Ok, so I have townhome...bought it 16 months ago. It is 13yrs old and was built with central heat and pre-wired for a/c. So now I want to add a compressor/evaporator (by the way, if I sound like I really dont know what I'm talking about, it's because I don't, but I did do some research so I think I do).

Anyway, I got 3 bids, each with their plus's and minuses so it leaves me confused.

All units are 4-ton (as all of my neighbors have, so I know it's the right size...and of course the contractors each did their own assessment and agree). Each agrees that they have to do the same work.

The first quote was for an Amana 14-Seer. The salesman came out...did a quick but detailed check and quoted $3,900.

The second was for a Goodman. The installer said he's been doing this since 1978 so I trused what he said. He said the Goodman was built by Amana and was the cheaper of the two but that they are basically the same. His quote was also for $3,900 (I had not told him about the first quote).

The next was a team of installers. One, older, perhaps teaching the younger one...or they work as a team all the time. Either way, their quote was, for Rheem 16-Seer (said they didn't have a 14) at first $6,100 (but when I told him I had two others for just under $4k, he quickly said something like "...well, I guess I could do it for that. I'd be selling you my equipment for cost and just making the labor...but I could". So, not should drop this guy for doing that (ie - it doesn't exactly sound like a guy I could trust after that, right?) or take the Rheem which is, based on one of the other contractors and my own research, the more expensive unit?

And, if anyone has anything to say regarding any/all of these choices, your input is more than welcome.

Sorry for the long post...I tried to edit it down.

David