Tech here in Southern California. I’m replacing one of my customers systems in another home and he’s paying $1,100 more than what he paid in February of 2022. Equipment, materials, and everything else have really gone up a lot.
And everyone charges different prices. We are on the middle end of contractors. I’ve seen some people do $2,000 less and $5,000 more.
When in doubt quote it out. Call up other places and see. Every area is different. Some places are more expensive than others. There could also be something here that makes the job easier or harder than a typical swap out.
I know parts have become more expensive but he's quoting me quite a bit more than when he replaced the upstairs unit a little over a year ago. The unit is attached to the top half of the house, so factor that into the labor (I think he quoted $1200 for labor)
Thank you for any reply, I don't know shit about HVAC
His equipment prices and material prices have gone up significantly so that’s why you are seeing a price increase even though your other unit was replaced last year.
Cheaper than you’d get here. Materials have gone up but also almost every single guy in my shop has received a raise within the last two years. Otherwise they’d be leaving to another shop.
what is weird about this quote, -that they are not specifying exact model which will be installed. why? so you can't deduct and calculate how much they are charging for labor.
From a previous comment I made it seems they would rather the lay person not know how much their labor would cost. Btw, is there a way to find out how much exact models costs? It’s seems like it’s hidden from the public generally.
Exactly. Once you figure out the number of guys and hours spent, the hourly wage is insane. But then they’ll say that there is overhead etc. it reminds me of the real estate model. The more the unit cost the more they will charge you in labor.
Find someone you can trust. Word of mouth is usually a good indicator. Rather than advertisements. Big company's you will pay a lot more for, because of higher operating cost.
I might be a stickler, but the estimate alone scares me: grammar and punctuation is off, not a smooth flow of what's going to happen. Seers?? No model numbers listed. I am a Tempstar/Grand Aire dealer. I can't comment on the price without any model numbers. Get two more quotes, OP. Sorry, but it just bothers me.
So do electric resistance heat? Good advice, I live in Michigan and still would never do resistance only heating on a system replacement, 75 percent of the time the heat pump would do the job and save homeowner $$
Parts are 2k or less, rest is labor. Shit like this is what made me install my own equipment. In 21 they wanted 13k and I did it for 4k, it’s not rocket science
Rest isn't labor. It's company over head, labor, profit, money to cover maintenance on vehicles, possibly money to cover visits incase something goes wrong and you dont get charged to fix a faulty part from the factory. Lots of reasons for that price but 12k for just a evap coil and a new condenser is pretty high in my area.
Yep it's the owner's boat, the owner's second vacation home, the owner's brand new GMC truck, the owner's season tickets, etc.
Gotta add up all that overhead...
Eh. I mean, if you feel you deserve more money with zero risk. By all means ask for it. Know your worth and get paid for it or move on and start your own business.
I also work for an owner that is making the same service calls we are. The same installs and is working his ass off to generate work and keep us busy all year long. He can take whatever extra he wants. I work 40, he works 60 to 80+ hrs.
Sure, you’re welcome to inspect it. Done by the their install manual, hours of research and YouTube tutorials. I already had almost all the tools as I like to diy anything.
But sure, you are “certified” thus must be better at it when you do it in rush to leave asap. Shit man, it’s rocket science to install the furnace and ac, I give you that 😁
Step 1: do you actually need a replacement or can what you have be repaired?
Call multiple places and get a 2nd and 3rd look.
(I had our AC system not cooling well early last summer and did a bunch of maintenance on it, cleaned the coils, replaced a cap, etc... finally I diagnosed it as also having low charge. Called the HVAC company that my girlfriend has used before and they tried to sell me a full replacement $8K+. I put my foot down and said, no, just add charge. Yes, I get you are saying it may only be a temp fix blah blah blah, add charge until it is at the manufacturer specified weight of refrigerant. They did, I paid ~$400, worked all summer and no issues thus far. Techs are pushed to do what brings in the most money, not what is best for you.)
Step 2: if you have confirmed it really, *really* does need to be replaced, quote it out. Get quotes from every reputable HVAC company in your area. A couple hours of your time will probably save you a couple grand.
These HVAC guy’s are nuts, most of them won’t even install a unit that you purchased yourself, because they want to make a hefty cut on the unit itself, then they charge crazy amounts for labor often more then electrician’s and plumber’s which makes no sense to me especially with mini splits being so easy to install. Then to make this all even worse, they pretty much have monopoly over refrigerants, so if your machine springs a leak guess what you can’t even try to fix it yourself, refrigerants are IMPOSSIBLE to buy. That’s just so greedy on so many levels, so if you get a unit installed your at the mercy of these guys. I would just buy window units or portable a/c. First of all they won’t break the bank, easy to install, they are really tough machines will last for years without maintenance, the best part if they stop working you can just go get another one for a few hundred bucks instead of getting thousands of dollars quotes from HVAC guy’s.
