Repair or replace6 min readOctober 2, 2026
What common AC and furnace repairs cost in north Dallas, and what moves the number
In our area a capacitor runs about $190 to $290 installed, a contactor $200 to $300, a drain line clearing $150 to $250, a condenser fan motor $450 to $750, a blower motor $550 to $1,100, an ignitor or flame sensor $190 to $400, a control board $450 to $900, a leak search $200 to $400 plus refrigerant, and a coil or compressor $1,800 to $3,400. The diagnostic visit that produces the quote is usually $75 to $110 and is often waived if you approve the repair.
The ranges
Parts and labor included, Texas sales tax on parts extra, at north Dallas market rates in 2026. These are typical ranges, not a quote for your system; the point is to know when a number is far outside them.
- Run capacitor: $189 to $289. The most common summer failure
- Contactor: $199 to $299. Often replaced with the capacitor when it is pitted
- Condensate drain line clearing: $149 to $249, including a float switch check
- Thermostat replacement: $189 to $449 plus the thermostat you choose
- Condenser fan motor: $450 to $750
- Blower motor: $550 to $1,100, with variable-speed ECM motors at the top
- Furnace ignitor or flame sensor: $189 to $399
- Control board: $450 to $900
- Refrigerant leak search: $199 to $399, then refrigerant by the pound after the leak is fixed
- Evaporator coil replacement: $1,800 to $3,200
- Compressor replacement: $1,900 to $3,400, and the point where replacement enters the conversation
Why the same part costs different amounts
A blower motor on a 20-year-old single-stage furnace is a standard motor that takes an hour. The same job on a variable-speed system is an electronically commutated motor with a control module that costs several times as much and may need to be programmed. Coils vary by refrigerant and by how hard they are to reach in an attic. Compressors vary by tonnage and whether the system is under warranty. A range is honest; a single price for every house is not.
What should be included
The part, the labor, a test of the related parts (the contactor with the capacitor, the capacitor with a motor), the refrigerant charge check after any refrigerant-side work, and a warranty on the repair of at least a year, two from the better companies. The diagnostic fee is usually credited against the repair. Ask for the old part back if you want to see it.
The questions that keep a repair honest
- What did you measure, and what was the reading against the spec
- Is this the only thing wrong, or the first thing you found
- What is the price from your book, in writing, before you start
- What does the repair warranty cover and for how long
- Is the system under manufacturer parts warranty, and did you check
Questions on this
Why is refrigerant so expensive?
R-410A production is being phased down and the new A2L refrigerants have been in short supply during the changeover. Expect a per-pound price that surprises you, and remember the leak search is what keeps you from paying it twice.
Should I pay for a repair on a 14-year-old system?
A capacitor, a contactor or a drain line, yes. A coil or a compressor, get the replacement number next to it first. Our repair-or-replace rules walk through it.
Do after-hours repairs cost more?
Most companies add an after-hours fee for evenings, weekends and holidays, commonly $50 to $150, and most waive it for maintenance members.