# NEED ASNWER QUICK--Heating/AC estimate--is this reasonable? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155 "2013-01-23T22:00:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/1 "2013-01-23T22:00:27Z")
I just got hit with a BIG repair estimate for my condo. > [@](#): > > JANUARY 23, 2013 > \*\* > MY ADDRESS REDACTED\*\* > > RE: REPAIR YOUR CURRENT UNIT > > DEAR **RL NAME,** > > WE ARE PROPOSING TO DO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS: > > THESE PRICES INCLUDE: > ALL LABOR, TAXES, ETC > > OPTION # 1: REPAIR YOUR CURRENT UNIT > THE UNIT HAS A STICKING REVERSING VALVE AND A VOLTAGE DROP ACROSS THE RELAY ON THE BOARD. THE UNIT IS UNDER WARRANTY. THE UNIT NEEDS A FULL CLEANING ESPECIALLY THE BASE PAN. THE BASE PAN IS FULL OF MUD. > > TOTAL COST: $426.00 > > OPTION # 2: INSTALL REMOTE THERMOSTAT > THIS UNIT IS HAVING TO CONDITION SEVERAL AREAS. DUE TO THIS FACT AND THE FACT THAT THERE IS A DUCT KIT CURRENTLY INSTALLED, A REMOTE THERMOSTAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO CONTROL THE UNIT. > > TOTAL COST: $325.00 > > OPTION # 3: REPLACE WALL SLEEVE & GRILLE > THE CURRENT WALL SLEEVE IS NOT SITTING PERFECTLY LEVEL AND IS STARTING TO CORRODE. IF IT WAS TO GET TO FAR OUT OF LEVEL, CONDENSATE WATER COULD FAIL TO DRAIN PROPERLY CAUSING WATER DAMAGE TO THE WALL IT IS MOUNTED IN. THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME POSSIBLE DAMAGE ALREADY TO THE WALL. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FULLY INSPECT UNTIL THE WALL SLEEVE IT REMOVED. > > TOTAL COST: $329.00 > > OPTION # 4: INSTALL AMANA PTAC DUCT KIT > THE UNIT CURRENTLY HAS AN EXISTING DUCT KIT INSTALLED THAT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE UNIT. THE UNIT AND DUCT KIT HAS TO PROPERLY FIT TOGETHER WHICH THE CURRENT SET UP DOES NOT. THIS IS CAUSING THE SUPPLY AIR TO SHORT CYCLE AND BE DUMPED DIRECTLY INTO THE RETURN AIR GRILLE OF THE UNIT, WHICH CAN CAUSE DAMAGE AND/OR SHORTEN THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE UNIT. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT THE CURRENT DUCT KIT APPEARS TO POSSIBLY HAVE MOLD GROWING IN IT AND DEFINITELY HAS INSULATION BREAKING DOWN. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE HOLE IN THE WALL TO THE LEFT OF THE PTAC UNIT THAT IS ALLOWING COLD AIR DRAFTS TO ENTER THE RESIDENCE. THIS HOLE CANNOT BE PROPERLY REPAIRED WITH THE PTAC, WALL SLEEVE, OR DUCT KIT INSTALLED. WE WILL REPAIR SHEET ROCK, BUT THE PAINT WILL NOT FULLY MATCH. > > TOTAL COST: $1,412.00 > > PAYMENT TERMS ARE 50% IS DUE PRIOR TO THE WORK BEING STARTED AND THE REMAINING BALANCE IS DUE AFTER THE WORK IS COMPLETED, UNLESS IT IS BEING FINANCED. FAILURE TO PAY WILL RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL; IT WILL THEN BE THE HOMEOWNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS TO REPLACE THEIR MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT. > > PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING CHOICE(S) CHOSEN: > OPTION # 1 \_\_\_\_\_\_ OPTION # 2 \_\_\_\_\_\_ OPTION # 3 \_\_\_\_\_\_ > OPTION # 4 \_\_\_\_\_\_ > > WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS. > > ``` > SINCERELY, > XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX > > ``` > > ACCEPTED BY: DATE: Any advice? Need answer fast ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/2 "2013-01-23T22:04:47Z")
Those would be pretty reasonable prices around here. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/3 "2013-01-23T22:10:05Z")
I was afraid of that. More input? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/4 "2013-01-23T22:14:02Z")
Seems in line with what I would expect ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/5 "2013-01-23T22:30:50Z")
Any good ways to bargain it down? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/6 "2013-01-23T23:05:43Z")
Any more folks? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/7 "2013-01-23T23:14:46Z")
Option 1 says the unit is under warranty, but they want to charge you a lot for just a cleaning. Get some details about that. What is the warranty covering? Part, labor, both? They mention financing, so I assume that’s something they provide. Have you asked about that? They seem to be making good recommendations for things you need fixed. Can you afford a service contract? It seems you need to. Negotiate on the basis of a service contract. They’ll insist on getting paid to bring the unit up to a normal serviceable state, however they may be flexible on that and work out a reasonable price for both. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/8 "2013-01-23T23:45:47Z")
It appears to me that of the 4 options you’re presented, option 1 addresses the immediate need for repair, while options 2-4 are longer term repairs that address the unit’s longevity and comfort. (and possibly the structure) Options 2-4 are 2000 and my question would be; whats the cost for a new PTAC? How old is the existing PTAC? At a certain point, it's silly to sink large into an old unit, if the repair cost begins to approach the cost of a new unit. All the prices seem to be reasonable. While the prices seem reasonable, we can’t tell if the proposed work scope is reasonable. IOW, how necessary is it? Option 3 is the only one that seems a little [internet] hinky. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/9 "2013-01-23T23:53:35Z")
Unit is less than 3 years old. I have real problems & energy cost are no good. Mice & bugs are entering the condo through here. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/10 "2013-01-23T23:58:18Z")
