Was this job bid with specs for the HVAC systems? If so, how were these potential problems not previously noticed?

The contract specs (abbreviated) are in the third and fourth paragraphs of my post. We asked the GC why the current issues were not identified sooner, and he could not provide a satisfactory answer.

Sorry for your problem. I agree this should have been addressed long before this stage of building. I've been impressed with the mini split systems, FWIW

Our architect has met several times already with the HVAC folks to make sure that we have plenty of room in the mechanical area. Additionally, structural engineer, architect and HVAC have all met together and made sure that all ducts have straight main trunk and branch runs run without any problems from beams, posts, joists, etc. Our build won't start until the spring, but we won't have this issue.

I am glad that he is doing all of this ahead of time! :)

41k for a HVAC is 'absolutely' insane!! It sounds obviously it's 'union' installing. I'm in NC and for 3600sf house would cost around 25% or less than that!!!!!! Labors must be make around $40-50/hour up there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to agree - wow that is high cost. Not that there is much you can do about that. Nearly identical set up here is $18k.

Have you asked about another HVAC installer?

Who designed the rooms? If the builder did, it would seem it is up to him to come up with a solution.

Is there not an option to change the equipment to fit in the smaller space? I don't know but would a lower efficiency option be smaller?

I built on the coast in NC and my utility closet upstairs is pretty small - 3x3 I think - and it houses a Seer 15 heatpump - 2 tons - just fine. Mounted vertically with ducts between levels.

Are you crystal clear on the flood zone issues? We are in a VE zone and have the lower unit hung under the house. We are on pilings that we park amongst. In the area without parking, the ceiling drops and that is our lower unit. We are comfortably above BFE.

In our neck of the woods, if you could do crawl, you could have units there.

56 feet is nothing. Ideally units are centrally placed of course but one current in construction house has the downstairs unit not central and goes over 56 feet.

Does it financially make sense to do heatpump and then solar if it fits in your closet? I totally get that heatpump is a hard sell with your high electric rates but if paired with solar, it might make financial sense. So while you pay $20k extra for solar, you save $2000 a year and then can fit a heatpump in a closet. Just guessing.

Wonder if you could do a mini at the far end of the house?

David, i doubt you can get 2 x 16 seer zoned system with engineered ductwork for 18 k total. 16 seer requires variable speed / ecm. The hardware alone...

It is hard to judge whether the $41K is reasonable without knowing the model numbers of all the equipment. Don't forget this quote includes independent duct work and wiring for two floors.

What are the dimensions of the utility rooms? Does one of the rooms include a hot water heater tank? If yes, then a tankless hot water heater mounted on the wall may make enough room.

It is hard to tell who is at fault here, but a general contractor should know how much space is needed to hold the HVAC equipment. My suggestion is to increase the size of each utility room. It may affect your layout but that is the most cost effective way to deal with the problem.

I am not a fan of having HVAC equipment or duct work in an unconditioned attic. It is disappointing the original plan was to run the duct work in the attic.

The HVAC contractor needs to provide a heating and cooling load calculation. Insist on getting a copy. This needs to be done for any new construction.

BT - not zoned. (didn't see that he said zoned - see it now) and seer 15 not 16. What I meant was close but not equal. We actually have a ducted mini that creates a second zone on the first floor - included in that price. So pretty darn close to equivalent but not exactly.

We also were just 90% AFUE (before switching to heat pumps - no extra charge)

But for $41k, I can superinsulate the house, get 13 kw of solar to offset 100% of my electricity use and still get the HVAC equipment including installation.

(Paid about $10k for mostly double code insulation; $18k for full solar (net of tax credit and utility rebate) that is over 100% of the house) - so not far off - $46k actually.

You have a contract. The contract states the HVAC system that will be installed. Just because they don't know their job doesn't mean you get stuck with additional costs. Tell the contractor to work it all out with the HVAC company for the contract price, and make sure they don't cut any corners.

I’d tell the contractor he needs to hire an ac/mechanical engineer to sort this out. It should have been addressed long ago. He also needs to work with you financially to make any necessary changes.

Just have severe doubts that (a) gc legally not protected himself, (b) he is going to eat 20 grand never mind 40. Most gc dont want to eat 1 despite having reserves. When i worked for one we had a good size bolder that needed to be moved. It was a big issue as no one wanted to pay for removal.

Not sure how ho is going to win either. Lets say ho forces gc hand. Long flexy duct runs are installed. The contract is satisfied but system works like cr@. The gc will tell i told you so. I would ask may be another hvac company. May be there is alternative solution.

Get several quotes! The GC is going to do to make the 'max' profit they can!!!!!!....period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ditto what rocky said.