A/C installation contractors

[Mikeman]

Hello all!

 

i am in the process of installing A/C units in a new house.  We went to a major brand showroom (nameless to protect the innocent!) to order the units.  They sent a worker to measure us up for the installation.  During the process, this fellow (seems nice enough) suggested that he could supply us with new units, not 'copies' complete with all supplies and with installation for a discount compared to what the showroom was offering.  Seeing as he has access to the factory and has no overhead (unlike the snazzy showroom distributor) this offer seems reasonable.  

 Has anyone had a similar experience?  And how did it work out?

[manarak]

I don't know, but showrooms are always suspicious to me, because there is no competition in a brand showroom and their products tend to be sold at a premium there - anyone know "recommended sale price"? usually inflated.

Better go to some shop where several brands are represented and then visit three of four others to get the best price.

Once I asked about another model which got less promotion, and was 25% cheaper.

- "this last year model sir, new model better"

- "better how?"

- "..."

- "does it do anything last year's model doesn't?"

- "new design sir"

- "okay... give me last year's model"

 

there are no last year's models in showrooms either.

 

Edited September 1, 2016 by manarak

[KittenKong]

23 minutes ago, Mikeman said:

They sent a worker to measure us up for the installation.  During the process, this fellow (seems nice enough) suggested that he could supply us with new units, not 'copies' complete with all supplies and with installation for a discount compared to what the showroom was offering.  Seeing as he has access to the factory and has no overhead (unlike the snazzy showroom distributor) this offer seems reasonable.  

 

Would you trust someone who has no loyalty to his employer? Why do you think he would be any more honest with you?

 

I'm also curious as to why you went to a brand-name showroom instead of somewhere that sells several brands (ie Numchai etc.)? They dont normally need to take any measurements as long as you know the basic dimensions of your room(s). Prices are negotiable and standard installation is included.

[Kwasaki]

Not had that experience, as said we went to a shop that had many makes and types,  if you research on air-cons the supposedly better ones are more expensive of course,  it's a case of how you are going to use them and what you want the units to do.

 

Where we have bought air-cons the shop have people they use to install.

 

We just wanted ones that we switch on & off when wanted, the size needed for the room and reasonable price, had several makes over the years,  Samsung has been good and Mitsubishi OK too.

[Lamkyong]

sure if you think you are getting a good deal well go for it  make sure you sort out all the detail before hand  ie brand /price including fittings /wire size /  labour costs  but last of all essential   do not part with any money up front   that's the deal if he doesn't like it walk away

[bankruatsteve]

I have bought from the locals and the "Homes".  Not much difference except when the local doesn't have the model you want.  The "Homes" will farm out the (usually free) installation to one of the locals anyway.  My advice is to do your research and find the model you want, go to the "Homes" go to the local and take the best deal.  The local will be the one to do the cleaning, repair, etc. so you want to find the "good one" for that - but they don't care where you buy for install.

[Mikeman]

Thanks for the advice!

[Mikeman]

Can anyone recommend an air con installer in the Lumpukchi/Nongchok area?

 

[AJBangkok]

I'm currently trying to buy 7 units of varying BTU for a house in Hua Hin the aircon shop is trying to charge 15k per unit above what most shops advertise the exact same models for on the net. When questioned they said its for installation and that is labor only as they are billing me for all the materials. I'd happily pay a reasonable installation cost but 15k is crazy. I'd love to buy the units in Bangkok but every store I've spoken to won't install in Hua Hin.

[bankruatsteve]

15K per unit is ridiculous.  If for the whole lot, maybe but even 2K per unit just for labor seems a bit steep.  Is there something unusual about the installation requirements?

[thai3]

15k for half an hours work and a bit of pipe and trunking, they must think people are mad.

[Anythingleft?]

28 minutes ago, thai3 said:

15k for half an hours work and a bit of pipe and trunking, they must think people are mad.

Totally agree the price is ridiculous, but, if they only take 30 minutes to install your A/C I can assure you it will fail way before its life expectancy. A few hours is needed at least to set the system up correctly the initial set up is the most crucial part of a happy air cons life

[KittenKong]

3 hours ago, AJBangkok said:

I'm currently trying to buy 7 units of varying BTU for a house in Hua Hin the aircon shop is trying to charge 15k per unit above what most shops advertise the exact same models for on the net. When questioned they said its for installation and that is labor only as they are billing me for all the materials. I'd happily pay a reasonable installation cost but 15k is crazy. I'd love to buy the units in Bangkok but every store I've spoken to won't install in Hua Hin.

 

Dont they have Numchai, Powerbuy, HomePro, HomeWorks etc etc in Hua Hin?

 

All of those include (standard) installation in the purchase price. Numchai installed mine in Jomtien. They were there for several hours and did the job correctly. I paid the sticker price of the air-con unit in the shop plus the agreed amount per linear metre for trunking for the pipes. This included all wall brackets, circuit breakers, removing the old unit, cleaning up etc etc.

[AJBangkok]

I'm looking to install Diakin static Duct type units so the labor will be a little more than usual. The associated quote for hardware,ducting and piping for the 7 units is slightly over 200k which is probably 50-100% marked up. The shop says 5 days for installation.

 

The thing is if they wanted to charge for installation why not just list it in the quote?

 

Just on the units the 48,000 BTU units is listed at between 70k and  71,500 baht at 3 websites and they are charging 85,500. The 36,000 units are listed at between 59k and 61k and they are charging 75k.

 

One of those 3 websites quoting the normal prices is even a phuket retailer and from personal experience I would say that phuket companies wrote the book on marking up prices. 

[KittenKong]

I cant comment on that specific design of air-con but for what it's worth I bought a 21kw inverter wall-mounted Hitachi model (a standard configuration and design, still running fine after 4 years of constant use with only regular cleaning required) from Numchai for around 30,000B which included all installation costs apart from a small charge per metre of PVC trunking (they could not tell how much trunking would be needed, if any, until they saw the site). I think the extra for the trunking was around 600B. All other piping and wiring was included up to about 4m length and apparently 4m covers most condo installations. I dont know what the supplement would have been for extra length of copper pipes etc.

 

I suspect that Daikin attracts a "luxury" mark-up on parts and accessories here, in the same way that luxury car brands can do even when these accessories are from third party manufacturers and are identical to those fitted on cheaper brands.

[KittenKong]

On 04/09/2016 at 9:05 AM, AJBangkok said:

The thing is if they wanted to charge for installation why not just list it in the quote?

 

In Thailand I have found that adding extras to bills without prior warning is extremely common in all areas of business. Clinics/hospitals are particularly good at it.

 

I have never decided whether it comes from simple crass incompetence or whether it is a deliberate attempt to overcharge people. Thais like to avoid arguments and so may be easy prey for extra last-minute additions, which may make the latter reason more likely. Doesn't work with me and I'm more than happy to have a good public slanging match when I'm overcharged.