How difficult is it to get an HVAC replaced? (Sarasota: real estate, condo)

[Yukenbo]

I seem to be running into an issue with an HVAC unit replacement for my condo. I'm not in Sarasota at the moment but I do have an agent who is available to meet with the contractor. First, I went with a referral and contacted a family business. No response. I contacted him by phone, FB, and email. Nothing.

Next, I contacted a bigger business (don't want to name names because it's only been a week) and they sent a fellow to the unit, he confirmed the need for a replacement with my agent but never sent an estimate or proposal. I've contacted that company twice.

Is this normal?

[Trying941]

Yes, there are shortages of parts and of labor around Sarasota. Been so for over a year.

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/r...customers-cool

[beach43ofus]

They all have more work/demand than they have the labor & units to handle. We just went through a long real estate boom period, & they have not caught up yet...& the covid supply chain issues are not helping.

It can be done though, you just need to stay on them. A pal of mine just replaced his entire system in an 8 yr old cinder block 2,000 sq ft home, but his new Rheem system isn't pulling the moisture out of the air to keep humidity down, so he's fighting w/ the small local contractor over it.

Fortunately, he paid nothing in advance, so he has all the leverage to force them to make it right. They are claiming 70% humitiy is okay, & my pal wants 55% humidity...stay tuned.

https://advanced-air.com/help-guides...-florida-homes

If I were buying a new system, I'd write in a humidity clause of 55% if your building is concrete and properly insulated, w/ windows/doors <20 years old. 70% won't cut it, so it will be interesting to see how they resolve my pal's situation.

Lesson learned....negotiate as little payment up front as possible, preferably 0$, & use a credit card so you can dispute any charges if they fail.

What do the HVAC contractors typically ask for in advance here? I wouldn't be comfortable paying >25% up front....& I'd put that on a credit card.

[mrviking]

70% = Crazy! Something is not working there for sure.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by mrviking

70% = Crazy! Something is not working there for sure.

Yet they are disputing it. My pal printed off several industry sources stating 55% should be the max humidity in FLA...so many, they had to stop disputing it. He asked them to show their industry sources stating 70% was okay in FLA, and they couldn't cite even 1.

I'll see him tomorrow to get an update. Fortunately, he hasn't paid a penny yet.

[Yukenbo]

As an update and a recommendation, I ended up contacting Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating. The are based in the Bee Ridge area. Absolutely wonderful job end to end, from the initial customer service call and scheduling to the evaluation to the install. Can't say enough good things.