Peke - did your $200 shipping include installation? I've been quoted $500 from our dealer for delivery (from their shop, 20 miles from us), assembly if required (we may be getting the tall backsplash with the shelf), and installation. Not hook-up - that has to be done by a gas pro, apparently. I reckon $500 is steep, but the dealer has no competition within 500 miles, unfortunately for us.

It's funny. Yesterday my wife and I were figuring out how many shows we've done in our craft show career. 30 years at an averagte of 35 shows per year, and that's over 1,000 shows. And I can say I've seen both priced, and non priced items. Usually the high end shows are the ones where some will put out their prices. But you know the work is expensive, and sometimes they'll haggle. High end jewelers don't display their prices, because you KNOW that's a real ruby and not a bead. But everybody else has their prices right out there. Your friend admits to not selling very much. And if she's happy not selling, who are we to argue? There is the theory about underpricing. But today, with people not having much money to spend at the shows, you ask what you think is a fair price, and she asks what she thinks is fair. The customer will decide. There are two schools of thought in this business. "Quick nickels" or "slow dimes". You are in the first camp, and your friend is in the second camp. Here is a link that might be useful: Shady Pine Studios

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.

If you own less than 2 years (NJ) you have to pay tax on the profit - lower selling price then would mean less taxes in that case. Also if a house here is over 1.0 Million (or within 10-15% of that) no one wants to pay the 1% mansion tax (if it is 1.0 Million or more) - sort of like throwing $10,000 out the window - neither seller nor buyer benefits. In that case buyers or sellers might offer to pay closing costs, real estate transfer tax or agent commissions - with the lower selling price.