Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Nov 06, 2009 12:25 pm Hi all, We can save about $3000 by installing the same spec ducted aircon after our build ($13000 vs $16000) as opposed to doing it through the builder, but I was wondering if there are any downsides to doing an after build install of a ducted system. I mean it is obviously harder for the aircon supplier to do the install after the build (as the house is completed - plastered etc.) but are there any issues for the owner when doing an after build install as opposed to doing it with the builder during the build itself? We'd prefer to save the money but we don't want to end up with other problems further down the track. Thanks, PN Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 2Nov 06, 2009 2:24 pm Would the builder allow a third party on site to do it during the build? that would be the best of both worlds. Our builder let us do this and we then paid air con installer directly; we also got it cheaper than if he had done it after house was finished as he said it was a lot easier for him. Only problem was that if anything happened to it before handover it was not covered by builders insurance -we accepted that risk. Apart from cost and a possible time delay when you move in but do not yet have the air con installed, I can see no problem with this - I mean, people get air conditioning installed in old established homes all the time. ![]() ![]() Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 3Nov 06, 2009 3:13 pm I'm doing heating and add on cooling after hand over, would be gr8 to have the unit installed at lock up stage, but thats something I'll ask my SS when the time comes. It could be harder to do after handover if you were building a double storey house, as I wouldn't know how they'll install the ducts to the ground floor, as they won't be able to get into the ceiling space. Single storey house our alot easier as there is roofspace unless you have a flat roof ![]() Builder; Big M Design; Soho 32 Facade; Ascent Blog; http://mickeyb-soho.blogspot.com Trend; viewtopic.php?f=31&t=23990 Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 4Nov 06, 2009 3:31 pm We've moved in now & will be installing our AC shortly into our double storey. We had our builder install all ducting to the ground floor areas before plastering, so all is ready for our own installation. Far cheaper to get it done this way than being charged the markups by the builder. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 5Nov 06, 2009 5:12 pm It will be a single storey house with a standard roof so hopefully this will mean that it should be ok to do it post-build. Thanks for the idea on getting a 3rd party on-site during build Helyn. We'll see how flexible the SS is once we start the build and get to know him. ![]() Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 6Nov 09, 2009 11:54 am We are paying more to get it done with the builder. This will mean the heating & a/c is done by the same company and covered under warrantee. The big one for me is all the pipe works and electrical wiring is hidden behind the walls as they will do all the pipe works before plastering Blog: http://funmore-residence.blogspot.com/ Forum: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=21109 Construction Start - 19/09/09 Slab Poured - 21/10/09 Frame Completed - 25/11/09 Lockup - 22/12/09 Fixing - 22/02/10 Handover & Moved In 30/04/2010 Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 7Nov 09, 2009 12:13 pm The only problem I can see is that you may not end up having a $3000 saving if you retro-fit a ducted A/C system. It may go perfectly fine, but if you have to fix anything afterward (ie walls), then that will cost. Also, does your $13,000 allow for retro-fitting as opposed to a new installation ? Blog is now up - http://www.jbdave.blogspot.com/ Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 8Nov 13, 2009 8:03 pm The $13k was for a post build install. We will see if we can get the ducting work done during the build before plastering and painting is done. Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 9Nov 13, 2009 8:05 pm ![]() We are paying more to get it done with the builder. This will mean the heating & a/c is done by the same company and covered under warrantee. In such a case I would have expected the aircon warranty to be covered by the installer that the builder uses, and not the builder themselves. Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 10Nov 15, 2009 8:04 pm ![]() ![]() We are paying more to get it done with the builder. This will mean the heating & a/c is done by the same company and covered under warrantee. In such a case I would have expected the aircon warranty to be covered by the installer that the builder uses, and not the builder themselves. true, but I was getting the heater done by the builder and then if I attach ac to it I may have issues down the track, they would blame each other!! Having said that the main reason I am going with the builder is to get everything hidden Blog: http://funmore-residence.blogspot.com/ Forum: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=21109 Construction Start - 19/09/09 Slab Poured - 21/10/09 Frame Completed - 25/11/09 Lockup - 22/12/09 Fixing - 22/02/10 Handover & Moved In 30/04/2010 Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 11Nov 17, 2009 9:54 pm ![]() Having said that the main reason I am going with the builder is to get everything hidden Fair enough - makes sense ![]() Re: Ducted aircon: install during or after build? Which is best? 12Dec 05, 2009 10:44 pm ![]() Hi all, We can save about $3000 by installing the same spec ducted aircon after our build ($13000 vs $16000) as opposed to doing it through the builder, but I was wondering if there are any downsides to doing an after build install of a ducted system. I mean it is obviously harder for the aircon supplier to do the install after the build (as the house is completed - plastered etc.) but are there any issues for the owner when doing an after build install as opposed to doing it with the builder during the build itself? We'd prefer to save the money but we don't want to end up with other problems further down the track. Thanks, PN I reckon it's definitely easier to do it with the builder, you have to ask yourself is $3k worth running around for? I'm trying to do a post install now (Dec-09), I've had about 10 air-techs visit but they're so busy they can't even produce a written invoice. Its crazy season for them. So I'm running around like mad getting nowhere fast. Technically though, if you're in a double storey house then you should seriously consider getting the builder to do at least the ducting (if not the air-con motors) but in a single storey house you should be able to access everything so at least that won't be a prohibitive factor. Luckily we can get 2 or 3 droppers downstairs so all is not lost. You said your builder can do the same brand, does that include all the zoning as well? Good luck. Hi All We're at the end of our build and they have just installed the Fujitsu Reverse Cycle Aircon. However I believe it is not installed correctly as there should be… 0 13249 The vapour barrier detail in the NCC-BCA and AS2870 are the same! The NCC-BCA provides 1x option on where it is to lay, the width of any joints, how these joints are to be… 3 36558 ![]() retail its around double the price of a similar sized actron/dakin system from memory, They are excellent systems though. But with how builder gouge on AC/heating, you… 4 36897 |