300

Insurance adjusters love to say pre-existing issue.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello,

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:11:15 +1300

Skip the online certs and go knock on shop doors. Half these companies just need someone who shows up on time.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I’m looking at getting into HVAC and trying to figure out the best first step. Trade school isn’t something I can commit to right now, so I’ve […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:44:56 +1300

Season matters. I’m not firing up cooling when it’s freezing outside just to prove a point.

In reply to - Jacob posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello All,

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:52:57 +1300

I had this happen and it ended up being a bad defrost sensor.

In reply to - Wyatt posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Noticed my outdoor unit basically turned into an ice block after the last stretch of brutal cold and snow. I know some frost is normal, but […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:07:05 +1300

Old boilers don’t recover fast. Never have.

In reply to - William posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Cold start on an older boiler today. Took longer than expected to come up to temp.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:21:53 +1300

Ah yes, the modern art version of a condensate drain.

In reply to - Liam posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices This drain setup is a future service call waiting to happen. Condensate issues shut more systems down than bad boards lately.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:46:21 +1300

Yeah slope is minimal. Water sits there longer than I like. Might rework that section completely instead of band-aiding it.

In reply to - Caleb posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Condensate pump is running but water keeps backing up after a few cycles. Drain technically flows, but something in this trap or discharge […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 06:36:16 +1300

No vent on it right now. Good call. Didn’t even think about air lock until it started acting up after multiple cycles.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 05:03:05 +1300

That’s what I’m starting to think. It’ll clear once, maybe twice, then water creeps back. Going to measure the vertical lift and probably shorten the run.

Caleb posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Condensate pump is running but water keeps backing up […]

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 03:17:03 +1300

Condensate pump is running but water keeps backing up after a few cycles. Drain technically flows, but something in this trap or discharge setup isn’t working long term.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:31:30 +1300

Those are the worst jobs. Everything checks out but still acts wrong.

In reply to - Fabio posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices System starts and runs, but once everything is online the behavior isn’t consistent. Supply temp swings after runtime, heat transfer isn’t […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:14:55 +1300

I’d be checking safeties in series. One open switch will make it look dead without throwing a fault. Especially pressure switches or rollout.

In reply to - James posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Unit won’t respond even though everything has power.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:49:06 +1300

Relatable.

In reply to - Luke posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Came here to do one thing, forgot what that thing was, and somehow I’m still scrolling like it’ll come back to me.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:05:55 +1300

If I don’t check, I won’t sleep anyway.

In reply to - Edward posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices GN. Done for the day. Still scrolling work stuff though.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:13:40 +1300

Hectic days always pick the worst timing.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Long day today. Everything took a little longer than it should’ve.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:27:38 +1300

I still think this should be sorted before a tech ever gets dispatched.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Didn’t even touch the unit today. Spent 40 minutes just figuring out who actually controls it – tenant says one thing, building manager says […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:08:41 +1300

That room is never actually empty.

In reply to - Alessandro posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Showed up to a site where the unit room was technically accessible, but stacked with boxes, ladders, and random storage. Spent more […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 18:44:22 +1300

Fuel gels faster than people think when temps drop overnight.

In reply to - Jordan posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Pulled up to a call this morning and the service truck wouldn’t start – battery was fine, fuel was fine… cold just hit it harder than […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:48:27 +1300

Check the ground lugs inside the drive. Had one loosen up on us and it only acted up once in a while.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment VFD keeps throwing random ground-fault alarms with nothing actually wrong. Wiring looks fine, everything dry, tests clean.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:13:24 +1300

Check your call-to-action. If you’re saying 3 things at once, they won’t do any of them.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group HVAC Email Pipeline Builder |Nurture Leads. Follow Up. Close More Deals Bit confused with our email pipeline right now… people are opening the automated emails, but barely […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:36:57 +1300

Exactly – even small changes help a lot.

In reply to - Caleb posted an update in the group HVAC Email Pipeline Builder |Nurture Leads. Follow Up. Close More Deals Lately I’ve noticed my email pipeline was a mess – missed follow-ups, late estimate reminders, and […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:36:56 +1300

😂 Been there. That’s exactly why I fixed mine.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:36:54 +1300

Haha, same here earlier. Easy to ignore until problems start showing.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:36:52 +1300

Nothing too crazy – just tightened the main follow-up steps so nothing gets missed.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:36:51 +1300

You’ll feel the difference right away once you organize it. It helped me a lot.

Caleb posted an update in the group HVAC Email Pipeline Builder |Nurture Leads. Follow Up. Close More Deals: Lately I’ve noticed my email pipeline was a mess - missed […]

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:36:50 +1300

Lately I’ve noticed my email pipeline was a mess – missed follow-ups, late estimate reminders, and customers slipping through the cracks.
I finally rebuilt the whole thing, and it’s already making a big difference in how fast people reply and stay connected.
Just sharing this in case anyone else is working on their pipeline too.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:21:11 +1300

Thank you for keeping this place organized. I appreciate the effort.

In reply to - Tyler posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment I’d love to see everyone getting more involved across all the groups here. Jump in, share your thoughts, ask questions, and support each other – it […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:58:33 +1300

Make sure your crankcase heater’s wired correctly. Short cycling right after install can mean refrigerant migration overnight.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Swapped in a new scroll compressor last week, and now it’s short cycling every few minutes. Charge looks spot-on, pressures are steady, […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:56:38 +1300

Couldn’t agree more. A solid balance report is the difference between “done” and “done right.”

In reply to - Caleb posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Air balancing isn’t just a final step; it’s what decides if the system actually performs the way it was designed.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:56:37 +1300

100%. Airflow issues are the hidden cause behind most service calls.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:56:36 +1300

Complex projects always remind us how critical balance really is.

Caleb posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Air balancing isn’t just a final step; it’s what decides […]

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:56:33 +1300

Air balancing isn’t just a final step; it’s what decides if the system actually performs the way it was designed.

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:56:29 +1300

Oh sure, variable speed, multi-stage… because regular compressors aren’t complicated enough already.

In reply to - James posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I’ve been thinking about compressors lately – scroll, rotary, screw -they’re really the heart of any cooling system. With variable speed or […]

Caleb posted a new activity comment

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:58:33 +1300

I always struggled to convince clients to pay for preventive checks.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Hey HVAC pros, Here’s the reality: reactive repairs are costly, time-consuming, and stressful -both for your team and your […]