We love reading your questions and comments. Keep sending them! 
This week the guys talk partnerships, contracts, marketing during a slowdown and more. 

Eric owns a media company along with his business partner John Mesenbrink (host of the Appetite for Construction podcast) so he's had over ten years of experience in this area.

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb

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The very last thing I want to do as the contractor is make a not-so-great situation worse" Andy Mickelson 

What happens when you figure out there's a problem on the job, how you handle it says a lot about you as a company/service provider. This week the guys are talking recent jobs and problems and an amazing tax credit/rebate situation happening in Andy's market.

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Somewhat of a chat session this week. The guys talk about some products they really like, lots of talk on equipment and piping fittings/materials that make everyday a little faster/easier/enjoyable. 

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Have we become too complacent when it comes to ordering online? 

Its 2025 and yet, somehow and for whatever reason this online supplier is asking for four forms of order verification and signatures upon delivery for regular, everyday plumbing and hvac material orders lol! 

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
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Would you hire someone with zero trade work experience? What if they're in their 30's? How old is too old to start in the trades? 

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
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Are you the low bid? Are you being beat by the low bidder but offering a more complete job, is it apple to apples? This week the guys chat about a recent encounter Eric had on the job with another local plumber. 

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Our customer's finances are feeling the pinch more than ever as prices are the highest on record. Inflation, tariffs, shipping backlogs are just some of the bigger problems on the product side but a big part of the general population is finding it difficult manage unexpected bills. Eric is now offering financing and Andy is looking into it for his business.

Have experience or thoughts to share? Please do! 

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb

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This isn't a how-to guide, let's get that out of the way immediately. 

The guys chat about the accuracy of estimates, whether the price of a job changes when things are missed AND how some companies operate on the "low upfront bid" and tack on the add-ons as the job progresses. 

Have experience or thoughts to share? Please do! 

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
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As supply chains and tariffs are making running our service and construction businesses increasingly more difficult, is there benefit to buying only US? Do our customers care? Are they willing to pay more for products made in the US? 

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Eric's been working on a plan to partner with local builders for water conditioning in new construction homes and Andy talks about something similar they've been doing with a local general contractor in an affluent Missoula neighborhood. 

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Some recent changes to standard operating procedures were in order for Andy's plumbing & heating shop, Eric's making the change too. 

Do you work in client's home's when no one is there? Should you? Give this one a listen and let us know what you think by sending us a message using the link below! 

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New tools are great but new tool bags are awesome! Andy gives us a close look at his latest addition, the Veto Pro Pac Hybrid Tool and Meter bag (SB-LD)

This episode is best viewed on the MH youtube channel: 

https://youtu.be/RjQVIcKgg7k 

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Ever wonder how Milwaukee Tool decides what to build next or how they test them? Our guest John Jarzombek is a project manager at Milwaukee Tool. John has personally managed teams developing tools such as the MX Fuel Pipe Threader, the new roll groover, The Ringer and more. 

It was fun to have John join us in Orlando at the AHR Expo podcasts pavillion, thanks John! 

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Are gas absorption heat pumps a viable alternative to the electrification of our heating and cooling systems? 

Mike Cameron is a longtime Canadian friend working in Vancouver, BC. Mike installs and services a lot of the GAHP units, some are only prototypes but all are performing impressively. 

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
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Building relationships with your local suppliers, reps and sales people is important for the success of your business. Of course it is! 

This week the guys talk about a recent discussion happening behind the scenes about sourcing parts for hvac systems, buying local and/or online. 

We've talked about this topic differently in the past, thanks for taking the time to listen to this episode, we hope its useful and enjoyable. 

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Andy starts off a little spicy in this one. Sometimes the social media comment section is a terrible place! 

Thanks to Reed Wiens for writing in to the show, this was a fun conversation! 

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Thank you all for messaging! This was a fun conversation! 

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Chad joins the guys to tell the story of a birthday gone bad and it might be all because of an orange bucket…you’ll have to listen to hear the whole story. 

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
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Andy shares a few things he's observed over the last year that stand out. 
Eric is a little nervous when looking back on three specific jobs...are we old enough to be replacing equipment we installed new? 

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Eric Aune @mechanicalhub
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