Any HVAC People Out There?

[ScatMan]

i got two wildly different quotes from contractors for a job: one was $8,500 the other was $11,000... and the high one is from a family friend!

it's a 1700 sq ft rancher that has been 100% gutted to the studs (so it's like new construction). it's getting a heat pump with gas backup, 15 seer 2.5 ton.

am i getting screwed by my friend? what should a job like this cost? ballpark.

 

[jsodwi]

They dont sound bad really for a whole house. Depending on quality of materials can easily make up that couple thousand. Ive done plenty of side jobs and they are
8k+. for doing central air as well as furnaces.

 

[dxdx]

Yea, maybe your friend is using better products and will do a more professional job? Cheapest isn't always best....

 

[ScatMan]

thanks!

i'm guessing the heat pump and air handler can't cost more than $3,000 + the furnace $1,000ish + ducting and misc materials $1,500 = $5-6,000...

that means he's making $5-6,000??? do those #s make sense?

 

[jsodwi]

You will be more than 1500 for duct and materials. Duct, duct wrap, registers a few boxes of flex duct. Lineset for a/c condenser. Don't forget its not a weekend project for 1 guy.
Unless hes family I wouldn't do it for less than $2k profit even for the closest friends. It's a lot of work. You can always save and get lesser quality furnace and equipment.

 

[ScatMan]

thanks jsodwi, what's a fair profit on a job like this? $3-4,000? in other words: what would you expect to make?