A new AC is a big purchase, and the installation decides how well it cools, how much electricity it uses and how long it lasts. Yet most people agree on the installation price over the phone and only find out about “extra pipe” and “stand charges” when the job is finished. In this guide I explain AC installation charges in Pakistan for 2026, the extra costs you should expect, and the checks that separate a proper installation from a rushed one.
Quick answer: in 2026 a standard split AC installation in Pakistan costs about Rs 3,000 to 7,500, usually with around 10 feet of pipe included. Extra pipe, an outdoor stand, wall drilling and electrical work are charged on top.
AC Installation Charges in Pakistan (2026)
| Service | Typical charge (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Split AC installation (1 to 2 ton) | Rs 3,000 to 7,500 | Usually includes about 10 ft of pipe |
| Window AC installation | Rs 2,000 to 4,500 | More if the wall or window frame needs cutting |
| Floor-standing AC installation | Rs 4,000 to 12,000 | Depends on tonnage and pipe run |
| Cassette AC installation | Rs 6,000 to 15,000 | Needs ceiling work |
| AC dismounting (removal only) | Rs 1,200 to 2,500 | Should include gas pump-down |
| AC shifting (remove and refit) | Rs 4,500 to 9,000 | Extra pipe and gas are often extra |
| Stabilizer installation | Rs 600 to 1,800 | Not needed for most inverter ACs |
Rates are lower in smaller cities and higher in DHA, Bahria and other premium areas. Karachi service companies advertise split AC installation from about Rs 2,800 with 10 ft of pipe, while Islamabad ranges are usually Rs 3,500 to 7,500. Always ask what is included before you agree.
Extra Charges You Should Expect
| Extra | Approx. charge | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Extra pipe (labour) | About Rs 100 per foot beyond 10 ft | When the outdoor unit is far from the indoor unit |
| Extra copper kit (material) | Varies a lot with copper price and quality | If the kit that came with the AC is too short |
| Outdoor unit stand / bracket | Rs 1,500 to 3,500 | When the outdoor unit hangs on a wall |
| Wall hole (core drilling) | Rs 500 to 1,500 | Thick or concrete walls |
| Separate breaker and wiring | Depends on cable length | Strongly recommended for every AC |
| Gas top-up | Rs 2,500 to 6,000 | Only for very long pipe runs or old ACs being shifted |
| Work at height | Negotiable | Upper floors where a ladder is not enough |
Ask for a written quote that lists the pipe length and every extra item. This one habit prevents most arguments at the end of the job.
Free Installation From the Dealer: What Is Really Included?
Many shops and brands offer “free installation” with a new AC. It usually covers fitting the indoor and outdoor units and a fixed length of pipe. Things that are often not included:
- Pipe beyond the standard length
- The outdoor stand or bracket
- Core drilling through thick walls
- The breaker, cable and electrical work
- Work on upper floors or hard-to-reach places
Ask the dealer for the included pipe length in writing, and check who will do the installation: the brand’s own team or a third-party fitter. If the brand’s team installs it, the installation is usually covered by the warranty.
What a Proper AC Installation Includes
In my years of repair work, many “faulty” ACs turned out to be badly installed ACs. A proper installation should include all of these:
- Right place for the indoor unit: on an inside wall away from direct sunlight, with space above it for air, and blowing along the length of the room.
- Shaded, open spot for the outdoor unit: not boxed in, with at least a foot of space around it. An outdoor unit baking in the afternoon sun works harder and uses more electricity.
- Short, neat pipe run: around 10 to 15 feet is ideal. Very long or coiled pipes reduce cooling.
- Clean flare joints: pipe ends properly flared and tightened, not just pressed on. Bad flares are the most common cause of gas leaks.
- Vacuum before releasing gas: the fitter should use a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture from the pipes. This step is often skipped, and it is the biggest reason new inverter ACs lose cooling within a year.
- Leak test: soap water on every joint after the gas is opened.
- Drain pipe with a downward slope: so water does not drip inside the room. If your AC already drips, see our AC drain pipe guide.
- Separate breaker and earthing: the AC should never run from an ordinary socket or extension board.
- Test run: 15 to 20 minutes of cooling, checking the air temperature and gas pressure before the fitter leaves.
Inverter AC Installation: Extra Care Needed
Inverter ACs are more sensitive to installation mistakes than old non-inverter ACs. Moisture or air left in the pipes can damage the compressor and the electronic expansion valve over time. For an inverter AC, insist on a vacuum pump, proper flare joints and a stable power supply. Most new ACs come pre-charged with enough gas for the standard pipe length given in the manual, so a brand-new AC with a normal pipe run should not need extra gas. If a fitter says a new AC needs a “full gas refill”, ask why.
Not sure whether to buy inverter? Our inverter vs simple AC comparison shows the real bill difference.
AC Shifting and Uninstallation: Do It Right
- Pump-down first: before the pipes are disconnected, the fitter should collect the gas into the outdoor unit. If this is skipped, the gas is lost and you pay for a refill at the new place.
- Cap the pipe ends so dust and moisture do not enter.
- Do not reuse a damaged or very short pipe. A new kit costs less than a compressor repair.
- When shifting to a new house, expect a new stand, wall hole and possibly extra pipe on top of the shifting charge.
How to Avoid Being Overcharged
- Get the full price in writing before work starts: installation, pipe length, stand, drilling and electrical work.
- Measure the pipe run yourself. Ask the fitter to show the extra pipe they are charging for.
- Do not pay for a gas refill on a brand-new AC with a normal pipe run unless a gauge shows low pressure.
- Keep the old parts if anything is replaced.
- Pay after the test run, not before.
For the cost of servicing and gas after installation, see our AC service price guide and AC gas charging price guide.
Can You Install an AC Yourself?
It is not a good idea. A split AC installation needs a vacuum pump, flaring tools, a gas gauge and safe electrical work. Mistakes cause gas leaks, water dripping, high bills and compressor damage, and DIY installation can also void the warranty. You can save money by preparing the site yourself: decide the indoor and outdoor positions, arrange the breaker point and keep the path clear for the fitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are AC installation charges in Pakistan in 2026?
About Rs 3,000 to 7,500 for a split AC with around 10 feet of pipe. Window ACs cost about Rs 2,000 to 4,500, and floor-standing ACs about Rs 4,000 to 12,000.
How much is extra pipe for AC installation?
Labour for extra pipe is often about Rs 100 per foot beyond 10 feet. The copper kit itself is extra if the one supplied with the AC is too short, and its price depends on copper quality.
What are AC service charges in Islamabad?
A normal split AC service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi costs about Rs 1,800 to 3,500 depending on tonnage. Our AC service price guide explains what a proper service includes.
Does a new AC need gas after installation?
Usually not. New ACs are pre-charged for the standard pipe length in the manual. Extra gas is needed only for long pipe runs or when gas was lost during shifting.
How long does AC installation take?
A standard split AC installation takes about 2 to 4 hours, including the vacuum and test run.
AC fitting ke kitne paise lagte hain?
2026 mein split AC ki fitting aam tor par Rs 3,000 se 7,500 tak hoti hai, lagbhag 10 feet pipe ke saath. Zyada pipe, stand aur wiring ke paise alag lagte hain.
Prices in this guide are approximate for November 2026 and vary by city, area and job. Always get a written quote before work starts.
Also read: how much electricity a 1.5 ton AC uses and why an AC keeps tripping.