ARLINGTON, VA — According to preliminary results from a nationwide survey of nearly 300 contracting companies conducted by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), health insurance premiums paid by HVACR contractors have grown an average of 61% from 1999 to 2002.
At the same time, average employment by responding contractors over the last three years has remained flat, and 64% of respondents have reduced benefits to employees since 1999. Another 16% of respondents indicated that they intend to reduce benefits in 2003.