HVAC Estimate Calculator: bid the install, cover the truck
Bid HVAC work the way the math runs: equipment and labor per system, ductwork by the foot, a real service-call minimum, then overhead and profit on top.
HVAC bids go wrong in the parts you do not see on the invoice: the second tech, the lift gate, the permit, the refrigerant recovery. Anvil HUD builds the bid bottom up. Each system is a line item of equipment plus the labor to install it, ductwork runs by the foot, and a service-call minimum that pays for showing up. The lines roll into a bare cost, then your general conditions, a contingency for the duct or wiring surprise, and your overhead and profit on top. You bid the system at the margin you planned, not the one you find out about at the end.
How we price hvac
- Each install is a line item: the unit plus the labor to set it, with ductwork by the linear foot and a diagnostic or service-call minimum that pays for the truck roll.
- Add the general conditions a swap really carries (the permit, equipment), then a contingency for the duct surprise or the electrical you find behind the air handler.
- Overhead and profit go on last, as a percent of the loaded cost. That is your bid, and every rate is yours to tune to your market and your crew.
Every line is published at the math. No black box. The engine is free; you only sign in to save your work.
Questions
How do I price an HVAC install?▾
Start from the equipment and the labor to set it, by system. Add ductwork by the linear foot, a permit if the swap needs one, and a service-call minimum that covers the truck. Then add a contingency and your overhead and profit. Anvil HUD does the build-up and lets you tune every rate to your market.
Should I charge a diagnostic or service-call fee?▾
Yes. The truck roll and the tech's time are real costs, and they are the first thing undercharged on a service job. Anvil HUD gives you a service-call line so every job carries its share before any parts.
Is the bid builder free?▾
Yes. Building and pricing a bid is always free. Shop / Business unlocks exporting the client-facing proposal, the pipeline dashboard, and saved trade rates.
Know your craft.
Build your hvac bid on your real numbers, free. Sign in to save projects and export a client-ready proposal.