Furnace and water heater install crew

Run a small licensed crew that replaces furnaces, boilers and water heaters for homeowners and landlords.

Gas engineer checking a wall-mounted boiler in a kitchen.
Startup cost$40k to $120k
Monthly revenue$20k to $70k
Time needed40+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • $40k-120k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

What it is

A small team business focused on larger gas jobs: replacing furnaces, boilers and water heaters, running new gas lines and connecting appliances. You hold the license and a helper or apprentice works alongside you.

Your first three steps

  1. Confirm with your state licensing board which contractor license you need to run a business and employ helpers
  2. Open an account with a local plumbing or HVAC supply house and compare equipment and payment terms
  3. Price a few typical installs, then pitch remodelers, realtors and property managers for referrals
Who pays

Homeowners replacing old equipment, landlords, home builders, remodelers and property managers.

How it makes money

Fixed quotes per installation covering equipment, labor and permits. Referrals from remodelers, realtors and property managers can supply steady work.

Skills that help
  • Installing gas appliances and piping to code
  • Estimating and quoting jobs
  • Supervising a helper or apprentice
  • Managing suppliers and permits
Watch out for
  • Contractor license, bonding and permit rules, which vary by state, county and city, so check each
  • General liability, commercial auto and workers' compensation insurance once you hire
  • Cash flow: equipment costs come before the customer pays, so check deposit and payment terms
  • Warranty callbacks and liability if an installation fails
  • Employee rules for helpers and apprentices, including payroll taxes with the IRS and your state

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: furnace and water heater install crew

Researched with live web search for United States: 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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a furnace installation business?

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $40,000 to $120,000, depending on vehicles, tools, insurance and how much equipment you buy before customers pay.

How much revenue can a furnace and water heater install crew make?

Monthly revenue is an estimate, typically around $20,000 to $70,000, depending on how many installs you complete, equipment prices and the season. These figures are revenue, not profit.

What rules should I check before running an install crew?

Check contractor license, bonding and permit rules for your state, county and city, insurance including workers' compensation once you hire, payroll tax rules for helpers, and deposit terms to manage cash flow.

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