HVAC and plumbing problems can stop business operations, causing unexpected downtime, lost revenue, and frustrated employees. As a business owner, you face an important choice: should you hire a licensed contractor to handle maintenance and repairs, or train an in-house team? Both options have their benefits, but picking the wrong one could cost you more over time.
In Massachusetts, where we are located, an in-house team must include someone with a plumbing license for any plumbing work. For your HVAC needs, you will need someone with a pipefitters license, a refrigeration technician license, or both. In other states, the codes will be different and you will want to make sure that you have the people on staff to stay compliant.
For over 16 years, Harold Brothers has helped businesses handle facility management challenges, weighing the pros and cons of outsourcing versus in-house solutions. We’ve seen how a well-maintained HVAC and plumbing system can affect operational efficiency, compliance, and long-term costs. With the right plan, you can avoid expensive mistakes and keep your systems running smoothly.
In this article, we’ll go over the key factors to think about—expertise, compliance, cost, and service reliability—so you can confidently choose whether hiring a licensed contractor or having an in-house team is the best option for your business.
It’s important to make sure the people working on HVAC and plumbing systems have the right skills and knowledge. Good maintenance helps save energy, keeps workplaces safe, and makes sure everything runs properly.
HVAC professionals go through special training and tests to learn the latest codes, new technology, and the best ways to do their job.
In Massachusetts, where Harold Brothers is located, commercial HVAC technicians need an EPA card. If you are working with an HVAC system that has over 10 tons of refrigerant, Massachusetts requires a refrigeration technician license. To work on plumbing in our state you need a plumbing license. Whatever state you are working in will have its own laws and codes that you need to adhere to.
Their experience helps them fix and install systems quickly and correctly, lowering the chance of mistakes.
Because they have worked on many types of systems, they can find and fix problems fast. Many licensed professionals also get special training from manufacturers, so they know how different brands and equipment work.
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Businesses can train their own workers to do basic maintenance and small repairs. This helps them fix problems faster. With the right training, employees can get better at their jobs over time, so the company doesn’t always need to hire outside help.
For businesses with special HVAC or plumbing systems, training their own staff can be even more helpful. These workers learn details about the systems that outside contractors might not know.
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Making sure HVAC and plumbing systems follow safety rules is very important. These rules help keep people safe and protect the environment.
Companies need to decide if they can handle these rules on their own or if it's better to hire a licensed expert to do the job safely and correctly.
Hiring a licensed contractor helps ensure that all work follows local, state, and federal rules. These professionals understand industry codes and can get the permits needed for the job. This lowers the risk of legal or insurance problems.
They also have liability insurance, which protects businesses if accidents or damages happen during the work.
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With the right investment in training programs, in-house staff can follow industry standards. Teaching employees the correct procedures and safety rules helps companies keep control over maintenance work.
Keep in mind that in-house maintenance teams might still need expert contractors for specialized projects.
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Cost is an important factor when deciding whether to use in-house staff or hire licensed professionals. While in-house teams might save money on regular maintenance, the long-term costs of training, certifications, liability, and equipment should also be considered.
Hiring a professional service can help avoid unexpected costs, offer repairs with warranties, and make sure systems run efficiently, which could lead to savings in the long run.
Hiring a professional service might cost more at first, but it usually comes with warranties and guarantees that help avoid costly mistakes. Contractors have special tools and expert knowledge to improve system performance.
Plus, outsourcing means businesses don’t have to pay full-time salaries, benefits, or training costs for an in-house team.
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For businesses that need regular maintenance, in-house teams can save a lot of money. Having an internal team means faster response times and can be more cost-effective over time, especially for routine tasks.
By investing in tools and training, businesses can increase efficiency and rely less on outside services. Big places like hospitals or factories might benefit from having dedicated teams to respond quickly.
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Minimizing downtime is very important for businesses that depend on HVAC and plumbing systems to run smoothly. Being able to quickly find and fix problems affects productivity and customer satisfaction.
Businesses need to decide whether their in-house teams can handle maintenance quickly and effectively, or if they should rely on outside contractors who might have more expertise but may not always be available when needed.
While professional contractors provide scheduled services and emergency responses, their availability can depend on their workload. For urgent repairs, businesses might face delays while waiting for an outside team to arrive.
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An in-house team is already on-site and can respond to issues right away, reducing downtime and disruptions. However, their expertise might be limited, so they may need outside help for more complex problems.
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Now that you understand the pros and cons of hiring licensed HVAC and plumbing professionals versus training an in-house team, you’re better equipped to make a decision that aligns with your business needs.
Choosing the right approach impacts more than just maintenance—it affects compliance, long-term costs, downtime, and efficiency. Businesses that focus on expert service and legal protection often prefer licensed contractors, while those needing immediate response times and cost control may benefit from an in-house team.
If you're still unsure which option is right for you, consider evaluating your business’s specific needs, budget, and compliance requirements. For a deeper dive into HVAC maintenance costs, check out “What is the Cost of Commercial HVAC Maintenance in Massachusetts?”
At Harold Brothers, we help businesses make informed facility management decisions that save money, ensure compliance, and maximize efficiency. If you need guidance on optimizing your HVAC and plumbing strategy, reach out to our team today.