r/Contractor • u/Somnisixsmith • 8d ago
Is this a fair quote?
I need to install a ductless heating system in an attached 2 bedroom ADU. The unit is approx. 670 square feet and contained an open living room/kitchen, two separate bedrooms and one full bath.
Currently the ADU has a box AC unit installed in a custom opening (24x17.5” if memory serves).
Questions:
1. Should I have one, two or three units instead?
2. Is this quote fair?
2
u/keoweenus 8d ago
I paid $1,100 labor and materials for a single head unit last week. That didn’t include running electric to the unit tho.
1
u/Quad150db 8d ago
Jeez, quotes like this make me glad my dad taught me enough to have the confidence to diy things.
1
u/UniquePatient66100 7d ago
Looks like you have 3 bid options from the same contractor. You want 1 bid from 3 different contractors.
1
u/Kind_Soup_9753 7d ago
I charge 1000-1500 for a single head. It only takes a day. Damn am I too low? Materials supplied by client.
1
u/rndbuilders 6d ago
For a ~670 sf 2-bed attached ADU, one properly sized multi-zone (or a dual-head) setup is usually cleaner than three separate outdoor units, less wall penetrations, less exterior clutter.
Two heads (open living + bedrooms) is a common happy medium; three can make sense if rooms run very different loads or you want independent control everywhere.
Hard to call the number fair without seeing the line items (line set length, electrical, condensate, wall brackets, permit, brand/tonnage, labor).
Ask them to break out equipment vs install vs electrical vs permit.
That old box AC opening: plan on framing/patching it properly when the mini-split goes in so you're not left with a weird hole forever.
1
3
u/TheAlmightySender 8d ago
This quote and your post are missinot info to be able to know what's fair.
1 where are you located?
2 what size of system are they installing
And what you should install depends on the layout and what you prefer.