idea on installation price & help to find installer

[CCShopgirl]

I want to have a Mini split AC unit installed on the first floor of my home. There is no way to get 220 so I have to go with a 110 volt unit .. I found many companies that make them and the room is small so I just need a 9000 BTU unit .. There is an outlet useable there where an old ac was.

I had one installer come out and his price seemed kind of crazy high to me ..

I told him I might have him install two in different locations but both on first floor .. and he said well that will be really expensive! The units themselves run around 800- 1000 each ..

I was hoping for some AC installers here that know pricing .. I live on Long Island NY ..

Right now there is no outside siding on my house as I am having it resided if that matters.. just sheathing.. I can even remove that If it helps .. I was hoping this would be a good time to do it but maybe that makes no difference .

any help/advise .. I don't know even where to find someone ( they say I need a licensed HVAC for warranty) .. most the companies I find do big jobs and I don't know anyone that installs at a fair and reasonable price .. thanks , CC

 

[green.bubbly]

I just installed one in my shed. Barring unusual circumstances, I can't see installation charges being much more than 3 to 4 hundred bucks. But keep in mind, there is a huge price range on these mini-splits. Make sure you get the equipment pricing separate from the installation pricing.

 

[brewchief]

This is just too funny...

And, would you plan on shopping equipment and installation separately?

A smart person would price it as an installed system, and walk if a "price breakdown" was requested.

When we have someone ask for separate pricing we ask if the want the cost of their dinner broken down at a restaurant as well, after all you wouldn't want to overpay for a baked potato.

$300-$400 probably would get me to pull a proper vacuum and fire it up but not much else, $1200-$1500 would be closer for a complete install, maybe a bit more if it was supplied by the customer.

For us if the customer supplies the equipment they can deal with any warranty issues by themselves, we will not warranty anything but our work.

 

[surfer8210]

I'm on LI also and had someone install my Mini-split for me. If you PM me I'll pass on his contact info and if you are within a reasonable distance I'm sure that he would have no problem doing your install..!!

I had a Mitsubishi Mr Slim installed and it had gotten hit with lightning, he came and installed all the new boards that were needed and cleaned up the previous installers work and I wouldn't hesitate to use him again.

My system works great and I love it..!!

 

[HVAC Phil]

I just installed one in my shed. Barring unusual circumstances, I can't see installation charges being much more than 3 to 4 hundred bucks. But keep in mind, there is a huge price range on these mini-splits. Make sure you get the equipment pricing separate from the installation pricing.

3-$400 for a whole install? You have got to be kidding me. I just charge a guy $450 last week to move his condenser from back of house, to side of house. Reused all his old stuff. 2 hour job. No real contractor will give the wholesale price they pay for equiptment. Like the quotes above, will burger king sell you a whopper cheaper with out cooking it?

 

[CCShopgirl]

OK>> so if the unit runs around $1000.00 .. I should figure the install should be around $1200.00 on average .. total $2200.00? is that correct per unit ? and what kind of warranty should I expect .. I know the unit comes with , but I mean from the company itself ? is that correct per unit ? I am not sure if I want one or two , but I think I want or should say will need to do two the same on that level in different locations ..

I didnt buy the units .. I just looked to see how much they cost so I have an idea if I bought ..

I figured installer can get the ones I want or something as good ..

thanks again, CC

 

[CCShopgirl]

PS.. the one guy who came out wanted for the unit and install .. $3500.00

 

[sneezer41]

If you cannot do your own rough in work, you are going to be stuck with whatever the market will bear for pricing.

I have installed a total of 5 of these and have a guy that comes down reflares the lines pumps down, pressure tests etc for reasonable money.

The real problem is the ac guys have an archaic supply chain. They should be able to buy the units cheaper than the internet, so that they can mark them up and install them reasonably.

There is no rocket science involved in this, and implying that there is to support a particular billing rate is, well, distasteful

 

[paris_tj]

I just had a 24k btu installed, single zone for $125, but I did have the Electrical there waiting on them.

 

[HVAC Phil]

If you cannot do your own rough in work, you are going to be stuck with whatever the market will bear for pricing.

I have installed a total of 5 of these and have a guy that comes down reflares the lines pumps down, pressure tests etc for reasonable money.

The real problem is the ac guys have an archaic supply chain. They should be able to buy the units cheaper than the internet, so that they can mark them up and install them reasonably.

