Cost of HVAC system - Page 3

 

I'm not defending anyone, but I didn't like the idea of you complaining
about a perceived $355. per hour for labor for a supposed 8 hour
installation.  If there are 3 men on the job it is 24 man hours which is
$118. and change per man.  This is a reasonable rate.  There are always
additional labor costs for a contractor in addition to the time spent on the
job.  In your case Home Depot is marking up the estimate so they make money
as well as the contractor.  Incidentally since your first estimate is with
Home Depot I strongly urge you to get several more prices.  I have heard
many stories about Home Depot installations and not all of them have been
good.  Some experiences have been recanted in this newsgroup.

The only way to compare apples to apples is to come up with your own
specifications and plans and have several contractors bid on the exact same
items.

 wrote:

That is good advice.  For a job that is going to cost >$6000, not getting a
bunch of quotes is insanity.  This isn't a $130 plumber call.

 
I would expect an experienced tech to charge over $100/hr.  The 2
workers that drag the old oil burner out of the basement aren't worth
that much.  I guarantee the contractor I talked to would show up with
one (hopefully) qualified tech and two "undocumented guest workers"
for the grunt work.  Just seems to be the way things are done around
here.


Planning on it.  Thanks.


You have the right idea there.  I need to do my homework first.

 


Well, a good quality outside unit (compressor, coil, fan) usually has built
in isolaton valves and MOST of the "gas" is already in the unit.   Most of
the weight of the gas is in liquid form.    A small about of gas would be
added after the tube set and the inside coil are installed, connected, and
pumped down.

In some cases, both the tube set and the inside coil are shipped precharged.
All the tech does is connect things and then does some temperature/pressure
checks to see whether any more "gas" needs to be added or taken out.

The only HEAVY unit is the outside unit.   My outside unit was replaced by
ONE man and his wife.   She mainly provided moral support, as he had an
"powered" hand truck to move the unit up and down steps.   I would doubt
that a 70,000 btu input unit would weight more than an ice box.    But maybe
a case can be made for 2 workers (with one being a goffer).    Only one guy
needs to be a HVAC tech.

The extra time needed to pick up the new stuff and dump the old might be 2
hours depending upon local circumstances.

Frankly, I just don't trust any HVAC companies.    I would like a one man
shop with the guy picking up casual help when he needs over any "company."
When a company screws up they blame the "new guy."    With the one man shop,
we know where the buck stops.

But that's my experience.

** Posted from http://www.teranews.com  **

 
I wondered how they did that. I assume they connect the inside-to-
outside lines, pull a vacuum on them, then open the isolation valves?



Mine was installed with a crew of 3;  2 experienced workers and the
HVAC tech.  One did the inside work, one did the outside work, and the
HVAC tech floating between the two keeping an eye on things and
helping where needed.  That's why they got the job done in less than 5
hours and moved on to the next job.


When mine was put in, the installer had the supplier deliver the unit
to the site.  When the old unit was removed, he called a scavanger who
came in a old pickup with his kids and hauled everything off.  Saved
the installer time & labor.

Red