How to Quote a Split System Installation in Australia
A split system quote lives or dies on the parts you can't see from the driveway — the pipe run, the circuit, the bracket. Here's an install checklist so nothing's missed and the price holds.
A split system looks like a two-box job: a head on the wall, a unit outside. The install is where the money is — refrigerant pipe, a dedicated circuit, a drain, brackets, and the commissioning that makes it all legal. Quote the boxes and forget the rest and you'll win the job and lose the margin. This guide is an install-focused checklist for pricing a split system so the quote covers the whole job.
What a split system install quote covers
Every split install has the same shopping list, whether it's a bedroom head or an open-plan monster. Work through it every time so nothing falls off the quote:
- Indoor and outdoor units — brand, model and kW capacity, spelled out.
- Wall bracket — for the outdoor unit, or a ground slab where wall-mounting won't work.
- Refrigerant piping — length and diameter; the pipe run drives a lot of the price.
- Electrical — cable and, on most installs, a dedicated circuit from the switchboard.
- Drain pipe — condensate has to go somewhere sensible.
- Pipe cover — cosmetic ducting for a neat finish; quote it as an optional extra.
- Commissioning and testing — vacuum, charge, and prove it works before you leave.
Installed cost by capacity (2026)
As a starting point, here's what a straightforward back-to-back install runs by unit size, including supply, a standard install and the electrical. Long pipe runs or awkward access sit on top.
| Unit capacity | Room | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5kW | Small bedroom | $1,200–$1,800 |
| 5kW | Living room | $1,800–$2,800 |
| 7kW | Large living area | $2,200–$3,500 |
| 8.5kW+ | Open plan | $3,000–$4,500 |
Difficult access or a long pipe run adds $200–$800; price it against the actual site, not the headline range.
Sizing the unit right
Get the capacity wrong and the customer calls you back, not the manufacturer. An undersized unit runs flat out, costs more to run and dies early. An oversized one short-cycles and never properly dehumidifies. Size it on the room, not a guess:
- Work off room size, insulation, window area and orientation — not just floor area.
- Allow roughly 120–150W/m² for a well-insulated room.
- Allow 150–200W/m² for a poorly insulated one.
- Recommend the right size even when it's the dearer unit — callbacks cost more than the upsell.
Pipe runs and electrical
The two things that quietly move a split system quote are how far the pipe has to travel and whether the switchboard can feed it. Both need checking on site, not assuming.
- Back-to-back installs — indoor and outdoor on the same wall keep the pipe run short and the price down.
- Longer runs — up to 20m is common, adding $30–$50 per extra metre in copper.
- Dedicated circuit — most systems need their own circuit from the switchboard.
- Switchboard capacity — check there's room before you quote; an upgrade is a separate cost the customer needs to know about.
Common install mistakes that eat margin
- Quoting without a site visit. You can't see the pipe run, the mounting position or the switchboard from a photo. Walk the site before you price, every time.
- Assuming the switchboard is fine. Find out there's no capacity after you've won the job and the upgrade comes out of your quote. Check it first, price it separately.
- Underquoting the pipe run. Back-to-back is cheap; a run around the house isn't. Measure it and add the per-metre copper rather than hoping it's short.
- Guessing the capacity. Size on the room's insulation, glazing and orientation. An undersized unit is a guaranteed callback and a bad review.
- Hiding the pipe cover in the price. Cosmetic ducting is labour and material. Quote it as an optional extra so the customer chooses, and you're paid for it.
Pro tips for a split system quote that wins
- Visit the site to plan unit positions and measure the pipe run before quoting.
- Check switchboard capacity and flag any upgrade as its own line.
- Offer two or three unit options at different price points — good, better, best.
- Include the energy star rating and rough running costs to help the customer choose.
- Quote pipe covers as an optional extra for a tidy finish.
- Specify warranty periods for the unit, compressor and your labour separately.
ServiceYak keeps your unit prices, per-metre pipe rate and install labour in a reusable kit, so you can build an itemised split system quote on the wall you're standing at and send the PDF before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install a split system in Australia?
For a standard back-to-back install: about $1,200–$1,800 for a 2.5kW bedroom unit, up to $3,000–$4,500 for an 8.5kW+ open-plan system, including supply and electrical. Long pipe runs or hard access add $200–$800.
What size split system do I need for a room?
Size it on the room, not just the floor area. Allow around 120–150W/m² for a well-insulated room and 150–200W/m² for a poorly insulated one, then factor in window area and orientation. When in doubt, do a proper heat-load check.
Does a split system need its own circuit?
Usually, yes. Most split systems need a dedicated circuit from the switchboard. Check there's capacity before you quote — if the board needs upgrading, that's a separate cost the customer should see up front.