On 22 Jun 2004 08:24:43 -0700, (Peter Drier) wrote:

Here is some additional information regarding my original message and
the questions that it has brought up:

* The 3000 estimate, was actually a quote. My mistake when writing the
post.
* I've cross posted this to alt.home.repair, and any future questions
not in this thread will go there.
* I'm trying to determine the parts/labor breakdown for reasons
described below

It's none of your business. The quote is ' equipment,
installed'. If you don't like that, go elsewhere. This is not the
local flea market on Sunday afternoon, where you barter for
everything.

* I realize there are going to be quotes that are too low($1200), and
too high($5000). My goal here is to improve my gut feeling on the
range so I can find and pay the right price for the job to be done
right.

Then you get bids until you get one you like.

* It's Olympian on York's website, I'll ask about Lattitude, and make
sure that's specified in the quote.
* 131 lbs up 4 flights of stairs should NOT be that hard. If that's
the reason behind a 500$+ jump in the quote, I'll hire some movers who
will carry it up for $20 and a case of beer each. It weighs much less
than some of the furniture I have, and that wasn't a problem.

As Steve said, you can go **** yourself with that crap. You
thnk it's so ****ing easy, carry it yourself. I'll give you a $ 50
discount off the job, you take all liability for the unit from the
moment you or your beer-buddies from under the bridge touch it. Your
warranty just went to Florida to retire, and forgot to leave a
forwarding address

* Folks that are super secretive ("None of your ****ing business") on
the rough wholesale/retail price of the equipment they're installing
don't give me a good vibe. I understand there is a markup and labor

Stay out of every store you've ever been in , then, and stay
away from every contractor you're ever dealt with, because none of
them, **NONE OF THEM** are going to give you that information. Those
that claim to are lying to you about it.

costs to figure in. I'll pay 3k if that's the fair price for a
quality job. I shouldn't have to deal with a quote for a 70% profit
on the same quality job.

You'll pay what the **** the quote says, or you'll head your
cheap ass on down the road. It's not a debate, it's a yes or no
proposition. Deal with it. Sign it or get lost.

* I never said that I was a tenant.
* The coils & blower are in a location that would involve removing a
ceiling to access (beyond a filter change). So changing that out
would involve ~500-1000 worth of contracting work to rip out, and
later replace & paint the ceiling. Given it's my kitchen ceiling, I'd
prefer not to do that.

Then don't. It's your house, your money, and no one is trying
to pretend they get to give you orders.


Further information.... There are 6 appartments in my building, all
with 17 year old heat pumps in dire condition (2 dead, 4 dying). All
1.5 ton York units. The other quote I wanted, and should receive from
the same guy at some point this week is for a replacement of all 6
heat pumps. I would figure a 6 unit install would have a lower markup
per unit (say 20% each instead of 30%) and a reduced per unit labor
due to the economies of scale. So if one unit was 2500, maybe (I said

He would be glad to give you his price, I'm sure. Then you
get to decide whether or not to accept it, and sign. How he arrives
at his numbers is none of your business. Your only choice is 'sign or
don't sign'. If you think the price is too high, I suggest you not
sign, go elsewhere, find someone else. It's that simple.

maybe please don't flame me on this) the whole thing would be 12,000
(6x2000).

You are on ****ing drugs. Bad drugs. You want 6 units,
installed, for $ 12,000 ???

I'd figure it would be a day job to do all 6, vs probably 3
or so hours to do 1, and they'd only have to drive out once, carry the

You ****ing idiot. You think it takes an hour to install an
HVAC system and start it up ? Bull****, and you know it. you're just
a cheap-assed ****wit. God help the poor guy that ends up doing your
work Even though he's going to be the cheapest hack in town, I pity
him.

tools to the roof once, and so on. The building's association would

You have no ****ing clue. You don't have the faintest glimmer
of an understanding of what's involved.

What you want is some local unlicensed side-job hack that will
agree to install whatever equipment you buy over the Internet for $
100 and a case of beer. Go for it, but don't waste the time of
legitimate companies and contractors, and don't waste our time here.

be paying for the job, so there is very little payment risk on the
job.

The evaluation is also not up to you. It's not your company
doing the work.

One last question.. My power company is offering a rebate for high
efficiency heat pumps.. $300 for a 12 SEER, or $500 for a 14 SEER.
Can I upgrade the Heat pump to a higher SEER without changing the

No.

inside coils (I was told no, that my coils were 10 SEER which I can't
verify)? And how much more does (should, roughly) the 14 Seer
Lattitude/Olympian cost than the 10? 12 vs 10? Should the labor be
the same?

Ask your contractor.



Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'

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