3R Plumbing & Mechanical · Veteran-Owned · Norwell, MA · MA Master Plumber PL17071-M

Your Installation Day — What to Expect

A homeowner’s guide to the day our team installs your new heating or cooling system.

Thank you for trusting 3R with your home. Installing new heating or cooling equipment is a big day, and we want you to know exactly what’s coming — before we ring the doorbell. This guide covers how the day runs, how you can prepare, what’s normal, what we handle, and what happens after we leave.

How Long Will It Take?

Typical timeframes for common projects. Your install coordinator confirms the schedule for your specific job before install day:

Project	Typical Duration	Notes
Furnace or boiler replacement	1 day	Heat restored the same day in most cases
Central AC replacement	1 day	Indoor coil + outdoor condenser swap
Full system (furnace/air handler + AC or heat pump)	1–2 days	Depends on venting, electrical & line set work
Ductless mini-split, single zone	1 day	One indoor head + outdoor unit
Ductless multi-zone	2–3 days	Multiple heads, line sets & electrical
Whole-home heat pump conversion	2–4 days	May include electrical upgrades or ductwork
New or replacement ductwork	Added 1–3 days	Scoped separately on your estimate

Durations are good-faith estimates, not guarantees. Site conditions, weather, inspections, and material availability can affect timing — if anything changes, we tell you right away.

How the Day Goes — Step by Step

We let you know we’re on the way

You’ll get a call or text before our crew arrives, so there’s no guessing. Our trucks are marked and our team arrives in uniform.

Crews typically arrive between 7:30–9:00 AM unless your coordinator tells you otherwise
Multi-day jobs: we confirm each day’s start time before we leave the day prior

Morning arrival

Introductions & a scope walkthrough

Your lead installer introduces the crew and walks the job with you before a single tool comes out:

Confirms exactly what’s being installed and where — indoor equipment, outdoor unit, thermostat locations, line set and vent routes
Reviews where we’ll need access (basement, attic, closets, electrical panel, outdoor areas)
Answers any last questions and confirms your preferred way to reach you during the day

We protect your home

Drop cloths and floor protection go down along our full work path — entry to equipment. We treat your home like it’s ours: floors protected, doors closed behind us, work areas contained.

Old equipment comes out

We safely disconnect and remove your existing equipment.

Power, gas, or water to the system is shut off during this stage — we always tell you before shutting anything down
Refrigerant from your old AC or heat pump is recovered by an EPA-certified technician — it never gets vented to the air
This is the loudest part of the day: cutting, unbolting, and carrying heavy equipment out

Expect noise · System offline

Your new system goes in

The crew sets the new equipment and builds out everything the job calls for, installed to manufacturer specifications and Massachusetts code:

New piping, refrigerant line sets, condensate drains, venting, gas connections, and electrical as scoped
Ductless installs: a small wall penetration (about 3″) is made for each indoor head’s line set, sealed and finished with a cover on the exterior run
Outdoor units are set on a level pad or brackets with proper clearances for airflow and service
Licensed electrical work is performed or coordinated per your estimate; some projects require a panel or circuit upgrade that was identified during your quote

Startup, testing & commissioning

Turning it on isn’t the finish line — proving it runs right is. Commissioning is what separates a quality install from a quick one:

Pressure test and evacuation of refrigerant lines before charging (AC / heat pump / ductless)
Verified refrigerant charge, airflow, and temperature performance against manufacturer specs
Combustion and safety checks on gas equipment, including proper venting and CO testing
Thermostat or controller programmed and every zone / stage cycle-tested

Walkthrough, cleanup & sign-off

Before we pull out of the driveway:

We walk you through your new system — thermostat/remote, filter locations and change schedule, maintenance basics, and what to watch for in the first weeks
Old equipment and all job debris is hauled away; work areas are swept and left as clean as we found them
You review the finished work with the lead installer and sign off on the job
You receive your equipment documentation; warranty registration is handled by our office

You approve the job before we go

Before We Arrive — Your Prep Checklist

A few minutes of prep makes the day faster and smoother. Tap each item to check it off:

Access & Work Areas

✓

Clear a path to your equipmentMove storage, boxes, or furniture away from the furnace, boiler, air handler, or water heater area — and the basement stairs, attic access, closets, and hallways we’ll use. We need roughly 3 feet of working clearance around the equipment.

