I'm Mariafernanda, co-owner of Frosty's HVAC and the TACLA126718E license holder. I take most of the phone calls when homeowners are comparing quotes between companies. In 8 years of running this business with my husband Omar, I've seen every kind of quote out there — from honest family-owned techs to predatory contractors who charge $15,000 for a $9,000 job. Here's what I tell homeowners to look for when they call me with questions about a quote.
What Should a Real HVAC Quote Include?
A legitimate HVAC replacement quote should be a written document that spells out exactly what you're getting. Here's the complete checklist. If any of these are missing, call the company and ask why before you sign anything.
Equipment Specifications
- Manufacturer and model number for the condenser, air handler/furnace, and coil
- Tonnage (1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, or 5 tons)
- SEER2 rating (current minimum is 14.3 in the south region per Department of Energy standards)
- AHRI certified match number — this confirms the indoor and outdoor units are certified as a matched system by AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute)
- Refrigerant type — R-454B or R-32 for all new installs in 2025+. Avoid any quote for new equipment still using R-410A.
Scope of Work
- Removal and disposal of old equipment
- Installation of new equipment
- Ductwork inspection and sealing (what exactly is included?)
- New disconnect box
- New electrical whip
- Overflow condensate shutoff
- Condensate drain treatment
- Copper line inspection (and replacement if needed)
- Thermostat (make and model — for us that's the Frosty Thermostat, our brand)
- Permit (Texas requires permits for HVAC replacement under TDLR rules)
- Full cleanup and haul away
Pricing
- Total price in writing, flat rate — not hourly
- Breakdown of financing options if available
- Deposit amount and payment schedule
- Any additional charges that might apply (ductwork repair, electrical upgrades)
Warranty
- Manufacturer equipment warranty (typically 10 years on parts with registration)
- Labor warranty from the installer (1 year, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years extended)
- What's covered and what's not
What Are the Red Flags in an HVAC Quote?
These are the warning signs that tell me a homeowner is about to get taken:
Red Flag 1: Hourly rates on a replacement quote. Replacement is always flat-rate work. If someone quotes you "$150/hour plus materials," they're giving themselves permission to pad the bill. Real companies know exactly what each job costs and quote the whole thing up front.
Red Flag 2: Missing model numbers. If the quote says "Carrier condenser" without a specific model number, you have no way to verify the equipment is what you think it is. Some companies write "Carrier" and install the cheapest Carrier model (which may not even exist at the SEER rating they promised).
Red Flag 3: "Call for pricing" on ductwork or electrical. Every item should have a price. "Additional ductwork repairs quoted at time of install" is code for "we'll charge you whatever we want after you're committed."
Red Flag 4: Same-day-only discounts. "If you sign today we'll take $2,000 off" is a high-pressure sales tactic designed to stop you from getting second opinions. Honest companies stand behind their prices for 30+ days. We do.
Red Flag 5: Pressure to skip permits. Permits cost $150-$300 depending on city. A contractor who says "we don't need a permit for this, saves you money" is either inexperienced or trying to hide substandard work from inspection. Texas requires permits for replacement work — it's not optional.
Red Flag 6: Very low prices. A 3-ton replacement in DFW should cost $12,500-$20,500 depending on tier and warranty. A $7,500 quote for a "complete 3-ton install" almost always skips ductwork sealing, uses bottom-tier equipment, or has hidden charges coming. You get what you pay for in HVAC.
Red Flag 7: No written labor warranty. Manufacturer warranties cover parts. Labor is separate and depends on the installer. If the quote doesn't specify how long the labor is covered, you're relying on the company's willingness to come back — which only matters if they're still in business next year.
Red Flag 8: License not listed. Texas HVAC contractors are licensed by TDLR. Our license is TACLA126718E, and it should appear on every quote. Verify the license by searching on the TDLR license search tool.
Related: Choosing Between Goodman, Carrier, and Trane for Your DFW Home.
How Do I Compare Multiple HVAC Quotes?
