Is this a fair price for htg/ac work?

[Aurora D]

We own a small 3 bedroom cape style home (1,000 sq. ft.). We currently do not have heat in the 2 upstairs bedrooms. The plan is to run duct work upstairs, put in a central ac unit and vent our hot water heater out the basement wall so we can take down our chimney which is taking up space. We've been quoted a price of $7500 by the company that put in our furnace a few years ago. Anyone with experience able to tell if that is a fair price?

 

[laurafergie]

We own a small 3 bedroom cape style home (1,000 sq. ft.). We currently do not have heat in the 2 upstairs bedrooms. The plan is to run duct work upstairs, put in a central ac unit and vent our hot water heater out the basement wall so we can take down our chimney which is taking up space. We've been quoted a price of $7500 by the company that put in our furnace a few years ago. Anyone with experience able to tell if that is a fair price?

You are having quite a bit of work done, along with purchasing an AC unit. Especially for NJ, I think $7500 is fair.

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

You are having quite a bit of work done, along with purchasing an AC unit. Especially for NJ, I think $7500 is fair.

I think that's a pretty fair price as well since you will be having a new A/C unit put in. We had to get a new unit a few years ago and we paid $4700. Estimates ranged from $4000-5500.

 

[mjkacmom]

Sounds good. I was always under the impression that getting central ac installed in a house without ductwork would be at least $10,000.

 

[Anthony1971]

How I understand it. You will have duct work run upstairs, add a compressor and lines only, run a new vent outside, and remove a chimney? Things can vary greatly depending on how they run the vents.. will they need to build enclosures to hide them or is through a closet or some other means, is your current air handler and furnace large enough for the extra two room, what brand of compressor you are getting, repairs to the outside of the house after you take the chimney down...
With all of this I feel the estimate can be low I would get everything they will do on writing, waste removal, repairs, covering duct work, electrical, permits brands of new equipment etc. The last I checked just to replace an outside compressor if it can be done will be in the 2000-3000+ range depending on who and size that is without new lines... when you have an older system and need to convert to new you are looking in the 5,000+ range and this is for AC only no duct work or furnace if needed.
Your estimate may be right or low I would doubt high but the only way to tell is to get other estimates and ask specifics and make sure all components of the new system will work together and properly heat and cool the house as spending more now if needed will save you a lot if what they are giving you will not meet your needs.

 

[Kellydelly]

You need to get at least a couple more estimates .

 

[disneylove69]

I had A/C and heat replaced this year for $8500. This included permitting fees. I live in California. I had one higher and one for less that did not include permitting.

 

[3boymthr]

I know when DH does this type of work while he may add the power vent and other floor and wall vents and ductwork and the A/C unit and remove the chimney he doesn't do any of the structural work nor does he do the job of boxing in the vents with drywall nor the work to paint and refinish and surfaces. It's not that he won't do the work, but these types of changes aren't covered by his license so he CAN'T do the work. I'd double check to see if any of this is included in the price. Don't just assume that it is. DH has had it out with a number of customers over the years over finish work. They have to contract with someone else to do that. It's just the law. If they are doing the finish work, make sure that they are licensed to do that and can pull not just the permits for the actual HVAC work but the building permits as well.

Also, does the price include a pad or other structure to support the A/C unit? Does the cost include a power vent for the Hot Water Heater? And all the permits?

As PP mentioned definitely get prices for this work from other vendors. And ask for references.

 

[3boymthr]

I had A/C and heat replaced this year for $8500. This included permitting fees. I live in California. I had one higher and one for less that did not include permitting.

But you had a replacement not a new install - whole other ball of wax. The volume of work is just sooo different.