Starting an independent heating and cooling business requires strong field skills, disciplined money management, and practical marketing tactics. Many trade workers want the freedom of owning a shop, but true operational success comes from setting up clear daily checklists, relying on word-of-mouth referrals, and building the company as if you plan to sell it one day.

Seth, the founder of Retroman Comfort Systems in Layton, Utah, sat down with Levy at Jill's Office for our Inside the Trades series. He shared how he transitioned from working under his stepdad in general contracting to launching his own heating, air conditioning, and duct cleaning company across Davis County and the Wasatch Front.

From Grunt Work to Starting an HVAC Shop in 2020

Seth started his trade journey early by working alongside his stepdad in general contracting, performing heavy physical labor like scraping house paint and prepping job sites. Around age 20, he entered the heating and air conditioning field. Seeing what established contractors charged for installations and repairs proved that the trades offered a solid way to earn a great living.

After working 10 to 15 years as an HVAC technician for other employers, Seth decided to venture out on his own. The desire for schedule freedom and higher earning capacity drove his choice to become an independent business owner. Working long hours on call for someone else convinced him that putting in those same long hours for his own brand was worth the effort.

Timing brought immediate challenges. Seth launched Retroman Comfort Systems in January 2020, right before global health shutdowns altered daily routines. The first two years required strict financial discipline and careful cash management during slow weeks. Overcoming those early hurdles laid the groundwork for steady, long-term growth across northern Utah.

Low-Cost Field Marketing That Keeps Dispatch Boards Full

Low-cost field marketing, often called gorilla marketing, relies on physical effort rather than massive ad budgets to win local HVAC jobs. Simple actions performed on every job site build direct neighborhood trust and generate consistent client referrals.

For Retroman Comfort Systems, customer acquisition grew entirely through word-of-mouth recommendations and simple job site habits. On every heating, cooling, or duct cleaning job, the crew places a yard sign out front and hangs door tags on four or five neighboring homes. These door tags let neighbors know that technicians just completed work nearby.

Homeowners trust companies that their neighbors use. Combining yard signs, friendly neighbor introductions, and direct referral requests creates a steady flow of local calls without spending thousands on digital ad clicks. Stay connected with their recent field projects on the official Retroman Comfort Systems Facebook Page.

Using Standard Operating Procedures to Maintain Quality

Standard operating procedures provide clear, step-by-step instructions for every service call, duct cleaning project, and system installation. Written guidelines remove confusion and ensure technicians deliver consistent work across every job site.

As a business grows beyond a single truck, winging daily tasks causes quality to drop. Seth established detailed documents for every service type. Field workers review these steps on their phones or tablets to ensure no detail is skipped during system diagnostic checks or full equipment changeouts.

This structured setup allowed Seth to bring on his son full-time as the business expanded. Clear rules make training straightforward and give young technicians the confidence to complete tasks properly while keeping service standards high.

Building a Business with the Intent to Sell

Running an HVAC company with the intent to sell forces an owner to organize financial records, establish proper accounting budgets, and build reliable operational systems. Even if you never plan to sell your shop, structuring the company properly creates long-term stability and value.

Early in business, many contractors manage finances loosely without reviewing profit and loss statements regularly. Seth realized that handing over financial tracking, tax strategy, and book management to a CPA was a vital step toward long-term business health. Knowing your exact numbers keeps the business safe during slow winter months when heating calls dip before summer cooling demands pick up.

Today, Retroman Comfort Systems serves residential and commercial clients all along the Wasatch Front, from Provo up to the Idaho border. By focusing on Google reviews, consistent social media presence, and honest client service, Seth continues to build a lasting trade brand in Utah.