You have two quotes in front of you for the same bedroom, same brand, same kW — and one is several hundred dollars lower. Before you pick it, find out which of the six things below it has quietly left out. The missing items that mean the cheap quote will not be the final price are: model number and heating capacity, electrical scope and RCBO, pipe run allowance and rates, mounting method and clearance, body corporate approval and placement rules, and the day-of-work plan including disposal and wall penetration. Any omission means a variation is likely.
A split system quote is only comparable when it lists the unit model and kW rating, the electrical work, the pipe run length, the mounting method for both units, and what happens to the old unit. A quote that omits any of these is not cheaper, it is just unfinished, and the difference gets billed later as a variation. When you are looking for a fair split system quote in Brisbane, these are the specific line items you must see before you sign.
The unit line and capacity
The quote must name the exact model number and rated capacity in kW, not just “2.5kW split system.” Two brands at the same nominal kW can differ in actual heating output. This matters for Brisbane winters where the unit does the bulk of its work in July. If the quote lists a generic size without the model code, you cannot verify if the heating capacity matches your room’s heat loss. Always ask for the model number so you can check the data plate for winter performance and low-temperature output.
The electrical scope and RCBO
Whether the price includes a dedicated circuit and RCBO at the switchboard, or assumes an existing circuit can be reused, is the single most common source of quote gaps. A back-to-back install near an existing power point is a very different job from one needing a new run from the switchboard. If you have an older home, the existing wiring might not support the new load, or the switchboard might lack the space for a new breaker. A quote that skips this line item will charge you for the electrical upgrade later.
The pipe run and drain line
Quotes should state the included pipe length (commonly quoted as a standard back-to-back allowance) and the per-metre rate for anything beyond it. A bedroom on the far side of the house from the outdoor unit position can add many metres of pipe, plus drain and cable, that a short-run quote never priced. Always ask what the “standard allowance” is in metres. If your outdoor unit needs to be on a different wall, the standard quote will not cover the extra pipes or the drainage run.
The mounting method and clearance
Whether the price covers wall brackets, a ground pad, or roof mounting, and whether the position meets clearance requirements for airflow and service access, is a critical detail. Two-storey homes and units mounted above a neighbour’s boundary or bedroom window raise issues a bracket-only quote ignores. If the quote just says “mounting,” ask exactly what it includes. You need to know if the price covers the fixings and if the chosen spot allows proper airflow and service access.
The access and approval rules
For units in units, townhouses or complexes, whether the quote accounts for approval requirements and any restriction on where the outdoor unit can sit is vital. Noise and placement rules can force a longer pipe run or a different mounting method, changing the job after the quote is signed. If you live in a strata, the body corporate might require the outdoor unit to be behind a screen or on a specific side of the building. A quote that ignores these rules will leave you with a unit that cannot be installed.
The day-of-work plan
Whether the price includes removal and disposal of the old unit, a wall penetration through brick or render, and whether the installer is doing the work or subcontracting it is often left out. A quote that does not say who turns up is not a quote you can hold anyone to. If you need the old unit removed, that requires a truck and a disposal fee. If you need a hole drilled through brick, that requires a core drill. If the quote skips these items, you will be asked for extra cash on the day.
Final checklist before you book
Before you pay, ensure the quote has the exact model, the electrical work, the pipe allowance, the mounting method, and the disposal plan. If any of these are missing, the price is not final.
Air Conditioning Expert Brisbane provides written, itemised quotes that name the model, the electrical scope, the pipe allowance, and the mounting method up front. You can compare our quote line by line against whatever else you have been given. Call 0420 718 827 to book the install knowing what the final invoice will look like.
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