Will HVAC and Plumbing Companies Keep Growing in 2027?

FieldEdge’s 2026 outlook cites a shortage of about 110,000 HVAC technicians and reports projecting 550,000 unfilled plumbing positions by 2027.

You’re competing with every shop in town, and with big projects that pay more, for the same people.

1. Ask your best techs what keeps them. Do one of those things.
2. Start an apprentice or helper program.
3. Write down how common jobs are done so new techs learn faster.

ACHR News reported that only about 65% of HVAC technician time is billable. The rest is driving, waiting, and fetching parts.

More billable hours from current techs is the fastest way to grow.

1. Track billable versus clocked hours for each tech.
2. Stock trucks for your most common jobs.
3. Group calls by area to cut drive time.

ACHR News reports private equity firms keep buying HVAC and plumbing companies.

Buyers pay more for companies with steady service agreements, clean books, and a team that runs without the owner.

1. Know your numbers before you take the call.
2. Build service agreements. Buyers love them.
3. Talk to an advisor before you sign anything.

JB Warranties explains the industry is moving to A2L refrigerants, which changes equipment, training, and handling.

Techs need training, trucks need the right supplies, and quotes need updated prices.

1. Get every tech trained on A2L handling.
2. Update your equipment prices and quotes.
3. Explain the change to customers in plain words.

Rheem, citing an EGIA survey, reports more HVAC companies are adding plumbing and electrical services.

One more trade gives customers one more reason to call. It also means new licenses and new techs.

1. Ask current customers what else they need.
2. Price out licenses, tools, and at least one experienced tech.
3. Start with small jobs in the new trade.

Maintenance agreements bring in money every month and book work in slow seasons.

Members pay all year, even in spring and fall, and buyers value that steady income.

1. Offer a plan on every service call.
2. Book plan tune-ups into your slow weeks.
3. Track how many members renew each year.

ACHR News reports more shops are testing voice AI and answering services to catch calls after hours.

A missed call often becomes your competitor’s job.

1. Count unanswered calls by time of day.
2. Cover evenings and weekends with a service or a tool.
3. Call back every missed caller within an hour.

FieldCamp reports heat pumps outselling gas furnaces, and tech wages keep climbing.

New equipment changes the sales call. Higher wages mean every old price pays you less.

1. Train techs and sales staff to explain heat pumps simply.
2. Review prices every time wages go up (raising prices without losing customers).
3. Use flat-rate pricing based on real costs.