AC Cage costs $700?

Rehabbing & House Flipping
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AC Cage costs $700?

Bienes Raices
Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes

I called a place and they want $599 + $100 installation for the cage. I don't know much about these, but this seems like a lot.For those who invest in neighborhoods where AC condensor theft happens, what do you do for security?

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Jon Holdman
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
15y

That seems high. Grainger has one for $313 and I've found that its almost always possible to find things cheaper than those guys. Find a local welding shop and have them fabricate something. My rentals don't have AC, but that's probably not an option for FL.

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  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    15y

    That seems high. Grainger has one for $313 and I've found that its almost always possible to find things cheaper than those guys. Find a local welding shop and have them fabricate something. My rentals don't have AC, but that's probably not an option for FL.

    3Reply
  • Dan Koch
    Real Estate Investor · Member since 2009 · 88 posts · 48 votes
    15y

    Call a few AC guys and most will have recommendations. My AC guy has a buddy who fabricates the cage on the spot for $300 - $400 depending on the size of the outside unit.

    The company that installs my alarms runs a wire through the tubing used to make the cage.

    If the cage is cut it trips the alarm. I have no idea how the technology part of that alarm install works, but it is amazing.

    Look into it.......def worth it : )

    3Reply
  • Steve Babiak
    Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    15y

    This thread mentions $350:
    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/41418-possible-issues-with-neighbors

    This thread has a link to alternatives ( note that one uses roof mounting):
    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/67/topics/48239-how-to-you-secure-a-property-while-rehabbing-

    Here are a few (of MANY) threads that bring up theft of the AC units:

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/43638-neighborhood-marketing-for-rental-prop-

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/10655-frustrating-landlord-situation-stolen-a-c-argh-

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/20755-foreclosure-cleanup-manitenance

    http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/54352-heads-up-re-craigslist

    3Reply
  • Bienes Raices
    OP
    Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
    15y

    Thanks. I called around and found another place that will sell one for $300.

    0Reply
  • Jerry R.
    Wholesaler · Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, FL · Member since 2009 · 185 posts · 33 votes
    15y

    Condenser theft is very common here in SW Florida so there are a lot of people installing cages for cheap. My costs are $200 - $250 installed.

    Look on Craigslist. In my area there are bandit signs for A/C cages literally everywhere. Look at the supermarket bulletin boards also.

    1Reply
  • Bienes Raices
    OP
    Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Jerry R.:
    Condenser theft is very common here in SW Florida so there are a lot of people installing cages for cheap. My costs are $200 - $250 installed.

    Look on Craigslist. In my area there are bandit signs for A/C cages literally everywhere. Look at the supermarket bulletin boards also.

    Thanks Jerry.

    0Reply
  • Alex CraigBusiness Member
    Real Estate Professional · Memphis, TN · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    I am getting used A/C units with cage installed for $900. That is pretty high.

    901-848-9028
    0Reply
  • Mitch Kronowit
    SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Bienes Raices:
    I called a place and they want $599 + $100 installation for the cage.

    Wow, I'm in the wrong business! Time to grab my MIG welder and make some serious $$$. :wink:

    0Reply
  • Luis A.
    Real Estate Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2009 · 339 posts · 126 votes
    15y

    $300 installed and I now know that I can get it lower.

    Found the guy on Craiglist.

    0Reply
  • Curt DavisBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    15y

    $160 installed, that is a fair price. This is what I pay.

    Curt Davis - KAIZEN Realty538 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Account Closed
    Dayton, OH · Member since 2013 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    I no that cost is important but if you buy a cheap a/c cage that's what you will get. Also if not bought locally pay close attention to the shipping costs, because of their weight it can be upwards of $100.00. So really for a solid steel hand welded cage, installed, 500 to 600 is really not a bad deal. A lot of hours go into welding a custom cage, and its solid.

    0Reply
  • Rolanda Eldridge
    Investor/Realtor · Hoover, AL · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 459 votes
    13y

    In my area about $300 at the high end. You can negotiate cheaper price for repeat business...

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Dayton, OH · Member since 2013 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Rolanda, $300 is a good price for a low rate vandalism area. What is your cost for installation.

    0Reply
  • Patrick L.
    Real Estate Investor · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 951 votes
    13y

    My AC guy builds and installs them for me for $85 (because I give him a ton of AC work). He enjoys welding so he just custom builds them in his free time out of steel, his cost is pretty minimal.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Dayton, OH · Member since 2013 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Patrick, That is a great deal, do you have a picture of what it looks like. I design and manufacture air conditioner cages. My cost just for the steel is more than that. Is it made from solid steel with expanded metal so you cant reach the unit. or tubular thin wall metal and bars?

