What to Expect on Install Day: Hour by Hour
Most HVAC contractors treat install day like an open-ended standoff. You wait around for a crew that shows up late, wanders through your home, and leaves you guessing when the job will wrap up. We run our install days on a clear timeline with licensed contractors who show up ready to work.
You already know the price before we pull into your driveway. One zone is $2,000, two zones are $3,700, and three zones are $5,400. Ready to get started? Submit your project details at /#quote.
Morning Setup and Wall Mounting (Hours 1 to 3)
The crew arrives on schedule, reviews the plan with you, and confirms the indoor and outdoor unit locations. We lay down floor protection, locate wall studs, and core the single three-inch penetration hole required for the line set, drain line, and wiring.
Next, the indoor air handler mounts securely to the interior wall bracket. We feed the insulated copper lines and communication wire cleanly through the exterior wall sleeve. There is no guessing, no mess left behind, and no lingering in your living space longer than necessary.
Exterior Placement and Line Routing (Hours 3 to 5)
Outside, the technician levels the condenser pad and anchors the outdoor heat pump unit. We route the line set neatly along the exterior wall, encasing the copper in clean line-hide covers to shield it from brutal Central Texas heat and sun.
The licensed contractor completes standard electrical wiring from the outdoor disconnect to the condenser. If your home requires a major main panel upgrade that the house already needed, that work is arranged separately with a licensed electrician. Standard connections are handled entirely within our flat rate.
Vacuum Testing, Startup, and Final Cleanup (Hours 5 to 6)
Before releasing any refrigerant, the crew pulls a deep vacuum on the copper lines to eliminate air and moisture. Once the pressure test passes, we release the factory charge, power up the system, and verify both heating and cooling performance across every indoor head.
We clean up all packaging, wire clippings, and copper shavings before leaving. Our flat price even covers a quick Home Depot run for matching touch-up paint if the interior wall needs a dab around the mount. You inspect a fully working system, learn the remote controls, and shake hands on a job done right.
How we compare
| Factor | Old West Minisplits | Traditional HVAC Crews |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival and Schedule | Prompt arrival window with a typical single-day finish in 4 to 7 hours. | Broad morning-to-night arrival windows that frequently stretch into multiple days. |
| Pricing Certainty | Flat prices posted in advance: $2,000 for 1 zone, $3,700 for 2, $5,400 for 3. | Custom bids commonly running $3,000 to $6,000 per zone with surprise add-on fees. |
| Scope of Work on Site | Equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, testing, and cleanup included. | Extra charges for line hide, breaker hookups, refrigerant balancing, or jobsite cleanup. |
| Final Walkthrough | Full cycle testing, remote control demonstration, and a touch-up paint run included. | Quick power-on check before leaving the homeowner to patch drywall and clear trash. |
Straight answers
How long does a standard mini split installation take?
A single zone installation typically takes four to five hours. Multi-zone systems with two or three heads usually take six to eight hours. Licensed contractors complete almost every installation in a single workday so your home is comfortable by evening.
What is included in the flat price on install day?
Your flat price of $2,000 for one zone, $3,700 for two zones, or $5,400 for three zones covers equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, and cleanup. We even include a Home Depot run for touch-up paint if needed.
Do these install day timelines apply to repairs or service calls?
No. Our flat rates and schedules apply strictly to new ductless heat pump installations. We do not perform repair calls, maintenance visits, or troubleshooting on existing equipment installed by other companies.
What rare conditions could alter the install day plan?
We state honest exceptions up front. A run requiring an unusually long line set, difficult multi-story mounting, or a panel upgrade the house already needed can alter the scope. Panel upgrades are handled separately by a licensed electrician. You can begin the process at /#quote.
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