In Hollywood, FL, most homeowners should budget roughly $4,000-$8,000 for a straightforward central AC installation (new condenser and air handler on existing ductwork), roughly $6,000-$14,000 if the duct system is replaced along with the equipment, and roughly $3,000-$6,000 per zone for a ductless mini-split. Those are typical published national estimates, and where your home lands inside them comes down to five things: tonnage, where the air handler sits, the condition of your ducts, the electrical work needed, and the permit and final inspection Broward County requires on every change-out.
- Typical central AC installation: about $4,000-$8,000; add ductwork and it commonly reaches $6,000-$14,000.
- Ductless mini-splits run about $3,000-$6,000 per zone, which is often the answer for a Florida room, garage conversion or added bedroom.
- Hollywood's older housing stock, closet air handlers and salt air near the beach are the three local factors that push a quote toward the top of the range.
- Every AC change-out needs a mechanical permit and a final inspection. Green Contractors FL handles permitting and the county inspection as part of the job.
- Pricing is confirmed in a free in-home consultation with a written walkthrough quote - call (786) 519-0391.
What a central AC installation actually costs
Nationally, HomeAdvisor's cost guide for installing an AC unit puts a central system in the $4,000-$8,000 range for most single-family homes, with larger or more complicated jobs running past $12,000 (HomeAdvisor, 2026).
Fixr's air conditioner installation guide shows the same shape, with ductless mini-splits commonly landing around $3,000-$6,000 per zone and multi-zone setups reaching $10,000-$15,000 (Fixr, 2026).
These are published estimates, not our price list. We quote a flat number in writing after walking the house, and in our experience a typical Hollywood three-bedroom on sound existing ductwork sits in the middle of that central-air range rather than at either extreme.
Quick reference: typical AC installation cost ranges
| Project type | Typical published range | What that usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Central AC change-out (existing ducts) | $4,000-$8,000 | New condenser, air handler or coil, line set connections, pad, thermostat, permit and inspection |
| Central AC with new ductwork | $6,000-$14,000 | Equipment plus replacement supply and return ducts, new plenums, resized registers |
| Ductless mini-split, single zone | $3,000-$6,000 | One outdoor unit, one indoor head, line set, condensate routing, dedicated circuit |
| Ductless mini-split, multi-zone | $10,000-$15,000 | One outdoor unit serving three or more indoor heads |
Ranges above are typical published national estimates from HomeAdvisor and Fixr cost guides. Your written quote replaces them with a real number for your home.
What moves the price up or down in Hollywood
Hollywood is not an average American city for HVAC work, and the local conditions are the reason two neighbors get two different numbers for the same tonnage.
- Older housing stock. Much of Hollywood Lakes, Hollywood Hills and the blocks off Dixie Highway went up between the 1950s and 1970s. Those homes often have a narrow hallway closet air handler, undersized return air, and attic ducts that have been patched more than once. Replacing or resizing that ductwork is the single biggest swing factor in a quote.
- Electrical. A 50-year-old panel, an aging disconnect or an undersized breaker has to be corrected before a new system is energized. It is routine work, but it is real line-item cost.
- Salt air. East of Federal Highway and along the Intracoastal, condenser coils and cabinets take a beating. Coastal-duty or coated-coil equipment costs more up front and is usually the cheaper decision over the life of the system.
- Efficiency code. Florida sits in the federal Southeast region, where most residential split systems must now meet a minimum of 14.3 SEER2. That raises the floor on equipment cost compared with older systems, and stepping above the minimum raises it further.
- Access. A second-floor air handler, a tight attic, a crane lift for a condo, or a condenser that has to be relocated all add labor hours.
Permits and the final county inspection
An AC change-out in Hollywood is permitted work. A mechanical permit is pulled before the job and a final inspection closes it out, and fees are set by the city and county rather than by the contractor. Green Contractors FL handles permitting, engineering and the final county inspection, so the paperwork does not land on you - and the job shows up correctly if you sell the house later.
Why the lowest quote is often the most expensive one
When one bid comes in thousands below the rest, the difference is almost never the compressor. It is usually what has been left out.
- No permit and no inspection, which becomes your problem at resale.
- Existing ducts reused when they should have been replaced or resized, so the new system never performs as rated.
- Bare-minimum equipment with no coastal protection a mile from the beach.
- No load calculation, so the tonnage is a guess based on whatever was there before.
Ask every bidder to put the equipment model, the duct scope, the electrical scope and the permit in writing. Comparing those four lines side by side tells you more than the bottom number does.
Bundling AC with other work
Plenty of Hollywood homeowners handle cooling as part of a bigger envelope project, because a correctly sized system and a tight building envelope work together. If windows are also on your list, see our impact windows and doors installation in Hollywood page, or browse the full range on our services page for roofing, kitchens and baths.
Paying for it
We offer 100% financing with no money down, including PACE financing, subject to approval. That lets most homeowners spread an AC installation over monthly payments instead of writing one large check, and the consultation is the right place to talk through which option fits.
Get a written number for your home
Green Contractors FL is a family-owned, licensed and insured general contractor (CGC1535102) with an office at 4624 Hollywood Blvd #203, holding 5.0 stars from 44 Google reviews. Call (786) 519-0391 to book a free in-home consultation. We measure the house, look at the ducts and the panel, and leave you with a written quote you can compare line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does AC installation cost in Hollywood, FL?
Budget roughly $4,000-$8,000 for a typical central AC change-out on existing ductwork, roughly $6,000-$14,000 if the ducts are replaced too, and roughly $3,000-$6,000 per zone for a ductless mini-split. Those are typical published estimates from HomeAdvisor and Fixr cost guides. Green Contractors FL confirms your actual number in a free in-home consultation with a written quote.
Do I need a permit to replace my AC in Hollywood?
Yes. An AC change-out is permitted work: a mechanical permit is pulled before the installation and a final inspection closes it out. Permit fees are set by the city and county, not by the contractor. Green Contractors FL handles permitting, engineering and the final county inspection as part of the job.
Is a ductless mini-split cheaper than central air?
For a single room it usually is, at roughly $3,000-$6,000 per zone versus $4,000-$8,000 for a central system. Once you need three or more zones, multi-zone mini-splits commonly reach $10,000-$15,000 and central air is often the better value. Mini-splits make the most sense for a Florida room, garage conversion or added bedroom that existing ducts never served well.
Why would my quote come in at the high end of the range?
The usual reasons in Hollywood are ductwork that needs replacing or resizing, an older electrical panel or disconnect that has to be corrected, coastal-duty equipment for homes near the beach or Intracoastal, difficult attic or second-floor access, and choosing efficiency above the 14.3 SEER2 minimum required in the Southeast region.
Can I finance a new AC system?
Yes. Green Contractors FL offers 100% financing with no money down, including PACE financing, subject to approval. Call (786) 519-0391 and ask about financing during your free in-home consultation.