If this is just for the unit(s), no duct work or anything then to me they both sound high. I had a 3ton system installed, duct work and all, for less than $7800, way less, and it's top quality work.

If you need to "make a decision quick", you take a big risk that this $8k decision may not work out the best for you. It's not only the price of a Carrier or Trane, it's the quality of the install. Be smart, not rushed.

Do the quotes include the same labor? Are you getting any ductwork done? New refrigerant lines? New electric line/box?

What is the labor warranty? What is the parts warranty?

If you post the model#s of the condenser and coil, I can provide SEER/EER info as well as btu ratings for both systems. This would help answer your question.

Good luck.

Several things are varibles in answering your question. (1) What area in the US are you in? (2) Is this a complete system or just equipment? (3) Is the contractor going to pull a permit with the Building Officials? (4) Does the contractor have lics, insurance, bonding info, etc?
In my area-- a 3 ton 17 SEER system full system changeout has a "street value" of way-way-way more than $8k. I would get around $10,500 for that. Full duct replacement would go up as well.
Always-- and I mean always have replacements inspected by the local building officials, and yes-- make sure your contractor is fully licensed, bonded, insured etc.
Warranty is another biggie.... Carrier and Trane have "ok" warranties.... but those from Nordyne (Westinghouse) are far superior. Its why I use them.

Just because the quote says 17 SEER doesn't mean the system is rated at 17 SEER. This is why model numbers of the condenser and air handler are important so that the American Refrigeration Institute (ARI) website can used to verify the SEER/EER and btu performance.

Thank you all for your help. I have more info:
The unit is called Infinity series. The model number of the condensor is 24ANA and coil is CNPHP. They are connecting to existing ductwork, and adding a return. It s for a complete system including installation. The warranty is 10 years parts and labor, 20 years heat exchanger, 10 years compressor. The contractor is licensed/bonded, and would be pulling all the permits.
What do you think?

Also - I live in Dallas.

You are missing several digits after the 24ANA condenser as well as the CNHP coil model numbers. There are over 250 matches with these abbreviated model numbers. Some are only 13 SEER matches. Need complete model numbers to help you further.

Good luck.

Gary's right... you need to provide more nomenclature from the units to be installed. So far-- I would get way more than what you've been quoted, no matter what end of the SEER rainbow you end up with.

if you possibly can...slow down & get the information you
need before signing a contract or check.
this decision will effect not only your checkbook..
but the health & comfort of your family for years to come.
Don't be rushed into a bad decision!!

Best of luck.

In Dallas, during April 2007, I quoted a 3 ton System installed for $2500. Not an AS or Trane. You are getting high pricing.

Re: "In Dallas, during April 2007, I quoted a 3 ton System installed for $2500."

The above sounds even low for a job that does NOT include hiltonheadacguy's statements of "(3) Is the contractor going to pull a permit with the Building Officials? (4) Does the contractor have lics, insurance, bonding info, etc?".

And warranties are not typically valid unless the install was done by licensed HVAC contractors.

Notice that bobbrown said he quoted the job but did not say he got it. Now Bob may work really cheap but more than likely any $2,500 job for what you described will end up being a hack job done by a non-licensed/bonded/insurance type of operation.

To answer your question more directly, I don't think $7,800 is necessarily a "good" price but it does not sound totally out-of-line either. Get a couple more quotes with apples-to-apples comparisons to get a better perspective of how competitive your quote is.

$2500 for a 3 ton complete system is dirt ball, scum-sorta low. doesnt matter where on earth you are-- thats ridiculous. Something is way off base there my friend.

Question: Is $7800 a good price for a Carrier 4 ton 17 SEER complete system?
Answer: Maybe! Maybe Not! Noone here can say with any authority without actually examining the job. For all we know the condenser will have to be set on the roof and a new platform designed and built for it. Your best bet would be to get three quotes and go from there. You are probably well aware that a high SEER system like a 17 SEER Carrier cost a a lot more than the bare bones equipment that bob brown might drag off the back of his 1970 ford truck and install for you right? You need to take several factors into consideration. How long do you plan on staying in the house. How long is the payback period from the cost of bare bones to a high SEER unit? Are you borrowing money to do this and what is that cost? etc etc. I find that the best way to make a important decision is to use a yellow legal writing pad. Make a list of everything that you know about the situation then a list of questions after about a week and the thirty or fourtieth sheet you are ready to make a informed decision. Heck you may decide that you can repair the old system for a couple hundred bucks who knows?

FWIW, when we lived in Plano, we had a 5 ton ac/heat unit completely replaced, inside and out for about $3500. We did use existing ductwork. It was all Ducane stuff(13 seer I think). I know that's very cheap builder grade, but we also had plans to sell the house within a year(and we did.) I will say this, that unit performed great for the time we had it.

Would I put it in a new home I was gonna live in for a while? Nope. But everyone's goals and budget are different. I think your price for a top notch 17 seer unit might be great. If you're looking to just get by, because your hold time on the house isn't that long, then maybe you are over buying. Just depends.

Picture a 1,000 square foot ranch with a 400 square foot family room addition, making an "L". Imagine a 3 ton 14 Seer system (have hydronic heat so AC ducts were added) put in in 1999.

Now, I'm adding a 400 square foot MBR suite on top of the Family room addition. Original concept was to "simply" run more ducting through the MBR. Now the MBR ceiling is essentially a story higher than the current AC handling unit in the current attic.

What issues/concerns do you see?

In Dallas $ 3500-5000 for a 3 ton average system is normal. Maybe a contractor can save money but the old saying "a fool and his money are soon parted" Can be seen as a general statement in most AC work. AC contractors use fear and misunderstanding to hype a system.

In Dallas $ 3500-5000 for a 3 ton average system is normal. Maybe a contractor can save money but the old saying "a fool and his money are soon parted" Can be seen as a general statement in most AC work. AC contractors use fear and misunderstanding to hype a system.

Carriers infinity series 96% effiant modulating furnace controlled with its infinity control thermostat, along with the condenser 4 ton 17 seer with poron refrigerant is I believe the top of the line equipment. I would say in jersey its a good price. But then agian you could down grade to a simple furnace/ condenser at a lower price.
I dont install carrier, IM a RHEEM man