Why HVAC Technicians Struggle to Build Successful Businesses with Daniel Quinonez

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero speak with Daniel Quinonez, Chief Operating Officer of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors -National Association. They discuss contractor communities, member education, apprenticeship programs, and the operational challenges facing small HVAC businesses.

Dan explains how contractors can access peer support, business resources, and training opportunities through membership. He also shares his perspective on hiring green apprentices versus experienced technicians and the fragmented approach to trade training across the United States.

Expect To Learn:

• How contractor communities can provide peer support and business resources.

• Why business operations can be challenging for technicians who become owners.

• Ways AI can support administrative work without replacing technicians.

• The tradeoffs between hiring experienced technicians and training apprentices.

• How contractor-sponsored apprenticeship programs combine coursework and hands-on experience.

• Why training requirements and licensing vary across U.S. states.

• The case for a more coordinated national strategy for trade education.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:27 - PHCC's history, membership, and education programs

05:05 - Benefits of joining a contractor chapter

06:44 - Common needs of small contractors

09:25 - Operational and time-management challenges

11:53 - Hiring apprentices versus experienced technicians

13:24 - Online apprenticeship training and contractor sponsorship

17:30 - Training capacity at large and small companies

18:32 - The lack of a national training strategy

20:04 - China's unified trade-training standards

Follow our Guest Daniel Quinonez:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-quinonez-690ba68/

• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phccnational/

• Company Website: https://www.phccweb.org/

Follow Gary McCreadie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

• Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow Furman Haynes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

• WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/