How to avoid getting upsold on an AC repair

The most common complaint about AC repair isn't bad work. It's not knowing whether the work was needed. Two companies quote different fixes for the same problem, a refrigerant top-up becomes a yearly bill, or a $300 repair turns into a $12,000 replacement pitch in the driveway. A few questions settle most of it.

Before anyone comes out

• Ask the diagnostic fee and whether it's credited toward the repair. Get the number before the visit.
• Ask for the license number and check it at myfloridalicense.com. It takes a minute.
• Find your warranty. The model and serial number are on the outdoor unit's label. Many brands cover parts for years if the system was registered. Labor is usually extra.

Questions to ask the tech

1. "What failed, exactly?" A good answer names a part and a reading: "The run capacitor is rated 45 microfarads and tests at 30." A weak answer is "your system is old" or "it's just not working right."
2. "Can you show me?" Ask to see the swollen capacitor, the burned contactor, the gauge reading, or a photo. Ask to keep any part they replace.
3. "What does it cost, parts and labor separately?" Get it in writing before work starts. A flat $650 for a capacitor is a reason to ask more.
4. "If the refrigerant is low, where's the leak?" Refrigerant runs in a closed loop and doesn't get used up. Adding it without finding the leak means paying again.
5. "What happens if I wait?" Some repairs are urgent. Others, like a coil that's dirty but working, can wait for a second quote.
6. "Is the part under warranty?" If it is, you should be paying for labor only.

Red flags

• A replacement pitch before a diagnosis. A tech should tell you what broke before telling you to replace everything.
• Same-day pressure. "This price is only good today" on a $10,000 system. A fair quote holds for at least a few days.
• The refrigerant scare. R-410A is being phased down, but it's still sold and still serviced. That's a reason to plan, not a reason a working system must go today. R-22 is different: it's scarce and expensive, so a leaking R-22 system is a fair replacement conversation.
• Vague words instead of readings. "Condemned," "unsafe" or "obsolete" with no part named and no measurement.
• A maintenance plan as the price of a fair repair. A plan can be good value. It shouldn't be a condition of the repair price.
• No written quote, or a refusal to show you the old part.

Add-ons that are sometimes fair

Not every add-on is a scam. A few are worth a look:

• A float switch on an attic air handler that doesn't have one. It's cheap next to a ceiling repair.
• A surge protector for the outdoor unit, given how often summer storms hit the Tampa grid.
• A hard-start kit on an older compressor that struggles to start. It helps some systems and does nothing for others, so ask why yours needs one.
• A drain line cleanout if your system has none. It turns future clogs into a five-minute fix.

When a second opinion is worth it

Always for a replacement. Often for any repair over about $1,000. It's normal, and a good company won't take offense.

When you compare replacement quotes, make sure they match on:

• Size and efficiency. Tons and SEER2 rating. A cheaper quote for a smaller or less efficient system isn't cheaper.
• What's replaced. Both the indoor and outdoor units, or only the outdoor one. Mismatched systems run worse and can void warranties.
• The permit. Florida requires one for an AC replacement, and the contractor should pull it.
• Warranty. Parts and labor terms, in writing.
• The extras. Removing the old unit, a new pad, drain work and the thermostat.

Upsell questions