Contractor Quote Checklist
Furnace Replacement Quote Checklist Before Signing
Short answer: a furnace replacement quote should identify the equipment type, heating capacity, sizing method, AFUE or efficiency rating, venting and combustion-air scope, duct and thermostat assumptions, permit responsibility, safety checks, removal, warranty, payment schedule, and change-order process.
A furnace quote often arrives when the homeowner is already uncomfortable. The house is cold, the old unit is loud, the blower keeps cycling, or a technician says the heat exchanger, control board, inducer, or venting condition makes replacement the better path.
That pressure makes vague quotes dangerous. This checklist treats the furnace as part of a home system, not just a metal box in the basement or closet. It focuses on the scope and questions that should be visible before signing.
Get The Replacement Reason In Writing
Ask the contractor to state why replacement is recommended. The reason may be repeated failure, unavailable parts, unsafe operation, poor efficiency, comfort complaints, duct limitations, or a furnace that no longer fits the home after insulation, window, or room changes.
If the recommendation is based on safety, ask for the observed condition and the next step. Do not ask a contractor to keep running equipment they believe is unsafe. Do ask them to document the condition before the quote becomes a contract.
Sizing Should Match The Current House
An old furnace label is not a sizing study. The home may have changed since the furnace was installed: new windows, attic insulation, air sealing, finished rooms, added returns, closed registers, or comfort complaints that were never solved.
Ask what sizing method was used, what heating load assumptions were made, and whether the duct system can carry the airflow the new furnace needs. A larger furnace can still make the house uncomfortable if it short cycles or the ducts are wrong.
AFUE Is Only One Part Of The Efficiency Decision
DOE explains furnace and boiler efficiency with AFUE, a measure of how efficiently fuel is converted to heat over a typical year. A higher-efficiency furnace may be a good fit, but it can also involve different venting, condensate drainage, clearances, or installation work.
The quote should list the exact model, fuel type, heating capacity, AFUE, staging or variable-speed features if included, and any installation changes caused by the efficiency level.
Venting And Combustion Air Are Not Fine Print
Fuel-burning heating equipment needs careful safety language. CDC recommends having heating systems, water heaters, and other fuel-burning appliances serviced by qualified technicians. CPSC also emphasizes carbon monoxide safety and professional inspection of fuel-burning heating systems.
Ask whether the quote includes vent inspection, new vent materials, combustion-air review, condensate drain, gas shutoff details, startup combustion checks, and owner instructions. If carbon monoxide alarms, chimney work, or code upgrades are outside the scope, the estimate should say so clearly.
Ductwork Can Make A New Furnace Feel Old
A new furnace connected to weak ductwork can still leave rooms noisy, dusty, cold, or uneven. The quote should say whether the contractor inspected returns, filter size, supply balance, static pressure, and obvious duct leakage.
If duct modifications are excluded, that should be written. If duct work is included, the quote should say exactly what is changing and why.
Thermostat, Controls, And Electrical Work Need Scope
Some furnace replacements include a new thermostat, low-voltage wiring, control setup, humidifier connection, smart thermostat compatibility, or electrical disconnect work. Others do not.
Ask whether the quoted system includes thermostat installation, setup, user training, control wiring, accessory reconnection, and any electrician work. If another trade is needed, the quote should say whether it is included, excluded, or separately priced.
Permit, Inspection, Removal, And Startup Should Be Named
The estimate should say who pulls permits, whether inspection fees are included, who schedules inspection, and who handles correction notices. It should also include removal, disposal, floor protection, cleanup, startup testing, and handoff instructions.
A furnace replacement is finished when the system is safe, tested, permitted where required, and understandable to the homeowner, not merely when the old unit has been hauled away.
Furnace Quote Review Table
| Quote Line | What To Confirm | Question To Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement reason | Documented failure, safety concern, or comfort problem | Why is replacement recommended instead of repair? |
| Sizing | Heating load method, capacity, duct assumptions | What current house conditions did you size this for? |
| Efficiency | AFUE, model number, staging or blower features | Does this efficiency level change venting or drainage? |
| Venting | Reuse, replacement, combustion air, condensate, clearances | What happens if existing venting is not acceptable? |
| Ductwork | Return air, filter size, static pressure, leakage assumptions | Will duct limitations affect comfort or warranty? |
| Permit | Permit puller, fee, inspection, corrections | Who handles inspection follow-up? |
| Warranty | Equipment, heat exchanger, parts, labor, registration | Who handles a warranty claim after installation? |
Message To Send Before Signing
Please revise the furnace quote to show the replacement reason, exact model, capacity, AFUE, sizing method, duct assumptions, venting and combustion-air scope, thermostat and electrical scope, permit responsibility, removal, startup safety checks, warranty terms, and written change-order process.
FAQ
What should a furnace replacement quote include?
It should include the exact furnace model, fuel type, capacity, efficiency rating, sizing method, venting and combustion-air scope, duct assumptions, thermostat work, permits, removal, startup checks, warranty, and change-order rules.
Should I replace a furnace with the same size?
Not automatically. The contractor should explain sizing based on the current home, not only the old equipment label.
Why does furnace venting affect the quote?
Different furnace types and efficiency levels may require different venting, combustion-air, and condensate details. The quote should say what is included or excluded.
Is the lowest furnace quote risky?
It can be if it omits permits, venting work, duct issues, safety checks, or labor warranty. Ask contractors to explain big differences between estimates.
Sources Checked
- Department of Energy: Furnaces and Boilers
- Department of Energy: Home Heating Systems
- CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics
- CPSC: Home Heating Equipment
- FTC: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam
The Review Rule
Sign the furnace quote only when it explains the equipment and the installation environment. The safest estimate makes sizing, venting, ducts, permit responsibility, startup testing, warranty, and change orders visible before work begins.