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 uses a fictional project in Regina, Saskatchewan: One existing ducted cooling system. Its matching estimate and PDF give each scope decision a visible CAD cost line. Use the document to understand the structure; verify the actual building, product schedule, labour and supplier inputs before preparing 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.
Measurement basis: Record equipment capacity basis, indoor and outdoor access, duct connections and condensate route.
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.
Selections to confirm: Separate equipment, transition fittings and controls; do not infer capacity from the old nameplate alone.
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.
Work sequence: Coordinate isolation, removal, installation and testing with qualified trades.
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.
If the job changes: Failed ducts or electrical deficiencies add work beyond like-for-like replacement.
Review the Canadian job address
Inspect the existing substrate, access and product selections at the property. Check any local trade or municipal requirements that apply and record unresolved conditions before preparing the final client document.
Count the actual units, site visits and selected products separately. A count in this example is a document input, not a substitute for inspecting the real property. The example amounts are fictional CAD document inputs, not current rates for Regina, Saskatchewan or another community. A site visit and current supplier information are needed to replace them.
Work through the itemized calculation
Check each extension of quantity and rate in the paired PDF. Two lines from this project are:
- Indoor equipment allowance: 1 each × C$3,000.00 = C$3,000.00.
- Outdoor equipment allowance: 1 each × C$3,840.00 = C$3,840.00.
Adding all 7 rounded line amounts gives C$13,225.00. The PDF shows 0% tax and the same total before any markup. The sample shows 0% tax only to make the arithmetic visible. Determine any applicable GST, HST or PST and markup for the actual work before sharing a quote.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| System and access survey | 1 job | C$470.00 | C$470.00 |
| Old equipment removal | 1 job | C$815.00 | C$815.00 |
| Indoor equipment allowance | 1 each | C$3,000.00 | C$3,000.00 |
| Outdoor equipment allowance | 1 each | C$3,840.00 | C$3,840.00 |
| Transition and drain parts | 1 job | C$910.00 | C$910.00 |
| Installation labour | 24 hours | C$140.00 | C$3,360.00 |
| Commission and disposal | 1 job | C$830.00 | C$830.00 |
| Illustrative subtotal | C$13,225.00 | ||
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.
Keep the product allowance, installation work and any unresolved condition visible as separate decisions. If access or the selected product changes, update the affected quantity or rate and explain the revision before the client relies on the estimate.
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 the business, client, property, dates, line extensions and notes. The ducted air conditioning replacement PDF example shows one way to present them. Its short PDF note lists the brief's scope exclusions; the fuller project limits above should guide your own scope.
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.
MAKE THE NEXT ESTIMATE YOUR OWN
Build a ducted air conditioning replacement estimate.
Enter the job scope in Estimates on iPhone or Android or start from an AI-assisted draft. Check every quantity, rate, allowance, client detail and note before exporting the PDF. Some app features may require an in-app purchase.
