Internet PRICING on HVAC says Contractor's Repair is TOO HIGH!

[@wyattbonnette3414]

Like many people I don't mind paying for a quality product or service. But HVAC work is expensive, and with so many choices and strange competition the purchaser is confused. I wish HVAC companies would give a more comprehensive quote breakdown to customers instead of a large ball park number.

[@PogiGames]

How can I tell if the unit in my attic is leveled correctly? I had someone come out to look at it because condensation like wasn’t draining fast enough and AC would shut of because of float switch. He said that I would need to installation pump. But the unit looks super Unleveled. I just want to make sure I’m not getting ripped off. I don’t think their is a clog in the line when I use a shop vac water is clean. Thanks for your time

[@Seedavis397]

Use a level

[@PogiGames]

@@Seedavis397what degree is it supposed to be at 😂

[@easynhonest]

👍 I have to ask you about a thermostat that I had regrettably replaced. The old one (gas forced air heat) would heat up past the setting and reignite a little below, lowering the number of ignitions per hour. The new one ignites at least 5 or 6 times an hour more which I think would be less efficient and more wear and tear on the furnace. Most contractors claim ignorance if they still make thermostats like my old one. Do you know if they stopped making thermostats like my old one?

[@lukevagle5711]

Without knowing you current or old thermostat you can definitely get a new thermostat that you can change the differential at which is turns on and shuts off. Also put in a max amount of starts per hour. You should be able to find a contractor that can set it up that way for you if you prefer!

[@dustinpomeroy8817]

What did your old one look like ?Was it round?

[@bobboscarato1313]

@@dustinpomeroy8817 That doesn't tell you much at all; you need a specific model number.

[@dustinpomeroy8817]

@@bobboscarato1313 that tells me if it's a Mercury thermostat and that's enough to know if they stopped making the old one or not.

[@bobboscarato1313]

@@dustinpomeroy8817 Mercury stats were discontinued due to pollution problems a long time ago. About 30 years ago. And if they weren't leveled accuracy was gone.

[@luisamen5758]

Hey man! I’m a Refrigeration tech in va area.. I’m looking to purchase a daikin fit 3 ton for my house. Where can I purchase it ?

[@williamfrederickiii1683]

Got quotes from three local HVAC companies for an install of a Mitsubishi split mini system (2 heads, total 42,000 BTU). Quotes came in at 10k, 12k, and 22k including demo of old compressor.

[@cc-tb3st]

Every installation is unique. I hope that includes them providing the split system. Even then, it only costs around 3k. I just installed 2 ton ducted heat pump systems in a rental of mine. They only cost $4k total. No labor since I did it. Took 8 hours of my time but saved some good money.

[@bobboscarato1313]

Many companies have been using a flat rate book similar to the one used by car dealers/servicers. You get a total cost that includes installation; most folks find this pretty fair and don't have to worry about enigmas!

[@williamfrederickiii1683]

@@bobboscarato1313 All the quotes I got included the price of the system. The most expensive installer did not break down the costs between labor and parts which I did not like.

[@bobboscarato1313]

@@williamfrederickiii1683 It's possible he may be using a flat rate book which provides for total cost installed and may include extended warranty and seasonal service. I'll suggest you ask for referrals or call the distributor who can fill in some details.

[@Brian17177]

With the company I work for we breakdown parts and labor for repairs, but installs are a flat rate

[@Garth2011]

Would be best to at least show the price for the equipment, ducting upgrades etc. and the labor as a minimum. If I was to get 3 estimates and they all had just one bottom line amount, that would tell me much about what the cost of equipment is or the labor. If they all had a labor amount, I could tell who was spending more time on the job or not maybe and who was selling the equipment at above retail or not etc. One final price doesn't tell the story enough for my method in choosing a contractor based off only that.

[@holtrussell]

A lot of companies that are filling R22 systems with R22 are charging near $200 per pound. Many of these businesses purchased that R22 and stocked it when the cost was closer to $10 per pound. Talk about a markup!

[@dustinpomeroy8817]

But you can't charge buy that,you have to charge what it's gonna cost to replace it

[@bobboscarato1313]

My son told me yesterday they went to the supply house to purchase a 25 lb. jug of R22 and the cost was $ 1,900.- This is from a large wholesaler in Houston, Texas.

[@davidsackett6162]

No HVAC person has r22 that they purchased at 10/pound. Hasn't been that price for like ten years.

[@quentinleathers480]

@@bobboscarato1313 try e bay no 25# bottles plenty of 30# for 700 to 900, I don't understand the prices myself. The stuff HVAC contractors get must be better.

[@Garth2011]

Guess what, some of the HVAC guys have R22 they paid nothing for. They recover it from systems they are replacing so they save it then sell it. Problem is, you might not have an "authentic" R22 as some systems are messed with and it hard to tell whats really in them.

