Most commercial rooftop unit replacements in Phoenix run $8,000 to $15,000+ per unit, all-in. Below is exactly what drives that number, and how to get an exact quote for your building. We assess your site, spec the right unit, and give you one all-in price with no surprises.
A rooftop unit (RTU) is the self-contained packaged HVAC system sitting on your roof curb. When one fails, the biggest question owners and property managers ask is simple: what will replacement cost? Here are honest, Phoenix-specific ranges so you can budget before we ever come out.
These are typical installed ranges for the Phoenix market and include the unit, crane, permit, and disposal. Your exact number depends on the drivers below. A free site assessment turns these ranges into one firm, all-in quote for your specific roof and unit.
Rooftop terminology matters when you compare bids. A like-for-like swap keeps the same tonnage, refrigerant, and power. A right-sized replacement re-runs the load first, because an oversized RTU short-cycles and an undersized one never keeps up in a Phoenix summer. Ask every contractor whether their price includes the curb adapter, crane, permit, and disposal, because a low number that leaves those out is not really a lower price.
For most light commercial buildings in the Phoenix metro, a single rooftop unit (RTU) replacement runs roughly $8,000 to $15,000 installed. Smaller 3 to 5 ton units on an easy roof sit at the low end. Larger 7.5 to 12.5 ton units, high-efficiency or gas/electric models, three-phase power, a new curb adapter, or a difficult crane pick push the price toward $15,000 and above. High-tonnage or specialty units (15 to 25 ton, high static, or with integrated controls) can exceed $20,000 to $30,000. Every roof is different, so we give you an exact all-in quote after a free site assessment.
Everything: the new rooftop unit, crane rental and rigging, a curb adapter if the new footprint differs from the old one, refrigerant and line work, electrical and gas reconnection, the city or county permit, startup and commissioning, and haul-away and disposal of the old unit. One number, no surprise add-ons after the fact.
A straightforward single-unit swap with a matching curb is usually a one-day job: crane in the morning, set the new unit, tie in power, gas, and controls, then commission it the same afternoon. Jobs that need a custom curb adapter, new disconnect, or roof curb repair can run two days. We schedule the crane and coordinate roof access so your business has the shortest possible downtime.
You need a curb adapter when the new unit does not match the footprint or duct openings of the existing roof curb. Switching brands or moving to a newer high-efficiency model almost always changes the footprint. A field-built or factory adapter lets us set the new RTU on the existing curb without cutting into the roof deck, which protects your roof warranty and keeps the job faster and cleaner.
RTUs are sized in tons of cooling, typically 3 to 25 tons for light commercial. Right-sizing depends on square footage, ceiling height, occupancy, kitchen or process loads, and insulation, not just a like-for-like swap. Power matters too: many small units are single-phase, while 5 ton and larger units are usually three-phase. Three-phase equipment and the electrical work to support it affect the final cost. We verify the load and the available power before we spec the unit.
If the unit is over 12 to 15 years old, is on R-22 refrigerant, or the repair runs more than about half the cost of a new unit, replacement is usually the better spend, especially given Phoenix run hours. A newer high-efficiency RTU cuts summer electric bills and comes with a fresh compressor and parts warranty. If the unit is younger and the failure is a single part, we will tell you honestly that a repair makes more sense.
No commitment. Exact quote for your specific unit, roof, and location.
(623) 322-0747