If you’re running an HVAC company, you need a business plan to succeed in this seasonal, high-demand industry. A business plan involves several components that allow you to define your mission statement, marketing strategies and funding needs. As your company grows and your needs change, you can update this strategy as needed. Use this guide to create your HVAC business plan so you can have clear goals and better reach your audience.
Table of Contents
What You Need in Your HVAC Business Plan
Like most business plans, an HVAC business plan features the following elements:
- High-level overview
- Company selling points and description
- Market analysis
- Structure and management
- Products and services
- Marketing and sales
- Request for funding
- Financial projections
1. High-Level Overview
The high-level overview or executive summary includes information about your business background and your mission statement. Make sure you feature your company’s history, objectives, products and services, and why your business will be successful.
Your executive summary gives your readers a quick overview of your company so that they can understand the rest of your business plan and decide if they want to work with you. Even if you’re not asking for money or seeking business from customers, create an executive summary can help you can focus on what’s essential for your company, especially when you’re trying to network or advertise.
2. Company Selling Points and Description
When writing the company description, you should go into more detail about your company, such as the problems your business solves and the audience you plan to serve. Use this opportunity in your business plan to write about your company’s strengths, unique selling points (USPs) and the competitive advantages you have in the industry.
As your business expands or changes, you can update the company description to highlight your successes. This section should answer all the basic questions about your business, such as your official company name, the location of your business, the objectives you seek to accomplish and your target market.
3. Market Analysis
For the market analysis, you’ll need to research your target market and industry outlook. Research other HVAC companies in your local area and discover their business strategies and strengths. Look for themes and patterns in HVAC business management to help you figure out your market and know whether the industry is large enough to sustain your company in your geographic location.
A market analysis will include the demographics of your target audience and your competition. You need to know how successful your HVAC business will be in light of the other HVAC companies in your local area. Studying your competitors can help you avoid losing business so that your company can thrive in this competitive market.
4. Structure and Management
The HVAC business structure and management section discusses how your company is organized and who will be in charge of your company. This information will help you ensure a smooth and successful operation of your venture and define the job descriptions of your employees to create clear objectives and goals.
In the organizational structure component, write about your company’s legal structure, whether you are a corporation, a general or limited partnership, or a sole proprietor or an LLC. When discussing the management team, create a chart to serve as a visual for the leadership personnel of your company, along with a description of how each person will contribute to the success of your company.
5. Products and Services
Use this section to describe what your company offers as an HVAC contractor. You could highlight your installation, maintenance and inspection services, along with any HVAC products you may sell as part of your business. Explain how your products or services benefit your target market and how you plan to patent or copyright your products.
Even though the HVAC industry uses technical jargon, try to use language that anyone would understand, while also sounding educated. If you’re having trouble with this section, ask a trusted friend who isn’t familiar with the HVAC industry to read your products and services section, and then have them explain your business to you in their own words.
6. Marketing and Sales
The marketing and sales strategy you have in your business plan should be flexible to accommodate your needs as your HVAC business grows. Use this section to explain how you’ll attract and keep customers and the steps you’ll take during the sales process. Go into as much detail as possible to discuss your thorough marketing and sales strategies, so that you can develop clear goals and make money.
This section should include the need in the market that you want to solve, your strategy for pricing, how you’ll distribute your product or service and your budget. At the end of your marketing and sales strategy, you’ll have the information you need to generate profit and create exposure to a point where you can sell your product or service.
7. Request for Funding
If you’re using this business plan to ask an investor for funding, this section is where you make your request. Explain how much funding you need over a set number of years and how you intend to use it, and state whether you’ll pay back the investor or give them stock in your company. Include your future financial plans, whether you’re going to sell your business or pay off the debt.
8. Financial Projections
To further explain your funding request, discuss the stability and future success of your business. The goal of this section is for the reader to feel confident enough to want to invest in your company. If your company has been in business for several years, create an appendix at the end of your business plan that includes financial statements regarding your income, balance and cash flow that can attest to your HVAC business margins. It would help if you also listed any collateral you wish to put against the loan.
You can make an accurate prediction of your future profits once you know how well your HVAC business has worked over the last few years. Create a five-year plan that includes forecasted income, cash flow and capital expenditure. When describing your financial projects for the upcoming year, be specific and include monthly or quarterly projections.
Contact Coachfirm for HVAC Business Consulting
If you’re the owner of an HVAC company, a business plan can help you stay afloat in this competitive, high-demand industry. While you may enjoy your job, you may not have anyone to talk to about your struggles or goals as a business owner. At Coachfirm, we offer HVAC business consulting, including helping you solidify your business strategies and ultimately succeed in your career endeavors.
To find out how well your small business is doing, fill out our small business self-assessment questionnaire. If you have any questions about the services we offer, including our online business coaching courses, you can contact us online or call 888-777-0303.
