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 one existing ducted cooling system as a worked, fictional job. Its matching itemized estimate and PDF let you trace the advice to actual document lines. The role considered here is mechanical contractor. Confirm the site conditions, product selections and your own costs 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 labor 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 labor 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.
Worked project calculation
The example line for installation labor is 24 hours × $115.00 = $2,760.00. This line is one part of the complete 7-item estimate and uses a fictional unit rate.
The paired estimate has 7 separate lines. For this fictional job, multiply each quantity by its unit price and add the line amounts to get $10,980.00. The sample PDF uses these exact values, with tax and markup left at zero so the arithmetic is visible. This total is an illustration, not a regional price or an offer to perform the work.
| Cost line | Quantity | Unit price | Line amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| System and access survey | 1 job | $390.00 | $390.00 |
| Old equipment removal | 1 job | $680.00 | $680.00 |
| Indoor equipment allowance | 1 each | $2,500.00 | $2,500.00 |
| Outdoor equipment allowance | 1 each | $3,200.00 | $3,200.00 |
| Transition and drain parts | 1 job | $760.00 | $760.00 |
| Installation labor | 24 hours | $115.00 | $2,760.00 |
| Commission and disposal | 1 job | $690.00 | $690.00 |
| Illustrative subtotal | $10,980.00 | ||
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.
Separately identify supplier allowances, labor, subcontracted work and site-specific risk where they apply. Before giving a selling price, decide how your own overhead, profit and any applicable tax will be handled. Do not copy the fictional rates into a real quote without checking your own measurements and supplier or subcontractor figures.
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.
Read the complete ducted air conditioning replacement PDF example to see how the scope, individual prices and exclusions appear in a client-facing document. If a condition is still unknown, write that boundary into your estimate and revise the affected line once it is resolved.
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 THIS EXAMPLE INTO YOUR OWN ESTIMATE
Build a ducted air conditioning replacement estimate for your project
Use Estimates on iPhone or Android to draft a scope with AI assistance or enter each line yourself. Review quantities, rates, exclusions, and client details before exporting a PDF. The example is free to inspect; some app features may require an in-app purchase.
