Heating and ventilation maintenance contractor
Install and service heating, cooling and ventilation systems for shops, offices and apartment buildings on regular contracts.
- A$60k-150k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small team that installs, services and repairs heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in commercial and multi-unit buildings, with scheduled maintenance visits on agreed contracts.
Your first three steps
- Check which licences you and any staff need for ventilation, gas and refrigerant work with your state licensing body
- Set up a business structure, ABN, insurance and a simple job scheduling and invoicing system
- Approach local property managers and strata managers with a clear price list for routine servicing
Who pays
Building owners, property and facilities managers, strata committees, and owners of shops, offices and cafes.
How it makes money
Fixed fees for installation jobs plus annual or quarterly maintenance contracts, with call-out charges for repairs outside the contract.
Skills that help
- Refrigeration and air conditioning trade qualification and licences
- Scheduling jobs and managing a small crew
- Writing quotes and maintenance proposals
Watch out for
- Handling refrigerants needs a national licence, and work on electrical connections, gas or plumbing may need separate state licences, so check each
- Public liability and workers compensation insurance once you hire, through your state scheme
- Working on roofs and in plant rooms carries safety risks, so check work health and safety requirements for working at heights
- Maintenance contracts can be slow to win, so cash flow in the first months may be tight
- Check your contract terms for warranty obligations on installed equipment
- Start-up costs cover vehicles, refrigerant recovery equipment, gauges, vacuum pumps, tools, insurance and licensing, so get quotes before committing
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: heating and ventilation maintenance contractor
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an HVAC maintenance business?
Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $150,000, depending on vehicles, refrigerant recovery equipment, gauges, vacuum pumps, tools, insurance and licensing. Get quotes before committing, as these are estimates only.
How much can a heating and ventilation contractor earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $45,000, depending on contract numbers, installation work and team size. Expect at least about 35 hours a week, and note maintenance contracts can be slow to win.
What licences and rules should I check for HVAC work?
Check the national licence for handling refrigerants, and whether electrical, gas or plumbing work needs separate state licences. Also check work health and safety rules for working at heights, public liability and workers compensation insurance, and warranty terms.
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