I have also considered buying in the US and have been told by dealers that not only will the warranty be void, but also that installers will not install anything that does not have CSA approval! The person that told me the latter was talking about Blanco silgranit sinks! I take it all with a grain of salt and will purchase smaller items - sinks, microwave, undercounter fridge in the US. We had considered the bigger items but decided it was too complicated. We live on the Island, so we had ferry transport to consider as well. We did learn that anything made in the US has no duty, items made outside of the US will have 8% added on. All items are subject to GST. If you drive the goods across the border yourself, you will avoid all the customs brokerage fees. Also, a company in Bellingham, possibly the one you mentioned, is not allowed to sell Wolf/Sub Zero to Canadians.

The best tool for buying a new car is the computer.Because you can research to see what people are really paying.But you can check dealer stock.You can locate the vehical you want and know the window sticker price and options before you arive.Forget the cars direct online deals.Deal with the dealer and go to several and the one you want to buy from should be your last stop. Never mention financing or trade ins until you get there best price.Forget the salesman you will more then likley have to intertain him.But remember he is nothing more then the monkey.He has nothing to do with the price you can buy the car for anyway.All he is there is a host or waiter runner middleman.He has to get everything approved by the salesmanager or owner anyway.So why even mess with him.Let him know you want to deal with the guy who is giving him all his answers. Ask for the invoice.It will be higher then the online invoice from places like Edmunds. Alway take a calculator and either a hanky or a small towel. Get there best price at a few dealers where your least willing to buy.No need waisting to much of there time or you own.Your just feeling the water to get an idea what there price will be.They will realise your not likley going to buy anyway.Because your 50 miles away from your home town. After you have gotten a few quotes.Its time to get serious and pay a visit to the dealers you want to buy from.Let them know you have been looking around and have recieved a few qoutes.Tell them you decided to give them a chance and say you operate just like the state.Lowest bidder wins.When they ask what kind of prices you were quoted.Say pretty good offers and leave it at that.Say you would rather buy local if they could beat there offers. There prices will be within a few hundred dollars.But dont let them know that.They might even be several hundred dollars less.But even so say you have to do better then that. You already know what it can be bought for because of Edmunds invoice.But you want a better deal and already have that figure memorised.Example $22.500 is the what others are paying.He is giving you a price of $24.250 and he is within a few hundred dollars of the other dealers.But you say Your wayyyyyyyyy off!He saids where do we need to be?You say under $22000 knowing your more then likley going to have to pay $22500.Thats where the calculator comes in.Before giving him the answer punch a few numbers.You might not even have it turned on.But let him know your keeping track. He will give you the line.Oh but our advertisising costs are higher thats why our invoice is higher.Thats when you hand him the hanky or small towel.Seriously I have done this.Had the salesmans rolling on the floor in tears.When I handed the 70 year old owner a towel to cry on. Never let them think your ancious and never mention financing until its a done deal.Let them know you will go elsewhere.Whenb they give you there so called best price.Example $23000 but you know it can be bought for $22500.Say $22000 take it or leave it.Stand up and say when you come to your sinces call me.Shake his hand and head for the door.He will either stop you or call the next day.Saying $22500 and thats where you want to be.Try for $22000 and if not.You just bought it for your price you set out to get it for.Congradulation you just beat him at his own game.Works for me.

Mike, Stick to the facts. The builder said 3.5 tons was enough. He used a 4-ton condenser and a 5-ton furnace. Check the specs. The 4-5 ton furnaces may only use a different motor size. If this is the case, the builder probably sized the ducts for 3.5 tons, and stuck the larger furnace in, because he questioned the accuracy of his installer. As I said, use a man J to verify btu sizing. I should have included a man D for duct sizing, but I expected the reader to read between the lines a little. This would tell the owner if the system was designed for a larger blower. In all probability it was not. If this is the case, then the few ducts from a floor could be closed to improve the cooling of the remaining areas. The remaining area could be a new system. In Texas, ducts are usually flex, or round metal duct. You can place them just about anywhere, after the fact. If you have to route the duct thru difficult areas, a flex duct is easily routed. As to design, I would imagine that the system was thrown in place with hopes it would stick. Using a 5-ton furnace, with a 4-ton coil, does not sound like any planning was attempted. When the builder said the design required a 3.5 ton cooling system and installed a 5-ton furnace, tells me that he was not very accurate. This would mean that some work may be needed to reduce the furnace blower cfm. A 4-ton coil in a 5-ton furnace does not sound very efficient anyway. To the owner, donÂt take no from the installer about a system separate for the second floor. You could maybe use a closet that can open from the hall or common area. Get a framer to give you an estimate about supporting the rafters where the HVAC will be placed. You may be surprised at how little the cost will be.

Alot of companies refuse to engage in "bidding wars". I know i have walked away from a few jobs just because a homeowner was quoted a ridiculously low price by another contractor and i wont fall victim to that. I know what kind of margins i need to maintain in order to cover expenses and pay my high quality installers plus make a profit. Of course at the end of the day it was never a true apples to apples comparison to begin with. You did well with the okna. If you get a good window and a good install, you hit a home run in my book. Having someone give you a job at a cheap cost because he is desperate is not something i would consider a " good deal".