Compare · Repair, Replace & Buying
What an Honest HVAC Quote Should Include
Before you sign for a repair or a new system, a fair quote should spell out the work, the equipment, the permit, and the warranty — at a flat, written price. Here's the exact checklist to hold any quote against, including ours.
Reviewed by Mike Dodge, Owner of MLD Services (licensed TACLA37761C).
HVAC is one of the few big purchases where two quotes for the "same" job can differ by thousands — usually because they're not actually the same job. The fix is simple: know what a complete, honest quote contains, and hold every estimate (including ours) to it. Here's that checklist.
What a complete quote spells out
- A load calculation. Proper sizing (a "Manual J" load calc) so the system fits your home — not a rule-of-thumb guess. (See Manual J.)
- The exact equipment. Make, model, tonnage, and SEER2 rating — not just "a new system."
- The full scope of work. What's being removed, installed, and modified — including ductwork, line set, electrical, and refrigerant type (R-454B on new systems).
- A clear, flat price. The total you'll pay, in writing, before work starts — no open-ended hourly surprises.
- The permit. Pulled and included where required (see HVAC permits in Central Texas).
- Warranty terms. Equipment and labor coverage, plus what you must do (registration, maintenance) to keep it valid.
- A timeline. When the work happens and how long it takes.
Red flags that should make you pause
Why flat-rate beats hourly
With hourly pricing, the meter runs while you wait — and you don't know the total until it's done. With flat-rate, in-writing pricing, you approve the number before any work begins. That's the model MLD Services has used since 2009, and it's one of our four guarantees, alongside our 100% Satisfaction, Clean Home, and Free Second Opinion promises.
Use us as your second set of eyes
Even if you don't hire us, you can use us to sanity-check a quote. Our Free Second Opinion exists for exactly this: send us another company's estimate and we'll review the diagnosis, the sizing, and the pricing — line by line, with zero pressure and no obligation. It's the honest brand we've built in Leander, and it's the best protection against an overpriced or oversized system.
What to do next
- Comparing replacement quotes? Pair this with What a New AC Costs.
- Deciding whether to replace at all? See Repair or Replace?
- Ready for a real number? Get a free second opinion or request a visit.
Questions? Call 512-528-4258.
Want a second opinion before you spend a dollar?
Send us another company's quote, or just ask a question. A licensed MLD Services pro will give you the honest, repair-first answer — with zero pressure.
Quick Answers
Frequently asked
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