Estimate the installed cost to replace one or more packaged rooftop units, including the crane, curb, electrical and permit costs that most quotes add on top.
Last reviewed October 2026 · How we calculate estimates
Most small and mid-size commercial buildings are heated and cooled by packaged rooftop units (RTUs). Replacing one is priced mainly by tonnage, but the line items around the unit, like the crane, curb adapter and electrical work, can add 20% to 50% to the job. This estimator builds the total the way contractors do: installed unit cost per RTU, plus the site-specific extras you choose.
| Cost breakdown | Range |
|---|
| Unit size | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 2–3 ton | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| 4–5 ton | $9,000 – $14,500 |
| 7.5–10 ton | $14,000 – $24,000 |
| 15–20 ton | $24,000 – $41,000 |
| 25–30 ton | $38,000 – $62,000 |
| Crane and rigging | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| Curb adapter or replacement | $800 – $3,000 |
| Electrical upgrades | $500 – $3,500 |
| Ductwork modification | $600 – $2,500 |
| Controls / BAS integration | $500 – $2,000 |
| Refrigerant recovery | $300 – $900 |
| Roof penetration repair | $400 – $1,200 |
| Permits | $150 – $600+ |
| Temporary cooling rental | $500 – $2,500 per week |
Source: OxMaint, 2026 pricing data. Building-size ranges: Kahn Mechanical, 2026.
If you don't know your tonnage, building size gives a first rough budget:
| Building | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Small retail (1,000–2,500 sq ft) | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Small office (under 5,000 sq ft) | $8,000 – $25,000 |
| Strip mall unit (2,500–5,000 sq ft) | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| Large retail (5,000–15,000 sq ft) | $25,000 – $65,000 |
| Mid-size building (15,000–40,000 sq ft) | $25,000 – $80,000 |
| Large building or plant (40,000+ sq ft) | $80,000 – $500,000+ |
Other system types cost more than rooftop units: split systems typically run 10% to 20% more, VRF systems $20,000 to $100,000, and air-cooled chiller plants of 30 to 100 tons $50,000 to $150,000.
A 7,000 sq ft retail space has two aging 10-ton rooftop units. Choosing 7.5–10 ton and 2 units, with the default crane, refrigerant recovery and permits, gives $30,300 – $54,900 nationally. If the new units need curb adapters, the estimate rises to $31,900 – $60,900. In California, with curb adapters, it's about $35,300 – $67,400.
Replacing both units on the same day usually saves money because the crane, which costs $1,500 to $4,500, is only paid once.
When a big repair comes up on an older unit, compare it against replacement using the 50% rule in our repair-or-replace guide.
The best time to replace rooftop units is in spring or fall, when you can go without cooling or heating for a day and contractors have more scheduling flexibility. Emergency replacements in peak summer often cost more because of rush scheduling, crane availability and temporary cooling rental, which can run $500 to $2,500 a week. If several units are aging, replacing them together saves on crane and permit costs.
The unit size selects a published installed-cost range, which is multiplied by the number of units. Per-unit extras (curb, electrical, ductwork, roof work and refrigerant recovery) are also multiplied by the number of units. Per-job extras (crane, permits, controls and temporary cooling) are added once. The total is adjusted by your state's BEA Regional Price Parity if you choose a state. See our methodology.
A packaged rooftop unit typically costs $6,000 to $10,000 installed for 2 to 3 tons, $14,000 to $24,000 for 7.5 to 10 tons, and $38,000 to $62,000 for 25 to 30 tons. Crane, curb, electrical and permit costs are usually extra.
Installed rooftop units run about $2,800 to $3,500 per ton for smaller units and $1,800 to $2,500 per ton for larger commercial units.
Commercial HVAC replacement generally runs about $15 to $34 per square foot installed, depending on system type, building use and how much ductwork and electrical work is needed.
Crane and rigging typically cost $1,500 to $4,500 per job. Replacing several units on the same day spreads that cost across all of them.