THE ESTIMATING ANSWER
For one existing ducted cooling system, start with a defined scope and measurement basis. Record equipment capacity basis, indoor and outdoor access, duct connections and condensate route. Separate equipment, transition fittings and controls; do not infer capacity from the old nameplate alone. Price the listed tasks separately and state the condition that would require a revision: Failed ducts or electrical deficiencies add work beyond like-for-like replacement.
This guide follows one existing ducted cooling system in Wollongong, New South Wales. The matching itemised estimate and PDF show how the job brief becomes measured quantities and separate AUD amounts. The responsible role in this scenario is mechanical contractor. Check the actual site, selected products, supplier figures and labour plan before issuing a client quote.
1. Define the measured job
Replace one existing ducted cooling unit in the same accessible equipment locations, retaining suitable distribution after inspection. Record equipment capacity basis, indoor and outdoor access, duct connections and condensate route. Record the measurements and existing condition in the estimate before turning quantities into line items. The scope should make clear why this is a separate project from a broader renovation or maintenance quote.
Measure for this job: Record equipment capacity basis, indoor and outdoor access, duct connections and condensate route. Put that measured basis beside the relevant PDF lines so area, fitted length and product purchase quantities stay distinct.
2. Build a product and labour schedule
Separate equipment, transition fittings and controls; do not infer capacity from the old nameplate alone. This example has 7 distinct lines, including system and access survey, old equipment removal, indoor equipment allowance. Use actual supplier prices and labour inputs for a customer job; the displayed amounts are fictional document inputs.
Choose before pricing: Separate equipment, transition fittings and controls; do not infer capacity from the old nameplate alone. The fixture separates system and access survey, old equipment removal and indoor equipment allowance rather than hiding all work in one figure.
3. Sequence the work and handoffs
Coordinate isolation, removal, installation and testing with qualified trades. Show which task depends on access, a selected product or another trade. If that dependency is still open, label the price preliminary and identify the information needed before a firm quote.
Plan the handoffs: Coordinate isolation, removal, installation and testing with qualified trades. Note which stage needs access, a selected product or another trade before the next stage can be priced confidently.
4. Set a change boundary
Failed ducts or electrical deficiencies add work beyond like-for-like replacement. The example excludes duct redesign, service upgrade or concealed ceiling repair. Record the discovery, agree the revised work and update the estimate before adding it to the job.
Change trigger: Failed ducts or electrical deficiencies add work beyond like-for-like replacement. Record the revised task and quantity before it changes the amount your client sees.
Review the Australian job
Inspect the existing surface, access, product schedule and handoff conditions. Resolve unknown work and confirm any specialist requirements before giving a client a final quote.
The installation labour line counts 24 hours. Verify the actual locations and product schedule rather than carrying this fictional count into another property. The amounts are fictional AUD inputs, not current prices for Wollongong, New South Wales or another location.
Worked project calculation
The paired PDF has 7 cost lines. For example, Indoor equipment allowance is 1 each × A$3,000.00 = A$3,000.00; Outdoor equipment allowance is 1 each × A$3,840.00 = A$3,840.00. Each amount comes from the stated quantity and unit rate, so you can trace the arithmetic back to the job scope.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| System and access survey | 1 job | A$468.00 | A$468.00 |
| Old equipment removal | 1 job | A$816.00 | A$816.00 |
| Indoor equipment allowance | 1 each | A$3,000.00 | A$3,000.00 |
| Outdoor equipment allowance | 1 each | A$3,840.00 | A$3,840.00 |
| Transition and drain parts | 1 job | A$912.00 | A$912.00 |
| Installation labour | 24 hours | A$138.00 | A$3,312.00 |
| Commission and disposal | 1 job | A$828.00 | A$828.00 |
| Illustrative total | A$13,176.00 | ||
Adding every exact-cent line gives A$13,176.00. The PDF uses a 0% tax input only to make its fictional arithmetic visible. Confirm the GST treatment that applies to the actual job and set your own markup before sharing a client quote. A fictional rate is a document input, not a market quote or a recommended selling price.
Scope and pricing boundaries
Replace one existing ducted cooling unit in the same accessible equipment locations, retaining suitable distribution after inspection.
Outside this example: No duct redesign, service upgrade or concealed ceiling repair.
Separate product allowances, supply, installation, disposal and any specialist work where the actual project needs them. If access or a hidden condition changes, document the affected scope and agree a revised price instead of silently extending the base amount.
Before you send the estimate
- Record equipment capacity basis, indoor and outdoor access, duct connections and condensate route.
- Separate equipment, transition fittings and controls; do not infer capacity from the old nameplate alone.
- Coordinate isolation, removal, installation and testing with qualified trades.
- Failed ducts or electrical deficiencies add work beyond like-for-like replacement.
Check business and client details, address, dates, scope, units, line amounts and PDF notes. The ducted air conditioning replacement PDF example shows how this fictional project is presented. Its short PDF note is not a substitute for the detailed exclusions above.
Questions about this estimate
Which quantity controls this ducted air conditioning replacement estimate?
Record equipment capacity basis, indoor and outdoor access, duct connections and condensate route.
When should this ducted air conditioning replacement quote be revised?
Failed ducts or electrical deficiencies add work beyond like-for-like replacement. No duct redesign, service upgrade or concealed ceiling repair.
TURN THE SCOPE INTO AN ITEMISED PDF
Make your own ducted air conditioning replacement estimate.
Describe the actual job in Estimates on iPhone or Android or use AI assistance to start a draft. Check every measurement, quantity, rate, allowance, client detail and note before exporting your PDF. Some app features may require an in-app purchase.
