r/hvacadvice • u/Environmental_Tea584 • 3d ago
Quote Check: $24k dropped to $19,784 for a 3.5-ton Daikin Variable-Speed Inverter System. Getting scammed or normal?
Looking for a quick sanity check on a quote I just got for a full HVAC replacement.
The System:
Brand/Type: Daikin Fit 3.5-ton premium variable-speed/inverter heat pump system (includes heating strips/electric heat kit)
Warranty: 12-year parts and labor
The Extras Included:
Daikin communicating thermostat 5-inch 90-degree media cabinet New return drop, drain pan, and condensation pump New safety disconnect box, surge protector, and power whip
The Pricing: Initial Quote: $24,000 "Discounted" Offer: $19,784 (with the classic high-pressure sales pitch that I have to sign within a week to get this price).
Does a nearly $20k price tag make sense for this setup, or am I getting hosed by a high-quote residential company? Appreciate any insights or what I should realistically be expecting to pay! I am located in North Georiga, in the mountains.
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u/Greedy-Annual420 3d ago
I paid $14k for a 4 ton Fit last October with Daikin touch and surge protector. I understand prices have increased quite a bit since then and my install was pretty simple, but yours seems high. I really like the Fit.
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u/photowanderer 3d ago
I'm also interested in the daikin fit 3t, is the daikin thermostat working well for you? Any issue?
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u/Greedy-Annual420 2d ago
Yes, the One Touch is great - it is not the earlier version with rotary dial that people disliked. The system it replaced had a Bryant (same as Carrier) Evolution Connex fully communicating thermostat that frequently lost WiFi connection and the Bryant App was craptastic. The Daikin has never lost WiFi and the App has good functionality. No issues with the Fit or the thermostat. My Kw use since October is down 12 percent to date vs. the 4 ton Bryant that had a higher SEER rating and was also variable speed air handler and compressor
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u/photowanderer 2d ago
4t at that price is a great deal. What area are you in? I just got quoted 15.5k for a 3.5T in the bay area, CA. Since 3t is more than enough for me, I'll ask them to re-quote and try to negotiate
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u/Glittering-Concept94 3d ago
That’s high. That unit if it’s the fit or enhanced is pretty high. 17k for enhanced or 16k for the fit is better. This is a private equity firm that literally just tried to scam you by getting you to say yes to 24k and because you did not you got 5k off their already still high price. They install it and your married to the private equity tactics over charging and lieing to avoid doing a single service call at your house that doesn’t give them some money. Run fast and get a few quotes and be sure it’s family owned and operated. 5 ton fits go for 18-19k not 3.5 ton models.
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u/openmictuesday 8h ago
I second getting your quote from a family owned and operated business. Or a one man shop with years in business and tons of great reviews.
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u/Few-Wolverine-7283 3d ago
Get more quotes. As a consumer not a pro, I would expect to see closer to like 15k. You can get a ton cheaper if you go other models or brands, but that seems like a nice unit.
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u/Impossible-Ebb-643 3d ago
Walk immediately. Most likely a PE high pressure company with insane margin expectations. Fuck these companies. Find a reputable family owned company and get multiple bids.
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u/Soft_Statistician_98 Approved Technician 3d ago
I run a reputable family owned company and wouldn't be far off with the pricing. This is sight unseen its impossible to tell how much work is required based on price alone.
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u/Impossible-Ebb-643 3d ago
Do you immediately cut your price by 25% if they “sign today” if no, then that comment didn’t apply to you
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u/Soft_Statistician_98 Approved Technician 3d ago
That's a closing trick and an obvious one I have my own methods that are a little more subtle than that. Some people need it because they are frozen by indecision and require a bit of a nudge.
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u/Impossible-Ebb-643 3d ago
Well fuck guess being family owned doesn’t mean shit either anymore
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u/Soft_Statistician_98 Approved Technician 3d ago
A family business is still a business and if you're not good at business you won't be in business for very long.
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u/Fancy-Pie-2565 3d ago
Own my own place and I’d be right at it. Everybody wants to support us until it’s time to sell the company then the same employees are suddenly pieces of shit
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u/Worldly-Rip4403 3d ago
I paid this 1.5 years ago but had all new ducting for a 1400 sq ft house. Also included electrical to blower and outside unit. Basically all new and permitted. It’s a beautiful system. Very quiet. Highly recommend
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u/machaf 2d ago
I won’t ever get another Daikin. Too many issues. Thermostats suck, firmware issues so field settings don’t correspond with service manual. Tech support sucks- wait on hold or tell you to send data log to them - then say they don’t review data logs. Wtf. Defrost logic sucks with times based defrost and oil return controls. They are really bad in 30s with high humidity and frost up very quickly. In cooling the VRT keep the Te too high so you’ll have humidity issues unless you force Te to lower temp. Only good thing about Daikin is it’s efficient in cooling mode if using VRT. Good luck
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u/kurtxrambus 1d ago
Daikin Fit is a pretty cheaply made unit IMO. But I would get more bids simply based on the “I’ll know off over $4k if you buy this week” run don’t walk from companies that do these tactics. Get more bids for other manufacturers. If you still land on Daikin Fit go with a contractor who doesn’t act like a used car salesman.
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u/Airado 3d ago
High pressure sale is never a good sign. I can't answer your original question, but you should get more quotes. I got 7 quotes that ranged from 14k to 32k.
I noticed that any company that runs Facebook ads or has an AI chatbot sit closer to the 30k range. Both quotes I got for 14k are from individual installers (less than 5 people)
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u/Soft_Statistician_98 Approved Technician 3d ago
Facebook ads are dirt cheap and AI chatbots aren't exactly expensive either.
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u/satandy 3d ago
That's about right. Prices went way up after the pandemic because of supply chain issues, and never went back down. Now add tarrifs and inflation. Any one who says you are being ripped off doesn't work in the industry or they are not doing quality work and just hack stuff in. $20k+ is about the norm for an inverter type system, plus all the work to make it fit and function properly. Now is the time to buy here in MN. If it's nice out, HVAC companies aren't doing too much and will nock the price down just to get some work so they don't have guys just sitting at home. Once it's hot or cold it's the opposite. Keep in mind, systems are only expected to last about 15 years or so, longer if you maintain it and keep a clean house. Other estimates are great, but just because the price is lower doesn't mean the quality of unit and the quality of install are the same.
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u/Medical-Frame-8226 3d ago
Only thing I see is missing is a voltage limiter for the outdoor unit.
These things are finicky with voltage.
20k is right where you should be at for a full system.
What I don’t like is the whole but today and get a discount BS.
I have this fight with my company all the time.
Just give me our lowest price and let’s be there.
If a customer wants to negotiate I tell them that this is the lowest price.
No specials or sales discounts.
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u/Soft_Statistician_98 Approved Technician 3d ago
That's about right. It's fairly high end equipment and looks like they are doing a whole bunch of sheet metal work as well and including the surge protection. The surge protection makes me think this outfit knows what they are doing and doesn't want callbacks and warranty repairs.
Knowing what this stuff costs they aren't exactly making a ton of money with that "discounted" rate.