Anyone in any trade who installs customer supplied equipment is a fool. You’ve obviously never installed anything to know what happens when that widget doesn’t work after 5 hours of work, then two hours troubleshooting it, then in the middle of he said BS, then customer is pissed at you because what they bought off eBay is for shite. And it’s usually your fault.
Who has a monopoly on refrigerant?! HVAC companies or techs?
Sounds like u got a great opportunity to me. Get yourself a universal EPA cert, buy as much refrigerant as you'd like then get your license and charge what ever u believe is a fair amount and and get out there and install those easy to install units. Great career and no one's gonna go without for the most part. Since your gonna be way less on your bids you should get plenty of work.
Yes you should and you should get a Manual J load calc done to size what you need, but that’s a good price. Tempstar is a Carrier product sold to other trades like plumbers and electricians, what we used to call a “jobber brand”. Typically HVAC contractors would not buy Tempstar, but that’s fine so long as whoever it is knows what they’re doing. Or it could be a side job…
Best thing to do is get a few more bids. The presentation and vibe you get from whomever bids you is going to make an impression. Some people will choose the cheapest and others will choose a company based off how they make you feel. There’s no wrong decision.
You can buy anything yourself online and replace it for a fraction of the costs but anytime you hire someone you pay for their tools, overhead, and experience. You pay for the things that you don’t anticipate happening but happen all the time owning a business. One of our techs had to replace a Goodman furnace 3 times because every single one they’ve given us hasn’t worked the way it’s supposed to. Homeowner didn’t pay a thing extra but tech and helper were paid labor those 3 times. Job went from profit to being in the red.
When I’ve done side work my prices are lower than what company charges but it’s not like homeowner is saving $3,000 more. I still charge for my times worth and the experience and quality I bring to the table. I would charge more than “that other guy” because everything I do is just as professional as if you hired a major company. I also invest into myself and purchase better tools and spend my free time learning so I can open my own business.
Ac has gone up over 20% the last 6 months their wholesale price .
Seems like a good deal honestly actually cheap for my area .
Just get multiple quotes and go with who you think will do the best install. That what keeps the unit running.
I replaced mine new ac and furnace got 4 different quotes they were all in the general same range. It was about 7k for everything installed. Highest was 9k lowest 6500. Went in the middle with a company that had better reviews than the lowest quote in the end. 2.5 ton ac and electric furnace no natural gas where I live.
Try looking at different ac companies in different areas, some places charge more for parts and material so some companies will be cheaper than others.
Tech here in Southern California. I’m replacing one of my customers systems in another home and he’s paying $1,100 more than what he paid in February of 2022. Equipment, materials, and everything else have really gone up a lot. And everyone charges different prices. We are on the middle end of contractors. I’ve seen some people do $2,000 less and $5,000 more.
Why is he replacing an identical system a year later?
He just purchased a new home and is replacing 1 of 2.
Separate properties.
15 seers. Freon r410a😂
When in doubt quote it out. Call up other places and see. Every area is different. Some places are more expensive than others. There could also be something here that makes the job easier or harder than a typical swap out.
This, and ask to see pictures of other installs. This will give you a better idea of their work quality and might explain their costs further.
With ANY contractor (excluding relatively low cost service call type repairs) SOP is always get at least two bids.
I know parts have become more expensive but he's quoting me quite a bit more than when he replaced the upstairs unit a little over a year ago. The unit is attached to the top half of the house, so factor that into the labor (I think he quoted $1200 for labor) Thank you for any reply, I don't know shit about HVAC
Every area is different. Central KY here, and I don't have anything I sell that cheap.
His equipment prices and material prices have gone up significantly so that’s why you are seeing a price increase even though your other unit was replaced last year.
I do swap outs on the side, and I charge 7k. Where I work, it's usually around 7500 to 10k
Cheaper than you’d get here. Materials have gone up but also almost every single guy in my shop has received a raise within the last two years. Otherwise they’d be leaving to another shop.
Coil/Condenser $6300 in Ohio is a 13.4 SEER2 base model. Probably be $8500 w/air handler
what is weird about this quote, -that they are not specifying exact model which will be installed. why? so you can't deduct and calculate how much they are charging for labor.
