Most HVAC owners are burning money on leads they could be getting for free. In this episode of TradeOps Radio, Adal Villalobos of Villquin Air Services breaks down how his Bay Area company gets around 60% of its heat pump leads through government rebate and incentive programs, why getting on those contractor directories is like free marketing, and how the electrification wave is reshaping the trade. He also shares how he uses AI to save hours, protect margins, and turn angry client messages into five-star experiences.

Adal came into the family business with a background in business administration, and it shows. This conversation turns into a full sales and operations masterclass. You will learn why cheap prices attract cheap customers, how to charge premium rates by selling the experience instead of the equipment, the customer red flags that cost contractors thousands, and the follow-up habits that pull revenue out of leads most owners leave on the table.

We also get into the tech stack that runs it all, from house call pro to the AI tools he leans on daily, how he handles difficult "I did my own research" clients, and the pricing psychology behind winning bids without racing to the bottom. Whether you run an HVAC, plumbing, or any home service business, this episode is packed with practical, real-world tactics you can put to work right away.

If you found this valuable, hit like and subscribe for more real conversations with people in the trades. Struggling with marketing and lead generation? Book a call with us using the first link in the description.

Most HVAC and plumbing owners have no idea what their business is actually worth, and the number they have in their head is usually wrong. In this episode of TradeOps Radio, Joey Lieber from Florida Business Exchange breaks down exactly how home service businesses get valued, what buyers really pay for, and the mistakes that kill deals before they start. His firm works in 35 states, has 26 brokers, and closes around 125 deals a year, and Joey is the first person owners talk to when they start thinking about selling.

He shares real numbers from recent closings, including an HVAC company doing $3.3M with $500K in net profit that sold for $2.2M, a plumbing company that sold for $8.3M, and a landscaping business that sold for $9.2M. He explains why valuations are based on net profit and not gross revenue, why retrofit work is worth more than new construction, and why the whole game comes down to one word: risk.

You will also learn the number one deal killer he sees every single day, how the SBA actually works including the no money down expansion loan most owners have never heard of, why paying more in taxes can raise your exit value, and the vacation test that tells you if your business is truly sellable. Whether you plan to sell in 12 months or 12 years, this is the conversation that tells you what to fix now.

After decades in the trades, Keith Flores has spotted a pattern most HVAC business owners never notice until it's too late, and in this episode, he shares exactly what it is. From the way private equity is quietly reshaping contractor margins to the overlooked power of local branding and dispatching technology, Keith connects dots that most operators haven't even thought to look for.

This isn't another "run more ads" conversation. Keith goes deep on acquisition playbooks, valuation math, why your pricing strategy might be costing you more than you think, and how smart operators are building ecosystems, not just companies. He also unveils Home Guardian, his innovative smart home product designed to give homeowners real-time data and give contractors a powerful new revenue stream. If you're serious about building something that lasts in the home services space, you can't afford to skip this one. Stay until the end for Keith's take on what truly separates operators who thrive from those who just survive in a consolidating market.

Most skilled technicians believe that being great at their craft is enough to run a successful business, and that assumption is exactly why so many of them stall out before hitting their first million in revenue.

In this raw, no-fluff conversation, Bengt sits down with Chris Crew of TradeOps Consulting to break down the brutal reality facing tradespeople who transition from working in the field to running the show.

You'll hear Chris share his personal journey through the trades, the costly mistakes he made early on, and the exact business fundamentals most technician-owners are never taught. From understanding your target audience and pricing for true profitability, to overcoming decision fatigue and using pain as a catalyst for growth, this episode gives you a roadmap most contractors only learn the hard way.

We dig into the specific challenges at each revenue stage, why hiring the wrong people kills momentum, how documenting processes eliminates bottlenecks, and the performance metrics that hold your team accountable. If you're a contractor, plumber, HVAC pro, electrician, or any trades business owner trying to break through a growth ceiling, this conversation will save you years of trial and error.