[@Garth2011]

Really, I think the HVAC hardware/equipment prices are all hidden to allow contractors to charge any price they want to. I haven't seen any itemized estimate (or a bill for that matter) that shows how much the materials are and how much the labor is. Personally, I think the law should require it because the markup on the materials, or the price of the materials, is part of what a customer needs to evaluate what the real quote is all about. All we see in my area is a bottom line number...no information as to hour many hours it going to take, disposal of old equipment, discount to customer for recovering their existing refrigerant, any information about duct work, returns etc. and of course more details about warranty on parts and labor.

[@timothybilsky3023]

I never cared for the lack of itemization. And unlike the car stealership, I know exactly how long the installer is working on my unit, I think in many cases if we saw that, we’d be shocked at the hourly rate. I once paid two guys 2800 to install a split rail fence at my house, prob about 230 ft worth or so, so several posts and 4 stout corner posts. Those guys were working really hard and long over basically 2 full days, leveled everything as they went, followed my instruction. It wasn’t itemized at all bc it was under the table but it was fair, being out in the elements and moving constantly. But I’d generally prefer to see things broken down on paper, esp if it’s not under the table by a certified contractor.

[@xluckyxfingersx1750]

Thats why you have to shop around. Most of these guys are independent contractors its up to you if you want to use them or not. You can find itemized list just know your gunna pay out the ass. I think its more of time consuming thing to itemize mats etc. it also a case by case scenario not all houses are the same. With there being a shortage of hvac techs/labor this just what it is. Having a “bottom line number” is easier and faster. House installs usually same time frame unless you have multiple units or if it needs duct work. Honestly hvac is a luxury not a necessity. Might be for those who are old/unhealthy. Unhealthy person gets charged 10s of thousands even 100s to get surgery or pay for meds needed to sustain life ,same for old timers. If people want better prices make more hvac techs laborers or invent something that can replace A/C. Really comes down to how important is cold air to you? Apparently alot to alot of people and that my friend is why these guys can charge what they want. Its hard work, takes real men with ballz to go into a attic thats 120+ for hours breathing in insulation ALL SUMMER LONG. 12-14 hour days.

[@davidsackett6162]

@@timothybilsky3023 you guys are funny. You know who lives in multi million dollars houses... People in tech without degrees, people in real estate, doctors and dentists. You know where HVAC contractors live ... Middle class houses. It's almost like you expect people to have a high skilled and high labor job and do it for cheap and be poor so you can get a good deal. You can do your own fence... You can do your own hvac too but it's going to take you five times the time as someone who knows what they are doing and you're going to have to buy a couple grand in tools to do it. Quit expecting people to work for free. You don't walk in wal Mart demanding itemization on cost of goods

[@timothybilsky3023]

@David Sackett I’m just another guy who wants to get and appreciates fair pricing. I found a guy who I believe to be fair based on my research. I didn’t throw him a counter or anything. But I see his work, and he has a decent truck. I am simply saying that if you want to save money and likely get a good install, a single person operation typically is a way to do it. He’s not paying for high advertising, big buildings, or always new stuff. I’m no millionaire, I assure you, I just think much like my decision of how to spend my money is a choice, it’s no different for a contractor. If it chooses to spend a lot on ads, then of course that’s going into the on average higher bid. I wasn’t complaining about the fence, I was saying that was a good deal. I just don’t think 4-5k is ever reasonable in swpa for a straight-forward split system swap where the old system is well piped/configured and the installer won’t have to get up in an attic or even move more than 15 ft at ground level.

[@timothybilsky3023]

4-5 on the install portion is what I meant

[@DiLLY_V92]

HVAC work comes with an extreme amount of liability and risk. Not to mention the amount of knowledge required to properly diagnose repairs and not just throw parts at a piece of equipment. Go ahead and use a cheap company and see what it gets you in the HVAC world 😅

[@timothybilsky3023]

Comes down to knowledge and skills. Always. Regardless of price. Sometimes you find great knowledge at a low price. Other times, you get burned. Thankfully, I haven’t been burned yet. 😂

[@DiLLY_V92]

I only say what I did because I personally work for a high end HVAC company and I am constantly having to go to peoples homes who turned down our prices in the beginning but after a cheaper company fucked them I have to go clean up their mess. Anything from install craftsmanship issues to sloppy sales motivated maintenance where the system wasn’t ACTUALLY being thoroughly maintained during visits or the repairs another company did were just jerry rigs

[@davidsackett6162]

@@DiLLY_V92 this is confirmation bias though. If you worked for a low cost shop you'd find yourself going behind over priced companies only interested in selling units with financing and trying to charge 300 for a condensate line repair or 500 for a capacitor