Air Conditioning - Complete System Installation

I am curious as to whether an A/C contractor would be willing to just do an install without selling a unit. I have a friend who is a local builder who has a new in the box 4 ton system w/ air handler that he will sell to me for a very good price. I have a few quotes on a complete 4 ton system changeout with a 14 Seer rating and my friend has a 16 Seer unit he will sell for 2k less than the quotes I have gotten. To me, if an A/C contractor would be willing to do it, it looks like a better deal even if it costs me 2k to install it. Would there be warranty problems if the person that installs is not the one who sold it? Thanks.

Warranity may be a problem. If it's the same brand that the dealer sell, they may be able to do it. You will have to ask, I know some won't do it.

I would always install equipment provided by the homeowner after thoroughly explaining that the eqipment would only be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

If I install the unit and the compressor was DOA then the client would have to pay me to replace the compressor. That is what markup of the equpiment is about - warranty.

Many others will not install equipment provided by the client and I can understand their reasoning.

Call around and ask a few contractors if they are willing, and get prices. Some may inflate their prices a little to offset their loss on the sale of the equipment.

Equipment Manufacturers Warranty does not begin until Installation date of the equipment, go with an A/c contractor that knows what he is doing, not some jack leg that will do it for a 6 pack.. I have done warranty on alot of equipment even equipment that Ive never been a dealer for with no problems.

Thanks for the help guys. Obviously, I want someone who is competent, I am not going to spend several thousand dollars on a system and then hire someone for a six pack (or a hundred dollars) to install. I also believe someone should be fairly compensated for good work completed. I am just an average homeowner who is looking to stretch my home repair dollar as much as I can. I would think that if someone is licensed by the state, that would be a minimum of qualifications I should look for. Is there anything else I should look for/ask about in hiring a contractor? Thanks again in advance!

Have you considered using the same a/c guy that your builder friend uses ?

Yes, I had considered that but it's not feasible. My friend (college roomate) builds in an area about 125 miles from where I live, so I am searching for a local contractor, especially if i have future service needs.

You shouldn't have a problem finding someone to do it. Just call around. You may get lucky and find a decent installer who will do it but most companies don't do it due to no profit from the sale "they will charge you more for the install to cover this loss". It's kind of like taking your own bacon and eggs to Frisch's.

Good luck on your venture and let us know how it turns out, or feel welcome to ask more questions if you find someone to do the job. We can help you make sure they do a good job :D