Why is aircon installation so expensive?
Discussion
Having spent the last 8 months going through a house renovation, I’m well versed with the amounts that various trades charge, however the quotes I’ve been receiving from aircon installers are ludicrous. I’d like a single split 2-2.5kw air conditioner installing in my new detached garage to provide heating for the winter. The unit itself is c£5-600 retail, yet quotes for supply and install are coming back at a minimum of £1300 and all the way up to £1900. I can’t see how it could take more than half a day to install as the power cable is already run, so how on earth can it be £700+?
dhdev said:
Having spent the last 8 months going through a house renovation, I m well versed with the amounts that various trades charge, however the quotes I ve been receiving from aircon installers are ludicrous. I d like a single split 2-2.5kw air conditioner installing in my new detached garage to provide heating for the winter. The unit itself is c£5-600 retail, yet quotes for supply and install are coming back at a minimum of £1300 and all the way up to £1900. I can t see how it could take more than half a day to install as the power cable is already run, so how on earth can it be £700+?
Impossible to precisely say without knowing exactly what work is involved but:- is the c£5-600 retail price the price in your quotes or the price you can find it for?
- does that c£5-600 include all other required materials (hoses, electrics, conduit, etc.)?
- assuming it is half a day install, £1300 - £600 = £700. £700 divided by 4 hours = £175 an hour. Doesn't sound excessive to me.
I thought the same originally, and then went and did Fgas cat 1 and either purchased or borrowed the kit (nitrogen, gauges, vac pump, torr gauge etc)
After installation my thoughts are, may seem simple but there is a fair amount of work involved.
Mount internal unit
Core drill for pipe exit (+ risks of damage)
Install containment (the trunking is actually really quite expensive - I spent £150 on this alone)
Supply copper lines + control cable + condensate drain hose (around £100 there inc insulation)
Prepare ends (ok quick job that)
Purge with nitrogen
Strength test for 1hr
Reduce pressure, tightness test for (6hrs min) by regs - so now you are into a 2 day job/2 visit job
Vac down (10-30 mins)
Release the gas - commissioning checks
Hope and pray the valve core goes back in first time
Fortunately all mine was at ground level - but add any element of height into the equation and with the above can see how actually its a rather involved process.
After installation my thoughts are, may seem simple but there is a fair amount of work involved.
Mount internal unit
Core drill for pipe exit (+ risks of damage)
Install containment (the trunking is actually really quite expensive - I spent £150 on this alone)
Supply copper lines + control cable + condensate drain hose (around £100 there inc insulation)
Prepare ends (ok quick job that)
Purge with nitrogen
Strength test for 1hr
Reduce pressure, tightness test for (6hrs min) by regs - so now you are into a 2 day job/2 visit job
Vac down (10-30 mins)
Release the gas - commissioning checks
Hope and pray the valve core goes back in first time
Fortunately all mine was at ground level - but add any element of height into the equation and with the above can see how actually its a rather involved process.
RedWhiteMonkey said:
dhdev said:
Having spent the last 8 months going through a house renovation, I m well versed with the amounts that various trades charge, however the quotes I ve been receiving from aircon installers are ludicrous. I d like a single split 2-2.5kw air conditioner installing in my new detached garage to provide heating for the winter. The unit itself is c£5-600 retail, yet quotes for supply and install are coming back at a minimum of £1300 and all the way up to £1900. I can t see how it could take more than half a day to install as the power cable is already run, so how on earth can it be £700+?
Impossible to precisely say without knowing exactly what work is involved but:- is the c£5-600 retail price the price in your quotes or the price you can find it for?
- does that c£5-600 include all other required materials (hoses, electrics, conduit, etc.)?
- assuming it is half a day install, £1300 - £600 = £700. £700 divided by 4 hours = £175 an hour. Doesn't sound excessive to me.
I'm having a an EICR (Electrical Certificate) done on a rental property. It will take about 3 hours and will include in a 13 page report. It will cost me £150. My plumber charges £90 and hour on small job.
dhdev said:
steveo3002 said:
made me want a self fit one , theres nothing to it for a diy'er
Do these still exist? I think Appliances direct used to sell self fit units, but I can only see split units requiring an FGas installer on their site now. https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/p/iqool-smart15...
98elise said:
£175 an hour sounds a lot to me. Its £1200 a day (7 hours), so about 250k for a working year
I'm having a an EICR (Electrical Certificate) done on a rental property. It will take about 3 hours and will include in a 13 page report. It will cost me £150. My plumber charges £90 and hour on small job.
I guess it all depends where in the country it is. £175 an hour is not excessive for some trades, but I'd accept that is a very simplistic way to calculate the figure.I'm having a an EICR (Electrical Certificate) done on a rental property. It will take about 3 hours and will include in a 13 page report. It will cost me £150. My plumber charges £90 and hour on small job.
We had a guy estimate for fitting aircon into the two roof rooms of our apartment here in Germany, the quote was around 8k. It would have involved significant working at height though.
I also considered doing it myself but I'm not confident about not messing up the gas installation part and working on the roof didn't appeal either.
I find it mildly amusing that you’re fitting air con to a garage to heat it through winter, which is a) somewhat unnecessary and b) going to cost quite a bit to run and your worried about what seems to be quite a modest fee for fitting it. When II opened the thread I was expecting to see a quote of £5k-10k for fitting to a house!
