A trustworthy estimate is written, itemized, and specific: exact equipment model numbers, the sizing basis (a load calculation, not a guess), scope of work including duct or electrical changes, named rebate programs with amounts, warranty terms for both equipment and labor, and a total that won't move without a written change. Anything vaguer is a placeholder, not a price.
- Model numbers, not just brand and tonnage — 'a 3-ton Daikin' is not a specification.
- Ask what sizing method was used; 'we sized it to your old unit' is a guess.
- Every discount line should carry a program name — utility rebate, manufacturer promo — you can verify.
- No tax-credit claims: there are no federal HVAC tax credits to claim in 2026.
The anatomy of a complete quote
Look for six elements: (1) equipment — manufacturer, model numbers, capacity, and efficiency ratings for every major component; (2) scope — what's being removed, modified, and installed, including ductwork, electrical, thermostat, and pad/lineset details; (3) sizing basis — a load calculation reference, not square-footage folklore; (4) incentives — each rebate or promotion as its own named line; (5) warranty — equipment years, labor years, and who registers the equipment; (6) process — timeline, permits, and how changes get approved in writing.
Questions that separate pros from pitches
Four questions do most of the work. 'How did you size this?' — the answer should involve measurement. 'What exactly is this discount line?' — the answer should be a program you can look up. 'Who files the rebate paperwork, and when?' — for Chelan PUD conversions the pre-authorization must precede installation, so 'we'll sort it after' is wrong. 'What does the labor warranty cover, in writing?' — equipment warranties are the manufacturer's; the labor warranty is the contractor's promise, and it belongs on paper.
Red flags worth a second opinion
Same-visit replacement pressure during a breakdown, especially in peak season. Prices quoted only verbally, or totals that swing based on 'what you can do today.' Discounts without program names — including any mention of federal tax credits, which don't exist for this equipment in 2026. Sizing by square footage over the phone. And a refusal to put the scope in writing. None of these guarantees a bad deal — together they're why free second opinions exist. We review any written competitor quote at no cost, and if their price is fair, we'll say so.
Key terms
The vocabulary you'll hear on estimates and service calls — defined in plain language in our glossary.
Where it goes wrong
Comparing quotes that aren't the same project
A cheaper quote for smaller equipment, thinner scope, no duct corrections, and no rebate filing isn't cheaper — it's a different job. Normalize quotes to the same scope before comparing totals; that's most of what our second-opinion review does.
Paying for urgency instead of information
Breakdown-day decisions cost the most. If the house is safe, a day spent getting the quote in writing and reviewed is usually worth more than any 'today-only' discount taken off an inflated anchor price.
How we build this guidance
- Written from real service and install work across the Wenatchee Valley — the orchard-dust, hydro-rate, dual-peak-climate conditions in this guide are the ones our techs work in daily.
- Rebate figures reflect published utility program terms at the date below and are re-verified on every estimate — programs change annually.
- No invented pricing: dollar figures appear only where a program publishes them.
Last updated: 2026-07-03 · Central Washington Heating and Air, licensed & insured (LIC# CENTRWH742JN)
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