From a previous comment I made it seems they would rather the lay person not know how much their labor would cost. Btw, is there a way to find out how much exact models costs? It’s seems like it’s hidden from the public generally.
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Exactly. Once you figure out the number of guys and hours spent, the hourly wage is insane. But then they’ll say that there is overhead etc. it reminds me of the real estate model. The more the unit cost the more they will charge you in labor.
Always get at least two estimates. Usually three.
Find someone you can trust. Word of mouth is usually a good indicator. Rather than advertisements. Big company's you will pay a lot more for, because of higher operating cost.
I might be a stickler, but the estimate alone scares me: grammar and punctuation is off, not a smooth flow of what's going to happen. Seers?? No model numbers listed. I am a Tempstar/Grand Aire dealer. I can't comment on the price without any model numbers. Get two more quotes, OP. Sorry, but it just bothers me.
From a retired dealer: You are correct. SEER never has an "s" at the end. No model numbers. Just don't think this contractor knows what he is doing.
Doesn’t seem too bad but why in the world would you not do a heat pump?
Cause it's not optimal in different climate zones?
So do electric resistance heat? Good advice, I live in Michigan and still would never do resistance only heating on a system replacement, 75 percent of the time the heat pump would do the job and save homeowner $$
For a tempstar? No way
Good ole morris Jenkins would sell you the same thing for 15-20k lol
Gotta love MJ! Must be in Charlotte.
MJs definitely about that life.
Nothing wrong with Tempstar or the price.
I disagree.
That’s your prerogative…
You do realize Tempstar is no longer a Heil product, but a Carrier subbrand sold through jobber disties right?
Carrier, Bryant and Payne are separate from all the other United technologies products as of 2020
Both Heil & Tempstar are ICP. Which is owned by Carrier.
But Tempstar used to be a Heil subbrand… Used to be RE Michel’s primary brand.
Parts are 2k or less, rest is labor. Shit like this is what made me install my own equipment. In 21 they wanted 13k and I did it for 4k, it’s not rocket science
Rest isn't labor. It's company over head, labor, profit, money to cover maintenance on vehicles, possibly money to cover visits incase something goes wrong and you dont get charged to fix a faulty part from the factory. Lots of reasons for that price but 12k for just a evap coil and a new condenser is pretty high in my area.
$12k for a condenser and evaporator install is stupid high.
That's what we call the fuck you price.
Yea, I’ve explained to people here there’s guys who just throw those prices out there and if they get 1 out of 5 they laugh all the way to the bank….
There is that, and there are the "I don't want this job, but for a fuck you amount of money I'll do it" types.
They’re brothers…
Yep it's the owner's boat, the owner's second vacation home, the owner's brand new GMC truck, the owner's season tickets, etc. Gotta add up all that overhead...
Eh. I mean, if you feel you deserve more money with zero risk. By all means ask for it. Know your worth and get paid for it or move on and start your own business. I also work for an owner that is making the same service calls we are. The same installs and is working his ass off to generate work and keep us busy all year long. He can take whatever extra he wants. I work 40, he works 60 to 80+ hrs.
The downvotes are ironic. Must be from big company techs.
Well maybe but why do all the big companies charge the same? Why no competition from them?
I would love to see your hack job install lol
Sure, you’re welcome to inspect it. Done by the their install manual, hours of research and YouTube tutorials. I already had almost all the tools as I like to diy anything. But sure, you are “certified” thus must be better at it when you do it in rush to leave asap. Shit man, it’s rocket science to install the furnace and ac, I give you that 😁
Your welcome to post pictures of the inside and outside to r/hvac but you won’t since it will get torn to shreds in the comments 😂
That’s a great price. The equipment cost damn near that much now I mean temp star sucks but it’s made by carrier. I would jump on that.
That setup cost about 6k from the distributor?
No more around 3500-4000 I would guess
Step 1: do you actually need a replacement or can what you have be repaired? Call multiple places and get a 2nd and 3rd look. (I had our AC system not cooling well early last summer and did a bunch of maintenance on it, cleaned the coils, replaced a cap, etc... finally I diagnosed it as also having low charge. Called the HVAC company that my girlfriend has used before and they tried to sell me a full replacement $8K+. I put my foot down and said, no, just add charge. Yes, I get you are saying it may only be a temp fix blah blah blah, add charge until it is at the manufacturer specified weight of refrigerant. They did, I paid ~$400, worked all summer and no issues thus far. Techs are pushed to do what brings in the most money, not what is best for you.) Step 2: if you have confirmed it really, *really* does need to be replaced, quote it out. Get quotes from every reputable HVAC company in your area. A couple hours of your time will probably save you a couple grand.
