What to Do Before Install Day
A mini split install is straightforward when the site is ready. The crew arrives, sets the equipment, runs the lines, and tests the system. What happens before they pull up determines whether the job finishes on schedule or turns into a standoff.
Old West Minisplits posts the price up front. No in-home quote, no haggling, no trip fees. You already know the cost: 1 zone $2,000, 2 zones $3,700, 3 zones $5,400. That covers equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and even a Home Depot run for touch-up paint. Your job is to prepare the space. This checklist tells you exactly how.
Clear the Path and the Walls
The installer needs a clear route from the exterior disconnect to the indoor wall where the head unit mounts. Move furniture, rugs, and wall art that could block or be damaged. Remove any window coverings from the install area. The crew works fast, but they cannot work around clutter.
If the install requires a wall cavity or attic access, make sure that space is empty and reachable. The line set runs between the outdoor condenser and the indoor unit. Anything stored against the wall or in the attic along that path must be moved before the crew arrives. This is your responsibility, not theirs.
Confirm Electrical Readiness
A mini split needs a dedicated circuit from the panel to the outdoor unit. Standard electrical is included in the flat price: a new breaker, wiring, and a disconnect switch within sight of the condenser. If your panel has no open breaker slot or needs an upgrade because it is outdated, that work falls outside the flat price. A licensed electrician handles that separately.
Do not assume the existing wiring is sufficient. The installer will verify voltage and amperage on site. If the panel is original to a house from the 1970s, it may lack capacity. That is not a Old West Minisplits issue. It is a house issue. Have a licensed electrician inspect the panel before install day if you have any doubt.
Handle the Honest Exceptions Beforehand
The flat price covers a standard install. A very long line set, a panel upgrade the house already needed, or unusually difficult mounting will add cost. These exceptions are stated up front, never buried. Measure the distance from the outdoor location to each indoor unit. If it exceeds 50 feet, tell us in the quote form so we can adjust.
For difficult mounting, think brick veneer with no clearance, or an exterior wall made of stone. The crew can handle it, but it may require extra time or hardware. List those conditions in the /#quote form notes. We price the job before we arrive so there are no surprises. The price you see is the price you pay.
How we compare
| Factor | Old West Minisplits | Custom-Quote Contractors |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Posted flat price. 1 zone $2,000, 2 zones $3,700, 3 zones $5,400. | Custom quote after in-home visit. Industry range $3,000-$6,000 per zone in Central Texas. |
| Pre-Install Visit Needed | None. Fill out the /#quote form. No call, no door knock. | Yes. Most require an in-home estimate before they quote. |
| What You Prepare | Clear the path, confirm panel capacity, note exceptions in the form. | Varies. Some contractors handle everything. Others expect you to arrange electrical or patching separately. |
| Exceptions to Flat Price | Stated up front: long line set, panel upgrade, difficult mounting. Never hidden. | Often buried in fine print or discovered after work starts. |
Straight answers
Do I need to do anything to my electrical panel before the $2,000 1-zone install?
Check that your panel has an open breaker slot and is in good condition. Standard electrical is included. If the panel needs an upgrade or is full, a licensed electrician must handle that before install day. That cost is not part of the flat price.
What if I have a very long line set for a 2-zone system at $3,700?
The flat price covers a standard line set run. If the distance from the outdoor unit to any indoor head exceeds 50 feet, the cost increases. Note the length in the /#quote form. We give you the adjusted price before we schedule.
Can I install the indoor units myself to save money and just have Old West Minisplits do the line set and electrical?
No. These flat prices are for new installs only, performed entirely by our licensed contractors. We do not split the job. The price includes equipment, labor, line set, electrical, refrigerant, testing, and cleanup.
What if my house has brick walls or stone siding?
That can be an unusually difficult mounting condition. It is one of the honest exceptions. Select that option in the /#quote form so we can quote the job correctly. The price you see is the price you pay, no surprises.
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