Hiring a new HVAC or plumbing tech can feel like a bit of a gamble. Someone might check all the boxes on paper, but once they're out in the field, things don’t always line up the way you expected. That’s why trial periods matter: they give you a real look at how someone actually works day-to-day.

Still, trial periods are only useful if you’re paying attention to the right things. Some warning signs show up early, and catching them can save you a lot of trouble later on. In this post, we’ll walk through three common red flags to watch for during a trial period, how you can deal with them, and how TradeRunner can help you stay ahead of the curve.

1. Constantly Showing Up Late⏰

In the trades, showing up on time is the bare minimum. And yet, according to a survey from CareerBuilder, one in four employers have fired a new hire for being chronically late. That is especially bad news in HVAC and plumbing, where job schedules are tight and clients expect reliability. If a tech can't get the easy things right, they won't be able to solve complex issues.

If a new tech is late more than once during their trial period, or worse, no-shows without a real excuse, that’s a serious problem. It makes you and the company look unprepared, and disrupts your whole day. 

What to do: Have a direct conversation the first time it happens. Ask if there’s an underlying issue, then make your expectations clear. If it happens again, it’s time to move on. You can’t afford to keep someone around who makes everyone else’s job harder.

How TradeRunner helps: Instead of waiting weeks to restart the hiring process, TradeRunner gives you a list of qualified techs who are ready to go. If someone flames out, you can bring in a replacement quickly without starting from scratch.

2. Rushing Through Jobs or Ignoring Safety⏳

You might think taking shortcuts means someone’s trying to be efficient. But in reality, those shortcuts can lead to damage, redoing work, or even injury. OSHA reports that plumbing and HVAC contractors see nearly 50,000 workplace injuries each year, many of which could be avoided with basic safety steps.

If a new hire skips a certification or fails testing, and then they leave behind a messy worksite, or gets too loose with tools, that’s a red flag. You want fast work, but never at the expense of safety or quality.

What to do: Watch how they handle tasks, especially small ones. If you notice careless habits, mention them with specific examples. Some people might not know better and will adjust quickly. Others just don’t take pride in the job, and those are the ones you do not want on your team.

How TradeRunner helps: When using TradeRunner, you can filter applicants by skill level and certifications, so you aren’t bringing in someone who is just guessing their way through. You can also track notes on trial performance to keep things documented and organized.

3. Bad Communication with Customers or the Team❌

This one can be a little harder to spot at first, but it matters just as much. If a tech can’t explain things clearly to a homeowner or keeps coworkers in the dark, you’re going to run into problems. A study by Zippia found that over 86% of employees cite poor communication as the main reason for workplace failures.

In HVAC and plumbing, communication can mean the difference between a one-visit solution and a frustrated callback. If a new hire completely ghosts your dispatcher, argues with a client, or just mumbles through updates, you need to take note.

What to do: Talk with them about what professional communication looks like on your team. Set clear standards. Some people just need a push to start improving. If their response has attitude or resistance, it’s a sign they're probably not a great fit.

How TradeRunner helps: TradeRunner keeps trial period notes visible so you can track red flags and patterns early. That way, if someone does not mesh well with your team, you aren’t guessing: you have a record and a plan.

Bottom Line🧾

A new hire’s trial period is like a test drive. If the wheels start falling off early, whether it’s showing up late, rushing through work, or poor communication, it’s better to cut ties early than hope things improve on their own.

The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. With TradeRunner, you get access to a deeper, more comprehensive roster of HVAC and plumbing candidates who are credentialed and ready to go. So if one hire doesn’t work out, the next one is already on deck.

Hiring in the trades is tough. Let TradeRunner help you move faster, hire smarter, and keep your team running strong.