"John" wrote

So what's the point of not waiting until the spring to install the outdoor
unit,
since the contractor will have to return to get the proper refrigerant
charge
and check out the system when it is operating anyway.

That's fine if you get a price for it NOW.

Equipment prices are going up after the first of the year (they always do).
AND, if it was MY company, you'd get charged more money for having to make a
second trip....