$3,500 quote to replace 1 AC part, $450 an hour labor???

[Jack B.]

Quote I got from an AC company here. To replace a low pressure sensor that is under warranty. They want $500 an hour for labor. WTF??

To add insult to injury, every company I’ve asked for a quote based on the quote I got from the first vendor, wants me to pay another several hundred dollar service fee to come out and look at it themselves. They won’t give me just a quote for what it would cost for the same work in the first estimate.

Am I obligated to replace or repair the AC? It’s a luxury here.

[Randall Alan]

@Jack B.

In dealing with various AC COMPANIES I have found that there are several models for pricing.  My advice is to find one that works for you and stick with them.  To your point, my preferred vendor charges a service fee for handling the warranty part for “under warranty repairs” when the labor warranty has expired.  They have to call, get it authorized, etc… maybe return the part, etc.  it’s fair I guess at some level.

I would tell the $500/hr place to go fly a kite.  Write it off in your head as a lesson learned on who not to call.  I had a place like that who wanted $800 to replace a fan motor that I would usually pay my regular guy $350.  I paid them their service charge of $75 and sent them on their way… lesson learned.  The rate in my area for typical repairs is around $150/hr.  

I’m all about vendors earning a living… but some use that exploitive model where the theory seems to be “If they’ll pay it, why not!”  Older people who have resources probably fall for it enough that the company gets by making crazy profits on fewer jobs?!

I would say “yes”, the AC needs to work if it is there unless you clearly call out there is no AC provided.  You sort of end up looking like a cheap skate, crappier rental if it isn’t working though… to a renter.

All the best!

Randy