These figures are typical South Bay / Central Valley planning bands for light-to-mid commercial scope — not a quote from Precision Heating & Cooling. Site conditions, crane access, and Title 24 path change the number.
Typical cost ranges
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lobby / leasing office split or small RTU | $8,000–$22,000 | Like-for-like refresh with accessible outdoor unit or curb. Cosmetics and after-hours work can add cost. |
| Clubhouse / amenity packaged system | $15,000–$40,000 | Occupancy swings and glass loads matter. Controls for setback when unoccupied save operating cost. |
| Corridor make-up / pressurization work | $10,000–$50,000+ | Highly site-specific. Smoke control and code path dominate; engineer before budgeting a round number. |
| Central plant or multi-RTU common package | Capital project — phased bids | Portfolio properties often phase by building. Crane and roof access still apply. |
What moves the price
- Resident communication and after-hours work windows protect reviews and renewals.
- Corridors and trash rooms have IAQ and pressurization needs units do not.
- HOA / ownership approval cycles stretch lead time more than the mechanical work itself.
- In-unit systems should stay on a separate bid so common-area numbers stay comparable.
- Wildfire-season filtration upgrades are increasingly part of common-area scopes in the South Bay.
When this guide applies
- Lobby or clubhouse comfort complaints are driving resident tickets.
- You are CapEx planning for common equipment separate from unit turnovers.
- A rehab or rebrand touches amenity spaces.
- Corridor smoke or IAQ issues need mechanical attention.
Failure modes to avoid
- Mixing in-unit and common-area scope so vendors cannot be compared.
- Ignoring after-hours premiums and resident notice requirements.
- Budgeting a corridor project from a clubhouse RTU number.
- Skipping maintenance contracts after a capital refresh.
FAQs
Do these ranges include apartment unit HVAC?
No — this guide is common-area only. In-unit PTAC, ductless, or furnace work should be bid separately.
Can one contractor handle both common and units?
Often yes, but keep line items separate so ownership can approve CapEx vs OpEx cleanly.
What about Central Valley properties vs South Bay?
Same planning logic; Central Valley peak cooling loads and dust can push tonnage and filter maintenance higher.
Is this a fixed bid?
No — typical market planning bands for light-to-mid multifamily common HVAC in our regions.
Next step
Ready for a site-specific number? Request a commercial bid — we will survey before we price.