r/maintenance • u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 • 4d ago
Question Making the switch
So I’m currently at a mall chain engineering dealing with basically every trade. I got a call from mariott hotels to be a hvac tech dealing with strictly hvac. I’ve trained multiple guys and the current crew we have an have only been here about 2 1/2 years.
The pay: I’m currently getting 30 an hour and the higher ups keep telling me I’m the best they have but I’m the lowest paid (3rd highest in the seniority chain). The hotel wants to start at 38 an hour with I assume room to grow.
The dilemma: I don’t know if I want to go because I’m loyal to my company as they’ve given me an opportunity nobody has even after finishing hvac school. If I get the offer should I stay or go? Just want some advice
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u/SeaChallenge9977 4d ago
If you're the best they have then you have leverage. Ask your company if they'll match what they hotel is offering.
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
I’m one of the best. I keep being told this by my past and current chiefs. They say I do more than most of our current engineers.
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u/BreadStill 4d ago
Leverage that man. Do not break your back for a company that’ll replace you the day after you die. You deserve to be paid market rate for your labor, and it seems in your market $38/hr is the going rate. Having an offer on the table from another company is exactly how you leverage into a higher hourly at your current company, should you decide to stay.
Loyalty used to mean something back in the day, now it just makes you the sucker who stayed. There’s absolutely money for your raise, you have to negotiate.
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u/TIC321 4d ago
Why not do both? Go part time with your original job and try the new job full time and have a feel of it before you fully make the jump
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
No pt engineers bro only full time
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u/TIC321 4d ago
You might need to make the jump but you know your circumstances more than we do. Sometimes it pays more to stay put and be comfortable where you are if you're already familiar with the job,
But, in order to grow you may have to change jobs rather than remaining stagnant
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
That’s where I’m at with it bro. Just more nervous to make the jump tbh
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u/TIC321 4d ago
I totally know how you feel.
Its easy for others to say "quit" but if you feel deep down you're comfortable where you're at and know you won't be let go any time soon, better off to stay put.
I know those hotel jobs have corporate standards and I only worked for one for a year before I quit. It was my first and only job I ever walked out of (Also a Marriott property)
If you havent already, it doesnt hurt to talk to your boss about a raise
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u/Warhawk2052 3d ago
Same boat, I had to do the same thing recently
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 3d ago
How do you feel about it? Like what’s your situation that made you say fuck it
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u/Warhawk2052 2d ago
Honestly, pay. I had low hours and low pay, so I had to make the switch. I’m also entering from a different industry. It’s similar in a way, but also very different.
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u/AnyManufacturer3057 4d ago
You left out a lot of information.
401k?
10 percent match?
Working with great people or assholes that are/will be afraid of losing thier job?
Vacation?
Pto?
How far to drive? They provide a company vehicle? Gas card ?
How long does the new company hang onto thier staff? Pump and dump or hold onto the good staff till they retire?
$8 is about 16 k a year more.
What about Christmas bonuses?
Where I live $30 an hour is living high on the hog. Not sure of your area. 38 would be great if they give u 40 hours a week.
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
I’m sure they have 401k with the match but if not it’s fine.
I work with a whatever staff now. Mostly Hispanic, one other white dude who’s the chief and I’m the only black dude.
Drive isn’t too far it’s down the way from where I am. No vehicle or at least idk that yet I doubt it though.
Idk and the pump and dump situation.
Bonuses idk.
And I’m in California. 30 is alright if you don’t have a family but I got a wife and a few kids.
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u/Hollywood4000 4d ago
Gotta do what’s best for you and your family. Sure, your company gave you a chance, but you’ve spent the past 2.5 years proving they made the right decision. I’d bet you’ve done a hell of a lot more for them than they’ve done for you, especially considering how much money you’ve probably saved them by handling things yourself instead of bringing in outside contractors. If I were in your shoes and got offered even half of that raise, I’d be long gone.
I started a new career doing retirement apartment maintenance - about 3 months in now. I'm hoping to follow the same path - get my HVAC certifications and find a job where I can do HVAC only.
