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HVAC Quote Comparison: Equipment, Ducts & Commissioning

Put HVAC equipment, duct work, controls and commissioning beside each quoted price.

Put your quotes side by side

Compare the prices once both quotes cover the same work.

Quote A
Costs outside the quote & your reserve

This is money you set aside. It is not a contractor charge or a recommended percentage.

Enter a quoted price

Quote B
Costs outside the quote & your reserve

This is money you set aside. It is not a contractor charge or a recommended percentage.

Enter a quoted price

Quote C (optional)
Costs outside the quote & your reserve

This is money you set aside. It is not a contractor charge or a recommended percentage.

Enter a quoted price

Two quotes or three; the third is optional. Type the price of each written quote, then mark what each one includes. A cheaper quote often leaves work out: mark that work Extra with its price and the totals add it back, so you compare the same job.

Before you sign: six checks
  • Get three written quotes, and do not pick the lowest on price alone.
  • Hire a licensed, insured contractor. Your state or local building department says which license the work needs; ask for current insurance certificates.
  • Get a written contract with the contractor’s name, address and license number, start and finish dates, the payment schedule and who gets the permits.
  • Do not pay it all up front: tie payments to finished stages, never pay in cash or by wire transfer, and make the last payment when the work is done. Some states limit the down payment.
  • If you sign at home, you have three business days to cancel, and the contract should say so in writing.
  • Be wary of a contractor who knocks on your door, pushes you to decide now, or asks you to get the permits yourself.

From the Federal Trade Commission’s advice: How to avoid a home improvement scam.

Check what each quote includes

Leave anything unclear as “Ask.” Choose “Extra cost” to add a separately priced item to that quote’s budget. Do not also put it in the general left-out costs below.

Materials

Equipment and design

Record the matched equipment, capacity and design documentation offered with the quote. Compare the same intended rooms and service.

Labor

Ducts and distribution

Separate existing-duct reuse, new ducts, line sets, registers, insulation and balancing.

Electrical and controls

Identify circuit, disconnect, controls and thermostat work and who completes each part.

Commissioning and handover

Ask what installation checks, commissioning records, manuals and operating instruction are included.

Equipment, access and disposal

Removal and access

Include old equipment removal, access, lifting, disposal and any roof or wall opening repair.

Protection, permits and terms

Permits, warranty and exclusions

Keep inspections, labor coverage, maintenance conditions and excluded repairs in writing.

Nothing is sent to a contractor. Saving keeps these entries in this browser; downloading makes a text file.

Before asking for a price

Keep the contractor’s sizing/design basis, equipment model numbers, indoor and outdoor locations and duct or pipe scope together. This worksheet does not size equipment.

Reading the totals

Compare the same equipment models and sizes, how each contractor sized the system, any ductwork changes, the permit and the warranty terms.

The budget adds the quoted price, separately priced extra costs, other costs left out and any tax not already included. Your chosen reserve is added to that subtotal. Treat every “Ask” row as work that is not yet confirmed as included. Get the answer in writing before comparing totals.

My plans

Plans saved in this browser. Open a tool, then choose its “Open saved” button to restore your measurements.

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