I own a decent amount of rental properties so I do this about once a year or so. What I do is call 5-6 different places at least and set up times to meet them all at the property in one morning. If they can't come, I call someone else. I call them and tell them I'm getting quotes from 8-12 on 7/20. Most will do this, a quality HVAC salesman will quote you in all of about 10-15 minutes. Schedule them every 30 mins or so. Generally speaking the guys that take longer, are the bullshiter salesman trying to upsell you on crap you likely don't need.

Its WELL worth 4-5 hours of your time to get at least 4-5 quotes. Many times you'll find someone that really wants the job, a salesmen that's behind his quota or otherwise looking for business. And beat everyone by $1000 or so. They have a LOT of leeway on pricing.

A 2 man HVAC team will replace a unit in just a couple of hours. Unless they are doing duct work or something else, there's not a lot of "labor" variation between a good company and a crap company.

Then you'll have some other jackwagon try to quote you double everyone else. It really is amazing how off HVAC quotes can be.

I usually tell them to give me their good, better, best system quotes. Some may only do one or two systems, that's fine too. I've had them need to get rid of a best system and the price be not much more then the mid grade.

This post was edited on 7/17/19 at 9:05 am

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Posted by rotrain

Member since Feb 2013

390 posts

Posted on 7/18/19 at 7:27 pm to BigPapiDoesItAgain

I just got an estimate for two 4 ton package units, new ductwork in crawl space under pier and beam to connect them to existing ducts in attic ceiling. Included disassembly and removal of three 4 ton regular units (split). Previous install was too much tonnage and we needed to downsize. $16,000. Cenla.

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Posted by tigerfoot

Alexandria

Member since Sep 2006

60639 posts

Posted on 7/18/19 at 7:46 pm to Anonymous95

quote:
paid $6,850 for a 5 Ton Rheem installed. I never understand these $19K type quotes. I must be missing something.

me too I was quoted right about there for the same last year. This old arse unit of mine is hanging on by a thread still.

If I had been quoted 19k I would’ve pissed myself

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Posted by TeddyPadillac

Member since Dec 2010

29726 posts

Posted on 7/18/19 at 10:23 pm to tigerfoot

I just replaced my 4 ton and 3 ton units. Had to replace everything, outside, in the attic and ductwork. Even had to add a return air and make the two existing ones bigger. My old stuff was 17 years old and leaking the old expensive arse refrigerant.

I got 6 quotes. Trane, american standard, two carriers, Lennox, and Diakan.
Cheapest one was $18k and was 15 Seer single stage units.
Went with Diakan variable speed units for $25k. 12 year parts and labor warranty on everything. 10 year loan at 2% interest. All the other loans were at like 10%. I wasnt dropping that kind of cash up front.

I kept hearing about people replacing their 5 ton unit for $5k, yet not a single quote I got was anywhere in the vicinity of that. I think those that got that $5k were only replacing the outside unit, not everything like I was. Or maybe I got screwed.

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Posted by MikeBRLA

Baton Rouge

Member since Jun 2005

17123 posts

Posted on 7/19/19 at 8:21 am to TeddyPadillac

quote:
I kept hearing about people replacing their 5 ton unit for $5k, yet not a single quote I got was anywhere in the vicinity of that. I think those that got that $5k were only replacing the outside unit, not everything like I was. Or maybe I got screwed.

I got a 5 ton 16 seer single stage unit this year (coil and condenser) for $5500 installed this year BTW.

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Posted by tigerfoot

Alexandria

Member since Sep 2006

60639 posts

Posted on 7/19/19 at 8:54 am to TeddyPadillac

Yes, mine was just to replace the outside unit, I want to say it was about 6200 dollars. I dont remember the brand quoted but it was like a Lennox or Carrier with a decent SEER, but not top of the line.

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