Your first ten HVAC jobs matter more than the next hundred.
Not because they’ll make you rich—they won’t.
But because they set habits. And habits either build a business… or quietly destroy it.
Most start-ups treat early jobs like practice. That’s a mistake. Your first ten jobs should be treated like training reps—done the same way, every time, with a repeatable process you can rely on when things get busy.
Goodman 68,240 BTU 20 kW Electric Furnace with 2,000 CFM Airflow - MBVK20DP1X00, HKTAD201
This guide gives you a step-by-step job sheet you can follow on every early install or service call so nothing gets skipped, rushed, or forgotten.
🧠 Why Start-Ups Need a Job Sheet (Not Just Experience)
Experience comes from repetition.
Repetition only works when the process stays consistent.
A job sheet:
-
Keeps you focused under pressure
-
Prevents missed steps
-
Reduces callbacks
-
Creates documentation
-
Builds confidence faster
If you “wing it” on your first ten jobs, you’ll repeat the same mistakes on your next fifty.
📋 The Goal of the First 10 Jobs
Your first ten jobs should:
-
Be clean, not fast
-
Be documented, not rushed
-
Be profitable enough, not maximized
-
Teach you what to improve next
Think of these jobs as paid training—but only if you treat them seriously.
🧭 PHASE 1: Before You Ever Show Up (Job Prep)
📞 Step 1: Confirm the Job Details (24–48 Hours Before)
Before rolling a truck, confirm:
-
Customer name & address
-
Contact phone number
-
Scope of work
-
Equipment involved
-
Electrical or access constraints
-
Payment terms
Miscommunication causes more early mistakes than lack of skill.
🧰 Step 2: Pre-Load a Job-Specific Tool List
Don’t rely on memory.
Your checklist should include:
-
Electrical tools (meter, torque wrench)
-
Hand tools
-
Consumables (wire, fittings, tape)
-
PPE
-
Documentation tools (phone, clipboard)
Amazon-style tool lists are useful internally—but the key is consistency, not brand.
🚗 PHASE 2: Arrival & Site Verification
🏠 Step 3: Walk the Site Before Touching Anything
Before unloading tools:
-
Locate panels and disconnects
-
Inspect access and clearances
-
Note duct condition
-
Identify potential obstacles
This walk-through prevents mid-job surprises that blow timelines and pricing.
📸 Step 4: Take “Before” Photos
Document:
-
Existing equipment
-
Electrical connections
-
Ductwork
-
Any damage or limitations
Photos protect you later.
AHRI emphasizes documentation as part of professional installation practices:
👉 https://www.ahrinet.org
🔌 PHASE 3: Installation or Service Work
🔧 Step 5: Follow Manufacturer Instructions—Every Time
This isn’t optional.
Manufacturer instructions:
-
Are legally enforceable
-
Control warranty coverage
-
Set safety limits
Goodman and other manufacturers provide detailed install requirements:
👉 https://www.goodmanmfg.com/resources
If you skip steps, you own the consequences.
🔩 Step 6: Verify Electrical & Mechanical Connections
Before startup:
-
Torque all lugs
-
Verify breaker size
-
Confirm wire gauge
-
Secure panels
-
Check grounding
The National Electrical Code exists to keep installers safe:
👉 https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/electrical/understanding-nfpa-70-national-electrical-code
Loose connections are silent failures waiting to happen.
🌬️ PHASE 4: Pre-Start & Startup Checks
📋 Step 7: Run a Pre-Start Checklist
Before energizing:
-
Filters installed
-
Blower speed set
-
Airflow unobstructed
-
Thermostat configured
-
Drain lines connected
-
No tools left inside cabinets
Slow down here. This is where most callbacks are born.
⚡ Step 8: Controlled Startup & Observation
On first startup:
-
Watch sequence of operation
-
Listen for abnormal sounds
-
Check voltage under load
-
Monitor temperature rise
-
Confirm staging works correctly
Energy.gov reinforces that proper startup impacts efficiency and longevity:
👉 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver
Never leave immediately after startup.
📸 PHASE 5: Documentation & Customer Walkthrough
📷 Step 9: Take “After” Photos & Notes
Document:
-
Final wiring
-
Blower settings
-
Control configuration
-
Completed install
Photos help with:
-
Warranty claims
-
Customer disputes
-
Future troubleshooting
Documentation is part of professionalism—not paranoia.
🗣️ Step 10: Walk the Customer Through the System
Before leaving:
-
Explain basic operation
-
Review thermostat use
-
Explain normal startup smells/sounds
-
Discuss filter maintenance
-
Set expectations for follow-up
Educated customers create fewer emergencies.
The SBA highlights communication as a key customer-service best practice:
👉 https://www.sba.gov
💳 PHASE 6: Payment, Paperwork & Follow-Up
🧾 Step 11: Close the Job Financially—Immediately
Before leaving or same day:
-
Collect remaining balance
-
Issue invoice
-
Provide receipt
Delays in payment create cash-flow problems early.
The IRS emphasizes clean records and timely invoicing:
👉 https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed
🔁 Step 12: Schedule a Follow-Up Touchpoint
For installs:
-
7–14 day check-in
-
Quick call or message
This:
-
Catches small issues early
-
Builds trust
-
Encourages reviews
🚫 Common Mistakes First-Time Installers Make in Early Jobs
❌ Skipping Documentation
You can’t defend what you didn’t record.
❌ Rushing to the Next Job
Speed hides mistakes.
❌ Treating Early Jobs Casually
Early jobs define your standards.
🧱 Why This Job Sheet Scales Beyond the First 10 Jobs
Once you’ve run this process ten times:
-
You’ll estimate more accurately
-
You’ll work faster without rushing
-
You’ll reduce callbacks
-
You’ll train helpers more easily
Processes create confidence. Confidence creates growth.
🧠 Mike’s Rules for the First 10 Jobs
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
-
Same process every time
-
Document everything
-
Slow is smooth
-
Finish clean
-
Get paid on time
-
Learn from every job
🧠 Mike’s Final Word
Your first ten jobs won’t define your reputation—but they’ll define you.
They build:
-
Habits
-
Discipline
-
Confidence
-
Standards
If you treat them seriously, they’ll carry you through the next hundred.
Print the job sheet.
Follow it every time.
Refine it as you grow.
That’s how start-ups turn into professionals.
Buy this on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4nvQIts
In the next topic we will know more about: Customer Education Content for Start-Up Technicians
