Install Pricing Calculator

1. Select the system type. Choose the type of HVAC system you are installing. The calculator auto-fills typical install hours based on your selection: AC + Furnace defaults to 8 hours, heat pumps to 10, mini-splits to 4, and package units to 6.

2. Enter equipment cost and markup. Use your wholesale cost from the distributor. A 40% markup is a common starting point, but adjust based on your market and competition. The calculator shows what the customer pays for equipment.

3. Set labor details. Enter crew size, install hours, and your billable rate per technician. The billable rate is what you charge the customer per tech per hour, not the tech's wage.

4. Configure materials. Use the checklist to toggle common material items on or off. The total auto-fills the materials cost field. Set your materials markup percentage to calculate the customer-facing price.

5. Add other costs and review. Include permit fees, disposal fees, and miscellaneous costs. Enter the system tonnage so the calculator can show your price per ton. Hit calculate to see the full breakdown, profit, and margin.

Cost-plus pricing is the foundation. You start with your actual costs for equipment, labor, and materials, then add a markup to each category. The markup covers your overhead, warranty reserve, and profit. This method ensures you never sell a job below cost.

Target margin drives your pricing. Most HVAC install companies aim for 25-40% gross margin. If the calculator shows you below 25%, you need to increase your markups, reduce costs, or both. Use the reverse calculator toggle to enter a target sell price and see what margin it gives you before sending the proposal.

Price per ton is a quick benchmark. Dividing total sell price by system tonnage gives you a per-ton number you can compare across jobs and against competitors. Residential AC installs typically run $2,500 to $4,000 per ton. Heat pump systems tend toward $3,000 to $5,000 per ton. If your number is significantly outside these ranges, investigate why.

Building a quote in the field. You have finished the site survey and need to quote the customer before you leave. Plug in your equipment cost from the distributor, set your standard markups, and adjust the hours based on the difficulty of the install. Walk the customer through the price with confidence because you know the margin is healthy.

Comparing system options for the customer. Run the calculator for a standard AC and furnace, then again for a heat pump. Show the customer both price points side by side. The tonnage, hours, and equipment cost change, so the total and price per ton shift. This helps the customer make an informed decision and positions you as a consultant, not just a bidder.

Training your sales team on pricing. New salespeople often discount too aggressively to close deals. Have them use this calculator to see exactly what happens to profit margin when they knock $500 off the price. When they see the margin drop from 32% to 22%, they learn to protect the price or find other ways to add value.