Start with conditions, not a product
Duct leakage, weak returns, under-insulated attics, and a panel that's maxed out all affect what a repair or a new unit can actually deliver — long before brand or SEER rating matters.
Build a complete scope
- Existing conditions and likely cause
- Preparation and protection
- Materials, compatibility, and installation details
- Permits, testing, cleanup, and restoration
- Exclusions, warranty terms, and change-order process
Cary context
Cary's tract-home subdivisions from the 1980s onward often came with builder-grade equipment sized to code minimums, not to the humid Piedmont summers that push cooling loads higher than the spec sheet assumed.