What’s Included in an HVAC Installation Quote? (And What Should Make You Ask Questions)
Written by the Northland Home Comfort team — TSSA-registered heating, cooling and hydronics contractor (FS-R-50021) serving Simcoe County and Muskoka. Updated October 2026.
Short answer: A proper HVAC installation quote in Ontario lists the exact equipment (make, model, capacity, efficiency), how the size was determined, everything the installer will do (venting, electrical, gas, ductwork, condensate, removal), the permit and inspection, the thermostat and accessories, the warranties on parts and labour, any rebates and financing, and a fixed price with HST shown. If a quote is a single number with a brand name, you cannot compare it to anything and you will not know what was left out until install day.
What should be on the quote
- Equipment, by model number. Furnace, heat pump, air conditioner, boiler or water heater, with the capacity (BTU or tons), efficiency (AFUE, SEER2, HSPF2) and stages. A “96% two-stage furnace” without a model number could be any of a dozen units at different prices.
- How it was sized. A heat-loss or cooling-load calculation for the house, or at minimum the installer’s reasoning. See what size furnace you need.
- Scope of work. Venting materials and route, condensate handling, gas line or propane work, electrical (circuits, disconnects), duct modifications, pad or stand for outdoor units, refrigerant lines, removal and disposal of old equipment.
- Thermostat and accessories. Which thermostat, any filter cabinet, humidifier, surge protection or zoning.
- Permit and inspection. Gas work in Ontario is done by licensed technicians under TSSA requirements; the quote should say the permit and inspection are included and show the contractor’s registration number.
- Warranties. Manufacturer parts warranty (often 10 years, registered by the installer) and the installer’s own labour warranty, with the term stated.
- Rebates and financing. Which rebates apply and whether the installer handles the paperwork; the monthly payment if financing is offered. See rebates and financing.
- Price and terms. Total with HST, deposit, payment schedule, and what happens if something unexpected turns up (a cracked plenum, a failed shutoff valve).
- Schedule. Install date and how long it will take.
Questions to ask about any quote
- What size is this, and how did you arrive at it?
- Is this model on the rebate’s qualified list?
- Is the venting new, and where does it exit?
- Does the price include the permit, the thermostat and removal of the old unit?
- Who registers the warranty, and what is your labour warranty?
- What is not included?
Red flags
- A quote written on a business card or texted as a number.
- “We’ll size it on the day.”
- No permit mentioned, or “you don’t need one.”
- Pressure to sign today for a price that disappears tomorrow.
- A rebate promised without the model being on the program’s qualified list.
- No labour warranty, or one that is not in writing.
Why quotes differ so much
Two quotes for “a new furnace” can be $3,000 apart and both be honest: one is a single-stage furnace with the old venting reused, the other a modulating furnace with new venting, a filter cabinet and a smart thermostat. Line-by-line quotes let you compare like with like. Our furnace cost guide and heat pump cost guide give the ranges to expect.
How we quote
A site visit, a heat-loss calculation, a look at the ducts, venting and electrical, and then a written flat-rate quote with two or three options by model number, rebates shown, and a fixed price that does not move once you sign. Free for installations and replacements.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Without the model number you cannot check the efficiency, the rebate eligibility or the price against another quote.
Gas and propane appliances must be installed by licensed technicians and the work is subject to TSSA requirements, including inspection. A reputable quote includes the permit and shows the contractor’s TSSA registration number.
Installation and replacement quotes are free from most contractors, including us. Diagnostic visits for a broken system are a paid service call.
Two or three detailed, like-for-like quotes are enough. Make sure each one specifies the model, size and scope so you are comparing the same job.
It usually leaves something out: venting, permit, thermostat, duct fixes or a labour warranty. Those show up later as extras or as a system that underperforms.
Want a quote you can actually compare? Book a free in-home assessment and we will put every line in writing.
