We have to get our A/C coil replaced and our home warranty does not cover all the costs. We have had the unit recharged with freon the past two years but this time the technician said he needed to condemn the unit because the pressure check showed 70% leakage, I think that is what he meant by 70%. I do believe we need a new A/C. The question is the expense in this repair and do we only need to have the coil replaced. Does this seem correct? Are the charges listed below, normal? How can we ensure we are getting a comparable replacement and the work done, is good.
Warranty covers and pays $533.12 for the following:
$375 - Carrier 4 ton horizontal slab case coil (Home Warranty gets a special price)
$12.26 - liquid line drier
$115 - labor
$31.86 - tax

We have to pay $800 for the non-covered items:
$250 plenum of unit
$250 transition modification (don't know what this is)
$175 drain pan
$125 float switch

Prices are different in almost every city in the USA due to local labor costs etc.
I will say that the 800.00 as your expense does not seem to be to bad considering the work and material involved but I do question all the sheet metal work.

Your best be is to get a second bid on the job to be sure about the price in your area.

Agree, sounds like a reasonable price overall. But as HVAC1000 suggested, its best to get some more bids, then you can compare and decide. Make sure not to tell the other bidders what the original bidder quoted, so you can get a true bid from them.

As far as the sheetmetal side, I thought it was a little high too, until I thought about it. IF a company has separate techs for separate aspects of the job, (tinner does the sheetmetal, licensed ac tech does ac work), then the tinner(plenum builder and installer) has to go get measurements, go back to shop, build correct plenum for possibly a physically larger coil (not larger ton size, but physical size), then go back and install it. You will be charged for all of this time, so it is not unreasonable to have $250 into it. Can be upwards of a half days work for a tinner.

That said, good luck and please do let us know how you make out. Lee.


Oh, just reread you post, so insurance pays $533.12 and you have to pay 800$ out of your pocket... So total price is $1300.12..

Still in range, depending on what all has to be done, but at this price, I say once again,, get some more quotes. And for gods sake, don't let the bidders know that any of it is covered by insurance, or they may just take you for a ride(thinking they are taking insurance for a ride).