BOHICA! This might be a ripoff?

[flatbutt]

My furnace needs new ductwork on the return side and this is the estimate:

* Enlarge opening to 30x14 with new floor return grill
* Enlarge existing return trunk line to 20x8 and run back to the furnace and ties into existing 28x8 return
* Run and test system

Materials
30 x 14 floor return grille
15 feet of 20 x 8 duct
2- 20 x 8 end caps

Total Investment $2,987.00
1/2 due upon acceptance
1/2 due upon completion

The price is $2987 and seems rather steep. What say ye?

[masraum]

I don't have any practical experience to go by, but that sounds like a lot to me.

[KFC911]

It ain't as steep if yer bending over

[VINMAN]

Seems a little on the high side, but mot tbat familiar wirh material cost for that work.

Just curious, whats the need for new, undersized?

.

[ckelly78z]

Nearly $200.00 a foot for installed ducting, and a grate ? I would look elsewhere.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Seems a little on the high side, but mot tbat familiar wirh material cost for that work.

Just curious, whats the need for new, undersized?

.

Yuup just found out that the existing duct work is too small. I fired my previous service provider for other screw ups and hired a new company. I had them repair the other guys mistakes and they came back with the need for the new ductwork.

[masraum]

You can get a 30x14 grill at Home Depot (at least on their website) for anywhere from $16 - $70. The $70 option is the type that's got the hinged door and accepts a filter and then there are several options for just a plain grill with no filter. Do they have it itemized to show what they are charging for that one part?

[Chocaholic]

No bargains these days. Do it yourself or pay to have it done. A matter of which is more precious, your money or your time. Only you can decide.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

No bargains these days. Do it yourself or pay to have it done. A matter of which is more precious, your money or your time. Only you can decide.

Exactly. I try to do as much as I can. If the access is relatively easy, and the parts are available via someplace like Home Depot, I'd be tempted to do it myself. But, sometimes, it's better to just pay.

[Paul T]

Sheet metal or duct board? Might not be a crazy price if sheet metal, depending on ease of access and working conditions. As others have said, boils down to how you value your time. I installed ductwork summers as a kid - not inclined to do it again.

[Norm K]

I've long said that I don't mind paying for something - even paying a lot - but I'll be gawdammed if I'm going let myself get ripped off.

Good honest HVAC companies are a rarity these days, as so many have outgrown their original Mom and Pop roots, and are chock-full of technicians who are paid on commission (irrespective of what they might call it). I have a fantastic independent guy who's beholden only to himself. He charges a fair price while making a good wage. He left one of those overgrown companies after working there for over twenty years because the business model moved out of alignment with his personal ethics.

_

[flipper35]

We paid less than that to have our ductwork redone for the geothermal when it went in and we had a lot to have done.

[908/930]

Get a couple more estimates, it does sound on the high side, he is probably really busy and does not want the extra work.

[bob deluke]

First Of all Flat, why a floor grill? All kinds of crap will find their way into the grill and duct. Any chance to wall mount the R.A. Grill? You’d probably have to patch the floor, so extra $$$. R.A. Grills are relatively cheap at plumbing supply house or big box stores. The 20x8 duct is pretty standard in the industry, again at plumbing supply house. Snap lock fittings on duct easy to put together. Need a takeoff installed on existing R.A. duct to accept the 20x8 duct. All toll, about 4-5 hours worth of work, couple hundred for materials. Typical diy project. I think this outfit is looking to hit a home run with you. I’d be looking elsewhere. Did they do a load estimate on existing furnace/ductwork? How did they arrive at the conclusion your return was too small? Whomever does your work, I’d insist on a load estimate calc. It determine duct size. Man, these contractors are charging Porsche repair shop prices!

[pmax]

Sawzall, knee/elbow pads and one or two weekends, there .. I just saved you $2500 assuming you still fit under the floor.

[jrj3rd]

Was talking to my HVAC guy last month. Sheet metal costs had skyrocketed for him and he was being told another bump up was coming Sept 1. Might not be as outrageous as you think....

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Paul T

Sheet metal or duct board? Might not be a crazy price if sheet metal, depending on ease of access and working conditions. As others have said, boils down to how you value your time. I installed ductwork summers as a kid - not inclined to do it again.

Originally Posted by bob deluke

First Of all Flat, why a floor grill? All kinds of crap will find their way into the grill and duct. Any chance to wall mount the R.A. Grill? You’d probably have to patch the floor, so extra $$$. R.A. Grills are relatively cheap at plumbing supply house or big box stores. The 20x8 duct is pretty standard in the industry, again at plumbing supply house. Snap lock fittings on duct easy to put together. Need a takeoff installed on existing R.A. duct to accept the 20x8 duct. All toll, about 4-5 hours worth of work, couple hundred for materials. Typical diy project. I think this outfit is looking to hit a home run with you. I’d be looking elsewhere. Did they do a load estimate on existing furnace/ductwork? How did they arrive at the conclusion your return was too small? Whomever does your work, I’d insist on a load estimate calc. It determine duct size. Man, these contractors are charging Porsche repair shop prices!

Sheet metal. The floor grill is the existing RA grill. I can't do the work myself due to my physical limitations (my right arm is 90% disabled) so I'm kinds stuck with paying. But here is why my ass is so chapped.

This service is the one I chose to replace my former provider. I just paid this new guy $4800 to install a second zone and and upgrade the system, but they overlooked the Return Air volume in their initial estimate. Now Im kinda stuck.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Sheet metal. The floor grill is the existing RA grill. I can't do the work myself due to my physical limitations (my right arm is 90% disabled) so I'm kinds stuck with paying. But here is why my ass is so chapped.

This service is the one I chose to replace my former provider. I just paid this new guy $4800 to install a second zone and and upgrade the system, but they overlooked the Return Air volume in their initial estimate. Now Im kinda stuck.

Ahh, yeah I'd be pretty pissed about that too. So when you say second zone, do you mean a separate unit, or they just installed some duct zone dampers? Nonetheless, sounds like they didn't properly size out CFM of the system in order to gauge the size return needed. In that case, I'd fight for a better price since it was their screwup, although as someone else said, sheet metal costs are up I believe....

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Paul T

Ahh, yeah I'd be pretty pissed about that too. So when you say second zone, do you mean a separate unit, or they just installed some duct zone dampers? Nonetheless, sounds like they didn't properly size out CFM of the system in order to gauge the size return needed. In that case, I'd fight for a better price since it was their screwup, although as someone else said, sheet metal costs are up I believe....

The 2nd zone added my basement to the existing furnace so yeah a bunch of dampers, new ducting and a separate thermostat. ALOT of work for the 4800. So asking for another 3K just to add 15 feet of metal is too much.

[john walker's workshop]

The 1/2 down thing is annoying too. Don't they trust you after the first job, or are they broke? I don't pay up front for anything.