What an Air Conditioning Quote Should Include

It starts before the number. AIRAH's Residential Best Practice Guideline sets out what should happen between a sales visit and a signature. [1] A transparent process establishes your actual needs first: cooling only or heating too, use of the home, whether a high efficiency rating matters more than upfront price, and your budget.

It's in writing. A written quotation, not a verbal figure, is the baseline. Verbal quotes are unenforceable and easy to change later, so the detail that protects you has to be on paper. [1]

Exact equipment, named. A quote should specify the make, model and capacity of the system. [1] That lets the figures be checked against the energy label and the sizing calculation rather than taken on trust.

More than one option. A single option is a default, not a recommendation. Best practice is to offer alternative equipment or system choices so the decision is yours. [1]

The installation scope, spelled out. The quote should detail indoor and outdoor unit placement, pipe and cable runs, and any electrical or structural work. [1] This is exactly where surprise costs on the day come from when it is left vague.

Noise and placement. Expected noise output and the position of units relative to boundaries should be noted. [1] An outdoor unit too close to a fence or bedroom window is a common source of disputes.

Both warranties. Equipment and installation carry separate warranties with separate conditions, and the quote should state both. [1] Knowing which covers what saves confusion if something fails.

Servicing and disputes. The price of the first scheduled service, and what future services cost and exclude, should be disclosed rather than left as a future surprise. [1] A clear dispute-resolution path should be set out too, so a problem has an agreed route to a fix.

Cooling-off on uninvited sales. If a system is sold door to door, a 10 business day cooling-off period applies under the Australian Consumer Law. [2] That gives breathing room to anyone who agreed under pressure and had second thoughts.

A complete quote is the difference between a fixed price and a moving one.