Choice between two HVAC contractors - York or Carrier?

[bobdobolina]

My A/C went out (one guy thought it may be as old as 40 years, so it owes me nothing!). I got 5 bids. Three were much higher than the rest; the two I am considering quoted the following units:

Carrier 24ABB3 2.5 ton
York TCGD30S41S1 2.5 ton ($ cheaper)

Both are from fairly large local firms that have been around a long time. I have no further information about them (the folks that did maintenance on the HVAC for the previous owners of the house quoted 2x the price for a 3 ton).

I did like the Carrier guy a bit better. He seemed to be on the ball, knew my equipment that was in place. Also, my furnace is a Carrier as well.

The guy who quoted the York didn't mention I'd need a shutoff box on the outside to get up to code, and it's not mentioned in the bid. I'll have to assume it will be done (whether he realizes it now or it's something I'll have to bring up after he omits it). That he didn't mention it worries me a bit, and I would say his firm comes off as a little less professional (although their website mentions having 100 employees, so they can't be a total rinky-dink outfit).

So, I'm leaning marginally towards the Carrier... but $ is a lot of money.

Now, reading this forum and others, it seems the choice between the manufacturers doesn't matter as much as getting a good installer.

But I have little to base this choice on; it's not like I get a new AC every year.

Is the marginally more professional installer worth $?

Is there anything else I should ask, or check up on, before I commit?

Thanks!

[dracorp2]

Is there anything else I should ask, or check up on, before I commit?

Thanks!

References. Call and ask the York guy if his price includes the disconnect. I wouldn't assume anything.

Also you should remove pricing from your post ( read the rules) before the mods do it for you.

[garya505]

Were the guys doing the quotes the same guys who will be doing the install? If not, your impressions of either or them aren't worth much. You said they are both failry large firms. Usually those types of companies have sales guys doing the quotes and somebody else will do the actual work, this is why I prefer the experienced owner-operator who will either be doing the install with some techs, or at least supervising the work.

[bobdobolina]

Ya, I would prefer something like that, too, gary, but these are the choices I had. At least one was a pretty small firm.

I'm working on references from both now; my wife will be thrilled that I'm delaying this project for references... it's in the 90's here now. =)

dracorp - thanks for the heads-up re: prices. I modified the original post to simply point out that the York is $500 cheaper. Quite a large percentage, though. Also verifying on the disconnect.

[garya505]

Ya, I would prefer something like that, too, gary, but these are the choices I had. At least one was a pretty small firm.

I'm working on references from both now; my wife will be thrilled that I'm delaying this project for references... it's in the 90's here now. =)

dracorp - thanks for the heads-up re: prices. I modified the original post to simply point out that the York is $500 cheaper. Quite a large percentage, though. Also verifying on the disconnect.

Nevermind, I got my models mixed up.

[skippedover]

My first observation is that you said "three are much higher than the rest" but you only go 5 quotes. In that regard, I'd say 3 are more realistic than the 2 low bids judging by a simple majority. Having said that, you've not mentioned the magic words that would cement an opinion in my case. That is, no one did a room-by-room load analysis. Of the 5 bidders, I would hope you struck gold with at least one but it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if you didn't. Do youself a favor and review my attachements so you don't gamble with your money. Whatever you'll pay for a new system it's an awful lot to gamble on a single bet. And you could lose!