Hit play, take notes, and if it resonates, subscribe and drop a comment with the biggest lesson you took away. Your future self will thank you.

Everything you need to know about building a career in roofing sales, all in one conversation. Logan Schepper, a senior project manager in the Texas roofing industry, walks through his entire journey from high school graduate to leading thousand dollar projects, sharing the sales strategies, lead generation tactics, and mindset shifts that made it possible.

This episode goes deep. Logan explains how to choose the right roofing company, how roofing payment structures actually work, and the mental shift required to confidently sell high-value roofs. He breaks down the exact angles that convert homeowners, how to spot damage proactively, and the networking habits that keep his pipeline full. You'll also get an honest look at door knocking, including the challenges, the scripts, and how to balance lead generation with project fulfillment.

In the back half, Logan covers the full roofing process from inspection to payment, how he manages install day communication, and why supporting rep independence is his core project management philosophy. He closes with advice for young people entering the trades, how to bridge the gap with business owners, and why social media is the next frontier for roofing professionals.

Whether you're a new salesperson, an aspiring project manager, a roofing company owner, or someone weighing a career in the trades, this is the real-world playbook no one gave you.

Watch the full episode and use the chapters below to jump to what matters most. If it helps, like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

Most HVAC business owners are too busy surviving to talk about what's really working. Billy Gregus isn't most owners. In this candid episode, Billy, founder of Integrity Refrigeration and AC, breaks down the 7 most important lessons he's learned scaling an HVAC business, from his very first service call to leading a full team.

He reveals why word-of-mouth is still the undisputed king of HVAC marketing, how a single hiring decision unlocked his ability to scale, and why most HVAC owners stay stuck working in their business instead of on it.

Billy also gets real about the work-life balance struggle that nearly cost him more than just revenue, and how he restructured his business model to protect what matters most.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed running your HVAC company-juggling calls, managing techs, chasing invoices-this episode was made for you. Billy's philosophy of continuous improvement and quality-first service offers a blueprint for building something that lasts. From tracking the right metrics to creating a culture your team actually wants to be part of, this is the episode that could change how you run your business. Don't miss it.

If your trades business feels like it can't grow beyond you, this episode will change the way you think about everything. Chuck Staszkiewicz started exactly where most tradespeople do - skilled at the work, but completely unprepared for the business side of things.

What he built over the next two decades is a masterclass in transformation: a multi-million dollar plumbing and HVAC operation with the culture, systems, and structure needed to scale and ultimately sell. In this candid conversation, Chuck reveals the mindset shift that separates business owners who stay stuck from those who break through - and why most tradespeople accidentally build a prison instead of a company.

He covers the critical importance of organizational structure, how he used technology and AI to drive operational efficiency, and the specific steps he took to prepare his business for a successful sale and valuation. Chuck also dives deep into risk management - including why he recommends assessing your business risks at least twice a year and why cutting corners on insurance is one of the most expensive mistakes an owner can make.

If you're serious about building a trades business that works without you and can eventually be sold for real money, this is the episode you've been waiting for.

In this episode, we sit down with Chase Thomas, founder of Honor HVAC, to unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable HVAC business in today’s market.

This is not a surface level conversation about tools or tactics. Chase shares his personal journey into the HVAC industry, how early hardships shaped his leadership style, and why purpose and character became the foundation of his company. From supporting community initiatives to building a values driven team, this episode goes deep into the human side of running a home service business.

We break down the difference between revenue and real profitability, why understanding key business metrics is non negotiable, and how many HVAC owners unknowingly sabotage growth by avoiding hard conversations. Chase explains why hiring for character beats hiring for skill, how needs based sales builds long term trust, and why culture is one of the strongest levers for operational efficiency.

You will also hear insights on financial literacy, pricing confidence, marketing challenges, networking, and adapting to future changes in the HVAC industry. This episode is especially valuable for technicians transitioning into ownership, founders feeling stuck, or operators who want to scale without losing their values.

If you care about building a profitable business that also gives back, invests in people, and stands for something bigger, this conversation will resonate.