Any HVAC installers out there?

[turfman]

I'm looking to switch from oil to gas. Now I got a quote from my oil company to do the work. The quote is for a cce teir three furnace ( can't remember the name right now) removal of the oil furnace and installation of the new for $5600.



I had a service guy from a reputable contractor come over and clean my furnace a couple of months ago and told me that the mfg really doesn't matter to an extent. What matters is finding the right one for the house. Asked him for a ballpark figure ; said he was thinking in the neighborhood of 3000 - 3400.

Can there be this much of a difference in equipment/set up.

thanks

turfman

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Any HVAC installers out there?

Many years ago almost 18 (I think) ....... my forced hot air furnace had finally given up (darn near old enough to have voted for Eisenhower!!)... I got quotes and they were sky high.

A local furnace guy told me that I could buy one myself and he would help me install it...... I installed it and had the oil company guy check it and set it up. I saved about 1500-2K in money.

Shop around. Worst part is the time that you are doing this...... if you hold out until summer I bet you get a better price.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Any HVAC installers out there?

I'm looking to switch from oil to gas.


I had a service guy from a reputable contractor come over and clean my furnace a couple of months ago and told me that the mfg really doesn't matter to an extent. What matters is finding the right one for the house. Asked him for a ballpark figure ; said he was thinking in the neighborhood of 3000 - 3400.

Can there be this much of a difference in equipment/set up.

thanks

turfman

hello,

maybe not, but there can be that much dif in the quoted costs...

do ur homework, ck net and local sources, get 5 quotes. be sure equip quoted is of same value and performance.

good luck

regards
lakester

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Any HVAC installers out there?

I just found out myself that prices for this can vary thousands of dollers. In another forum I visit that deals with garages a licensed HVAC contractor often shares his trade secrets and even gives out dealer cost and profit margins to help other members. The typical HVAC system has a built in profit margin of approx 40% and on top of that they often try to add on duct work repair or replacement. One estimate I got was almost 12 k and another was almost 7 k for the same system. CHECK and compare. I will end up paying for a system to be shipped here and installed by me and save over 50% in total cost. Cold weather makes the HVAC people think you will pay any price,not so!

 

[cbac]

Re: Any HVAC installers out there?

I just found out myself that prices for this can vary thousands of dollers. In another forum I visit that deals with garages a licensed HVAC contractor often shares his trade secrets and even gives out dealer cost and profit margins to help other members. The typical HVAC system has a built in profit margin of approx 40% and on top of that they often try to add on duct work repair or replacement. One estimate I got was almost 12 k and another was almost 7 k for the same system. CHECK and compare. I will end up paying for a system to be shipped here and installed by me and save over 50% in total cost. Cold weather makes the HVAC people think you will pay any price,not so!

To be fair, the ductwork may be as old as the furnace and may need replacement due to years of dust and grime build up.
It's like scraping the barnacles off a hull and a fresh coat of paint, the air flows better and more effeciently.
In some cases such as when AC is being added the heating ductwork is insufficient to deliver the proper velocity of air to the registers. This can result in noise in the ductwork and added work for the blower. The return air is most likely to small as well.
So it's not always as simple as switching out the furnace.

You can also count on the plenum being different due to design changes over the years on furnaces. They're shorter and more compact than the older ones.

 

[turfman]

Re: Any HVAC installers out there?

CBAC.

I appreciate the input. But the quotes from both guys have only the new furnace to the original ductwork.

I bought this place in 2005. The oil burner was installed in 87 along with new ductwork. It "had" central air. Apparently the condenser quit working, so the guy ripped it out and just used window units. So all of the necessary work is there according to the two that have spec'ed it out.

I don't mind paying a top dollar price if its worth it; I'm just wondering why the big discrepency.

 

[cbac]

Re: Any HVAC installers out there?

CBAC.

I appreciate the input. But the quotes from both guys have only the new furnace to the original ductwork.

I bought this place in 2005. The oil burner was installed in 87 along with new ductwork. It "had" central air. Apparently the condenser quit working, so the guy ripped it out and just used window units. So all of the necessary work is there according to the two that have spec'ed it out.

I don't mind paying a top dollar price if its worth it; I'm just wondering why the big discrepency.

I'd say the discrepency would be due to the ego of the installer. Their perception of their expertise will be reflected in their price. Whether they are worth that price is debatable.
Check with the BBB and ask for referrals and then follow up the referrals.

I was in that business for many years and got tired of being in attics, closets and people's backyards. Now I run the heat loads and tell other people how much capacity a structure needs.

Good luck, get a handfull of estimates, check on the companies and above all don't hop on the cheapest just because it's the cheapest.