Is my HVAC quote fair?
Hold your quote up against published price ranges. Each range below is labeled with where it came from. These are ranges, not quotes. Your home, your equipment and your installer all move the number.
Replacing equipment
| Job | Published range (installed) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace only, Ohio | $3,500 – $7,500 | Renovation Nation, Ohio cost guide |
| Furnace replacement, Ohio statewide | $3,950 – $8,050 (Columbus $4,450 – $8,050; Cleveland $4,150 – $7,450) | Costadia, Ohio 2026 |
| Gas furnace only, Ohio | $3,000 – $7,500 | HVAC Project Cost, Ohio |
| Central AC only, Ohio | $4,000 – $8,500 | Renovation Nation |
| Central AC replacement, national | $5,300 – $10,500 | HomeGuide, AC replacement |
| Furnace + central AC, Ohio | $6,500 – $13,500 | Renovation Nation; HVAC Project Cost |
| Heat pump (electric backup), Ohio | $8,000 – $16,000 | Renovation Nation |
| Air-source heat pump, national | $8,000 – $15,000 | HomeGuide |
Common repairs
| Repair | Published range (parts + labor) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Furnace igniter | $100 – $250 | HomeGuide, furnace repair |
| Furnace blower motor capacitor | $100 – $250 | HomeGuide |
| AC capacitor | $250 – $400 (part alone $15 – $80) | HomeGuide, AC capacitor |
| Furnace blower motor | $300 – $900 (HomeGuide); $300 – $1,050 (compiled) | HomeGuide; FixItCost |
| Flame sensor | $80 – $250 | HomeGuide |
| Control board | $300 – $650 | HomeGuide |
| Typical furnace repair overall | $125 – $480, average about $300 | HomeGuide |
Why prices feel higher lately: Housecall Pro platform data shows average HVAC repair revenue per job rose from $818 in 2021 to $1,205 in 2025 (Housecall Pro, cited by Daily Wire). That is an average ticket across their platform, not a price for any one repair.
Repair or replace? Rules of thumb
- If the repair costs half or more of a new unit, start comparing replacement quotes (HomeGuide).
- HomeGuide's “$5,000 rule”: repair cost times the system's age in years over $5,000 points toward replacing (HomeGuide).
- A small part (igniter, capacitor, flame sensor) failing is not, by itself, a reason to replace a furnace.
- A cracked heat exchanger is a safety issue. Ask to see it: a photo, video, or camera inspection.
Getting a real second quote
- Get two or three written quotes, and make sure they come from different owners. Several local names can belong to the same group. Check who owns each shop.
- Tell them you're getting other quotes, but don't share the first company's diagnosis until they've given theirs.
- Ask for model numbers, efficiency (AFUE/SEER2), and what's included: permit, venting, gas line, removal, thermostat, labor warranty.
- For a replacement, ask whether they did a load calculation (Manual J) or just matched the old size.
- Small owner-run shops often send the owner or a senior tech, not a salesperson.
Red flags for upselling
- “Sign today” pricing or a discount that expires when the tech leaves.
- A full-system quote after a 30-second look, with no measurements or questions.
- A repair turned into a replacement without showing you the failed part.
- Scare talk about carbon monoxide without a reading on a meter you can see.
- Add-ons pushed hard: air purifiers, UV lights, duct cleaning, “surge protector” packages.
- Price only given as a monthly financing payment.
- No itemized written quote.
These ranges are from third-party cost guides, not HonestFurnace data, and are not quotes. Prices change. Last checked Oct 26, 2026.