Always get 2-3 quotes. When comparing, look at:
- Equipment tier (single stage vs dual stage vs variable speed)
- SEER2 rating (higher = more efficient)
- Labor warranty length (1 year vs 2 year vs 5 year)
- Scope of work (what's included in ductwork, electrical, thermostat?)
- Total price
Don't just compare totals. I've seen homeowners choose a quote that was $2,000 cheaper, only to find out later it was single-stage instead of dual-stage, 1-year labor warranty instead of 2-year, and no ductwork sealing. Over 10 years, they paid much more in energy and repair costs than they saved upfront.
What Does a Frosty's HVAC Quote Look Like?
Every Frosty's quote includes:
- Manufacturer, model, tonnage, and SEER2 rating for all equipment
- AHRI certified match number
- R-454B or R-32 refrigerant (we never install R-410A on new systems)
- Full scope: removal, install, ductwork sealing (up to 5 connections on Stay Frosty, full system on It's A Frosty Life), new disconnect, electrical whip, overflow shutoff, drain treatment, copper inspection, permit, Frosty Thermostat, full cleanup
- Flat-rate total price in writing
- Financing options through Optimus, Synchrony, and GreenSky
- 50% deposit at booking, balance on completion
- Labor warranty: 1 year (Stay Cool), 2 years (Stay Frosty), 5 years (It's A Frosty Life)
- Optional: 10-year extended labor warranty for +$3,500
- Our license: TACLA126718E
- Quote valid for 30 days
You can see our real pricing tiers on the AC Replacement Cost Calculator before you even call us. No games, no hidden costs.
Related: Variable Speed vs Single Stage AC: Which Is Worth the Money?.
What About the Cheapest Quote?
I understand the temptation. Everyone wants to save money on a $15,000 purchase. But here's the math I walk homeowners through:
- A $12,000 quote on a single-stage system with 1-year warranty
- A $15,000 quote on a dual-stage system with 2-year warranty, same efficiency tier
Over 15 years:
- The $12,000 system likely needs a complete compressor repair service around year 10-12 — flat-rate $3,500-$5,000 all-inclusive covering diagnosis, parts, labor, testing, and our guarantee
- The $15,000 system runs $30-$50/month less on electricity due to dual-stage operation ($5,400-$9,000 over 15 years)
- The $12,000 system's 1-year warranty expires before the first major issue
- The $15,000 system's 2-year warranty covers early failures
Net cost over 15 years: the "cheaper" system often costs $5,000-$10,000 more in real dollars. That's why we focus on honest tier comparisons instead of racing to the bottom on price.
How Do I Verify a Contractor Is Legitimate?
Four steps:
- Check the TDLR license at tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch. Enter the license number from the quote.
- Check Google reviews. We have 143 reviews at 4.9 stars. Anything below 4.5 stars or with fewer than 30 reviews is worth a second look.
- Verify EPA 608 certification for refrigerant work. Every Frosty's tech holds EPA 608 Universal certification.
- Confirm the business has been around. Frosty's has been family-owned since January 1, 2018. Ask how long the company has been in business under its current ownership.
What Should I Do Next?
If you've got a quote in hand and you're not sure about it, call us. We'll review it with you for free — no obligation, no pressure. (469) 254-0548 or request service online.
If you're just starting your research, run our AC Replacement Cost Calculator to see our real pricing tiers before you talk to any contractors. That way you know what fair pricing looks like before anyone tries to pitch you.
We serve Farmers Branch, Coppell, Irving, Flower Mound, Lewisville, and Grapevine. Learn more about our family and credentials on the About page, or join Frosty Club for ongoing savings.
You work too hard for your money to get ripped off on HVAC. Ask questions. Demand transparency. And if something feels off, trust that feeling.
Related Articles
- Choosing Between Goodman, Carrier, and Trane for Your DFW Home
- Variable Speed vs Single Stage AC: Which Is Worth the Money?
- What Size AC Do I Need? Tonnage Guide for DFW Homes
Written by Mariafernanda Jacobo, TACLA126718E License Holder at Frosty's HVAC LLC. Family-owned since 2018, 143 Google reviews at 4.9 stars. Serving DFW homeowners with flat-rate pricing and no surprises.
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