You’ll probably spend £1300-1900 per year in electricity keeping your car and dry and warm…
You’ll probably spend £1300-1900 per year in electricity keeping your car and dry and warm…
dhdev said:
Having spent the last 8 months going through a house renovation, I m well versed with the amounts that various trades charge, however the quotes I ve been receiving from aircon installers are ludicrous. I d like a single split 2-2.5kw air conditioner installing in my new detached garage to provide heating for the winter. The unit itself is c£5-600 retail, yet quotes for supply and install are coming back at a minimum of £1300 and all the way up to £1900. I can t see how it could take more than half a day to install as the power cable is already run, so how on earth can it be £700+?
Whilst a/c units can heat as well as cool, why not just get a simple heater to do the job for a fraction of the price?I'd imagine for 500-600 that's a non premium brand 2.5kw unit. The retail cost only covers the unit itself. I install AC everyday, it's expensive running a business. Each install needs around 300 pounds for materials on top of the unit price. We usually, send an engineer and an engineers mate to complete the works. It's not feasible as a business to cost for half a day's work as it rarely works out that way. We always allow for time in case we hit a problem.
Of course, there are diy routes and given the time and knowledge most people could have a go with a simple back to back install. Not everyone wants to do that and would prefer a professional registered company in to do it. For this, we have to charge accordingly.
Of course, there are diy routes and given the time and knowledge most people could have a go with a simple back to back install. Not everyone wants to do that and would prefer a professional registered company in to do it. For this, we have to charge accordingly.
Took me less than a day to install one on a second floor wall based off a ladder. Drilling the core plug is the hardest bit.
That said if I did it for a living I'd be wanting to clear £400 a day so how much would I have to charge? About those quotes I'd imagine.
I guess if you get slick at it, 2 installs a day would be doable.
That said if I did it for a living I'd be wanting to clear £400 a day so how much would I have to charge? About those quotes I'd imagine.
I guess if you get slick at it, 2 installs a day would be doable.
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Wednesday 10th December 14:56
I fitted one with a mate in his house a few months back, second floor up a ladder, 70mm hole through the wall as said was the hardest part. We did it in an evening, without any big drama's.
He said he has been quoted the same sort of £££ as the OP.
I dare say we took a bit more care with dust sheets etc inside the house too.
He said he has been quoted the same sort of £££ as the OP.
I dare say we took a bit more care with dust sheets etc inside the house too.
Airconguy said:
I'd imagine for 500-600 that's a non premium brand 2.5kw unit. The retail cost only covers the unit itself. I install AC everyday, it's expensive running a business. Each install needs around 300 pounds for materials on top of the unit price. We usually, send an engineer and an engineers mate to complete the works. It's not feasible as a business to cost for half a day's work as it rarely works out that way. We always allow for time in case we hit a problem.
Of course, there are diy routes and given the time and knowledge most people could have a go with a simple back to back install. Not everyone wants to do that and would prefer a professional registered company in to do it. For this, we have to charge accordingly.
Thats a fair way of explaining the costs. Its not just the cost of the big ticket item plus hours worked. A tradesman has overheads and time not being billed so the hourly charge has to reflect that, and as you say a whole bunch of other materials needed to do the install.Of course, there are diy routes and given the time and knowledge most people could have a go with a simple back to back install. Not everyone wants to do that and would prefer a professional registered company in to do it. For this, we have to charge accordingly.
Even when looking at my own DIY jobs I always assume that it will cost me at least 50% more, and take 50% longer than I first thought.
Give this guy a call. He installed mine. Very good but maybe not cheap. At least you can get a price comparison.
https://aircon4home.co.uk/?fbclid=IwRlRTSAOmbFBleH...
https://aircon4home.co.uk/?fbclid=IwRlRTSAOmbFBleH...
Simpo Two said:
Whilst a/c units can heat as well as cool, why not just get a simple heater to do the job for a fraction of the price?
As AC units incorporate a heat pump, they are able to produce heat with an efficiency around 300% (varies with temperature). This means the pay back on a £1000 AC install could be around 2.5yrs, compared to running a standard heater. Danns said:
I thought the same originally, and then went and did Fgas cat 1 and either purchased or borrowed the kit (nitrogen, gauges, vac pump, torr gauge etc)
After installation my thoughts are, may seem simple but there is a fair amount of work involved.
Mount internal unit
Core drill for pipe exit (+ risks of damage)
Install containment (the trunking is actually really quite expensive - I spent £150 on this alone)
Supply copper lines + control cable + condensate drain hose (around £100 there inc insulation)
Prepare ends (ok quick job that)
Purge with nitrogen
Strength test for 1hr
Reduce pressure, tightness test for (6hrs min) by regs - so now you are into a 2 day job/2 visit job
Vac down (10-30 mins)
Release the gas - commissioning checks
Hope and pray the valve core goes back in first time
Fortunately all mine was at ground level - but add any element of height into the equation and with the above can see how actually its a rather involved process.
Thanks for that breakdown, useful to see the steps involved. I certainly wasn’t aware of the need for revisit on day 2 and contrary to that I’ve seen companies stating that it can be done in less than a day. Perhaps they are cutting corners, but would be odd to publicly advertise that. After installation my thoughts are, may seem simple but there is a fair amount of work involved.
Mount internal unit
Core drill for pipe exit (+ risks of damage)
Install containment (the trunking is actually really quite expensive - I spent £150 on this alone)
Supply copper lines + control cable + condensate drain hose (around £100 there inc insulation)
Prepare ends (ok quick job that)
Purge with nitrogen
Strength test for 1hr
Reduce pressure, tightness test for (6hrs min) by regs - so now you are into a 2 day job/2 visit job
Vac down (10-30 mins)
Release the gas - commissioning checks
Hope and pray the valve core goes back in first time
Fortunately all mine was at ground level - but add any element of height into the equation and with the above can see how actually its a rather involved process.
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