When a local church’s 30-ton split HVAC system finally started to give out, they were told by multiple contractors that it would take a complete redesign — new ductwork, a major electrical overhaul, and a six-figure price tag.

But when the church brought in Trimark Mechanical, everything changed.

The existing setup was a patchwork created over decades. 

The indoor unit dated back to the 1960s, while the outdoor unit was replaced in the 1990s. Other contractors had assumed it was an unusual design with the compressors inside — and that the entire system needed to be rebuilt from the ground up.

Trimark’s team took the time to investigate. After opening up the indoor unit, they discovered that while the compressors were there, they’d been disconnected decades ago. The outdoor unit had taken over the cooling function long ago — meaning a standard split-system replacement would do the job.

Instead of pushing for a full redesign, Trimark proposed a straightforward equipment upgrade. 

To avoid the costly and invasive construction others recommended, Trimark specified a custom modular Trane air handler — one that could fit through the existing doorway with only minimal framing adjustments.

This approach eliminated the need to tear down a wall, saving both time and thousands of dollars in labor.

Trimark’s transparent, detailed proposal gave the church all the technical information they needed to compare bids fairly — and even use it with their insurance company when a surprise challenge hit.

Plot Twist: A Tree Falls

Just as the church was reviewing quotes, a tree fell on the outdoor unit. With damage now in play, Trimark guided the church through the insurance process — helping them document true replacement costs, labor hours, and the difference between fast, generic insurance estimates and a thorough, real-world project plan.

While some competitors provided quick ballpark quotes (without ever visiting the site), Trimark’s detailed assessment helped validate their pricing with the insurance company. And as it turned out, Trimark was already the lowest qualified bidder — a win for both transparency and trust.

In the end, our client…

• Avoided $100K+ in unnecessary redesign and electrical work
• Avoided major building demolition
• Gained a modern, efficient HVAC system tailored to their facility

For Trimark, this project was about more than replacing old equipment — it was about earning trust through honesty, technical depth, and doing what’s right for the client.