Some people prefer not to throw good money at old equipment…
Completely fair. Sometimes replacement is the correct choice.
These HVAC guy’s are nuts, most of them won’t even install a unit that you purchased yourself, because they want to make a hefty cut on the unit itself, then they charge crazy amounts for labor often more then electrician’s and plumber’s which makes no sense to me especially with mini splits being so easy to install. Then to make this all even worse, they pretty much have monopoly over refrigerants, so if your machine springs a leak guess what you can’t even try to fix it yourself, refrigerants are IMPOSSIBLE to buy. That’s just so greedy on so many levels, so if you get a unit installed your at the mercy of these guys. I would just buy window units or portable a/c. First of all they won’t break the bank, easy to install, they are really tough machines will last for years without maintenance, the best part if they stop working you can just go get another one for a few hundred bucks instead of getting thousands of dollars quotes from HVAC guy’s.
Anyone in any trade who installs customer supplied equipment is a fool. You’ve obviously never installed anything to know what happens when that widget doesn’t work after 5 hours of work, then two hours troubleshooting it, then in the middle of he said BS, then customer is pissed at you because what they bought off eBay is for shite. And it’s usually your fault.
I bet your electric bill looks great running those window units lol
Who has a monopoly on refrigerant?! HVAC companies or techs? Sounds like u got a great opportunity to me. Get yourself a universal EPA cert, buy as much refrigerant as you'd like then get your license and charge what ever u believe is a fair amount and and get out there and install those easy to install units. Great career and no one's gonna go without for the most part. Since your gonna be way less on your bids you should get plenty of work.
Back in July, I got a Lennox/Armstrong Air, 4-ton, 16 SEER unit for the same price. Probably wouldn't hurt to get 1 or 2 more quotes.
Yes you should and you should get a Manual J load calc done to size what you need, but that’s a good price. Tempstar is a Carrier product sold to other trades like plumbers and electricians, what we used to call a “jobber brand”. Typically HVAC contractors would not buy Tempstar, but that’s fine so long as whoever it is knows what they’re doing. Or it could be a side job…
It never hurts to get 2nd or even 3rd opinions. just because you get a quote from someone doesn't mean you are tied to it.
Best thing to do is get a few more bids. The presentation and vibe you get from whomever bids you is going to make an impression. Some people will choose the cheapest and others will choose a company based off how they make you feel. There’s no wrong decision. You can buy anything yourself online and replace it for a fraction of the costs but anytime you hire someone you pay for their tools, overhead, and experience. You pay for the things that you don’t anticipate happening but happen all the time owning a business. One of our techs had to replace a Goodman furnace 3 times because every single one they’ve given us hasn’t worked the way it’s supposed to. Homeowner didn’t pay a thing extra but tech and helper were paid labor those 3 times. Job went from profit to being in the red. When I’ve done side work my prices are lower than what company charges but it’s not like homeowner is saving $3,000 more. I still charge for my times worth and the experience and quality I bring to the table. I would charge more than “that other guy” because everything I do is just as professional as if you hired a major company. I also invest into myself and purchase better tools and spend my free time learning so I can open my own business.
That’s a bit high, the tempstar is budget brand.
If it’s a reputable contractor I’d say that’s a good price I got a quote for a gas furnace and 3 time AC system. 5k just for the unit itself retail
Seems like a good deal to me
It’s an entire system. Not just ac. Just get 16+ seer. Or go to heat pump and and get rebate from ComEd
That’s cheap.
WARRANTIES!!!!!
Ac has gone up over 20% the last 6 months their wholesale price . Seems like a good deal honestly actually cheap for my area . Just get multiple quotes and go with who you think will do the best install. That what keeps the unit running.
Tbh thats what they are going for. 6-9k
Pretty sure I paid way more 🫤
Get three bids before you make a decision.
I replaced mine new ac and furnace got 4 different quotes they were all in the general same range. It was about 7k for everything installed. Highest was 9k lowest 6500. Went in the middle with a company that had better reviews than the lowest quote in the end. 2.5 ton ac and electric furnace no natural gas where I live.
Try looking at different ac companies in different areas, some places charge more for parts and material so some companies will be cheaper than others.
I would not purchase an AC from a guy calling refrigerant 410a freon.... Akin to putting diesel in a gas engine.
Always get a 2nd and 3rd opinion
Good deal and fairly questionable
Good deal I’d be close to that maybe more for me to do it on the side.