Make Trades Great Again

Will Aune Plumbing expand in 2024? Looking back on 2023 and forward in the new year.  There's always time to make plans and set goals but the new year seems like the most appropriate. What are some of your goals for 2024? Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Au...

If you're an apprentice this one's for you! If you're not an apprentice but know someone coming up in the trades, please share this with them asap!  In this episode Eric & Andy go thru a list of five things/habits/behaviors today's apprentice needs to do or think about daily.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid...

It's that time of year to look forward into the new year. This is also worth reflecting on the past year to gauge successes. This isn't a New Year Resolution episode!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb News...

Chad joins the guys to take a buzzfeed quiz to see what career we’re supposed to have. The results are as ridiculous as you probably expect.  Thanks to our friend Chad Killinger for joining us.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson...

“If you break it down into bitesize pieces you can eat an elephant” -Andy  In this episode the guys talk over how to approach estimating jobs large and small. Thanks to everyone writing in lately!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickel...

Some old school tactics still work when looking for employment no matter how many job services are out there.  The internet is awesome but following up on a job application can get you ahead of the competition. Also did you know there is a whole online service just for blue collar jobs?  Check this out and more in this episode where the guys talk about how they got hired into the trades and what w...

More listener mail from Australia. The guys talk about some things they’d consider in preparation of starting a new business.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email

Luke, from Adelaide, Australia writes in to ask about our thoughts on inexperienced technicians driving a throw away society vs. finding the fault and repairing equipment. Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter...

Longtime listener Dillon writes in with a followup to an episode from almost two years ago when he was looking for advice on buying the business he was working for.   Dillon is at the point in owning the business where he needs to expand. He also had to fire the son of the former owner of the business.  Is not hiring and expanding as much of a risk as hiring? Maybe!  Text the guys your ideas &...

Andy tells us about a problem job they’ve been dealing with for a few years. Ever have one of those jobs you wish you never took on? How about a piece of equipment or materials you regret installing?  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mic...

How long is long enough for proper training in the skilled trades? It’s no secret we are not attracting more young adults than needed into the trades, could a shorter training period move the needle on interest?  What are your thoughts? We’d love to hear from you!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ide...

We recently talked about all these connected systems and appliances but what about an old school, simple system that’s not connected? Are we talking survival/prepping type of clientele or just simplification?  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub...

The guys talk about bringing in new techs and how Andy’s new hire is starting out with the company.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email

Ever wondered why we prefer our turkey fried rather than baked or roasted? Curious about the art of Spatchcocking that gives us the most succulent chicken? Well, sit back, relax, and let's talk about our unique Thanksgiving practices. Our holiday dinner tables may not look like your average ones, but our smoked turkey, ham, and Spatchcock chickens on the pellet grill are certain to whet your...

"Coffee talk" lol, no really, the Nespresso machine is worth it! The guys BS some more in this episode about multiple topics like coffee and "why the hell did my M12 Fuel band saw turn to garbage?" -Eric  As always, thank you for listening. Thank you for the feedback and please take a minute to rate us in your podcast app. We do appreciate your time!  Text the guys your ideas &...

Ever wondered how the pros prepare for the harsh winter months in the HVAC industry? Well, you're in for a treat as we share our seasoned insights on dealing with the hustle and bustle of heating season, the significance of meticulous preparation, and the art of staying ahead in this game. Oh, and let's not forget the occasional 60-degree days that still have customers fretting about the...

Ever had a customer reach into a gun safe overflowing with cash to pay for a service call? We've got a cracker of a chat lined up where we share our bemusing and sometimes perplexing experiences with customers doling out large amounts of cash for our services. From navigating the logistics of hefty bank deposits to the discomfort of possibly handling counterfeit money, we dive deep into this...

Connected HVAC appliances aren't necessarily, they've been around for a while now but everyday there seems to be a new app, a new way to commission or some sort of incentive to internet monitoring.  But do our customers want another app? Ar ethe incentives worth it? Remember when a furnace or water heater wasn't so fussy? We do and some of Eric's customers are starting to gripe...

Ever had a colossal blunder on your hands that resulted in a rooftop unit curb adapter not fitting the new unit? Well, that was us. Join us as we dissect this recent debacle, from our oversight of not getting the spec sheet for the curb adapter, to dealing with a reversed supply and return situation. We'll share some hard-learned lessons on the importance of acquiring the right information be...

Are you walking the tightrope of remote troubleshooting? From dealing with difficult customer calls when systems fail to the tricky decision of when to inspect in-person or troubleshoot over the phone, we bring you a candid conversation about the realities of our industry. Let's take, for instance, the case of a customer with icy radiators - we'll walk you through this firsthand experien...

Do you ever wonder what makes 'some' contractors stand out from the crowd? What if we told you it's as simple as 'going the extra mile' for customers? This episode is a deep dive into the contractor-customer relationship. We discuss the importance of referring other contractors, and how crucial it is to have an open and honest approach while doing so. As we share our exper...

As winter's icy grip fastens, are you prepared for the hike in heating costs? With nearly half of U.S households warming their homes with natural gas, many are in for a shock as heating costs skyrocket by 28% compared to last winter. But wait, there's hope! This episode provides tips on how to make savvy long-term investments like insulating your home and replacing old windows, particula...

Ever wondered about the complex process of hiring plumbers and the hurdles that businesses face along the way? Today, we take an insightful journey into the plumbing industry, discussing the key challenges that come with hiring plumbers, from pre-employment checks for licenses and insurance to assessing the potential of candidates with past mistakes. If you’re involved in, or considering a career...

Ever dreamed of running your own business? Buckle up as we reveal the top three blunders new entrepreneurs often fall prey to, and how a solid business plan can prove to be an invaluable tool in sidestepping these common pitfalls. Guided by the enduring wisdom of Benjamin Franklin, we underscore the role of meticulous planning in both life and business.  Wondering how to safeguard your venture fro...

Ever been left in the lurch because you didn't have the right part at hand? Don’t let missing parts throw a wrench in your day. We explore the importance of a well-stocked parts kit, and how it can save both time and money when it comes to equipment installation and repairs. Drawing from my own experiences, we delve not only into the practical benefits of having the right part at hand, but al...