Just a suggestion for those starting out. Now is the time to set up your business accounts at your local HVAC store or make contact with internet supply places. Get your accounts open so the day you need something your not jumping through HOOPS applying for status.

Find a repairman who will let you supply parts because thats the BIG mark up. Could never understand when Iwent to supply houses why so MANY HVAC trucks would be outside and mechanics sitting on stools inside. Wouldn't you think a repairman would have a common GLOW PLUG on his truck. BUT no he's sitting there-- of course running up your bill. I don't go for that any more.

LL's you shouldalso have your accounts (business accts) open at plumbing supply-Lowes and H-depot. Just saying!

NC so your point is?

ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

myob, I imagine if those numbers are true, you could take a YUUUGE chunk of the market by charging 2000 instead of 2800 fr a 1000 job.

David I have no reason to lie. You think those outrageous number are by chance bu these co's? Look into it you'll see. A 90,000 BTU furnace is 480.00 where does an HVAC co. come off charging 2800.00?

Most when questioned about pricing and outrageous amount say well I have to cover the warranty work. IN CASE. Really labor is 2300.00 cause if it's a defective part the part is supplied by the manufacturer at no charge-- labor is not covered. Even if it was 2300.00???

David don't know what caused this attach on me like this from you?

Not so Obvious?

What I'm trying to get across to you and others here, when it comes to HVAC work, the company's think they have us over a barrel. I know for a fact what I'm talking about. I'm asking you all to research it and see for yourselves.

It is personnel when you tell me to be an HVAC guy when I'm a LL since 1986.

myob, I didn't tell you "to be an HVAC guy." I told you to be "in the HVAC biz." As in own an HVAC company and keep the sweet sweet $1000 profit.

Hvac companies do have incredible mark up. Why? Most of the time they are installing and serving units for home owners who have no clue otherwise. Regular homeowners don't research things like we do.

Kind of like garages charging $350 to change your front breaks.

"Most of the time they are installing and serving units for home owners who have no clue otherwise. "

To take advantage of the benefits of market forces, you don't need to know anything about HVAC. You simply need to get a few estimates, and any excess profit to be made would disappear by competitors looking to win business.

I got estimates for replacing HVAC system and they were all within a couple hundred bucks of each other. But once I saw a small quarter page ad in a local mailer that advertised about $1000 lower for a high eff furnace install. I was very intrigued so I called the number. He was indeed licensed and insured but the truth was his advertised price had a few caveats

- his definition of high eff was a few decades old, he considered 80% to be high eff, 90% to be super high eff, and 95% to be super duper high eff.

- The advertised price was for a drop in replacement. Sheetmetal work? Extra. Gas line adjustment? Extra. Venting adjustment? Extra. New line to tstat? Extra. The list goes on

Well, it sure is great advice to get familiar with the local HVAC Supply places. Plumbing, electrical too.

at least once a year I set aside Time to just wander slowly through one of these places, just to see what I can learn. Yeah, I'll still be paying the electrician, plumber, HVAC contractors, but, I always pick up a little knowledge. Maybe someday those guys won't have to speak so slowly and use simple words when explaining things to me, lol!

More important than finding a good discount parts supplier is finding a "great" HVAC contractor /installer /repair guy.

Vee,you mean turn OFF the bloody thing......................charlie............................

MYOB is right. The installation mark-up is very high in order to cover "what if" warranty issues. My AC himself told me this. He worked a deal with me and beat other vendors by over $1000 but explained he'd have to charge me for labor if I had a warranty need (parts would be covered).

I remember getting multiple quotes for a basic straight cool unit install/replacement a year or so ago and they ranged from $3200-$3800. He did mine for $1800.

#22 thank you - that's why I posted it. If a person doesn't have a clue they need insight. I wasn't trying to open up an HVAC business - just ducate some who may not know.

Lisa I think your unit may have been a heat pump-- so for those out there that don't know-- that includes the winter side and summer side unit as one. I think your inclusion of what you paid is typical for someone smart enough to check out pricing for themselves. ( I would still be sure the price doesn't creep up since you man is now picking it up)