I bought a house that was built in 1991 and someone has stolen ac unit and copper line. Noe repairman says you have to replace the whole unit because it was built before 2006. Around 3500. Is there another way to have central air w/o paying so much. Ouch I have already closed. Thanks
Was it there when you saw the place and placed an offer?
I would go for another quote, it shouldn’t be that expensive. It is true that equipment in the 90’s is already obsolete and parts are very hard and expensive to get.
Also whole unit as in the AC coil and compressor not the Furnace right?
It is hard to give advice but that seems high. All this stuff is local but I bought a A/C evaporator and condenser units for $1800 installed. I think it was 5 tons. They are quoting you twice the price.
Cost: new federal law dictates only high efficiency units (more costly) must now be installed. Inside unit has to match the outside unit, so air handler must also be replaced.
Your insurance should cover the loss. If you’ve already closed and the unit was stolen after the close, you’ve got insurance, right?
If you signed the papers and went over to find that the unit was stolen before you closed, the seller probably owes you a new unit. If your contract is any good, it says that the house must be turned over in the same condition in which you viewed it.
He recently had a air conditioner installed and it was $2800 because I did the electrical. Electrical would have added $400. We got a number of quotes, and went with a better unit.
For future reference, when I rehab a house, whether it is in a high end or low end neighborhood of single family homes, I always put someone in the house to live there until it is completed and resold. Otherwise, you will end up with no A/C, no copper pipes, no lighting fixtures, sinks, toilets, cabinets, etc.!!
I feel your pain!
I buy my A/C units from Home Depot. Price is less important than the company who stands behind the purchase. With their credit, I can charge it and make no payments or interest and by the time I have to make payments, the house is sold and the charge is paid off.
Rob
R.E. Investor/Mentor
The A/C unit (condenser) and copper line(s) are pretty expensive to replace. I’ve bought a lot of properties that already had the units stolen, and I’ve had them replaced.
I have an apartment complex handyman who works on the side, who will install a used unit (that he’ll give me a guarantee on) - and he can weld in the copper lines if needed - for 1/2 the price of a normal A/C guy. He’s a nice Hispanic fellow who is just looking to earn a buck like most other blue collar workers. No, he’s not licensed, but he does a licensed quality job - I use a licensed guy for repairs on our units (e.g. on a blower/heater in the attic) & he always has complimented his work if he runs into it.
And also I have a licensed A/C guy on call, who is about 33% cheaper than the competition. He gives me a huge break since I am a “property manager” - well - really an investor. You just need to look on craigslist OR talk with some investors in your area, and start making some phone calls to find the right handyman. I’m sure you can find someone in your area who’ll make you some deals.
Oh - and find a welder who will make you an A/C cage. That’ll set you back $200 to $300 and is important…otherwise you may have the same problem happen again.
Thieves DO tend to strike the same place more than once. Why? I guess because they’re are in general “not so bright” compared to the rest of society, or because they think that location is a convenient or easy target.
I was in the middle of posting and was going to post what Motivatedceo did (i.e. - craigslist, cage, local salaried repair guy who moonlights, etc.)… good advice… you should be able to get a unit installed for less than $2K if you follow these suggestions…
A/C cost will also be determined by your area where you live. Being that your A/C was older, you need a new handler as the air handler can be stronger than the compressor but not weaker.
Worse thing I ever had stolen was the fire hydrant caps. I had to pay the city to replace them which was odd, but damn I had a thief stealing them on my property. Cost $750 to replace each time. Finally I asked the city to move them… Of course no luck … After 4 stolen ones in 2 months I installed cameras to watch them and we caught the people. Oddest things. there is a market for them…
[[[[…Cost $750 to replace each time. Finally I asked the city to move them… Of course no luck … … Oddest things. there is a market for them…]]]]
Well, there would be if they cost you $750. If you found the guy who stole yours, you could have probably gotten on his client list and then called him every time you needed a replacement instead of calling the city. He’d probably sell you your neighbor’s for $100.