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I always break the bill out to two invoices. Bill for pumpdown and disconnect. Then bill the other later.

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Originally Posted by pcp

Last company I worked for did these disconnect reconnects for a landscaping company. Never was an issue. Ended up doing quite a few. We also ran a lot of gaslines for outdoor fireplaces and bbq grills.

I see a good few of these on commercial re-roofs. Here in FL when the CU is moved for a re-roof it goes back on a nice, shiny new aluminum stand that's been engineered, approved, and inspected. Height, bracing, everything prescribed by code. No more patio blocks, 4x4's, etc. A good sized strip mall or office building might have 50+ of these things to disconnect and reinstall on stands.

Originally Posted by artdavila

Beautiful! Pete838, love the legalese! hope this isn't copyrighted.....

Nope, go fer it. I don't get to turn wrenches nearly as much as I deal with contracts and proposals. Glad I could help.

Last company I worked for did these disconnect reconnects for a landscaping company. Never was an issue. Ended up doing quite a few. We also ran a lot of gaslines for outdoor fireplaces and bbq grills.

Originally Posted by KB Cool

This is insane!!!! Unhook the low voltage, high voltage, Cut the lines and braze them shut!!!! What's the problem??????Do you want me to come do it for you? lol

Amen just add no warranty on the dotted line. Done this a number of times and never had a worry. I do always stress to whoever has the unit to store it safely from vandals since it is so easy to move.

Originally Posted by KB Cool

This is insane!!!! Unhook the low voltage, high voltage, Cut the lines and braze them shut!!!! What's the problem??????Do you want me to come do it for you? lol

Think the 'problem' is since the unit is ancient he is worried about any liabiblity if it fails after he reinstalls. Hes just trying to cover his a$$ thats all. Worst case compressor fails after a week and then your on the hook for a new unit since you were last one to touch. So the disclaimer clause should keep him out of trouble....

This is insane!!!! Unhook the low voltage, high voltage, Cut the lines and braze them shut!!!! What's the problem??????Do you want me to come do it for you? lol

Beautiful! Pete838, love the legalese! hope this isn't copyrighted.....

I agree. Documenting it and getting at least the contractor to review and sign it. Lots of times I don't even know who the homeowner is. Its one of those things where the contractor says just go get it done and you will see the guys working out front.

There's good money in it. Its pretty much just labor and a few parts and I have to make the contractor happy so he'll keep me busy in the winter. Now watch, what will happen is hvac will slow down and I'll get under bid after putting up with this over the summer and end up losing over the winter.

I try my hardest to make sure the system is functioning well before I pull it out and do everything I can to make sure it will run well when re-installed. It doesn't bother me if I have to put a new part in because I think its going to fail in a situation like this.

I don't want to remove the condenser off site like beenthere said, it leads to doubt in the homeowner and contractor. If I write down condenser is the homeowners responsibility after disconnected. The other thing is older condensers don't like to be moved. Its easy for them to get loose and shake. You have to kind of baby them.

Originally Posted by alamo1718

A way to minimize risk would be to take the condenser home after you've disconnected it. I don't know about your insurance but I'm pretty sure mine covers equipment in the truck/van.
Also, business ownership is a constant balance of risk management and risk vs reward. Business ownership is inherently risky. I ask myself in instances like this, what's the worst that can happen and can I deal with it? Can I afford to return several times if I have bad problems? Does this customer/contractor represent possible future profit on other jobs or is he just using me? If left on site and stolen, can I get a new condenser that matches? If I reconnect it and it craps the bed, does the contractor understand that it may cost serious money? Just some food for thought.

Turning down work is sometimes the best way to protect your business and reputation. IMHO, what Pete wrote is spot on, if you choose to bid the work.

Don't be a storage company, leave the condenser on the customers property. If it would fail to work 2 weeks after its re-installed, they could claim that you did something to it to make it fail while you had it at your shop.

Bay, it's entering the slow season, and we need to collect $$$ when we can.
I don't think anyone would condemn you for doing this job. We've done it on a few occasions, without issue.
I do think Pete had a pretty good template for you to use.

There is risk in any job, but without risk, there is usually little reward. If the GC/Builder that's hiring you likes the way you work, it may prove to be a great working relationship.

A way to minimize risk would be to take the condenser home after you've disconnected it. I don't know about your insurance but I'm pretty sure mine covers equipment in the truck/van.
Also, business ownership is a constant balance of risk management and risk vs reward. Business ownership is inherently risky. I ask myself in instances like this, what's the worst that can happen and can I deal with it? Can I afford to return several times if I have bad problems? Does this customer/contractor represent possible future profit on other jobs or is he just using me? If left on site and stolen, can I get a new condenser that matches? If I reconnect it and it craps the bed, does the contractor understand that it may cost serious money? Just some food for thought.

Turning down work is sometimes the best way to protect your business and reputation. IMHO, what Pete wrote is spot on, if you choose to bid the work.

If you worry enough those six cans of worms will all open on their own.

Thank you Gravity and Pete!

I'm an Iowa boy with my little boat named Baycienda.

Thanks Pete! That's exactly what we were looking for! Believe it or not there are people out there having the same issues and thats why hvac talk is good and we need to keep it the same. Its not all about politics and who's the professional. Right? If its an old system and the homeowner wants to do landscaping I agree with you. It needs to be documented and written down. Stupid contractors are quick. Its a remodel world. Thank you.

ABC will disconnect existing air conditioner. ABC will seal off refrigerant tubing and condenser. General Contractor is responsible for storage of unit while disconnected. ABC will re-locate unit to specified location. ABC will extend existing refrigerant tubing to new location and install a LLFD. ABC will perform evacuation and put system back into operation. ABC will give a 30 day warranty on work performed on system. ABC will give no warranty on any other part of equipment. If later repairs are needed they will be billed by T&M.

"XYZ Air Conditioning will provide labor to disconnect , place in customer's designated storage area, and reconnect in original location existing condensing unit, Model/ser. # XXXXXX. Proposal covers labor only, and makes no guarantee of the operation or performance of existing equipment. Customer and contractor stipulate and agree that moving, handling, and opening an existing, older system can can precipitate other unforeseeable problems, and customer agrees to hold contractor harmless for additional repairs. Additional refrigerant, parts, and labor required to repair these unforeseeable problems will not be provided without additional authorization, and will be billed separately as a change order."

Just say no warranty and have them sign the bill.


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Walking away is easy...I prefer to be professional and get the job done and do it correctly. I can do it and yes, I am a new business owner. I'm young. Its easy for an employee to sit there and say just do it and get it done. Do not forsake me for Jon Mark, I'm not. But what I have to do is cover my butt. Do I just take the money if the system pumps down and I cut the lines...or do I look at the big liability? This is my original question. You ask about the risk...this is why I'm asking the same question. How do you write it down? If you want to respond, please put some input on this.

Sounds like you need to walk away before you lose your hair lol.


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