What actually needs to happen—and what can wait
Every HVAC startup looks the same at the beginning: an empty garage, a couple of tools, and a plan that feels bigger than your bank account.
The difference between the guys who make it past Month One and the ones who disappear isn’t talent—it’s structure. The first 30 days aren’t about growth. They’re about building something that works under pressure.
This is the real-world checklist I’d follow if I were starting from zero today.
🧠 Week 1: Get Legal, Get Organized, Get Serious
Before you touch a tool, you lock in the foundation. Skip this, and everything downstream gets harder.
📄 Day 1–2: Make the Business Real (On Paper)
If you’re still operating like a side hustle, customers and suppliers will treat you like one.
You need:
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Registered business name (LLC or equivalent)
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EIN
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Business bank account
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Basic accounting setup
👉 IRS small business startup guide:
🔗 https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed
Rule: Never mix personal and business money. Ever.
🛡️ Day 3–4: Insurance & Risk Reality Check
One bad install can wipe out a new company.
Minimum coverage:
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General liability insurance
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Commercial auto (if applicable)
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Workers’ comp (if required in your state)
You don’t need max coverage—but you do need enough to survive a mistake.
🗂️ Day 5–7: Paperwork Systems (Yes, This Matters)
Create simple systems now, before jobs pile up.
Set up:
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Job folders (digital or physical)
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Invoice templates
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Estimate templates
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Warranty documentation process
If paperwork feels annoying now, wait until you’re chasing money later.
🧰 Week 2: Tools, Gear & Garage Setup
This is where most startups overspend—or underprepare.
🔧 Day 8–10: Tool Reality Check
You don’t need every tool. You need the right ones.
Core categories:
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Hand tools (nut drivers, wrenches, cutters)
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Electrical diagnostics (multimeter, voltage tester)
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Refrigeration tools (vacuum pump, gauges, micron gauge)
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Safety gear (gloves, eye protection)
Buy tools that prevent callbacks, not ones that look good online.
🏗️ Day 11–12: Garage = Your First Warehouse
Your garage is your first shop. Treat it like one.
Organize:
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Tools by category
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Consumables (tape, fittings, connectors)
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Equipment staging area
If you can’t find something in under 30 seconds, you’re wasting billable time.
🚐 Day 13–14: Vehicle Setup (Simple > Fancy)
You don’t need a wrapped van. You need:
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Secure tool storage
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Clean appearance
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Organized shelving
A messy vehicle tells customers you’re disorganized—even if you’re not.
📞 Week 3: Sales, Scheduling & First Calls
This is when the business starts to feel real.
📱 Day 15–16: Phone, Email & Professional Presence
You need to look legit before the phone rings.
Set up:
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Business phone number
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Professional voicemail
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Business email address
Customers trust businesses that look established—even if you’re brand new.
🌐 Day 17–18: Basic Online Setup
No fancy website required yet.
Minimum:
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Google Business Profile
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Service area defined
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Accurate contact info
👉 Google Business Profile setup:
🔗 https://www.google.com/business
This is how locals find you.
📆 Day 19–21: Scheduling & Invoicing Systems
If you can’t schedule cleanly, you’ll double-book or forget jobs.
Use software that handles:
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Scheduling
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Estimates
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Invoices
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Payments
Even basic tools beat handwritten notes.
🔥 Week 4: Equipment, Suppliers & First Install Prep
Now you prepare to actually install equipment—and get paid for it.
🏭 Day 22–23: Choose Equipment You Can Stand Behind
Early on, predictability beats innovation.
Reliable systems:
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Easy installs
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Available parts
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Clear documentation
You want installs you can repeat without surprises.
❄️ Day 24–25: Refrigerant & Compliance Readiness
If you’re working with modern refrigerants like R-32, know the rules.
You must:
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Follow EPA handling guidelines
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Use proper recovery equipment
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Document installs
👉 EPA refrigerant compliance overview:
🔗 https://www.epa.gov/section608
Fines don’t care if you’re “just starting out.”
🧪 Day 26–27: Mock Install & Dry Run
Before your first paid job:
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Lay out tools
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Walk through the install mentally
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Time yourself
If something feels clunky now, it’ll feel worse under pressure.
📝 Day 28–29: First Job Checklist
Before leaving for your first install, confirm:
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Tools packed
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Equipment verified
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Permits (if required)
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Customer expectations set
Rushed installs create long-term problems.
🧠 Day 30: The First Install Mindset
Your first job isn’t about speed. It’s about doing it right.
Focus on:
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Clean workmanship
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Proper evacuation & testing
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Documentation
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Customer walkthrough
A good first install leads to referrals. A sloppy one leads to stress.
🚨 Common 30-Day Startup Mistakes
Avoid these and you’re already ahead.
❌ Overspending on branding instead of tools
❌ Skipping insurance
❌ Buying equipment you don’t fully understand
❌ Underpricing jobs to “get experience”
❌ No system for paperwork
Experience doesn’t pay bills—finished jobs do.
🧱 Tony’s Final Word: The First 30 Days Set the Tone
If you build discipline now, growth comes later.
In your first month:
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Be organized
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Be prepared
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Be consistent
You don’t need to look big. You need to operate clean.
Get through the first 30 days the right way, and you’ll still be standing when others burn out.
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In the next topic we will know more about: Tool Up Right: Must-Have Startup Tools (and Why They Matter)
