How much should I expend for replacing a 30 tons rooftop HVAC unit?

Question

How much should I expend for replacing a 30 tons rooftop HVAC unit? CARRIER or MaQuay, which brand is better?

Answer 1

Unless you have the equipment and licensing to replace the system, you will need to engage a contractor. Put the job out on competitive bids. You will likely find quite a variation, even using the same brand rooftop. Between Carrier and McQuay, the best depends on who you ask. Both have been in business a long time because they manufacture reliable products.

An often used rule of thumb is to price out the equipment and multiply by 3. R.S. Means publishes a good, though expensive, estimating guide, and I see they now have on-line services available. This is not intended as an ad for this company. There are probably more out there, but not known to me.

Answer 2

There is no simple answer. Your area of the country can greatly effect this. Crane access and building configuration also very widely. The equipment should cost some where between $800 and $1,000 a ton to purchase. The install is something you really should get a contractor to price. My best WAG (wild *** guess) is between 50K and 80K.

Carrier and McQuay both make good units but you will find the McQuay quite a bit more expensive.