Question about HVAC costs (for new units) and repairs

[Corey G.]

Over the last 5 years or so prices on new AC units has seemingly skyrocketed in the phoenix area. I used to get 2 ton package AC units for 4500, 5000, 5500 and now they are 8500+ and that's with a company I've been using for a long time that that I've given a lot of business to. Well now a lot of my units are coming out of warranty and I'm thinking about doing replacements but the cost is way too much. What are you doing for new units now a days? Wholesale online seems a lot cheaper but getting a company to do the installation worries me, does anybody order online and then pay for install? 

Also, I've paid quite a bit for repairs recently because I didn't want to replace the units and they are pretty substantial in cost as well. Often I'm told that the replacement parts covered under the 10 year warranty come with labor minimums and so it's often cheaper to not use the warranty because it's cheaper ... is this normal or am I getting screwed on this deal? 

[Corey G.]

Quote from @Bill B.:

The units are not the cost, it’s Freon, labor, insurance, PROFIT, etc etc. 

I purchased two 3 ton units last year for less than $2,000 each. Freon, delivery, install/remove labor, etc etc. Added another $1,600 each. $7,200 total. I know the unit cost because I use a guy so small he can’t afford to front the unit cost. So I put them on my credit card. 

Ps. I emailed one of those ‘become an ac tech websites” about their classes. It wa almost $10k for less than 2 months of training. Basically AC college. But maybe a way for someone to get started. 

7200 for both, that's a smoking deal. I get that AC companies have to buy Freon but most of these units come prefilled... at least the package units. Delivery is free when purchased online. The crane, the labor, disposal, insurance, I get that all that costs money but I highly doubt labor costs have gone up that much in 3 years... the company isn't giving out big raises if they are worried about inflation costs. I know insurance costs have skyrocketed but enough to justify these increases? Maybe I just need to find a one or two man operation that doesn't have the big overheads.