HVAC Know It All Podcast10 Dec 2025

How to Start an HVAC Business Without Sub Risks or Admin Chaos with Robin & Ian

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes along with guests Robin Henry, Owner of Pinnacle Building Performance and Ian Schotanus, The HR Guy and Co-owner of The Big Picture Consulting, cover essential topics for those thinking of starting or growing their own HVAC business, including subcontracting vs. employees, payroll setup, hiring, marketing, and more. If you're a technician dreaming of business ownership, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you navigate the early stages of building your own HVAC business.

Expect to Learn:

The risks and considerations of subcontracting vs. hiring employees
How to set up payroll, unemployment, and worker's comp
The challenges and strategies in managing business growth
How to handle administrative work and stay organized
The importance of marketing and creative approaches to attracting customers

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] - Introduction

[00:01:25] - Lawsuit Risk and Subcontracting

[00:11:18] - Robin's Experience with Hiring

[00:13:06] - Payroll, Unemployment, and Worker's Comp

[00:15:36] - Advice for Aspiring Business Owners

[00:17:24] - Mistakes Made by First-Time Business Owners

[00:18:06] - The Wall of Hats

[00:19:04] - Admin Work: The Hidden Burden of Business Ownership

[00:21:20] - Administrative Inflation

[00:22:01] - Closing Remarks

Follow Guest Robin Henry on:

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

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