I quote the complete cost up front, and I'll put honest ranges in writing here.
The Short Answer
For a straightforward single-zone mini-split, one outdoor unit, one indoor head, a clean line-set run, around $5,000 is a good planning number. Simpler installs can come in under that; longer line-set runs, tricky electrical, or premium equipment push it up. Multi-zone systems covering two to four rooms typically land in the $9,000–$14,000 range depending on zones and routing.
Every home is different, which is why I look at the space and give you one complete number before any work starts, equipment, labor, materials, everything. That's the same pricing you'll find on my services page.
What Moves the Price
- Size of the space. A 300 sq ft casita needs a much smaller system than a 900 sq ft bonus level.
- Line-set distance and routing. A head mounted on the same wall as the condenser is the easy case. Runs through attics or across the house take time and materials.
- Electrical. Most installs need a dedicated circuit. If your panel has space, simple. If it's full, that's a conversation before we start, not a surprise after.
- Zones. Each additional indoor head adds equipment cost, but the per-zone price drops as you add them.
Where Mini-Splits Earn Their Keep in St. George
Garages you actually want to use in July. Casitas and mother-in-law suites. Home gyms. Bonus rooms over garages. Additions where extending the ductwork costs more than it's worth. Upstairs bedrooms that run 8 degrees hotter than the thermostat.
If that list sounds like your house, a mini-split is usually the cheapest path to fixing it, not the most expensive. I install them all over St. George, Washington, Hurricane, and Ivins, casitas near Snow Canyon are practically a specialty at this point.
Why the Quote Matters More Than the Range
Ranges like the ones above are honest, but they're still ranges. When I quote your job, you get the exact number, in writing, before I order anything, and that's the number on the invoice. No "while we were in there" additions. That's how I've done it for 30 years.
What About Running Costs?
Mini-splits are among the most efficient systems you can buy, inverter-driven, no duct losses (ducts typically leak 20–30% of conditioned air), cooling and heating from the same unit. For a casita or garage, you're typically adding a few dollars a month to the power bill, not a second utility line.
Want the Real Number for Your Space?
Send me a photo and rough dimensions and I'll get you started, or I'll come look. Call or text Bret: (435) 549-1409.