A ductless mini-split installation runs about $2,694 to $6,783 at researched defaults, scaling with zones: a single-head one-zone at the low end, a three-zone at the high end, priced at $135 an hour of labor with the permit in. The scenarios below show the per-zone parametric math from a real HVAC pack.
Written by Ashesh Dhakal · The numbers are real resolver output; every price is yours to adjust in your own price book.
A 2-zone ductless mini-split — one outdoor multi-zone unit and an install kit per zone, no line-hide in this baseline.
| Labor — lead | $675.00 |
|---|---|
| Outdoor multi-zone unit | $1,495.00 |
| Per-zone install kit (lineset/drain/wire) | $304.50 |
| Bracket or pad | $140.25 |
| Whip / disconnect | $79.20 |
| Permitpass-through · at cost | $225.00 |
| Total | $2,918.95 |
Loading the interactive calculator… the priced example above is already real, computed by the engine.
$2,693.95
$4,900.95
$6,782.95
Every total is integer-cents resolver output from the hvac pack’s researched defaults — nothing hand-typed.
| Line item | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Labor — lead | $1,147.50 | |
| Outdoor multi-zone unit | $2,925.00 | |
| Per-zone install kit (lineset/drain/wire) | $609.00 | |
| Bracket or pad | $140.25 | |
| Whip / disconnect | $79.20 | |
| Total | $4,900.95 |
Real resolver output from the hvac pack’s researched defaults. The permit is a pass-through billed at cost — never marked up (Law 3); the flagged rows are what low quotes leave off.
A single “ballpark” hides where the money goes. Priced line by line, you can see the equipment, the labor, the code add-ons, and the pass-throughs separately — and check any quote you get against them. That’s the whole point of this tool.
Each additional zone adds an indoor head, an install kit, and ~3.5 hours of labor. The outdoor unit scales with zones too.
Covering the refrigerant line with a clean line-hide raceway instead of leaving it exposed is priced by the foot.
A head with no gravity drain needs a condensate pump. The pack adds one per concealed head.
Mini-split installs tie into your electrical and refrigerant systems, so a permit (pass-through, at cost) applies in most places.
A cheap quote usually gets cheap by leaving something out. These are the same items the app’s review engine flags for a contractor — inverted here, so a homeowner can spot them too.
Roughly one indoor head per room or open area you want conditioned. This calculator prices 1 to 3 zones; each added zone adds a head, an install kit, and labor — the biggest driver of the total.
Line-hide is a raceway that covers the refrigerant line running down your exterior wall, instead of leaving it exposed. It's a per-foot add-on here — cosmetic, but most homeowners want it. A quote that skips it is cutting a visible corner.
Pre-charged DIY kits exist, but they're limited in size, void many warranties, and still involve electrical work. This tool prices professional installation, which includes the permit, proper line set, and a real warranty.
Often, yes — inverter compressors and zone-by-zone control avoid conditioning space you're not using. Efficiency varies by unit; this calculator prices the install labor and equipment, not the running cost.
Keep going — the trade page, a related calculator, and the line-by-line anatomy post below all share this pack's numbers.
Price HVAC replacements and service — tonnage and zone parametric, Good/Better/Best ready.
HVAC installation cost by tonnage and SEER2 tier, priced Good/Better/Best from a real pack.
Every line of a fair HVAC replacement quote, explained across Good/Better/Best options.
Written by Ashesh Dhakal · The numbers are real resolver output; every price is yours to adjust in your own price book.
HVAC pack defaults are researched from published trade data and labeled researched defaults. This page shows 2026 researched-default pricing and is dated honestly — refreshed when the numbers change, never re-dated to look fresh.