ChristW
Agent
- Joined
- May 4, 2003
- Messages
- 29
Well, as people may know, I've been having a heck of a time getting someone to come out and do my HVAC work in the basement. So we got yet another quote today, this time from a company that's highly rated by Angie's List in our area.
Anyway, the guy came out (10 minutes early even!!!) and was looking at the basement. He counted the number of ducts coming off of the supply line, and said that our supply trunk was undersized. He was measuring, and said that the trunks currently start at 20" and go down to 16" (I think), and that ideally we should have 28" supply trunk!!! He said that wasn't reasonable due to space considerations, but that he'd like to make it 20" the whole way down to improve air flow.
He also wants to replace the 4 flex ducts (returns) that we have going to the living room with rigid pipe because it gives better airflow. When I mentioned that a lot of people use flex duct to keep sounds down, he said that a good rigid duct installation shouldn't add much sound and gives much better performance.
With all this, as well as adding the 3 supplies and 4 returns in the basement, he wants to charge $1,800! If we keep the flex duct returns, the cost is "only" $1,500.
Now this is MUCH higher than I was expecting to pay. However, I don't want to ruin the airflow in my house either. Is what this guy is saying correct, or is he full of crap and just trying to get a lot of money from me? Personally I'm guessing the latter, but was wondering what everyone else thought. Should I increase the size of my trunk? Is this a reasonable amount of money for that service? (they'd be expanding 10' of the return trunk and 13' of the supply trunk with this wider trunk). I'm so confused...
CW
Anyway, the guy came out (10 minutes early even!!!) and was looking at the basement. He counted the number of ducts coming off of the supply line, and said that our supply trunk was undersized. He was measuring, and said that the trunks currently start at 20" and go down to 16" (I think), and that ideally we should have 28" supply trunk!!! He said that wasn't reasonable due to space considerations, but that he'd like to make it 20" the whole way down to improve air flow.
He also wants to replace the 4 flex ducts (returns) that we have going to the living room with rigid pipe because it gives better airflow. When I mentioned that a lot of people use flex duct to keep sounds down, he said that a good rigid duct installation shouldn't add much sound and gives much better performance.
With all this, as well as adding the 3 supplies and 4 returns in the basement, he wants to charge $1,800! If we keep the flex duct returns, the cost is "only" $1,500.
Now this is MUCH higher than I was expecting to pay. However, I don't want to ruin the airflow in my house either. Is what this guy is saying correct, or is he full of crap and just trying to get a lot of money from me? Personally I'm guessing the latter, but was wondering what everyone else thought. Should I increase the size of my trunk? Is this a reasonable amount of money for that service? (they'd be expanding 10' of the return trunk and 13' of the supply trunk with this wider trunk). I'm so confused...
CW