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Freelance HVAC Engineer

Freelance HVAC Engineer

Freelance HVAC Engineer

(OP)
Hi,

I am keen to market myself to MEP Firms as a Freelance HVAC Engineer. So far, I have just e-mailed out my resume and a cover note. With the resume and cover note, I kept things simple and to the point. However, I am not having much success in Firms taking me up on the offer. Several people have commented on my impressive resume, but it does not seem to be enough to get me across the line with obtaining work.

It is my hope to develop a long term working relationship with a few MEP Firms and work with them as required on a regular basis.

What might I be doing wrong, or what can I do better?

Thanks for your advice and assistance.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

(OP)
I forgot to add that I am have been marketing myself all around the Country as well as a few overseas places with the intent to work out of my own office. I think this seems to put people off for some reason. Not sure why as I have completed designs quite adequately without ever having set foot in the MEP Firm's office.

Thanks,

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

Quote:

I forgot to add that I am have been marketing myself all around the Country

That's a lot of PE licenses!

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

This is an interesting concept.  I am not a marketing expert nor do I work in the HVAC field but coming from my own perspective I would think some of the issue might be a reluctance by the companies to have someone from outside of an established relationship involved in projects.  

For instance, they may feel as though you will require training to 'their' standards which wouldn't be worth the time and ultimately cost them more effort than having an employee on staff.  

Also, how do they know that they could trust you to work on their projects?  Would you pack it up as soon as another job came up?  Would they be able to get ahold of you via phone/email when issues arisen?  For instance, I am reluctant to hire contractors to do certain projects on my house due to instances of unreliability, over charging for services, lack of commitment, etc.  

The answer to these might be in building relationships of trust first with clients...then expect the work to flow.  For instance, you could offer to do a design or two pro bono simply to show them you are capable and serious about what you do.  I would definately suggest face time with any potential clients instead of email/letters.  People, while impressed with your credentials, would be unlikely to want a business relationship with someone based purely on a resume (again, without the security of knowing where to find you so to speak).

Overall though, it's a good concept and ideally suited for the present work environment.  I work with a few guys here in my office that my company has actually hired as contractors out of retirement when big projects come along.  Good luck!

 

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

The commercial world is neck-deep in alligators of risk.  No one wants to take a chance and risk their name/position/livelihood/company on some guy off the street.  My opinion:  it's all about reputation.  You've got to invest your time and build one.

When I first started freelancing, my opening statement was something like "I'm looking to do the little jobs, the ones that are too small & bothersome for the big boys, the ones that fall through the cracks."  And explained very clearly I was trying to start & grow a freelance business and support my family.

Do something similar, and someone may throw you a low-risk-to-them bone to test your work.  Execute with perfection, and exceed all expectations if you are given that opportunity.  Repeat, until you have a list of enthusiastic references.

This has been discussed many, many times before in these fora.  You should do some research.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

Agree w/ Tyger --- As a matter of fact I make a lot of money off of "side" business by doing (quickly) the "small" jobs!!

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

(OP)
Thanks for your help guys!

I will look at and take on your suggestions/comments.

I was also wondering if a website (a good quality one) would help? At the moment I am just sending out e-mails with my resume. I do have several references already and could send out some examples of my work too.

Making myself known to a Firm 800 miles away is a bit of a challenge, but I see your point about putting a face to the name etc. Maybe a picture on my resume would help?

With the projects, I have found my niche with the smaller to medium type projects that others are not so bothered with doing.

Thanks,

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

Quote:

I am keen to market myself to MEP Firms as a Freelance HVAC Engineer

You seem to have missed the significance of TheTick's earlier comment.

Quote (TheTick):

That's a lot of PE licenses!

Are you in fact a licensed Professional Engineer?

If not, and you are offering to perform engineering services then you are violating the law.  Which would explain why no companies want to deal with you.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

The misunderstanding may be because in previous posts the OP indicated he was US based, however if this has changed then you may have a good point Pat.

