Dallas TX vs Raleigh NC Startup HVAC company (Spring: houses, live in)

[JFriend]

I'm looking at starting a HVAC company in one of two places "Dallas TX or Raleigh NC." I have a license in both areas for residential and commercial. I passed my TX license last year and before that I passed my NC license. My family is from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and MO. Dallas fit because it isn't to far away but far enough away if you know what I mean. My son lives in Wilmington, NC. If I move to Dallas I could fly him back and forth for a few hundred dollars every other weekend. If I live in Raleigh I'd drive a five hour round trip to pick him up every other weekend. My son is 13. I have spoken with my son about this decision and he's fine with me possible starting a company in Dallas or Raleigh.

I know you get season changes in Raleigh, but I was looking at longer and hotter summers in Dallas. I've had a few friends who went to Dallas and love it. Their businesses are doing well. But they are electricians and plumbers and not HVAC guys.

A little about me... my ex remarried several years ago and I didn't. So I feel like I'm at the stage where I want to meet someone and settle down. Here in Raleigh there seems to be a lack of single women or more families. I've been to churches around Raleigh and mostly they focus on families and leave the older single men/women out... I'm 38. So I feel like I'm in one of those awkward places in life. I get the questions on why haven't you remarried and why are you still single questions till I'm blue in the face. I even had the "good friend" tell me that he and his wife were talking and wanted to know if I was gay because I hadn't remarried since my divorce 11 years ago. I've had the "friends" who want to hook you up on a blind date that goes terribly wrong because you really don't have anything in common intellectually or physically. Lol.

I've visited Dallas several times and I seem to run into more women who are single and wanting to settle down and start a family then here. Most that I have went out with in Raleigh still want to explore the world or want a man with a PHD. So my adventures begin...

So this brings me back to the serious question I have about starting an HVAC company here in Raleigh NC or in Dallas TX. I will have to advertise in either place to get my phone to ring and so both are equal in that regards. I'm trying to do my research as to what people charge for a service call in Dallas & Raleigh. So far in Raleigh I have found out that most companies charge between $79 to $99. I'm assuming Dallas will charge about the same. The companies here in Raleigh are smaller than the companies I've spoken with in Dallas.

Anyone have any advice as to which place would be a better fit for an HVAC company?

I've found in Dallas office with warehouse spaces to be cheaper and more of them than in Raleigh. Raleigh had offices with warehouses that was expensive since the size was larger. I found in Dallas a 1300 warehouse for 900-1200 a month. Raleigh had more 1500 sq ft places for $1500-1800 per month.

[cyrece]

OMG..I would totally think Dallas! We have seriously had an AC truck on our street for the last week...the heat! Good luck in your venture! Def lots of competition here, but if you can establish yourself honestly and fairly, you should be good!

[jhilde101]

Dallas!!! My AC guy is so busy, it takes him 2 days to call me back.
The DFW population is over 5million.

[iheartdallas]

Definitely come to Dallas! We are in need of good and reasonable HVAC guys! I was using one of the better known companies for my service needs. Last year it was $89/unit. I called for my Spring service and no lie they went up to $149/unit. I called an independent a/c guy that was referred to me. I had better service and it was $79.50/unit!