commercial or residential

xchainsz · August 22, 2019, 04:36:46 PM

sup guys, ive been working in commercial for a few months and its a lot to learn.the pay is great but i feel like im kind of wasting my time and thinking of making the switch to residential. any input from experienced techs would be appreciated.

tenletters · August 23, 2019, 05:37:41 AM

I do lite commercial and residential.

How do you feel you're wasting your time? Yeah, there's a lot to learn, but it can be done. Keep reading at night and doing the best you can do through the day. 3 months is nothing. You'll be years before you feel you have even started to scratch the surface.

xchainsz · August 23, 2019, 06:20:42 PM

honestly there's no advancement in the company...normal day is changing filters and belts. service calls go out to G1's and don't take the G2's along to learn. i feel like i do residential they will take me along with them to the service call and install will be dope to learn because i could make some extra cash. but what do i know lol still not that experienced.

Porcupinepuffer · August 24, 2019, 07:10:18 AM

Ditto what tenletters said on experience. Changing belts and filters is expected if you're working alone and brand new. 3 months is nothing. Is there ever a situation where you'll be working with other guys on installs? Are you looking to be more of a service tech then an installer? If you have the drive to get ahead, you'll need to study your weaknesses on your own time. All the information is out there. The more you know, the more valuable you'll be. You don't always need someone there to teach you. Teach yourself.

bster352 · August 30, 2019, 08:34:36 AM

Are they offering a refrigeration apprenticeship? See if your work will help with the cost and go to night school to get your G1. You will eventually get your G1 and ref ticket. It will take a few years and yes you may just do grunt work for a while but it will all be worth it and you probably won't need to do the side jobs once you are fully licensed.

xchainsz · September 01, 2019, 12:15:44 PM

they offered the other tech a apprenticeship but he does the same work as me. it hurt a bit but only 1 guy is licensed in the company for 313A so i understand.

Sergroum · May 03, 2023, 06:59:00 AM

Here is a question. Can a 313a apprentice only one person at a time? Can't he do multiple ones?

It seems like your company is open to providing opportunities. Someone proved it that they are worth the investment. Whether it's by hard work, or personality, or connections I don't know. I guess you'll need to do the same?

You'll have grunt work in residential area as well. Both can pay well to right individuals. Commercial requires less dealing with customers, better technical knowledge, and steady good pay.

Residential requires a significant amount of customer service, average pay with possibilities of significantly silly high bonuses/opportunities (sales leads). Lesser technical knowledge is expected of you, but if you continue educating yourself to end up being really good at what you do, you'll become the golden boy of the company. Good techs are rare in residential.