Quotcha

Air Conditioning

Air Conditioning Quote Check (Australia)

Got an air conditioning quote? Upload it and we'll break it down: labour hours, hourly rates, materials, ARCtick licensing, and the key details to confirm before you pay a deposit.

No accusations — just clarity. We highlight what's fair, what's unclear, and what to confirm.

Quote Checker

Check Your Air Con Quote

Upload your quote and get an instant AI audit — pricing check, ARCtick compliance review, and the questions to ask before you sign.

Free, no obligation. We don't contact your current tradie.

Works for split + ducted
Upload PDF or photo
Private by default
You stay in control (we don't contact the tradie)

What We Check

Every Detail in Your Aircon Quote

Labour Sanity

Hours, call-out fees, travel time, after-hours surcharges.

Hourly Rate

Stated or inferred rate compared to typical Australian ranges.

Equipment Pricing

Brand, model, and pricing sanity when unit details are present.

Installation Materials

Copper piping, insulation, drainage, brackets, and fittings.

Electrical Scope

Isolator, circuit, RCBO, and switchboard signals if listed.

Drainage Method

Gravity vs condensate pump — affects cost and complexity.

Commissioning Signals

Vacuum test, pressure test, startup checks, and gas charge.

Scope Coverage Gaps

Penetrations, access, disposal, patch/paint, and exclusions.

Compliance Signals

ABN presence, ARCtick/refrigerant licence, electrical licence noted.

Insurance Mention

Public liability and workers comp if listed in the quote.

Red-Flag Patterns

Large "sundries", lump sums, missing quantities, vague scope.

Warranty & Terms

Warranty period, exclusions, payment terms, and deposit structure.

Common Red Flags

What We Flag in Aircon Quotes

Large "sundries" lump sum with no detail

No pipe run length stated (copper cost can blow out)

Electrical scope vague or hidden ("by others")

Zoning included but not specified (brand/model, damper count)

Drainage method not stated (pump vs gravity changes cost)

Outlet count doesn't match rooms or plan

Premium unit paired with budget install assumptions (or vice versa)

Disposal, patching, or access costs missing then added later

No ARCtick licence number on the quote

No commissioning steps or final test mentioned

Quote Checklist

What a Fair Aircon Quote Includes

Split System Quote

  • Brand + model numbers (indoor + outdoor)
  • Capacity (kW)
  • Back-to-back vs extended pipe run (metres)
  • Pipe size + insulation thickness
  • Condensate drainage method (gravity or pump)
  • Brackets/slab + penetrations
  • Electrical inclusions (isolator/circuit/protection if applicable)
  • Commissioning steps (vacuum/pressure test/start-up)
  • ARCtick licence number
  • Warranty notes + exclusions

Ducted System Quote

  • Unit model + capacity (kW)
  • Duct type + insulation / R-value assumption
  • Outlet count + locations (or plan reference)
  • Zoning details (zone count, controller type)
  • Return air grille size + filter type
  • Roof access assumptions + heights
  • Electrical scope (new circuit/isolator/switchboard upgrades if required)
  • Commissioning + air balance mention (if included)
  • ARCtick licence number
  • Warranty + exclusions

How It Works

Three Steps to Clarity

01

Upload Your Quote

Snap a photo, upload the PDF, or paste the text. We accept quotes for split systems, ducted, multi-split, and VRV/VRF.

02

Audit Breakdown

Our AI checks labour rates, material costs, ARCtick compliance, and scope gaps against Australian market data.

03

Get Questions + Recommendations

Receive targeted questions for your tradie and specific improvements for a clearer, fairer quote.

We don't contact your contractor. You choose what to ask and when.

System Types

Air Conditioning System Types in Australia

Split System

Single indoor + outdoor unit. Most popular in Australia for individual rooms. Reverse cycle (heating + cooling) standard. 2.5kW bedroom to 8kW living room.

Multi-Split

2–5 indoor units on one outdoor unit. Ideal for apartments and townhouses with limited outdoor space. Independent temperature control per room.

Ducted

Concealed system with ductwork and zone control. The whole-home solution for houses. Actron Air, Daikin, Fujitsu, and Mitsubishi Electric lead the market.

Cassette

Recessed into ceiling with flat grille. Common in commercial, retail, and open-plan apartments. Samsung 360 and Daikin Round Flow popular.

Reverse Cycle

Heating + cooling in one system by reversing the refrigeration cycle. Standard across all modern split, multi, and ducted systems in Australia.

Evaporative

Water evaporation cooling. Best for dry inland climates (SA, WA, western NSW/VIC). Low running costs but not effective in humid coastal areas.

Sample Report

What Your Audit Report Looks Like

Market Position Gauge

See how your quote compares to Australian market averages.

Business Details Detected

ABN, licence number, insurance — what we found and what's missing.

Line Item Extraction

Every item pulled from the quote with category, quantity, and price.

Questions to Ask

Targeted questions to put to your tradie before paying a deposit.

Recommended Improvements

What a clearer, more professional version of this quote looks like.

Red Flags & Concerns

Anything that looks unusual, vague, or worth double-checking.

Preview shown is an example format.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the audit free?

Yes. The quote audit tool is completely free. Upload your quote and get a full breakdown at no cost.

Is Quotcha independent?

Yes. We are not affiliated with any air conditioning brand, installer, or contractor. Our audit is independent.

How much does a split system installation cost in Australia?

A standard back-to-back split system install typically costs $1,500–$3,500 (supply + install) depending on brand, capacity, and state. Metro cities are at the higher end. Add $200–$600 for coastal corrosion protection, $200–$500 for electrical work, and $300–$800 for extended pipe runs.

How much does ducted air conditioning cost?

Ducted systems range from $7,000–$20,000+ installed. A 3-bedroom home: $9,000–$14,000 with Daikin, Fujitsu, or Actron Air. Larger 4–5 bedroom homes with zone control can exceed $18,000. Replacing an existing ducted system (reusing ductwork) is typically $5,000–$10,000.

What is ARCtick?

ARCtick is the Australian Refrigeration Council licensing scheme. Anyone handling refrigerant gas — installing, servicing, or decommissioning split systems and ducted air conditioning — must hold a current ARCtick refrigerant handling licence. We check the quote for an ARCtick number.

Do I need a coastal-rated air conditioner?

If your property is within 500 metres of the ocean, manufacturers recommend coastal-rated outdoor units with blue-fin or gold-fin condenser coatings and stainless steel hardware. Without this, salt air can corrode the condenser within 2–3 years, potentially voiding warranty.

What size air conditioner do I need?

As a guide: small bedroom (10–15m²) needs 2.0–2.5kW, large bedroom (15–25m²) needs 2.5–3.5kW, living room (25–40m²) needs 5.0–7.0kW, and whole home (3-bed, 80–120m²) needs 10–14kW ducted. West-facing glass, poor insulation, and high ceilings increase the load.

Do you contact the tradie?

No. We never contact your contractor. You choose what to ask and when. We provide copy-paste questions for your tradie. You stay in control.

Is my data private?

Yes. Your quote data is processed securely and is not shared with third parties or contractors.

Popular Areas

Air Conditioning Quote Check by Suburb

Suburb-specific audits for the Northern Beaches — local context, coastal exposure, strata rules and pricing tiers.

Learn more

Guides & pricing breakdowns