What is the job market like in the HVAC field in the Austin area? (Houston: hotel)

[looking2tex]

Just wondering if there are any heating and cooling guys (or girls ) on here that could give me some info on what the job market is like for hvac techs in the austin area? I have been checking out some of the job search sites and even craigs list and there seems to always be some opportunities advertised.

Up here in the NE it is up and down.... with huge down times in the spring and fall (we like to call it the free season because we haven't had to turn on a/c or heat for almost 2 months now).

I would think that with the long hot summers and short fall/winter seasons down there that business would be booming in hvac for both service techs and installers. Any advice?

[Tim_Barton]

Very true, but I can tell you from my fathers time doing HVAC. It has it ups and downs. Expect to be let go after big jobs are done. Basically even here in Austin the HVAC techs are contracted (if you think of it that way). You will be jumping ship plenty of times.
If you are ok with that, there are jobs here in that field of work. Longer summers HVAC jobs are plenty. Key thing is to save while in those months. In the fall / winter HVAC really is not needed. So consider a 3-5 month hibernation vacation or work part-time / full time doing something else.

Cheers

[mark311]

I won't be seeing my HVAC guy for a while since I just had him completely replace both my upstairs and downstairs systems over the past two years, but he gave me a better deal on a new system if I waited until his slow time around Thanksgiving.

One thing that I've noticed is that HVAC work here is probably a little more physically demanding and stressful than other places. A lot of the two story homes in the suburbs here have HVAC systems in the attic. It's a lot of dragging parts up and downstairs and working in an attic that is 130 degrees because it's 105 degrees outside during the summer. Everything is an emergency when it's 100 degrees every day for months so there is a lot of pressure to get it working immediately otherwise your client might need to check into a hotel to escape the heat until it's fixed.

I always stocked up on Gatorade when my HVAC guy and his employee were out working in my attic during the summer. They both could basically wring out their shirts after being up there for about 45 minutes.

[heetseeker]

hvac is a good business no matter where you are. the hardest part is finding a company that fits you, do you like installs, change outs or repair ? I started as a maintenance tech, I was ready to advance to service tech. but the boss couldn't care less so I quit. Throughout the years I improved my skills and had and have very good carrer.

[CptnRn]

Construction jobs have dropped by 30% since the beginning of the recession. There is still some work here maintaining and repairing existing HVAC systems but I'm sure the competition is fierce given the overall drop in construction jobs.

[tex1901]

It is not the right time of year to be looking. Stay where you are. Wait until April, but wages are lower in Austin than Dallas or Houston.

[Dr.Mom]

I'm not sure where you are in the NE, but I'm about 45 minutes west of Philly and the HVAC company I use is _always_ looking for employees. Every time I have them come out, they complain about how busy they are and that they can't find any good techs. If you're interested, DM me and I'll give you their contact info.

[looking2tex]

Originally Posted by tex1901

It is not the right time of year to be looking. Stay where you are. Wait until April, but wages are lower in Austin than Dallas or Houston.

That will be fine because I will not be getting their until March at the earliest, but hopefully by April for sure.


Dr.Mom...Appreciate the offer but I am not close enough to Philly...SE lower Michigan but thanks anyway.