As much as John Eanes loves his job and employees, he never intended to work in the HVAC industry, even though he grew up in the business.

Michael DeRitis, owner of Madison & East Mechanical Corp., will turn down a job if it puts too much stress on his staff.

Dustin Miller started Comfort Now Inc., in Visalia, California, in 2011, after branching away from his father and uncle’s contracting company.

Bruce Krinkie and his father had a vision: If they found employees that wanted to make customers happy, they would teach them HVACR technical skills.

The NEWS is proud to set these four contractors above the rest as examples of what it takes to be the Best Contractor to Work For.

In 128 years and five generations, Canton, Massachusetts-based E.M. Duggan Inc. hasn’t lost its business principles or its family-friendly culture. The mechanical contracting company specializes in plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection and offers preconstruction, CAD, and prefabrication services to its clients in the commercial and industrial markets.

Quality of service, both to customers and employees, has paid off big time for Hoffman Brothers.

Everyone knows that’s not always easy for an HVAC field technician, especially when cooling problems demand attention in the dead of a Dallas summer, so every once in a while, Barnes schedules a cookout.

Hard work, humility, and a commitment to both internal and external customers has earned Barron Heating & Air Conditioning The NEWS’ 2018 Best Contractor to Work For designation in the West region.