AC shifting charges: quick rate list
Here is the fast rate list by job. Read the rows closest to your AC, then check the factors and the on-quote section below, because gas, copper pipe and a high outdoor unit decide where your final cost lands.
| AC job | Typical charge | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Window AC uninstall only | Rs 400 to Rs 800 | Removal at the old home, bracket left or taken |
| Window AC uninstall and reinstall | Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800 | Both ends, fitting and basic testing |
| Split AC uninstall only | Rs 600 to Rs 1,200 | Indoor and outdoor removal with gas recovery |
| Split AC uninstall and reinstall | Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,500 | Both units fitted and tested at the new home |
| Gas top-up (per unit) | Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 | Charged if gas is lost during the shift |
| New copper pipe (per metre) | Rs 350 to Rs 600 | When the old pipe will not reach or is unsafe to reuse |
What AC handling actually covers
AC handling on a move is two technician jobs: uninstalling the unit safely at the old home, with the gas recovered on a split, and reinstalling and testing it at the new one. It is not part of the loaders' work, and it is a separate line from packing and transport. For the wider bill, see the main charges guide and the labour charges page.
AC handling is a technician job, not a loader job, so it is a separate line from packing and transport on a moving quote.
A window AC is cheap to shift, but a split AC carries gas, a copper pipe and two units, which is why it costs more and needs care.
Gas top-up, new copper pipe, core drilling and a stabiliser point are common extras, so ask which are included before you book.
Always have the new installation tested for cooling before the technician leaves, because a refit that does not cool is the usual dispute.
Quick AC shifting estimate
Use these per-unit ranges for planning only. A final quote should list uninstall, reinstall, gas and pipe separately.
Use Full CalculatorWindow AC shift
Rs 1,000+
Uninstall at the old home and refit at the new one.
Split AC shift
Rs 1,800+
Indoor and outdoor units, basic refit without extras.
Split AC with gas and pipe
Rs 2,500+
Gas top-up, new copper pipe and core drilling added.
How AC shifting charges are calculated
AC charges are quoted per unit and per job, because a window unit and a split unit are very different work. A window AC lifts out of its frame and slots back in, so it is mostly labour. A split AC has an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a copper pipe carrying refrigerant and an electrical connection, so the technician must recover the gas, detach both units carefully, and refit and recharge at the new home.
In the moves we coordinate, the AC line is the one customers most often expect to be free or bundled, and it almost never is. Our team treats every split AC as a guaranteed extra line and asks three questions upfront: is a technician included, is gas top-up priced per unit, and is new copper pipe charged per metre if the run is longer at the new home. Settle those and the AC stops being the surprise on the final bill. Use the moving calculator for the household baseline, then add the AC as its own line.
What changes the AC shifting charge
Five things move this line. Read them against your own units so you know which extras are likely before the technician arrives.
| Cost lever | Effect on the AC bill |
|---|---|
| Window or split | A window AC is a simple lift-out; a split has two units, a copper pipe and gas to manage, so it costs more. |
| Gas recovery and top-up | A careful uninstall recovers gas, but some loss is common, so a top-up may be needed and quoted per unit. |
| New copper pipe | If the new home needs a longer run or the old pipe is kinked, fresh copper is charged per metre. |
| Core drilling and mount | A new wall hole, an outdoor bracket or a stabiliser point at the new home adds material and labour. |
| Floor and access | A high outdoor unit, a tight balcony or a ladder job for the outdoor unit raises the labour line. |
How to read AC handling on a real quote
This check keeps the AC from becoming a move-day surprise. A unclear AC line is the gap a weak quote leaves open, so compare each mover against these points before you book.
| Quote line | Unclear AC quote | Clear AC quote |
|---|---|---|
| Both ends | Says AC handled | Uninstall and reinstall both named, per unit |
| Gas and pipe | No mention of extras | Gas top-up and copper pipe stated as included or per unit and per metre |
| Technician | Done by the loaders | A trained AC technician, not the moving crew |
| Testing | Fitted, untested | Cooling tested at the new home before sign-off |
When the AC scope is clear at both ends, you can compare 3 verified movers on the same brief instead of guessing from a bundled figure.
GST, warranty and insurance
When the AC service sits on a full packing-and-moving invoice, it is taxed under the same GST, usually 18 percent. If a technician bills it as a standalone job, ask for the rate and a proper GST invoice with the GSTIN, and verify the number on the Verify Packers Movers tool before you pay.
Two more things protect you. First, if your AC is under brand warranty, check whether moving it through a third party affects the warranty, because some brands require their own technician. Second, a unit damaged in transit is a transit-insurance matter, so keep the transit insurance charges basis in mind and photograph the indoor and outdoor units before they are removed. A tested install, a clear GST invoice and proper cover together are what keep an AC shift from turning into a cooling complaint nobody owns.
AC installation and uninstallation charges FAQ
What are AC installation and uninstallation charges for a move?
AC uninstall and reinstall charges usually run Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800 for a window AC and Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,500 for a split AC per unit. Gas top-up, a new copper pipe and core drilling are extra, so a split AC shift often lands at Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 once those are added.
What are AC shifting charges for a split unit?
AC shifting charges for a split AC are usually Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,500 for uninstall and reinstall labour at both ends, plus Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 for a gas top-up and Rs 350 to Rs 600 per metre for new copper pipe if needed. Ask for these as separate lines so the total is clear.
What is the AC gas top up charge during shifting?
An AC gas top-up charge during shifting is usually Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per split unit, applied when refrigerant is lost during the uninstall. A careful technician recovers most of the gas, so confirm whether a top-up is likely for your unit before booking.
What are AC removal and fitting charges during a move?
AC removal and fitting charges are usually Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800 for a window unit and Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,500 for a split unit, covering uninstall at the old home and fitting at the new one. It is a technician service quoted as a separate line, not part of standard packing and loading.
Does shifting an AC need a gas top-up?
Often yes for a split AC. A careful uninstall recovers most of the gas, but some loss is common, so a top-up may be needed at the new home and is charged per unit. A window AC rarely needs gas work because it is a sealed unit.
Who should uninstall and reinstall my AC during a move?
A trained AC technician should handle it, not the general moving crew, because gas recovery, copper pipe and electrical fitting need skill. Ask the mover whether a technician is included or whether you should book one separately.
Is GST charged on AC installation during a move?
When the AC service is part of a full packing-and-moving invoice it is taxed under the same GST, usually 18 percent. If a technician bills it separately, ask for the rate and a GST invoice with the GSTIN, and verify the number before paying.
Should I test the AC before the technician leaves?
Yes, always. Run the AC at the new home and check it cools properly before sign-off, because a unit that was fitted but does not cool, often due to lost gas or a loose pipe, is the most common AC shifting dispute.
Helpful next reads
Guides worth opening next
Still checking a quote? Pick the guide that matches the line you are unsure about, then compare the same packing, GST, labour and delivery terms.
