How much does it cost to have central air installed? I mean, I live in a small condo. I need like a 1.5 ton air conditioner. He's saying it's going to cost me $5000 for the air conditioner and to have it installed. That sounds high to me; my parents said it cost them less than $5000 to have AC put into their house, which is 2 stories, 4 bedroom/4 bath and required two gigantic units, one for each floor.
Please advise.
-pH
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
Can you shop around? Is there a home depot near you?
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
You can't buy a 1.5 ton package unit at home depot, and you definitely can't install it yourself.
Pearce, two things: (1) Condos are harder to install something like central A/C, because the attic is less accessible, and the coolant lines need to be piped in from elsewhere (you can't just set the condensing unit next to the house the way you normally would), (2) New Orleans post-Katrina is much more expensive than Florida, regular times. I have some friends that have been doing A/C repair down your way for months, and they're swamped. Supply and demand.
So, is he overcharging -- yes. Can you find someone else to do it cheaper -- doubtful.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
True, it's going to be more expensive than Florida right now, but I mean....$5000 is ridiculous to me. In all honesty, the guy didn't mention one of the EASIEST places to put the air conditioner.
My dad told me to get my hands on the building plans and send them to him, so maybe he can figure something out. I hope. Gah. Five thousand bucks.
-pH
Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :
It's always a good idea to get several quotes for major work like that. Get recommendations from people you know for companies to call. That should help you better tell if this one estimate is abnormally high.
Remember that you are having it done during the peak season, so it will cost a little more.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Won't hurt to get another estimate, but even in Hammond the cost for work like that is still double what it was pre-Katrina.
off-subject - I have a job interview in NO tomorrow.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Well, you are required to hang out with me, sir. And consume alcohol.
-pH
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I can definitely hang out afterwards, but I don't know about getting drunk at 3pm. That's extreme even on a Friday.
I'll call you tomorrow when I'm in town.
Posted by Stasia (Member # 9122) on :
quote:Originally posted by ludosti: It's always a good idea to get several quotes for major work like that. Get recommendations from people you know for companies to call. That should help you better tell if this one estimate is abnormally high.
I second this. My husband and I always make a rule to collect at least 3 quotes for major work done on the house. Also make sure that the A/C guy is a licensed contractor (we learned this the hard way) so you at least have a little recourse if something goes wrong.
Posted by dawnmaria (Member # 4142) on :
We just had a heat pump replaced in a condo in Virgina. It was 2 ton and we paid $4200. That was the best quote we got from anyone reputable and we did shop around. I think you probably aren't getting screwed so much as the industry knows people will pay to be cool! It's oh so much nicer in here now!
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Always good to do installs like A/C in the off season.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
quote:Originally posted by Primal Curve: Always good to do installs like A/C in the off season.
There IS no off season in Louisiana. Besides, I just bought the place in April.
-pH
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Well, you're right that it's warm all year, but it's not as hot and muggy in January so the demand is lower (one would assume).
![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Besides, I just bought the place in April.