Well, how well/badly is it working now (pre-repair)? Option 4 mentions a big damned hole in the wall. Can you see if there is one? Can you plug it yourself if you do not choose Option 4? We just overpaid for having our condo HVAC repaired. Quite a lot of work was done, but I am certain we paid too much, even for the inflated standard of living here. It was substantially more than all four of your quotes combined. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/11 "2013-01-24T00:01:12Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Unit is less than 3 years old. > > I have real problems & energy cost are no good. > > Mice & bugs are entering the condo through here. A properly installed PTAC has zero clearance between the sleeve and the exterior wall it’s installed in. it should be sealed and caulked. I don’t know handy you are, but the PTAC is built on a chassis, and sits in the sleeve. It’s held in the sleeve with a couple screws, and can be slid out. At the point, you can inspect the sleeve, inspect it’s pitch, and see if there is any openings that need to be sealed. If it’s 3 years old and it has this many problems, I gotta wonder about the people who put it in. How long is their labor warranty? Our standard labor warranty is 3 years, and longer ones are common. Can you go back to the original installer? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/12 "2013-01-24T00:14:35Z")
Did they really send it to you in all caps? ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/13 "2013-01-24T00:59:32Z")
ETA The last PTAC I bought (an Amana) was around $700 wholesale. I know it’s only 3 years old, but part of my decision would include investigating the cost of a clean-slate new unit, for comparison purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/14 "2013-01-24T01:42:36Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Well, how well/badly is it working now (pre-repair)? > > Option 4 mentions a big damned hole in the wall. Can you see if there is one? Can you plug it yourself if you do not choose Option 4? > > We just overpaid for having our condo HVAC repaired. Quite a lot of work was done, but I am certain we paid too much, even for the inflated standard of living here. It was substantially more than all four of your quotes combined. Drywalling needed to repair the hole, so D-I-Y is out. The unit runs, but stops running in very cold weather. Energy is 150% - 200% about what should be needed. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/15 "2013-01-24T01:46:39Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > A properly installed PTAC has zero clearance between the sleeve and the exterior wall it’s installed in. it should be sealed and caulked. I don’t know handy you are, but the PTAC is built on a chassis, and sits in the sleeve. It’s held in the sleeve with a couple screws, and can be slid out. > > At the point, you can inspect the sleeve, inspect it’s pitch, and see if there is any openings that need to be sealed. > > If it’s 3 years old and it has this many problems, I gotta wonder about the people who put it in. How long is their labor warranty? Our standard labor warranty is 3 years, and longer ones are common. > > Can you go back to the original installer? I’m not lettimg ther original installer anywhere near this condo again unless he gets a court order!! He’s a fumbling, idiotic boob, who was a pal of my late Father. Dad owned this condo, & I rented it from him. Dad paid this rube to put it in. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/16 "2013-01-24T01:48:03Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Did they really send it to you in all caps? Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/17 "2013-01-24T01:49:40Z")
> [@raindog](#): > > ETA > > The last PTAC I bought (an Amana) was around $700 wholesale. > > I know it’s only 3 years old, but part of my decision would include investigating the cost of a clean-slate new unit, for comparison purposes. This would increase the size of my bill, without solving my problem. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/18 "2013-01-24T02:23:52Z")
Bosda, I’m an ass (and some people call me a thread sh—er and curse at my posts for no reason). That said, where you live, can’t your utility submit to you a free quote? Can’t you ask them? It might be more than whats quoted (and sometimes less) but usually it can be tacked onto your bill (and sometimes spread out several months at 0%). Yes, they may try to sell you an insurance contract afterwards for $7-$8 a month … and if you had had it, this would all have been free. Fine, I’m still an ass. But its a free quote. You don’t even ever have to admit that you ever read my advice, let alone took it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/19 "2013-01-24T02:38:39Z")
Any friends that do this kind of work, or even general contracting type work? I always try to trade services like this with friends. They do the Furnace/AC work for me, I either pay them their cost, or trade goods/services that I can do. A buddy just installed a suspended ceiling as part of finishing our basement and I provided grunt work for his patio project. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155/20 "2013-01-24T02:44:34Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Drywalling needed to repair the hole, so D-I-Y is out. Actually, if you search, “drywall repair” you’ll find a bunch of instructional videos and step by step tutorials. It’s really simple. I am not a great handyman, but I’ve done drywall work. If you take your time, results will be acceptable at worst. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-asnwer-quick-heating-ac-estimate-is-this-reasonable/648155.md?page=2)