Key Takeaways
- Five-Minute Rule: The difference between good and great technicians is spending an extra five minutes double-checking work before leaving
- Mental Checklist: Develop a systematic post-job review process to catch potential issues before they become callbacks
- Real-World Impact: Simple final checks can prevent gas leaks, equipment failures, and emergency service calls
- Career Success: Avoiding callbacks through thoroughness builds reputation and customer trust
The Five-Minute Difference That Defines Excellence
This tip comes straight from my advanced refrigeration instructor, who drilled this wisdom into us weekly: “The difference between a good technician and a bad one is five minutes.”
At first, that might sound oversimplified, but the message runs deeper than you’d think. He was drawing a clear line between the tech who invests an extra five minutes at the end of every job ensuring everything is sound, and the tech who rushes off claiming, “it was working when I left.” We’ve all met that tech, and we all know how frustrating they can be to work alongside or clean up after.
A Real-World Example That Could Have Gone Wrong
Let me share a recent experience from my own field work that perfectly illustrates this principle. Just several days ago, I was changing ignition boards and pilot assemblies on some unit heaters. The pilot assemblies came with new pilot tubing and fittings – great, everything I needed was included!
I replaced all the components and was ready to test the system. The old me might have fired it up and called it done, but my instructor’s advice echoed in my mind. I ran through my mental checklist one more time. The last check on my list was to pull the attached pilot tube away from the gas valve to ensure it was fastened properly.
With minimal force, the tube slid right through the brass compression fitting – it wasn’t properly attached to the valve at all. Upon removing the fitting, I discovered that the break-away ferrule had indeed broken away, but not in the correct spot. This defect would have caused a gas leak; it was only a matter of time before it created an emergency service call.
Fortunately, this potential disaster was avoided by a five-minute rundown of checks. A co-worker of mine has adopted this same method and has caught several issues before walking away from jobs. When you’re working with critical heating components, these final checks become even more essential.
Building Your Own Five-Minute Checklist
The key to making this work is developing your own systematic approach. Whether you’re performing seasonal maintenance or emergency repairs, that final review should become second nature. Consider including:
- Physical inspection of all connections
- Verification of proper component operation
- Safety device testing
- Clean-up and tool inventory
- Customer communication points
The Business Impact of Five Minutes
Avoiding callbacks is crucial to building success in this industry. Those five minutes translate directly into:
- Enhanced customer satisfaction
- Reduced liability exposure
- Better online reviews and referrals
- Lower operational costs from avoided return trips
- Stronger professional reputation
Speaking of building your professional reputation, Property.com’s ‘Know Before You Go‘ tool helps technicians arrive at jobs better prepared with detailed homeowner insights and property history. This preparation, combined with thorough job completion practices, sets you apart as a true professional. Learn how Property.com helps HVAC pros elevate their service quality and grow their business.
When you’re troubleshooting complex issues or working with building automation systems, this disciplined approach becomes even more valuable. The complexity of modern HVAC systems demands attention to detail.
Making It Stick
The five-minute rule isn’t just about time – it’s about mindset. It’s the difference between being reactive and proactive, between good enough and excellent. Every time you complete a job, ask yourself: “Would I want this work done in my own home?” If the answer requires even a moment’s hesitation, invest those five minutes.
Check out my YouTube channel for more tips, tricks, and troubleshooting videos, and catch The HVAC Know It All podcast here or on your favorite podcast app.
Remember: five minutes is all it takes to separate yourself from the pack. Happy HVACing!