✓

Clear around the outdoor unit locationTrim back plants and move furniture, grills, or stored items within a few feet of where the outdoor condenser or heat pump will sit — plus the wall route the line set will follow.

✓

Make the electrical panel reachableWe’ll need access to your breaker panel for shutoffs — and for new circuits if your estimate includes electrical work.

✓

Leave room for our trucksDriveway or curb space close to the house helps us carry heavy equipment safely — a furnace or outdoor unit can weigh 200+ lbs.

Household

✓

Plan for petsDoors will open and close all day and there will be unfamiliar noise. Keeping pets in a closed room or out of the house keeps them — and our crew — safe.

✓

Have an adult (18+) homeSomeone needs to let us in, make decisions if questions come up, and do the final walkthrough. It doesn’t have to be all day for every job — your coordinator will confirm what’s needed.

✓

Take down anything fragile near the workPictures, mirrors, and shelves on walls near the work area — drilling and vibration can shake them loose. This includes walls shared with attic or basement work.

Comfort & Timing

✓

Plan around no heat / no AC during the workYour system will be down while we swap it. In extreme weather, plan a comfortable spot in the house — we work to have you back up and running the same day whenever possible.

✓

Have your Wi-Fi password handyIf your new thermostat or system has smart/Wi-Fi features, we’ll connect it before we leave — that needs your network name and password.

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Install Day at a Glance

Totally normal — don’t worry

Drilling, cutting, and general construction noise
Power, gas, or water shut off temporarily (we tell you first)
No heating or cooling while the changeout happens
Crew members coming in and out throughout the day
Brief use of torches/brazing on refrigerant lines — done with fire protection in place
A faint “new equipment” smell on first startup — dust and oils burning off; it clears quickly
A short crew break for lunch

Handled by 3R — nothing for you to do

Permit and inspection coordination, when included in your project scope
Haul-away and legal disposal of your old equipment
Refrigerant recovery by EPA-certified technicians
Warranty registration on your new equipment
Mass Save® rebate paperwork — quoted rebate savings are applied up front at signing
Commissioning documentation for your records
Full cleanup of every work area before we leave

Not included unless it’s on your estimate

Patching, painting, or refinishing of walls, ceilings, or finished surfaces opened for access
Carpentry, landscaping, or fence/deck modifications around the outdoor unit
Repairs to pre-existing code violations, wiring, piping, or structural issues discovered during work (we’ll show you and price it first)
Moving personal belongings, appliances, or furniture
Asbestos or hazardous-material abatement — handled by a licensed abatement contractor if found

If we find something unexpected

Occasionally opening a wall, ceiling, or old connection reveals something the estimate couldn’t see — hidden damage, non-code wiring or venting, failed shutoff valves
We stop, show you exactly what we found, and explain your options and any cost difference before doing anything.
Nothing outside your signed estimate is ever performed or billed without your written approval — no surprise charges, ever

After We Leave

✓

Inspection (when your project includes one)

If your project scope includes permitting, the town inspects the work — usually within a couple of weeks. It takes only a few minutes and we coordinate the timing with you. Your estimate and install coordinator will confirm what applies to your job.

✓

Break-in period

New systems can have minor quirks in the first days — a slight smell on startup, thermostat fine-tuning, small sound differences from your old system. Most settle on their own. If anything seems off, call us — we’d rather check it than have you wonder.

✓

Follow-up & keeping your warranty strong

Our office confirms your warranty registration and checks in after the job. Manufacturers require regular professional maintenance to keep warranty coverage valid — ask us about our maintenance membership for scheduled tune-ups, priority service, and keeping your new system at peak efficiency.

Common Questions

Usually just the working hours of the day — the system comes down in the morning and we aim to have your new one running before we leave. On multi-day projects, we plan the shutoff so you’re not left without heat overnight in cold weather whenever it can be avoided, and we tell you in advance if any overnight downtime is unavoidable.

We need an adult home at the start (to let us in and review scope) and at the end (for the walkthrough and sign-off). For the hours in between, it depends on the job — your install coordinator will tell you exactly what’s needed for yours.