    0Reply
  • Jon Klaus
    Developer · Garland, TX · Member since 2008 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    13y
    Originally posted by Patrick L.:
    My AC guy builds and installs them for me for $85 (because I give him a ton of AC work). He enjoys welding so he just custom builds them in his free time out of steel, his cost is pretty minimal.

    Rebar?

    0Reply
  • Patrick L.
    Real Estate Investor · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 951 votes
    13y

    It's not rebar but it's also not the ticker tubular steel you see on the expensive prefab ones. They're made from smooth round solid steel bars. An A/C cage is just a deterrent in my mind. If somebody absolutely wants to steal your unit you aren't going to stop them, but it's an opportunity crime so if it makes it 10x harder then they're going to move on. I have about 20 of the cages out there and haven't lost a unit with one of my cages yet.

    I don't have a picture but I'll grab one in the next couple days when I'm out doing rent collections.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Dayton, OH · Member since 2013 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    I guess it depends on where you live. In Ohio you cant' build them just out of rebar. The thieves will reach between the bars and cut through the fins of the condensing unit to get to the copper in the coil. If it is not happening where you are it will eventually, leading you to probably have to purchase a fully enclosed unit. Kind off like antibiotics over a period of time. You keep having to have stronger and stronger ones. But Ohio is #1 for metal thefts. We are #1 in basketball to, had to get that in there. GO BUCKS !!!!!!

    0Reply
  • David NilesBusiness Member
    Property Manager · DeLand FL · Member since 2012 · 860 posts · 243 votes
    13y
    Originally posted by Patrick L.:
    My AC guy builds and installs them for me for $85 (because I give him a ton of AC work). He enjoys welding so he just custom builds them in his free time out of steel, his cost is pretty minimal.

    Steel isnt cheap anymore, surprised he can even break even on that.

    0Reply
  • Patrick L.
    Real Estate Investor · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 951 votes
    13y
    Originally posted by David Niles:
    Originally posted by Patrick L.:
    My AC guy builds and installs them for me for $85 (because I give him a ton of AC work). He enjoys welding so he just custom builds them in his free time out of steel, his cost is pretty minimal.

    Steel isnt cheap anymore, surprised he can even break even on that.

    Well he does most my A/C work too....he had 8 system installs and all my service work last year. He makes a few bucks on the cages, if I didn't have him do all the other work I'm sure he'd charge me more to build the cages.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Dayton, OH · Member since 2013 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Here is a couple pictures of the air conditioner cages we build. This is a residential cage. Here is the link
    https://plus.google.com/115950080394168337965/posts/JWk3CfLhbkG

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  • Patrick L.
    Real Estate Investor · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 951 votes
    13y

    Dewey Mitchell Those are nice cages, more high end than the ones I buy. My thought on AC cages is still people can get through them if they really need to steal your copper....if they bring a cut off tool they can get through pretty much anything. It's just a matter of what else they can steal elsewhere and how hard yours is vs the payout.

    Ohio may be the king of metal theft but Florida is the king of way too long foreclosures with tons of houses sitting vacant for 3-5 years that people walked away from as soon the the foreclosure was filed. There are plenty of targets. Plus in Florida you can pretty much just shoot anybody you want so it's a bad idea to be trying to steal them from a house you think might be occupied.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Dayton, OH · Member since 2013 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Patrick, You got me, Ohio does not have a shoot on site statute. I think maybe we should look into it though. It would stop the vast amount of metal theft. There are no consequences for their actions, and the time never equates to the crime.

    0Reply
  • Patrick L.
    Real Estate Investor · Saint Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 951 votes
    13y

    So I just remembered I had promised to post a picture of my cheap AC cage on here. I went over to show one of my vacant properties this morning and noticed somebody had broken in to steal copper. Front door was kicked in and line set was completely cut out but the outside condensing unit was untouched (except for where the line set was cut). My $85 cage just saved me $1k.....still pissed but at least there's a positive. Pic below is from the actual unit today.

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  • Account Closed
    Dayton, OH · Member since 2013 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    13y

    Wow, Sorry that happened. Pretty weird we where just talking about this happening. I wouldn't call that cage cheap !! Just saved a ton of green. If that air conditioner cage wasn't there, man. Just had an older women 87, widow, they stole her A/C unit. Her's was $2500 to replace, insurance deductible was raised from $500 to $1000. I would assume it was that or raising her monthly rates i guess. Again sorry that happened, just more work for you.

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