New AC install price in the NOLA area.

There are a lot of factors in AC installation cost. What unit you’re getting, pitch of your roof, what type of ducts, etc. Plus they’re hauling off a ton of material. $25K seems steep, but if you’re expecting under $10K don’t expect a great product. I’m not in your area but if someone on this board has had a good experience with a specific installer, I’d lean in that direction.

How old is this house, is it leaky, insulated poorly, etc? Looks like your HVAC contractors are basing HVAC tonnage size on the 1 ton per 500 sq ft rule, maybe that is correct, but maybe you only need 1 ton per 1000 sq ft. An oversized HVAC unit is as bad, probably worst, than an under-sized unit.

You really need a manual J, manual S and manual D to properly size your new HVAC and duct work for your specific home, if your HVAC contractors providing estimates can’t do this, keep looking until you find one that can and will. Or hire a 3rd party to do these calculations for you. You can probably have this done for $500 or so - small price to pay before shelling out $15-25K. Example - my house was built in 93 (R-30 attic, R-13 walls, double pane windows, slab on grade), 2,500 sq ft living/conditioned area, I have a single 4 ton unit, manual J calculation says I should have a 3 1/2 ton unit, and I believe it.

You don’t provide enough info on the type of units they are quoting you - single stage, two-stage, multistage systems, and at those prices I’d have to guess more expensive, complex multi-stage systems are being quoted - is that what you want or think you need? Also you seem to be at the square footage break point where you could consider 2 smaller, HVAC units, which you could definitely install for $25K or less.

I know one thing, if I was going to shell out 25K, I’d be putting 10K + in energy improvements - sealing leaks, new windows, more insulation, etc and likely no more than $15K in the HVAC. I’d also install a whole house dehumidifier, which I plan to do when I replace my HVAC system - by and large, they are not that expensive.

Lastly, the quality and experience of the HVAC company/techs are far more important than brand name of any type of HVAC equipment.

Here are some links to older threads on HVAC pricing that might help and I think you need more estimates based on the limited info you’ve provided

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ETA: Forgot to add this important point, highly knowledgeable, experienced HVAC techs state the biggest problem they routinely see with customers with cooling comfort issues, are oversized HVAC tonnage with undersized duct work, and if you get get that wrong, you aren’t coming back and fixing it. I like what one HVAC professional says on a site I follow: the HVAC equipment is for cooling and heating, the ductwork is for comfort.

You need an award or a monthly dividend.

I just got both of my A/C systems replaced in early march, inside and outside units for $11.7k. American Standard 2.5T and 4T units. 2 ducts added, but none replaced. $25,000 is insane unless that includes removal and reinstall of drywall for the ductwork. I got 3 quotes and went with the guy I was most comfortable with. One of the quotes came in around $17,000 for a couple of upgrades, but nothing worth an extra $5.5K.

Mine are limping along. Can make it through this year. I plan on getting quotes after Thanksgiving when there isn’t much A/C work going on.