What is the typical cost for a 3 ton condensing unit

Question

In the past I have paid in the ball park of $2200 - $2400 for both the outside condensing unit and the evaporator coil to be installed.  Recently I had a condensing unit stolen and the contractor ended up charging me $2100 just to replace it without replacing the coil since the whole HVAC was only 5 years old.  This is the same guy I have used for years so I dont think he would overcharge me.  He said the unit was dry and that is why it cost more than usual.   Anyone have any experience with this?

Wade G. · Answer

Well this is the guy I have used for years for many houses.  I had to get rid of the sheet rock guy last month for the same reason.  His prices suddenly went way up.  I was warned of this many years ago when I first got into the RE business.  A guy told me that I will have to shop around for new contractors every few years because rather than offerring slight discounts to repeat loyal customers contractors seem to begin to overcharge repeat customers because they think you won't go out and find another contractor.  Its a short sighted business model but it seems to be true.

Wayne Alexander · Answer

A dry unit has no refrigerant in it.  If it was stolen then you lost the charge of refrigerant in the system.  If it was older R22 refrigerant the price has gone up tremendously due to a phase out of it by the EPA.  Newer 410a refrigerant is not as expensive but still an added cost.

New condensers that come with charge do not need to add or add very little extra refrigerant afterwards.  Dry units have no refrigerant just nitrogen in them to keep them dry.  There are no more R22 units that come pre charged only dry and are rare and hard to get.

This is no fault of the contractor just good ole EPA controlling what refrigerants are good or bad and the price shoots up accordingly.

Used equipment is ok but a gamble depending on how it was installed previously.  Moisture and other contaminants that can get into a refrigerant system, if its not evacuated properly can severely shorten the life of a compressor.

Typical condenser costs 1,000 or so and proper install can be 6 to 8 hours depending on the system conditions.

Rob K. · Answer

I've run into the same issues with contractors. It's ridiculous that they don't realize who butters their bread. I've stopped giving their phone numbers out to anyone. They can get their own business. I seem to get better prices when they're hungry.

As far as your A/C deal goes, my guy is good at finding used units. I had two houses that I purchased where the A/C didn't work and the condensers were seized up. With the first one, he had a unit in his garage. It turns out that some dirtbag did a buy and bail. He removed (stole) the furnace and A/C from the house he bailed on and used it as payment for work that he had done on his new house. My guy installed the unit for $450 materials and labor. It was a two ton. Smaller than yours. The line set was all there, so the labor was minimal.

When the other house needed a unit, he shopped for one on CL. He bought the unit and installed it for $375.

You might want to consider used parts. I have a plumber that sells used water heaters to me for $75. I've bought 5 or 6 from him and have never had a problem. He does a lot of these instant water heaters for people where they don't need a tank and the perfectly good water heater needs to go somewhere.

Jon Klaus · Answer

Especially this time of year for AC.

Scott W. · Answer

next time w/ a new contractor (or with this one), tell them how many rentals you have; tell them you will be loyal if you keep your prices the same. if not, you will move on & be loyal to the next one.

the economy sucks; makes no sense why contractors do this.

Wade G. · Answer

That is in line with what I use to pay.  In the past it has been 1k to have a only the 3 ton condensing unit installed.  I need to call around and find out why a "dry" unit would cost so much more.  In my experience with contractors though this is typical.  They give me a good price a few times and then once they think they have my loyalty they start jacking up the prices.  Then I have to go out and find another contractor.

J Scott · Answer

I'm with Jon on pricing.  A 3-ton condenser, installed, would be about $1200-1400.  Add in the coil, and I'm right about $2000-2200.

Jon Klaus · Answer

I've paid around $1200 wholesale just for the unit.  Then I pay my guy hourly to install. Line kit is extra.