Ductless systems require a small (roughly 3″) penetration behind each indoor head for the refrigerant lines, drain, and wiring — sealed weathertight and covered with line-set channel outside. Other installs may need small access openings for wiring, piping, or venting; we discuss any of these with you before cutting. Cosmetic patching and painting of finished surfaces isn’t included unless it’s on your estimate.

Yes — the walkthrough is part of every install. We cover the thermostat or controller, filter changes, what maintenance the system needs, and what’s covered under warranty. Heat pumps and ductless systems work best when run differently than old baseboard or forced-air habits (“set it and leave it”), and we’ll explain exactly how to get the comfort and efficiency you paid for.

If your project qualifies, the rebate amount quoted on your estimate was applied up front as a discount at signing — you don’t wait months for a check. We handle the paperwork and submit on your behalf. Rebate programs, amounts, and eligibility rules are set by Mass Save® and the program sponsors, not by 3R, and are subject to their terms, funding, and verification.

We stop, show you what we found, and explain your options and any cost difference before doing anything. Work beyond your signed estimate only proceeds with your written approval. No surprise charges, ever.

Rain rarely stops us. Severe weather (heavy snow, lightning, unsafe roof/attic conditions) can delay outdoor portions of the work for crew safety — if that happens we call you as early as possible and reschedule the affected work promptly.

Call us at (781) 974-5239. Your installation is backed by the manufacturer’s equipment warranty plus our workmanship guarantee — if something isn’t right, we make it right. Keep up with recommended maintenance to keep manufacturer coverage valid.

The Fine Print

Scope of this guide

This page is a general overview of a typical 3R Plumbing & Mechanical heating or cooling installation, provided for your convenience. It is not a contract, estimate, or warranty and does not modify, add to, or replace the terms of your signed proposal, estimate, or installation agreement. If anything on this page differs from your signed documents, your signed documents control.

Timelines

All durations, arrival windows, and schedules shown here are good-faith estimates only. Actual timing depends on site conditions, weather, equipment and material availability, inspection scheduling, and other factors outside our control. We are not liable for delays caused by conditions beyond our reasonable control, and we will communicate schedule changes to you as soon as we know of them.

Existing conditions & additional work

Pricing on your estimate is based on conditions visible and accessible at the time of your quote. Concealed conditions — including but not limited to hidden damage, non-code wiring, piping, or venting, failed valves, structural issues, or hazardous materials — may require additional work at additional cost. Any such work will be identified, explained, and priced for your written approval before it is performed. Repair of pre-existing conditions and cosmetic restoration (patching, painting, refinishing, landscaping) are excluded unless expressly listed on your estimate.

Permits & inspections

Permitting and inspection requirements vary by municipality and project type. Where your signed estimate includes permitting, 3R coordinates the permit and inspection process as described above. Your signed estimate defines what is included for your specific project.

Hazardous materials

If suspected asbestos or other regulated hazardous material is encountered, work in the affected area stops immediately. Testing and abatement must be completed by a licensed abatement contractor at the homeowner’s expense before our work in that area can resume. 3R does not test for, disturb, or remove hazardous materials.

Rebates, incentives & financing

Mass Save® rebates, utility incentives, tax credits, and financing programs are offered by third parties and are subject to their own eligibility rules, funding availability, program terms, and verification. Amounts and programs change without notice. Where 3R applies an anticipated rebate as an up-front discount, that treatment is per the terms on your signed estimate. 3R does not provide tax advice — consult your tax professional regarding any credit or incentive. Financing is subject to credit approval by the lender.

Warranties

Equipment is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty per its published terms, which may require product registration and proof of regular professional maintenance to remain valid. 3R’s workmanship guarantee is as stated in your installation agreement. Warranties do not cover damage from misuse, neglect, unauthorized modification or repair, power surges, acts of nature, or lack of required maintenance.

Safety & access

For everyone’s safety, please keep children and pets away from work areas, tools, and open panels at all times during the installation. Our crew reserves the right to pause work if site conditions become unsafe. Homeowner agrees to provide reasonable access to all work areas, utilities, and the electrical panel during scheduled work hours.

General

3R Plumbing & Mechanical LLC · 77 Accord Park Drive, Suite D6, Norwell, MA 02061 · MA Master Plumber License PL17071-M. Licensed and insured. Content on this page is subject to change without notice. © 3R Plumbing & Mechanical LLC. All rights reserved.