Providing benefits for workers and maintaining a competitive package seems to be a very good way to hire and retain good employees. But are HVAC contractors doing that? The most popular benefit for employees is medical insurance, but according to The NEWS' 2005 Salary and Service Rates Editorial Study this is offered by only 74 percent of the respondents. (See Figure 1-below,) The total shews a marked decrease from the 2002 Salary and Service Rates Editorial Study, when 88 percent offered medical benefits. The respondents in the 2005 study are offering fewer benefits than the 2002 respondents. The reasons can be varied but perhaps the biggest reason is the increased payroll costs, i.e., insurance. As one respondent stated, "Health care is going through the roof." Another reason? Contractors aren't charging enough for their service. One respondent summed up how contractors can afford to pay qualified technicians. "Our industry doesn't pay enough to our good people because we don't charge enough."
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