Observer wrote:
Got a quote today for a Trane 4 ton (replacing a 3.5 ton) XL15 outside
unit with a matching Trane coil inside. Installed was $7800. I'm
thinking a more fair price is $7000 but this is just based on some
brief internet reading.

I was told that a 1/2 ton upsize is not a big deal. In general do you
agree? I'm guessing the a/c guy who spoke with me is correct.

I'm going to get another 1 or 2 bids but meanwhile any suggestions or
comments? Thanks.

My compressor (Trane) went boom during hurricane Yikes. I have a neighbor
who works for a large A/C company during the day and free-lances during the
evening. He came over one night and replaced the entire condensing unit with
a two-year old unit (Ruud - owned by Rheem), recharged it, etc. Charged
eight hundred bucks and guaranteed the whole shebang for a couple of years.

It's been working swell for seven months.

I'm confident his guarantee will hold up, because:
a) He knows I know where he lives, and
b) He knows I have guns.

Send me a note and I'll pass on your contact information to my neighbor.