To the OP, are you sure you've 'saturated' your local market before trying to expand into remote markets?  An impressive looking website won't hurt but I wonder if it will really be a silver bullet.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

(OP)
Thanks for your concerns about me being legally able to perform my occupation in certain states and places. Please rest assured that I understand the laws and do not offer any service where I am breaking the law.

I am currently trying to focus on my local market. I am not sure I have saturated the market. Actually, I would say that I have just tested the waters somewhat. Initial feedback has been that my resume looks very good to impressive. What I show on my resume is authentic and reflects my skills in a true fashion. I am not interested in stretching the truth.

Maybe it is like people say? Firms are fearful of trying someone outside the fold. I understand this, but do very much hope to persuade that I can be trusted and that I do great work.

Thanks again.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

Do you go to your local ASHRAE chapter meetings and schmooze?

Firing off blind resumes is unlikely to get much response.  

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

People do not often change from suppliers they are happy with, no matter how good you look. They have what they want so they simply don't care.

However if they have a hiccup with their current supplier, then as all as you need to be to get the business is in their mind at the time.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &
http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm
for site rules
 

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

A website definately helps.  That's the first thing most people do when they are working with someone or with a different company.  It will help give you some credibility to have an established website with your picture, project experience, etc.   

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

A lot of people delude themselves into thinking "If I only do x and y, I am not breaking the law."  A good example is freelance drafters.  In my state, that is an activity specifically listed in the code as an "engineering activity".  

People also like to ge creative with the "offering services to the public" thing.  It doesn't really matter what you think.  You better know what the board will think.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

(OP)
Thanks for your help. It sure seems difficult to even get people to consider you. I had one firm interested, but as soon as they knew I was not going to work in their office the negotiations ended.

 

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

Culmination of advice from my friends who do free-lance work when I was asking about the same thing:

Practice saying these words "Design consulting services", you consult on existing/other peoples designs.

Don't provide original designs - suggest improvements to existing/their documented ideas.

Don't promise anything will work - provide supporting calculations or reference standards, however, if you do math ALWAYS SOURCE THEM FOR THE NUMBERS.

Don't provide full plans - provide preliminary details or a suggested path on how they should detail it.

NEVER SAY YOU ARE AN ENGINEER OR LET THEM SAY YOU ARE AN ENGINEER WITHOUT CORRECTING THEM UNLESS YOU HAVE THE STAMP. Make sure that you have a liable clause in your contract, make sure they know you don't have a stamp coming into this, tell them your value is the experience and quality of your product and that your job is to assist their stamping engineer.

As anything with contract work 90% of your effort should be covering your ass, 10% should go towards providing a quality, timely submittal.

As long as the implemented decisions are not made by you, or if they are they carry someone elses stamp/seal/name, I don't see how it's any different than being a regular employee without a PE licence (with the added benefit of not having to deal with the soul sucking corporate structure of most contracting firms).

Good luck buddy.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

Quote (Aitforce2):

I had one firm interested, but as soon as they knew I was not going to work in their office the negotiations ended.

I see that quite a bit in CAD design as well.  Everyone wants to work from home.  Most companies have had bad experiences with this.

For a while I had a pretty good gig as a have-gun-will-travel designer.  I had my own seat of SolidWorks on a good laptop.  I could go in and do work on-site for various clients (through an agency).  The clients didn't have the burden of acquiring another CAD seat or workstation.  I "rented" my workstation to clients for $5/hour extra.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

TheTick,

   That makes sense to me.  Very few mechanical jobs are suitable for someone to work off in a corner somewhere, disconnected from the world.  You need good communications with co-workers, and that works a lot better when they are near at hand.

   I have seen a couple of cases where someone sub-contracted work because they did not want to work with the design department, in-house.  I am not sure of all the details.  Maybe the in-house design group was too busy.  Maybe they wanted more control than the in-house designers would give them.  Maybe they did not trust the in-house design group.  