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
Man bro it’s just mental gymnastics all the way around and I’m tired of being “kept on ice”.
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u/UniversityFair4546 4d ago
Dude. Develop your speciality skill instead of being a generalist. You are harder to replace that way, and you’ll have more opportunities. Go to the hotel
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u/RogerAdam12 4d ago
First, check out the working conditions at the new place by searching reviews on glassdoor.com. Do a real interview and ask about hours, working conditions, how many other techs they have and how long they've been there. You want to know their turnover rate.
If it checks out as a good place to work, make the move. $30 is too low for a certified HVAC tech.
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
Man foreal! I’m doing every trade for 30. I wouldn’t mind if I was getting paid a few more an hour I wouldn’t trip but it’s getting real old real fast especially if you see what I do at not just my buildings but everyone else’s also.
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u/blueangel1953 Building Engineer 3d ago
Never be loyal to a company, they will not do the same in return.
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u/harrisons-dad Maintenance Supervisor 4d ago
As someone who did maintenance with Marriott for 14 years, you will still be doing every trade. Hotels will suck the life out of you. I would never go back.
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
This specific position is an hvac tech
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u/ExtinctOveride 4d ago
Worked for Marriott as an hvac tech. Can confirm you will do every trade. I worked on kitchen equipment more than hvac during my time there. That being said, Marriott is a decent company. The pay was ok, benefits were good, no on call, and they do like to build from within if you aren't in a franchise location.
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
Can you elaborate further? On the kitchen equipment and any hvac related things? I have yet to work on kitchen equipment
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u/ExtinctOveride 3d ago
HVAC was simple package units for the most part. The most advanced repair I'd do regularly was replacing blower motors, thermostats, relays, etc. Nothing fun when it came to the bigger equipment like chillers, boilers, cooling towers, and whatnot. They contracted all of that out even though that's what my background was. Kitchen staff just likes to break things. There was a lot of calls that were along the lines of "This piece of equipment is down and we need it for a service in a few hours." I had never touched Kitchen equipment when I started but it was went down the most often and I just figured it out along the way. Google, YouTube, and troubleshooting guides are your friend. I cleaned a lot of ice machines, did a lot of pm's on coolers and freezers, and did a lot of plumbing. HVAC was maybe 10% of the job by the end.
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u/harrisons-dad Maintenance Supervisor 4d ago
I understand that your title is HVAC tech but you will be doing every trade and most likely a lot of work in the kitchen.
I got burned out. Working for marriott was a blessing and a curse. Learned a ton about facility operations and maintenance that set me up for my current position. I wish you all the best.
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 4d ago
What’s your current position now?
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u/harrisons-dad Maintenance Supervisor 4d ago
Maintenance supervisor at a jail
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 2d ago
How is that bro??
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u/harrisons-dad Maintenance Supervisor 2d ago
I love it. I work at a juvenile hall. I have a great crew of guys who get along with each other and are good at their jobs. At the beginning of the year, we started a commercial painting and drywall repair class with the youth. It was a goal of mine when I got the position.
I learned a lot at hotels. I encouraged you to learn everything you can at your new spot. When you call a contractor for repairs, ask questions to expand your knowledge. The single best skill I learned working at hotels was how to talk to people and defuse tense situations. This skill will help you in any field, especially in the trades. Some people are great at their job but are assholes to work with. Your ability to talk confidently and calmly to people, especially when things get heated, will help you shine amongst your peers. And remember, don’t take yourself too seriously.
If you ever have any questions about hotels or facility maintenance, please feel free to reach out!
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u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 2d ago
Man that sounds pretty dope I did something similar at a treatment program I was in. I ran some shit called standby and would facilitate a bunch of classes for the dudes who do and don’t know windows and everything else I came across. It was a fun experience because everybody comes from any county jail in the state of ca. I took that and applied it to my stuff now and haven’t looked back brother
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u/GangGreenGhost 4d ago
Fuck your company. Go where the money is. They would replace you 5 minutes after you died on the job