The questions I get asked most, and my actual answers
How much does it cost to come out?
$79 diagnostic, waived if I do the repair. That’s it. No trip charge, no after-hours fee, no weekend surcharge. Most other shops charge $89–$149 for the same thing.
What’s your service area?
LA County. Everywhere I can get to in under an hour from Sherman Oaks. That covers the full San Fernando Valley, the Westside including Malibu and Beverly Hills, the Pasadena-Glendale-Burbank corridor, and Central LA (Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz). Full list on the service area page.
Do you work weekends?
Yes. Same hours, same prices — no weekend surcharge.
Can you come today?
Usually yes, especially for AC-not-cooling or no-heat emergencies. Call me and I’ll tell you honestly. If I can’t get there today, I’ll tell you that too and give you a realistic ETA.
Do you do new installs or just repair?
Both. I do about 60% repair, 40% install. Installs take longer to schedule — usually 5–10 days out.
How long does an AC install take?
One full day for a like-for-like swap (same tonnage, same location, existing ductwork and electrical). Two days if I’m running new line-sets, upgrading the panel, or re-doing duct connections. Mini-split installs run half a day per zone.
Do I really need yearly maintenance?
Yes, but not because I want to sell you service plans. Annual maintenance holds your manufacturer warranty (most require documented service for parts coverage past year 5), catches a $40 capacitor before it becomes a $400 motor, and keeps your efficiency within 5% of spec. A $180 tune-up has saved my typical customer around $2,400 over five years. I track it.
Should I repair or replace?
Rule of thumb: if the repair is more than 50% of replacement cost, and the system is over 12 years old, replace. Otherwise, repair. I’ll give you the honest math on your system — it’s the one question I refuse to pressure you on.
What’s R-22 and why does it matter?
R-22 is the old refrigerant (“Freon”). It was phased out in 2020. Systems still using R-22 can run fine, but recharges now run $400–$700 per pound because supply is dwindling. If your system is 15+ years old and leaks refrigerant, it’s almost always cheaper to replace than to chase a leak and recharge.
Do you install what I already bought online?
Depends. I’ll install customer-supplied equipment with conditions: I need to verify the unit is a proper fit (Manual J load calc), the model is listed with the manufacturer, and you understand that factory warranty usually doesn’t transfer. Most of the time I’d rather bring a properly-matched system at similar total cost.
What about financing?
I don’t finance in-house. I’ll give you a straight cash price. If you need to finance, your credit union usually beats 0% promotional HVAC financing once you factor in the inflated equipment prices those programs require.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California C-20 HVAC contractor license, $2M general liability, $1M workers’ comp. I can send you the certificates before I come out. Any HVAC contractor who can’t is a red flag.
How do I know I’m not getting upsold?
Ask for the symptoms, the cause, and the part cost separately. If your tech can only talk in terms of “packages” and “system options,” you’re probably getting sold. I’ll write all three on your estimate, every time.
Why do your estimates differ so much from other shops?
Because I work alone. No dispatcher salary, no crew chief, no marketing department, no leased office. My overhead is the truck, the tools, insurance, and parts. Whatever I charge goes almost entirely into wages and warranty reserves — not advertising.
Can you help with a second opinion?
Absolutely. Probably the single most common reason homeowners call me. Bring me the quote, I’ll look at the system, and I’ll tell you honestly whether it’s needed. No charge if the diagnosis matches and the price is fair — I’ll tell you to move forward with the original shop.
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Call 866-402-5678 — or text the same number with a photo of your unit's nameplate.
Call 866-402-5678