   The work handed in was awful, sometimes mind bogglingly so.  There were no assembly drawings.  In one case, every time we did a run of the product, an in-house designer spent weeks trying to fix the drawings.

   If someone with access to an in-house engineering department, offered me a chance to do freelance work, I would want to know why.  Perhaps a good strategy would be to inquire about the customer's in-house standards.   

               JHG

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

(OP)
Thanks again guys.

My aim is to work with the company / firm that is willing to hire me. I a not interested in being a closed entity. I put a lot of effort into my work and most always receive compliments on my work.

I always make certain to be a team player and work with the individuals on the projects.

It seems though that companies / firms either already have a good service provider, or are not willing to give me a try.

Any tips on convincing these companies / firms? A high class mail (e-mail) out is not getting me across the line at the moment. As discussed, I don't have a website, so that may be something to do. I have left off calling these companies / firms as cold calling can be not well received.

Thanks,

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

In my opinion, the quickest way to establish the type of relationships you are looking for is professional societies and organizations.  It will be difficult since you are trying to market yourself over a large area but you have to start somewhere.  

Could you possibly put together a presentation or a continuing education seminar through an organization related to your field?  Perhaps even take this to a regional or national conference to present.  This would allow you an unobtrusive way of building some relationships with key contacts while also providing you with the chance to demonstrate you know what you are doing.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

I would go onestep ahead by meeting the hiring managers and making a presentation on  skills claimed.This could be a powerpoint presentation containing installation photos,schematic diagrams,problems faced and problems you helped resolve,acrhitects/clients worked with etc.Do not limit yourself to consulting engineers.Approach developers offering your services in  peer reviewing and possibly value engineering  for their projects.Do not spare the Design and Build contractors either!

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

You should probably be marketing to small architecture firms rather than MEP firms. Maybe team up with an electrical guy if you know one. If you are a PE, you can knock out little jobs for much less than the bigger MEP firms since you have little/no overhead.

I plan to do the same as soon as I am licensed.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

If you're former military, you might want to look into local SAME chapters.

RE: Freelance HVAC Engineer

My take on this issue is a little different.

As the economy seems to be picking up at a snail's pace, many small to medium size design companies often find themselves in a situation where they have more work than they can handle, although such work will not last long enough to justify hiring up. In this case, subcontracting to a freelancer may become a valid option.

How can the company decide which subcontractor to hire? pittguy12 nailed it: It's a matter of trust. Ok, but how do you build trust?

I don't think working pro-bono work is necessary, but you do need to show: a) that you can do the work, and b) that those who previously took a chance on you did not later regret it.

To show your work and begin establishing relationships, you need to start locally, through professional organizations as others have recommended, and also personally visiting the companies you expect to get work from, show them samples of your work, etc.

The second issue has also been mentioned before: reputation. You need to obtain testimonials and recommendations from past employers, colleagues, etc.

I agree with the suggestion to have a website. There, you'll be able to present much more information than anyone wants to receive in printed form. Explain who you are, what you want, show your work, how others have liked the results, your skill set, certifications, anything that conveys professional competence, etc.

How will I know that you can design correctly, meet deadlines, stay under budget, etc? You need to tell me. Have you worked for any of my clients and are you familiar with their design standards? Tell me. Can you write or modify specs? Ditto.

Other things to consider: are you looking at hourly fees or lump sump arrangements? If the latter, make sure you can clearly define and understand a Scope of Services. Do you have your own E&O insurance or do you expect the hiring company to cover you? Do you legally own all the software you use?

I'm not as concerned about working remotely because nowadays even large companies have their discipline design centers at various locations and people have gotten used to working as a team from different locations. But you must avail yourself of a fast and reliable Internet connection, a good speakerphone, a quiet office, etc. But at first, you may have to "come in" the company's office for a meeting every 2-3 weeks. That's another reason why it's important to start local. As your capabilities and experience with working remotely grow, you'll have an easier time targeting out of state companies.

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