HVAC Know It All Podcast26 Nov 2025

What HVAC Techs Must Know to Start the Business Right and Stay Legal with Robin and Ian

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes discuss the foundational steps of starting your own HVAC business with Robin Henry, Owner of Pinnacle Building Performance and Ian Schotanus, The HR Guy and Co-owner of The Big Picture Consulting. From forming an LLC to hiring your first employee and handling subcontractors, the conversation focuses on the gritty, real-world decisions entrepreneurs must make. The episode features firsthand accounts from Robin Henry and Ian Schotanus, delivering both practical and legal perspectives on launching and scaling an HVAC business.

Expect to Learn:

The real-life journey of launching an HVAC business from scratch.
Legal and tax differences between sole proprietorship, LLC, and S Corp.
When and how to hire your first employee or consider using subcontractors.
Practical field decisions like truck outfitting, insurance, and storage options.
How administrative responsibilities grow and how to manage them efficiently.

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] - Introduction & Why Start an HVAC Business

[00:03:37] - Legal & Tax Steps for Starting Out

[00:05:51] - Risk Management & Insurance Must-Haves

[00:08:45] - Field Startup Essentials: Tools, Truck, and Branding

[00:12:08] - Storage Solutions & Work-Life Separation

[00:16:26] - Navigating Local Licences and Utility Rebates

[00:18:55] - Hiring Your First Employee vs. Using Subs

Follow Guest Robin Henry on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-henry-3a460482

Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/pinnaclebuildingperformance/?hl=en

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

Company's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pinnaclebp

Company's Website: https://www.pinnaclebuildingperformance.com/about-us/

Follow Guest Ian Schotanus on:

Company's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-big-picture-consulting

Company's Website: https://thebigpictureconsulting.com/about-us

Company's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebigpictureconsulting/

Follow the Hosts:

Follow Furman Haynes on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/WorkHero-61562122449748/

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

Follow Gary McCreadie on:

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/

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