Starting a business is often thought to be a labor of love, but for the Annan family, it’s been a wonderful experience for the whole family. In a little over a year, family-owned Cornerstone Mechanical has become a very loved local HVAC business in the West Chester community.
Owned by Tim and Meg Annan, Cornerstone Mechanical provides a personalized approach to HVAC systems. After years of working for a large HVAC company in the area, in early 2023 Tim felt it was time to branch out on his own to begin an independent business built on trust. He wanted the ability to develop real relationships with his customers.
“We meet so many people who feel they’ve been taken advantage of in the past by home contractors and are never sure if someone is telling them the truth or just trying to make a sale,” said Tim. “We treat our customers like they are family and we will only recommend something that’s in their best interest.”
It is this honesty that is taking the area by storm. As a smaller operation, Tim gets to know his customers and takes the time to explain their HVAC system to them. He says maintenance is the biggest issue they see time and time again.
“Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive parts of your home and you want to make sure it’s being maintained properly,” said Tim. “Maintenance is one thing we take very seriously, and that’s why we spend a full hour looking at every component to make sure it’s working properly.”
It is during this inspection that Cornerstone will let you know if they see any parts that are beginning to have issues that could impact your system, eventually causing a breakdown. They will make a recommendation but they will never pressure the customer into anything. They give customers all their options instead of trying to push a new unneeded system on them.
“Another huge issue we see is a homeowner replacing their system too early. If you’re feeling pressured to replace a system that is under 10 years old, get a second opinion,” said Tim. “Repairs to a system that is 7 years or older are very normal and are to be expected. We’ve even seen systems 20 years old or more that are running just fine. If they don’t want to replace a system that’s older but still working well, that’s completely fine. We will help keep it going as long as we can.”
About 80% of the work Cornerstone Mechanical currently does is in residential settings, but they are seeing their commercial jobs steadily growing as well. Before he opened Cornerstone, Tim was working strictly in commercial HVAC, so he is well-versed in all types of HVAC needs. They are a full-service company offering residential maintenance, repair and system replacements, and ductwork needs in new and older homes that do not have central HVAC yet. Cornerstone can also handle water heater installations and odd jobs involving gas piping, such as new lines for patio fireplaces.
For commercial needs, Cornerstone Mechanical works with large office buildings and warehouses to offer maintenance contracts. They work directly with the property managers to alleviate the middleman. They are comfortable handling big jobs, such as the swapping-out of rooftop package units. Growing their commercial sector is a priority for 2024.
Working primarily in residential now has been very rewarding for Tim though. He likes meeting neighbors and new people daily as well as the younger family members too!
“I’ll often have someone’s young child following me around and asking me about different tools, which is entertaining. As a father of four, this doesn’t bother me at all and I’m thrilled that kids are fascinated by what I’m doing,” said Tim. “There is going to likely be a shortage of skilled laborers in the near future so we need more young people who grow up and want to fix things and work with their hands.”
Tim and Meg’s kids are no strangers to the business. Their older son, who is now 12, has had the chance to go with his dad on a few jobs and lend a hand testing thermostats and tightening up screws. Their two daughters help mom out with the marketing side of the business by handing out business cards whenever they get a chance. All joking aside, it’s this family-focused approach to business that has been a breath of fresh air for many residents in the West Chester community. Not being the typical large HVAC company has helped grow trust and support for their new business.
When you call to make a new appointment with Cornerstone Mechanical you will speak directly to Tim. Even as Cornerstone Mechanical continues to grow, the same family-owned feeling will remain the same. This personalized experience is the foundation of their business model and it is what makes Cornerstone so unique.
For more information on Cornerstone Mechanical visit their website at csmhvac.com or reach them by phone at (484) 266-9077.
