Garage Apartment Mini Split Installation in Austin, Flat Price from $2,000
Updated September 2026
Garage apartments are one of the most common second rental units in the older neighborhoods around the University of Texas, a converted space above or behind a detached garage that owners rent out separately from the main house. Because a garage apartment has no connection to the main house's ductwork, and often no ductwork at all, cooling it usually means a window unit crammed into whatever opening exists, which is rarely enough to keep the space comfortable through a full Central Texas summer.
A ductless mini split is close to the default fix for a garage apartment, since it does not need any existing duct system to work. Old West Minisplits installs at a flat price: $2,000 for a single zone, which covers most garage apartments, up to $3,700 for two zones or $5,400 for three on a larger conversion. That price includes equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, and cleanup. Quote through the form on our homepage, no phone call needed.
What the Flat Price Covers (and What It Doesn't)
The $2,000 per zone price is all-in for a standard installation, and it is the same price whether you own one rental or a dozen. It includes the mini split heat pump unit, indoor air handler, line set, wiring, breaker, refrigerant, a condensate pump if needed, testing, and cleanup. We also touch up paint where the line set runs so the unit does not look like an afterthought at the next showing or lease renewal. No trip fees, no hidden charges, and no sales visit required just to get a number.
Three honest exceptions apply, and we flag them before you commit, never after the crew is on site. A very long line set, over 50 feet, adds a materials charge. A panel upgrade the property already needed is not included. Unusually difficult mounting, such as brick or stone exteriors that need special anchors, may add a small fee. We do not offer repair or warranty service on existing systems, but if a unit is failing or was installed poorly by someone else, a flat-price new install is often the cheaper long-term call than another service ticket.
Typical Garage Apartment Jobs: Single-Zone Installs and Independent Metering
Most garage apartments only need a single zone, since the whole living space is usually one or two small rooms. That keeps the project at our lowest flat price point, $2,000, and a single indoor head is often enough to properly cool and heat the entire unit.
Because a garage apartment is its own rental unit, owners often want its electrical usage separated from the main house for billing purposes. A dedicated circuit for the mini split, included in our flat price, supports that kind of independent setup, and we coordinate the electrical work as part of the standard install rather than treating it as an add-on.
Why Flat Pricing Works Better for Owners
A custom quote means scheduling a salesperson around a tenant's calendar, waiting on a bid, and hoping the number that comes back fits what you budgeted for the unit. Old West Minisplits skips the walkthrough. The price is posted, so you can pencil it into a renovation budget or a turnover schedule before you talk to anyone, and you never have to call anyone, because we do not publish a phone number. The quote form on our homepage is the only step between you and a scheduled install.
The price per zone holds whether the property sits blocks from campus or anywhere else along the I-35 corridor from Waco to San Antonio. One zone is $2,000, two zones is $3,700, three zones is $5,400, the same number for every unit in a portfolio, which makes budgeting across several properties simple.
How we compare
| Factor | Old West Minisplits | The usual |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat price posted online, no custom quote needed | Custom quote after in-home visit, price varies per job |
| Home visit required | No, you can get a quote online and schedule remotely | Yes, most require a salesperson to come measure |
| Price per zone | $2,000 for 1 zone, $3,700 for 2, $5,400 for 3 | $3,000 to $6,000 per zone on average for a custom install |
| Included items | Equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, paint touch-up | Varies; some include line set and refrigerant, some add charges for electrical or disposal |
| Surprise fees | None, we list the three exceptions before you agree | Common: trip fees, after-hours surcharges, extra for long line set or difficult mounting |
Straight answers
How much does a mini split cost per unit?
Our flat installed price is $2,000 for one zone, $3,700 for two zones, and $5,400 for three zones, the same price whether it is your only property or one of several. That covers a standard installation from start to finish, no per-project sales visit required to get the number.
Do you require a home visit to give me a quote?
No. Fill out the form on our homepage with the property details and zone count, and we send back the price. That makes it easy to budget across a rental, a turnover schedule, or a small portfolio without coordinating a visit for every property.
How do I get in touch or schedule a job?
Through the quote form on our homepage. We do not list a phone number for the business, so there is no call to make, just the form and a confirmation once details are set.
What is not included in the flat price?
Three things: a very long line set over 50 feet, a panel upgrade the property already needed regardless of the mini split, and unusually difficult mounting like brick or stone that needs special anchors. We flag any of these before you agree, never after the job starts.
Does a garage apartment need special wiring for a mini split?
A dedicated circuit and breaker are included in the flat price for any zone we install, garage apartment or otherwise. If the garage apartment's electrical panel or subpanel needs an upgrade for reasons beyond the mini split, we flag that before starting.
Is one zone usually enough for a garage apartment?
In most cases, yes. A typical garage apartment is one or two small rooms, and a single properly sized indoor head usually covers the whole space at our $2,000 flat price.
Get the number today
No walkthrough, no sales pitch, and nothing to schedule around a tenant. Tell us the units and we'll tell you the price.
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