There is no rocket science involved in this, and implying that there is to support a particular billing rate is, well, distasteful

We don't have an overpriced supply line, just better than the junk sold on the internet. Kind of like the t-stats home depot sells, total junk. It's simple, consumers get the "economy" line junk, contractors get the quality items. The garbage mini-splits sold on the internet, are not even close in quality of a Mitsu unit, thus they are sold cheaply. How much cheaper is the cheap stuff if it lasts 1/2 as long?
How much are the Mitsu mini-splits online? Oh yeah that's right, they don't sell to unqualified people.

That's why there is "wholesale" and "retail", to keep the DIY guys with the homemade vacuum pumps out of the real supply houses.

 

[sneezer41]

Oh, except that 4 of the 5 I have bought are mitsus.

http://www.acwholesalers.com/Mitsubishi_Mr_Slim_mitsubishi_air_conditioner_p/11291.htm

about 200 bucks in install parts.

It is not your fault the supply chain *****, you are playing the hand you are dealt.

On the other hand, in my business, I have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital equipment and it is a good day that I can bill out at the rates quoted here.

If you can make the rates you make, god love you, but don't whine if people object. The installation is a snap for an experienced diyer.

I do not see burger king complaining about people cooking at home, and you should not either.

 

[HVAC Phil]

Once again, those are not the same Mitsus that we as contractors buy, econo line. But hey when you need cheap, that place is there for you. I love the prices on the Amana stuff, that is the same that contractors buy, except way over priced.

Sometimes people want a professionally installed system, covered by manufacturers warranty, because they are an authorized dealer.

 

[SUPERFORD]

Once again, those are not the same Mitsus that we as contractors buy, econo line...

...Sometimes people want a professionally installed system, covered by manufacturers warranty, because they are an authorized dealer.

Phil, I find it hard to believe that when I purchase a Mitsubishi unit from an authorized installer who gives me a part #, that he is selling me anything different than if I had ordered the same exact part# from an online vendor.

I do not believe that they are selling two parts (quality version and "economy" or "internet?" version but using the same part #)

This is plain B.S.

I do agree with the second part of your statement however.

It is just unfortunate that i have to overpay for the hardware/components just so that I can get a warranty or get an experienced person to do the install. I'm more than willing to pay for an installer's expertise and skills and experience. But why should I pay a RIDICULOUSLY higher price for the EXACT SAME equipment just because the trained guy says I should?

 

[Steves32]

You can't even get a warranty on a Fujitsu unit unless I install it for you.

That's why I only sell Fujitsu now. They support their dealers & frown on DIY installs & internet sales.

 

[Steves32]

It is rumored that Moen faucets sold at the big box store are indeed different than the same looking product at the plumbers supply house... plastic valves vs metal, plastic pop-up vs metal.

That's not a rumor- it's fact.

 

[HVAC Phil]

The part numbers listed on that site do not match those from a supply house, i checked. Those are for online sales only. Just like when you buy a Honeywell t-stat at home depot, not the same as a supply house. Those are manufactured for big box stores. Same as a simple spark plug, for instance, Autolite plugs. The stuff walmart sells are the 3rds, autoparts stores, 2nds, dealer 1st. What this means is when they pass inspection, only the best go to dealers, then so on and so forth. There is a difference in quality control out there. So, the Mitsus online are not the same as what we contractors purchase.

To the OP, if you want a quality unit installed the correct way, by an authorized dealer, able to service in the proper way, call a real contractor. If you are trying to save money, look for a guy that does it on the side(real HVAC guy). You may save a few bucks and have it done right. If you are looking for cheap, there are a number of outlets online that will sell you the junk they sell.

 

[sneezer41]

BS, the part numbers cross with the Mitsu website

 

[rickairmedic]

Phil, I find it hard to believe that when I purchase a Mitsubishi unit from an authorized installer who gives me a part #, that he is selling me anything different than if I had ordered the same exact part# from an online vendor.

I do not believe that they are selling two parts (quality version and "economy" or "internet?" version but using the same part #)

This is plain B.S.

I do agree with the second part of your statement however.

It is just unfortunate that i have to overpay for the hardware/components just so that I can get a warranty or get an experienced person to do the install. I'm more than willing to pay for an installer's expertise and skills and experience. But why should I pay a RIDICULOUSLY higher price for the EXACT SAME equipment just because the trained guy says I should?

Whats funny is I am sure somewhere here we have discussed the fact that Dewalt tools sold in the Big Box Stores are not the same as those sold to contractors in " contractor supply houses " . I am even pretty sure that the ones sold in Big Box Stores have plastic gears in them where the contractor versions have metal gears in them . Why would it be a surprise that Mini Split units would be any differant . I would bet the markup on a " cheaper internet supplied unit " is even better than one from an " authorised wholesale supplier " .


Rick




Phill your quote on moving a condensor is about the same we get here for that job by the way .


Rick