The Industry Keeps Moving, But the Headaches Haven’t!
Every HVAC/HVACR contractor knows the drill:
Not enough skilled labor
Nonstop compliance curveballs
Too many missed opportunities because you’re stretched too thin.
But here’s the difference, signatory contractors aren’t stuck in that cycle.
By partnering with SMART Local 104, they’ve turned those problems into competitive advantages:
Manpower when they need it.
Support they can count on.
Growth they can manage.
Maybe it’s time you stopped fighting the same fight, and started building with the right team behind you!
Serving 49 California counties, our reach spans from the Oregon border to Ventura County
We’ve Talked to Thousands of Contractors, Here’s What We Hear Over and Over
After years of conversations with HVAC, HVACR, and sheet metal contractors across Northern California, one thing is crystal clear:
If you're not signatory, you're fighting the same uphill battle as everyone else.
Labor shortages
compliance nightmares
growing pains
We’ve heard it all, and we’ve seen what happens when there’s no system in place to support real growth.
Here are the top challenges we hear over and over again from contractors who haven’t yet partnered with the Union:
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Work Force Issues
If you're a non-signatory contractor, you know the challenge all too well: finding skilled, dependable workers is like chasing shadows.
You post jobs. You call around. Maybe you even train someone up, just to watch them walk off the job a month later for a dollar more somewhere else.
The truth is, without a steady pipeline of qualified workers, your business is always one shortage away from missing a deadline or turning down a project you should have won.
It’s not about working harder, you’re already doing that.
It’s about building a system that supports your growth without burning you out.
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Compliance Hardship
Public works projects should be an opportunity, not a liability.
But for non-signatory contractors, compliance can feel like walking a tightrope with no safety net.Slip up once? You’re risking fines, lost contracts, or worse, being barred from bidding altogether.
You didn’t get into this business to become a compliance expert.
You got into it to build something real. -
Scalability troubles
As a non-signatory contractor, growth often feels like a gamble. You win the work, but now you’re scrambling to find enough skilled hands to get it done. Shuffling crews, training on the fly, and hoping someone doesn’t no-show isn’t a plan, it’s survival mode. The stress of staffing up for big jobs, only to scale back the next week, makes it nearly impossible to grow without burning out your team or turning down work.
For non-signatory contractors, scaling means scrambling:
- You’re shuffling crews between jobs, hoping no one burns out.
- You’re hiring fast, training on the fly, and hoping they stick.
- You’re turning down opportunities because you just can’t risk falling behind.
Let’s Talk About What Happens When You Have the Right Team Behind You
This Is What Backed-by-the-Union Looks Like.
A PROVEN PARTNER
We’re not just a union; we’re your partner in solving the problems that hold contractors back. If you’ve struggled with unreliable labor, complex public works compliance, or the stress of trying to grow without the right support, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep doing it the hard way.
Partnering with SMART Local 104 means gaining access to a skilled, job-ready workforce, built-in compliance, and a scalable system that lets you bid bigger and grow smarter without sacrificing quality or control.
As a signatory contractor, you’ll also tap into a trusted network of business owners looking to sell, acquire, or collaborate, giving you options for expansion, succession, and long-term security in the HVAC and sheet metal industry.
CASE STUDY
Marina Mechanical Services
Since partnering with Local 104 in 2001, Marina Mechanical transformed its workforce, improving skilled labor retention, efficiency, and project quality. Union benefits helped attract top talent, while access to a reliable, well-trained workforce allowed the company to grow from 15-20 employees to 50-60, significantly increasing project capacity and overall competitiveness
"The one thing I would never change is the path Marina Mechanical took to becoming a signatory contractor. I attribute that to our success, our growth, our beautiful building, and our customer base. We wouldn't have achieved this without the help of
Local 104."
Carl Koos, President of Construction
Marina Mechanical SErvices
Join a Network of Industry Leaders!
Take the first step towards success by scheduling a consultation. Ignite growth, streamline processes, and secure your business future with Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 104.
